The birth of John Dalton

Today my sweet boy is two weeks old! Time is flying. I figured I should go ahead and get his birth story written before the details become fuzzy.
I will start at the beginning. :)
Back in early May, Adam had just graduated and was in the midst of an extensive job search in his new field as a mechanical engineer. Life was pretty unpredictable as to where we would wind up and we were just excited for the next chapter. I started feeling off and wouldn't you know, I was expecting! Talk about crazy timing! Being that I was "advanced maternal age," I had blood work early in my pregnancy to check for genetic abnormalities. As a bonus, we got to find out the gender very early on. When the Dr called to tell me the results were all low risk and that we were having a boy I was over the moon! I could not wait to tell Adam he would finally get his son. I had our very good friends James and Megan help me tell Adam. I had a onesie made with his name and James and Megan pretended they had a belated graduation gift for him. It was such a cool moment. Some history on the name: John is Adam's 1st name and he is the 4th. Dalton is of course my late brother's name and paternal grandpa's name. Super special.

In August and September we finally announced to our families and a few friends. 

Adam had gotten a job in Fort Worth and we were prepping the house to sell. It went on the market in September and sold in ONE day. By October we had to be out and had not yet found the right place in the metroplex. We got creative while we waited for the right home and Adam stayed with his aunts for a bit, then his best friend while the girls and I went to stay with Adam's sister in Austin. Not ideal to be apart, but we made lemonade out of lemons and enjoyed being close to family. We found the "right for right now" house in North Fort Worth, but also learned that it would not be finished until right around the time I was due. 

We found a lovely VRBO in Weatherford, Texas. It was a little garage apartment attached to a main house of the sweetest family. We stayed the entire month of December and it could not have been a better place for us. Our builder told us the house was going to be done December 28th. This surprised us when we did the walkthrough as it appeared there was still much to be done. We were correct to be skeptical. It was not done. Luckily we were able to stay longer in the apartment! 

This brings me to the week of Dalton's birth. As usual, my blood pressure started to spike in the last weeks of pregnancy. It was New Year's Day and I did not feel well. I took my blood pressure and it was so high that it wouldn't even register even while laying on my left side. Not a good sign. This time I was hoping very much to avoid major surgery so found a wonderful Dr in Dallas that is pro VBAC even after 2 prior c-sections. I also hired a doula (a person who helps support you in labor). I called my Dr and he said I should go ahead and come to the hospital. We had already sent Sadie down with Adam's parents the week prior so called Auntie Dory to come stay with Isla. She got to the apartment at about 8:30pm. It was about 17 degrees so Adam and I bundled up and headed out to the hospital. We called the doula and our birth photographer. We told the birth photographer to hang tight but just to be ready. 

We arrived at Baylor Dallas and were sent to a regular labor and delivery room, something I have never gotten to do before. It was quite large. I changed into my gown and started going through all the questions. The staff were fantastic and very respectful of my wishes. My Dr was in another delivery so a resident came to talk with me about my options. They gave me the choice of a gentle induction or going straight to a repeat c-section. I was really dreading having major abdominal surgery with a 2 year old who very much still needs me and moving into a new house later that week so it was not an easy decision. By this point we had called the doula in the room and she was very helpful in going through my options with me. I went ahead and had the resident check me to see if I was favorable for an induction. She did, and I was not at all. That made the decision a little easier and I said to go ahead with a c-section. I asked if they could wait long enough for my birth photographer to arrive and they said no problem. We did not know if they would let her in the OR, as it depends more on the anesthesiologist than the OB, but were hopeful! 

