Happy De- Lurking day!!!
Let me explain:
Do you ever stop by someone's blog and read it...and the leave without leaving a comment? It's okay if you do it as I am equally as guilty on my friends Blogs... I really think Facebook's like feature is to blame...It's easy to hit a button rather than figure out what to type.
I will plug you shamelessly today...
Everyone seems to love doing this to me.. and although a few months ago I removed the ability for some of you to comment anonymously(because if you know me well enough, you'd know I love it when you comment and show me your face)
I am often guilty on this on FaceBook... and there are a bunch of people I haven't heard from.
My Friend Erin's Blog-She writes about life. The Good the Bad and the ugly... And miracles.
Recently her hubby experienced a miracle. He had I believe a 270 degree aortic tear in his heart... Recently the Ambassador to Pakistan had the same thing but the really miraculous thing here is that while the Ambassador passed away. AL lived!!! :-) He is recovering from open heart surgery and I love reading this blog because she's just this real.
My Friend Michelle's Blog- I love her and her family :-)- She recently added a new face to her family. I LOVE reading her blog but it's been a while since I commented. I am sorry..
My New friend Mandy's Blog- This momma is into just plain saving money. There are great tips for both paper couponing and online deals as well. She also does projects for her community.
I know her in Real life and we go to church together.
So that is my shameless plugs for the day.
Go leave a comment! :-) The next post will have pictures
Be Blessed
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Sarah Grace- The Arrival
Sarah Grace was born on December 27,2010 at 5:32 pm weighing 8 pounds 14 oz. 21". Betamethasone did it's job and no lung issues. :)
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Birth Story:
After almost a full week of having contractions. After spending an evening in Labor and Delivery and getting drugs to space out the contractions and a steroid shot called betamethasone. I was sent home... I got the same steroid shot later the next day.
We spent Christmas at home. I slept most of the day. I couldn't avoid this.
Christmas day night my family spent time with some amazing friends of ours. I was noticing that the contractions and the pain from them were beginning to become an issue again.
The Day after Christmas it snowed here. While Andrew took the kids outside I was sleeping again. We don't have any other explanation other than maybe my body was getting ready for labor.
Monday I had a scheduled appointment with an Non Stress Test (monitoring the baby). We passed everything else but totally flunked the NST.
Here was an OB doctor I didn't know that well and I could seriously tell he was very concerned and looked to be freaking out... He got the ultrasound machine out and scanned the baby... This time she flunked something called a bio Physical Profile (bpp)... By this time I knew something was serious and by this time I had seriously lost my peace..
He sent me over to the hospital which is across the street. It took me an hour to get over to Labor and delivery because I called Andrew and said they were talking delivery. That and I managed to calm myself down.
They monitored the baby for a while and gave me an IV and some fluids. She perked up, meanwhile my contractions were back and giving me more pain but not doing what contractions are supposed to do. Open things up so she could vacate.
Again an OB Doc. I had never met was on call. She was nice, gave me all the information I needed and gave me all the options in a supportive way. We decided that since the pain wasn't going away and we were going to deliver within a few days anyway(because meds were only going to hold things back for so long)and had the steroids on board now would probably be a great thing.
She gave us a few minutes while they prepped me for surgery to make phone calls.
The Birth was incredible. While they were there they tied my tubes. I will not be like the lady in Arkansas who has 19 kids. 3 is our magic number.
When they got to where Sarah was the OB docs said we had made it just in time as they said my uterus was so thin around where my scar was that it probably would not have taken very much to rupture it. When they pulled her out there was a knot in her cord that was beginning to tighten(putting her in trouble)... So glad that I had angels disguising themselves as doctors around us. the Nst's and bpp's were necessary to make sure she was doing well so we could get as close to our due date as possible.
Sarah went straight to the newborn nursery because the neonatologist that was there checked her over and gave us the all clear. This was a victory for us and a victory for research. This was a first time experience for us.
When they pulled her out she let out some screams but after she's been a peaceful little thing. The first words she heard were...You're beautiful. First words out of Dad's mouth was "hello, beautiful". When they brought her over to me I told her that I loved her and that she has an incredible destiny, and I will not let her ever forget it either.
Recovery has sucked pretty much but overall has been better than Daniel's surgery as far as healing goes.
The kids LOVE her. Jonathan was heard saying upon seeing a picture of Sarah:"My Sarah".
First I'd like to thank God for giving me the honor of giving me these precious gifts called children. Children we thought we'd never get to hold.