Our birth photographer arrived around midnight, I believe. We still had plenty of time as they were just starting my IV. This proved to be the worst part, once again. The first try, my vein blew up. That was AWWWWWFUL. The next try she almost got it, but not quite. She went and found another 

nurse to try. He tried the right arm in one more spot (since I am left handed) but it did not take either. At this point we tried the left hand and he finally got it. They gave me the fluids that you get before a c-section and the anesthesiologist came to talk to me. He was so nice and had NO problem letting my photographer in the OR! Yay! This is the first time I have brought a birth plan with me and the nurse took the time to read over it and was very set on honoring my plans as closely as possible. What a difference from the one mean nurse we had at Mother Frances when we had Isla!
At 2:38am on January 2nd, I walked into the OR. They initiated the spinal (this time a spinal epidural which is a combination of both and has less side effects from what they tell me). At one point my left leg shook as it activates, but he warned me this would happen. At least it did not hurt this time. They layed me down on the operating table and brought Adam and Kali (photog) in. It was a very relaxed environment and everyone went around introducing themselves before the surgery began.

It seemed like it took forever for them to get to him. I love this photo of when they started to let him gently emerge.

At 3:20am our little John Dalton was born! He cried right away-what a wonderful sound! They took him to get cleaned up a little and the Dr started putting me back together. The Dr told me mid surgery it was a VERY good thing I did not labor as my uterus was paper thin and would have most certainly ruptured. VERY SCARY! The blood pressure may have been a blessing in disguise as had it not spiked again I would have waited for labor to start on its own. He also said the cord was wrapped around his neck. So thankful that he made it here safely.

They brought him over to do skin to skin with me. So sweet and so challenging to do laying flat on your back! We just did it for a few minutes then I had Adam take him. I LOVED that they never took him out of the OR. That was really refreshing. Getting to watch Adam hold his son for the first time was so special. For sure one of those moments in life we did not know if would ever happen or not. Such joy!

They finished getting me stitched up and then we went to recovery where he immediately was ready to nurse! We stayed there for about 2 hours then finally headed up to my room. Kali continued snapping the most special photos.

Kali headed home and since it was 6:30am we figured we could start calling family. We facetime'd Adam's parents before his dad left for work and had them wake up Sadie. She was too out of it to really realize what was going on. :) We called the rest of the family over the next couple of hours then rested as much as was possible for the rest of the day. Dory brought Isla up in the afternoon and she was verrrry uncertain about everything, to say the least! This made it easier for her to leave without me haha!

The next day we closed on our house, so they sent a mobile notary to the hospital to do the closing. Crazy.

Dalton was a little star on the mama/baby floor as he had no jaundice and was the best nurser they had seen in ages. He already gained back the 4 percent weight that he had lost by the time we were leaving! I always somewhat enjoy the time in the hospital inspite of the constant in and out of staff. It's such a special time to bond with your baby.

My blood pressure seemed to be stabilizing this time so Friday it was time to go home without blood pressure meds-a first!

The blood pressure did not last, however, and I got to go back to visit my friends in labor and delivery Saturday night. Went home on meds and it is finally stabilizing. Inspite of the blood pressure, this has been by far my easiest recovery in terms of pain. I have only had a couple of set back days where I have overdone it so then I start hurting.

I took his newborn photos last week and this past Saturday we had a few family photos taken. I can't wait to get those back. Here are a few of his newborns.

JOHN DALTON CAREY

JANUARY 2, 2018

3:20 AM

7 POUNDS, 7 OUNCES

20 INCHES LONG

Isla's birth story!

Upon finding out we were expecting, I had a tough decision to make. Since I had a c-section with Sadie, I had to decide if I wanted to try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) or to opt for a repeat c-section. I went back and forth for a good 8 months before finally deciding that I was more comfortable with a repeat c-section. Yes, it is major surgery, but I liked knowing there would be less variables and I could have a little more control. (Can you say type A???) This turned out to be a good decision because my blood pressure started to creep up around the 35-36 week mark. We knew going into it that this would be a possibility, as I had severe pregnancy induced hypertension with Sadie.

We had originally scheduled a repeat c-section for my EDD, which was 11-25. When the blood pressure started rising we moved it to 11-18. This was not good as Adam was in the midst of a crazy school schedule. We tried to move it to Friday the 20^th, but the Dr could not find anyone to operate with her. We wound up moving it to Tuesday the 24^th and agreed to keep a very close eye on my blood pressure. The 16^th the Dr went ahead and put me off work to keep me lying around the house. Thursday my friend Dory came in to hang out for a couple days before the baby would arrive. Well, my blood pressure started getting really high on my readings at home and the Dr had said I needed to call her if it was not going down. Friday morning the 20^th I went in for them to check it. I was 39 weeks and 2 days at this point, so already 9 days further than when I delivered Sadie. The Dr decided that based on the reading we would be moving the delivery to the following day, Saturday, November 21^st. It was a very surreal feeling being told that the next day I would be having a baby. We knew all along that was a very real possibility, but hearing the words made it that much more real. It took me right back to the moment when my Dr with Sadie told us we would be having a baby later that day. My Dr told me to be at the hospital at 7am and we would plan on going into the OR at 9:15. I left and called Adam to let him know that the next day we would have a baby. 

The rest of Friday I had to lay low to keep my blood pressure from skyrocketing so Dory and I watched movies until it was time to get Sadie from school. I had promised Sadie that before her sister arrived we would go get a pedicure, so when Dory and I picked her up from school we went straight to do that. She was so excited that she would be meeting her sister the next day! That night I finished packing our bags and went to bed around 10. I slept well, surprisingly. We got up and got everything loaded in the car. It worked out so well that Dory wound up being there still since she was able to watch Sadie while we had the baby. Dory and Sadie followed to the hospital so they could see where to go and get the stickers that would allow them in the room to visit me later on. I had asked my photographer friend, Cally, to be there to photograph the birth. She met us in the lobby and took some very sweet photos of Sadie hugging on my belly and kissing me goodbye. I should have them from her in the next few days. What sweet moments to have captured! We said bye to Dory and Sadie and headed up to labor and delivery. EEK!

We got to labor and delivery and I changed into my hospital gown. They then allowed Adam and Cally to come in. They went through 50 million questions and started my I.V. The I.V. was probably the worst part, as the first attempt did not take and she kept digging around. It was awful. The other nurse came and got one started in my other arm. I had a couple bags of fluid, which made me sooo cold! They gave me some blankets and I tried to just relax. The Dr came in and said hello and we calmly chatted. She has the most relaxed personality ever, which is nice when you are about to be cut open! Soon after, the anesthesiologist came in to chat as well. I was very hopeful that they would allow me to have my husband AND Cally in the OR, but that was a no go. They did however agree to allow them to swap places halfway through-yay! Cally set my camera up for a nurse and showed her how to use it so that we could have some photos before they allowed her in. The photos actually came out great!

Anyways, right around 9:15 they had me climb in a wheelchair and we made our way to the OR. Let me tell you, it is the most surreal feeling walking into a freezing cold operating room knowing you are about to have surgery, let alone have a BABY! It really hit me that we were having a baby when I walked in there and saw all the equipment to take care of her. I told the CRNA that I wanted to change my mind and not do it! Ha! He was very sweet and reassuring that all would be ok.

I got situated on the table and the CRNA had me lean over a pillow into a nurse while he started my spinal block. It did not hurt when I had it with Sadie, but this time it hurt for a few seconds on the right side of my back, but went away pretty quickly. They got me situated on the table and then the rest of the surgery team started coming in. Luckily there is something in the spinal that relaxes you and warms you up, because I began to feel a little calmer. Everyone got prepped and they did a little test to make sure I was numb. I was, so they got started. It seemed like it took FOREVER for them to get to the baby. I kept asking Adam if they were close. Finally they said it was time and I would feel a lot of pulling and pressure. Boy did I! It was intense. It was not long and she was out! At 10:00am on the dot she was here! She cried right away, which is the best feeling ever. The Dr lifted her up over the curtain for me to see and the nurse captured some great photos of that moment! I feel like the image shows that a c-section is just as beautiful as a natural birth. The smile on my face is priceless.