I'd like to thank Him for the precious gift that first cries are and for the miracles that came often following times of my deepest pain or deepest trouble.
Second, I'd love to thank Andrew for the love and support and for the 5 times we were sent to Labor and delivery for everything from, the baby wasn't moving enough, to throwing up to contractions that were scary enough to drive us up the road just after I had just been up at their office.(for all the time he spent sleeping in chairs) I'd love to thank him for putting up with me and my emotions and my hormones that often got him confused. He treated me like a queen both during the delivery and after... I feel like the most lucky woman on the planet when during my c-section Andrew put his face close to mine and told me he loved me. the mask was the only thing keeping him from kissing me.
For all of my friends that hugged me, picked me up, or just made me laugh when I was feeling down. Thank you. You have no idea how much you helped me even if it came in the form of redneck humor.
To my dear friends who came and helped me with Jonathan and Daniel. Thank you from them. Believe me or not this was a seriously stressful time for them. Several of you made it so much fun for them. Namely Jennifer and Jonathan.
Just a revelation from this journey:It occured to me that even though the last 9 weeks were rough and had bumps along the way... but it was because of the bumps I got to meet several of the OB doctors that were in the same practice... Several of whom are very amazing God filled, human beings that can practice their faith daily and carry out their calling and ministry... they just happen to have an M.D. after their name...
That was awesome just to see that even these high powered doctors can do what they were called to do and be the hands and feet of God. Just like the rest of us we would all strive to walk in our faith and be "Jesus with skin" in what ever we are called to do.
Have a peaceful and prosperous 2011 from my family to yours.
Love Trina, Andrew, Jonathan, Daniel and Sarah
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Getting Ready
just pics. We are busy getting ready for Christmas and the Arrival of Sarah... The past 5 weeks have been a total flurry of activity at our house..
Week 32 brought some really funky either stomach bug or really late onset of really horrific morning sickness.
I spent most of the week on the High Risk pregnancy unit in the hospital being nursed back to health. It was despite one of our friend's teasing NOT Andrew's cooking.. Praise the Lord we are entering week 37...I am feeling slightly better. We have entered the time of more doctors visits and more testing (to make sure the baby is doing great and we stay pregnant longer).. If we can hold out I will be getting steroid shots 12/29 and 12/30 with Sarah Arriving the Week of January 3rd via c-section.
Sarah's Corner of our room...
Jonathan at the Comporium telephone museum learning some Rock Hill,SC history. Funny thing he didn't know this was a train /textile/cotton town at one point..
It's been really unseasonably cold here... Daniel in a really cute hat playing at a friend's house.
Jonathan riding a fun train at the Annual event Christmasville- Sponsored by the City of Rock Hill and Onlyin Oldtown.com
Vernon Grant( The creator of the characters Snap,Crackle and Pop) drew some other characters including the gnome...He is one of the Characters of the festival. Our kids LOVE dressed up characters. In the Spring the festival's Characters are giant frogs.
We dressed up to go to a Signature Chef's Auction benefiting the March of Dimes of South Carolina. It's not often that we dress up.
Unfortunately I was unable to eat anything although the food looked yummy. The Next day I ended up going to the doctor and being admitted for severe dehydration and to get the nausea under control so I could eat again..
Until I post again... Be abundantly blessed...
Week 32 brought some really funky either stomach bug or really late onset of really horrific morning sickness.
I spent most of the week on the High Risk pregnancy unit in the hospital being nursed back to health. It was despite one of our friend's teasing NOT Andrew's cooking.. Praise the Lord we are entering week 37...I am feeling slightly better. We have entered the time of more doctors visits and more testing (to make sure the baby is doing great and we stay pregnant longer).. If we can hold out I will be getting steroid shots 12/29 and 12/30 with Sarah Arriving the Week of January 3rd via c-section.
Unfortunately I was unable to eat anything although the food looked yummy. The Next day I ended up going to the doctor and being admitted for severe dehydration and to get the nausea under control so I could eat again..
Until I post again... Be abundantly blessed...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Fight For Preemies-Prematurity made personal
I thought long and hard about what to write this year.
Here is what I felt is important.
My family lives in South Carolina where statistics from the South Carolina March of Dimes show 1 in every 8 babies are born Prematurely or with some birth defect or complication. This can vary from state to state.
This number thankfully is changing for the better, thanks to research and programs and medicine developed by the March of Dimes.
What causes Prematurity? According to the March of Dimes only in 50 percent of cases do they have a known cause.
Our Story and proof Prematurity can happen to Anyone:
A Tale of 2 pregnancies:
Jonathan was born in March of 2006 after infertility and a miscarriage. He was born at 39 weeks but instead of first cries, he was in respiratory distress. His lungs were severely immature and underdeveloped. He was admitted to the NICU where he was placed on a ventilator and given 3 doses of Surfactant. After some time he deteriorated,he was transferred to Levine Children's Hospital level 4 NICU. (this is our fast forward version).After some time and an oscillating ventilator, he was placed on Nitric Oxide . We nearly were at the point where the neonatal doctors were going to do ECMO.
He began to improve. After 55 days in the NICU he came home on oxygen and monitors. Jonathan was on oxygen until he was six months old. Jonathan is now an active almost 5 year old who continues to amaze us.
Before his younger brother Daniel was conceived I took prenatal vitamins, and ate well. When I was pregnant with him I got more specialized prenatal care. I had a test done called an amniocentesis to check for lung maturity. I received the steroid Betamethasone (to mature his hungs) because his lungs too were immature,just like Jonathan's.
He was born in late July of 2008 with borderline lung maturity. He was born screaming and has yet to stop.
Thanks to the research and the support from the March of dimes, and incredible doctors and neonatal doctors Daniel spent 30 hours in the NICU under observation. Daniel came home with me when I left the hospital on the fourth day. He is a very joyful , loving and active two year old.
We could have had a different outcome had we not learned about what the March of Dimes has researched and what special care we could receive.
I know my family is forever changed by prematurity but we are grateful for what the March of Dimes does for these precious babies.
We are expecting our third baby, Sarah (due after the new year) and I am receiving the same specialized care I received with Daniel. I will be receiving the steroid Betamethasone and a NICU team will be present at her delivery with the drug Surfactant at the ready.
How do you get involved?
Go to The March For Babies website. Sign up and attend an event in your area.
Find out for yourself about the mission of the March of Dimes organization. To have every baby be born healthy.
Get your business or company involved.
The walk in our area is fun and is on April 30th. You can raise money both online and by doing car washes, bake sales and yard sales. You can have a silent auction or a sit down dinner.
Your level of involvement is totally up to you, and the money you raise goes towards life saving research.
This is a celebration for our family and for those touched by prematurity.
Everyone at some point knows someone touched by prematurity. We hope at some point less families are impacted by it and this doesn't happen so often.
Until then we pray for better treatment and more research for a cause and a cure so more mom and dads can bring home healthy babies.
Thanks for visiting :)
Trina and my amazing family Andrew, Jonathan and Daniel
Here is what I felt is important.
My family lives in South Carolina where statistics from the South Carolina March of Dimes show 1 in every 8 babies are born Prematurely or with some birth defect or complication. This can vary from state to state.
This number thankfully is changing for the better, thanks to research and programs and medicine developed by the March of Dimes.
What causes Prematurity? According to the March of Dimes only in 50 percent of cases do they have a known cause.
Our Story and proof Prematurity can happen to Anyone:
A Tale of 2 pregnancies:
Jonathan was born in March of 2006 after infertility and a miscarriage. He was born at 39 weeks but instead of first cries, he was in respiratory distress. His lungs were severely immature and underdeveloped. He was admitted to the NICU where he was placed on a ventilator and given 3 doses of Surfactant. After some time he deteriorated,he was transferred to Levine Children's Hospital level 4 NICU. (this is our fast forward version).After some time and an oscillating ventilator, he was placed on Nitric Oxide . We nearly were at the point where the neonatal doctors were going to do ECMO.
He began to improve. After 55 days in the NICU he came home on oxygen and monitors. Jonathan was on oxygen until he was six months old. Jonathan is now an active almost 5 year old who continues to amaze us.
Before his younger brother Daniel was conceived I took prenatal vitamins, and ate well. When I was pregnant with him I got more specialized prenatal care. I had a test done called an amniocentesis to check for lung maturity. I received the steroid Betamethasone (to mature his hungs) because his lungs too were immature,just like Jonathan's.
Thanks to the research and the support from the March of dimes, and incredible doctors and neonatal doctors Daniel spent 30 hours in the NICU under observation. Daniel came home with me when I left the hospital on the fourth day. He is a very joyful , loving and active two year old.
We could have had a different outcome had we not learned about what the March of Dimes has researched and what special care we could receive.
I know my family is forever changed by prematurity but we are grateful for what the March of Dimes does for these precious babies.
We are expecting our third baby, Sarah (due after the new year) and I am receiving the same specialized care I received with Daniel. I will be receiving the steroid Betamethasone and a NICU team will be present at her delivery with the drug Surfactant at the ready.