They started getting Isla all cleaned up and Adam swapped places with Cally. They brought Isla over to me to see and cuddle, but it is hard to hold a baby when you are laying down flat, even with a nurse helping. I told them to go ahead and take her out to my husband. Cally followed them out and I am sure got some great photos of that time. The CRNA told me he was giving me something in my IV to relax me and that it might make me sleepy. It did relax me and I was a tad sleepy, but too excited to go to sleep. I talked to the Dr while she put me back together. It was a very relaxed environment.

Once they finished stitching me up, they wheeled me into the recovery room where I immediately got to do skin to skin and start nursing Isla. This was SUCH a different experience from Sadie, as I was not stable enough to be with her in recovery. Isla took to nursing right away and it made being in the recovery room so great. I shook quite a bit in recovery, but I don’t think nearly as much as with Sadie. The spinal started to wear off so I asked for some pain meds. Whatever they gave me did not work great, but I was ok since I had the distraction of a new baby! After about an hour or so they cleared us to go to my room. We called Dory and told her to head on up to the hospital with Sadie.

We got to the room, which was so pretty and spa like for a hospital! Sadie and Dory arrived right after we got settled. It was so sweet introducing Sadie to her new sister. She did not want to hold her right away, but was certainly in awe. I think it was an hour or so later that she asked to hold her. They hung out for a bit and then Dory took Sadie home. Adam and I relaxed with Isla for an hour or two and then Adam headed home to get Sadie ready to spend the night at her friend Molly’s house. Isla and I enjoyed skin to skin for the rest of the day. It was the sweetest time ever. Adam got Sadie situated at Molly’s house and then came back so he could spend the first night with me. Isla and I stayed in the hospital for 3 nights. It was the best time, believe it or not. I never once turned the tv on. I just enjoyed the peace and quiet. It was such special bonding time with my baby. It was also very healing for me to have a better recovery this go round.

I finally was discharged Tuesday and sent home on blood pressure medicine. It seemed like I would escape the post partum hypertension this time, but it started going up while I was still in the hospital. I was glad we caught it before going home, and am confident that it will correct itself in time.

The time at home has been tiring, but wonderful. We kindly asked for some time before we were ready for visitors and I am thankful for that. It has been the most wonderful time to bond and establish nursing privately. I can honestly say that this time has been the best experience. We are so in love with sweet Isla and cannot imagine our family without her.

I recently prayed....

That God would put something in my life to put more trust in Him. 

Well, He is answering pretty loud and clear. I see some big changes coming soon. Trusting Him to provide. 

Sara and Avery visit Texas!

Gosh, I haven't blogged in a while! I have been busy blogging my photography and have been lax on posting here. I have a lot to catch up on.
My sister and niece flew home today after spending 5 days here. Sara was kind enough to come help while I had another surgery. Yes, you read that right. I had a diagnostic endometriosis laparoscopy on Thursday morning. I have been having ongoing pain for years, and it worsened after having Sadie. While trying not to be too graphic, about 3 days each month I feel like I am in labor. It's excruciating. The only true way to diagnose someone with endometriosis is by having a laparoscopy done. Not great, but not the worst thing either. I fully expected to come out of surgery and learn that I had it everywhere. Well, Adam briefly spoke with the Dr following the procedure and she said there was no endometriosis. I am still in shock. Part of me is relieved, but the other part of me is left feeling very confused and with less answers than before. Why so much pain if there was nothing there? Did she miss it somehow? Do I get a second opinion? Do I just suffer? So many questions.......
I did recently test positive for Celiac (gluten intolerance) and there is a huge link between gluten/endo and pain. I have an appointment on July 21st for another blood test after a month of eating more gluten than I had been) and then another appointment that Friday for them to look down my throat with a camera. I hope that maybe that will give me some answers and that maybe it is all intertwined. I am looking forward to after those dates later this month when I can stop eating gluten again, as I do think it has a major link to everything.
Anyways, in spite of the reason for Sara and Avery's visit, we really enjoyed having them here. Sadie LOVES being a big cousin to Avery. The way Avery looks at Sadie is just precious, as well! For living so far away, I am thankful that the girls have already seen one another twice this year, and will see one another at least one more time, if not two. I know how hard it can be to fly with a toddler so I really appreciate my sister's willingness to come.
My surgery was originally scheduled for Wednesday morning, but the Dr moved it to Thursday, giving us a day where I felt well for their visit. We had fun playing with the girls together. Thursday morning, Adam took me to the hospital while Sara stayed and took care of the girls. Adam also had a final exam to get to (I know, worst timing ever) so she continued to entertain them while he was away, even so much as taking them to Target. I am still feeling kind of crummy post surgery, but nothing compared to my shoulder. I'm not in a lot of pain, mostly just very uncomfortable, as they fill your abdomen with gas in order to best see your organs. I have been trying to get up and walk around the house as much as I can, and we even wandered around the university yesterday a tad. Anyways, I will leave you with a few photos of the girls in their 4th of July outfits.