How do you get involved?
Go to The March For Babies website. Sign up and attend an event in your area.
Find out for yourself about the mission of the March of Dimes organization. To have every baby be born healthy.
Get your business or company involved.
The walk in our area is fun and is on April 30th. You can raise money both online and by doing car washes, bake sales and yard sales. You can have a silent auction or a sit down dinner.
Your level of involvement is totally up to you, and the money you raise goes towards life saving research.
This is a celebration for our family and for those touched by prematurity.
Everyone at some point knows someone touched by prematurity. We hope at some point less families are impacted by it and this doesn't happen so often.
Until then we pray for better treatment and more research for a cause and a cure so more mom and dads can bring home healthy babies.
Thanks for visiting :)
Trina and my amazing family Andrew, Jonathan and Daniel
Monday, November 1, 2010
Close encounters of the Jonathan Kind
This is our adventures Saturday and Sunday...
This is our family at the Nikki Haley Rally in Rock Hill standing with Nikki Haley. She is running for Governor in SC. She is really great and We all hope she gets elected...Because she seemed more warm and more not politician like (and we all can appreciate that)
We let Jonathan take some pictures and this was one of them... Nikki liked this one and told someone with her that they were fired(joking).. I cannot believe how great this one was. Looks like we're gonna have to get him his own digital camera. :-)
You know those big post cards the political candidates send out asking you to vote for them? Okay Jonathan has been nurturing one in perticular.
The Guy in the picture is Running for US Congress in our district...Mick Mulvaney. We were eating dinner at a place in Downtown Rock Hill before going to Boo ha ha. We were eating dinner when this guy walks in and sits down..Jonathan keeps looking at him and goes Mommy, mommy making the sign like his post card. I recognize what he is doing and look over... Yep he was RIGHT! I grinned and chuckled like I cannot believe this. I get Andrew's attention...Andrew thought we had both lost it until I made him look.. Then he grinned. Jonathan wanted a picture. We grabbed a cell phone and snapped a photo. He got down on Jonathan's level. He talked about his triplet 10 year olds how they have glasses. We then went back to eating...He kept calling Jonathan Monkey man... :-) (we have been trying to go to his bbq's and events but had been totally unable to for God knows what ever reasons)
Jonathan entered the costume contest and won 4th place... We won a ticket to the Renaissance Festival... He had the judges eating out of his paws with his cuteness. Don't know if we'll actually go or not but it seems I was blessed on Saturday.
This afternoon Andrew and I go see the perinatologist. We are actually looking forward to what might normally be a scary visit. This doc is a very sweet man that took care of us with Daniel. Old as dirt and is kinda deaf in one ear but the Kindness of God just comes out of him. We will update you.
Until we come back Be BLESSED.
This is our family at the Nikki Haley Rally in Rock Hill standing with Nikki Haley. She is running for Governor in SC. She is really great and We all hope she gets elected...Because she seemed more warm and more not politician like (and we all can appreciate that)
We let Jonathan take some pictures and this was one of them... Nikki liked this one and told someone with her that they were fired(joking).. I cannot believe how great this one was. Looks like we're gonna have to get him his own digital camera. :-)
The Guy in the picture is Running for US Congress in our district...Mick Mulvaney. We were eating dinner at a place in Downtown Rock Hill before going to Boo ha ha. We were eating dinner when this guy walks in and sits down..Jonathan keeps looking at him and goes Mommy, mommy making the sign like his post card. I recognize what he is doing and look over... Yep he was RIGHT! I grinned and chuckled like I cannot believe this. I get Andrew's attention...Andrew thought we had both lost it until I made him look.. Then he grinned. Jonathan wanted a picture. We grabbed a cell phone and snapped a photo. He got down on Jonathan's level. He talked about his triplet 10 year olds how they have glasses. We then went back to eating...He kept calling Jonathan Monkey man... :-) (we have been trying to go to his bbq's and events but had been totally unable to for God knows what ever reasons)
Jonathan entered the costume contest and won 4th place... We won a ticket to the Renaissance Festival... He had the judges eating out of his paws with his cuteness. Don't know if we'll actually go or not but it seems I was blessed on Saturday.
This afternoon Andrew and I go see the perinatologist. We are actually looking forward to what might normally be a scary visit. This doc is a very sweet man that took care of us with Daniel. Old as dirt and is kinda deaf in one ear but the Kindness of God just comes out of him. We will update you.
Until we come back Be BLESSED.
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