Florida trip

My grandpa had back surgery and also wound up having a mini stroke following the surgery. He has subsequently developed several infections and just today was transported back to the regular hospital from the rehab hospital. He is still having a very hard time and has a long road ahead of him. Well, I felt like it was important that I go see him. I talked to Adam and luckily had enough air miles that I was able to get a ticket that worked that dates that I needed. I flew out bright and early on Friday, March 7th, and got into Ft Meyers just before noon. My Aunt Eileen was there from Colorado as is my Aunt Sue Ann from California (Aunt Sue Ann has been there for about 2 months now I believe, and is there for a while longer, so it is good when the other sisters can come in to help). My Aunt Eileen picked me up from the airport and we went straight the hospital and basically spent all day there. I met my grandpa's girlfriend, Ruthie. So funny to say that! She was a friend of my grandma's and is a very sweet lady. My grandpa was in good spirits and happy to see me. We left shortly before sunset and headed to my grandpa's condo.

We headed out to the pool, where his friends gather for cocktails every evening. We said hello for just a few minutes and then headed to dinner. The sunset was stunning.

 

At dinner I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open! It was a long day of travel and being at the hospital. As soon as we got back and my head hit the pillow, I was out!

The next morning, Aunt Sue Ann got up early and headed to the hospital, while my Aunt Eileen and I slept till maybe 8 or so, had breakfast, and then went for a walk around the neighborhood before heading to see my grandpa.

 

  

We quickly headed back and got ready to head to the hospital. We got up there and Aunt Sue Ann got to head out and have a little time to herself and go get her hair cut and a pedicure. We then made her stay home and take a much needed rest. We had a good afternoon with my grandpa, and went to therapy with him and tried to encourage him as much as we could.  Before too long, it was time for me to take my Aunt Eileen back to the airport for her to fly home. We were silly and took pictures of us in grandpa's Porsche, because it is a little funny that we are all getting to drive his cars. :) 

 

I took her to the airport and then was starving, so ran into Panera on the way back to the hospital and grabbed a quick 1/2 salad. I got back and visited with my grandpa some more and then we all headed back for the night. My Aunt Sue Ann, Ruthie, and myself all went to dinner, then headed home. I could not sleep that night to save my life, and to make it worse it was daylight savings spring forward AND we needed to be up early to be able to spend time with my grandpa before I had to head back to the airport to fly home. That night though, my grandpa called my Aunt's phone at 10 something saying he couldn't get the nurse to come in and he was in a lot of pain. It was good that I was there because I was able to keep him on the phone while we called the nurses station for him. He also did a good job knowing earlier in the night to tell them what medication he could not have. I felt so awful for him knowing he was hurting and that the nurses were trying to get ahold of the on call Dr to get another medication. It was a long/short night and early morning. We stopped at Starbucks on the way to the hospital, visited with him for about an hour, and then it was time for me to go. He thanked me so much for coming to see him, which for him is a lot. I am really glad I went. 

He's got a long ways to go, so please keep him in your prayers!