Gage Henry has arrived!! 7/5/09

Here is his birth story that I just copied and pasted here from JM. LOL I'm too tired to retype everything. Also, sorry it took so long to post this. It's been a long time since I've had a newborn and I'm exhasted. HAHAHA

So as you all know, I had been contracting for what seemed like weeks. On Saturday, July 4th, they started getting a little bit stronger and closer together. I went up to L&D knowing that they weren't what they needed to be but hoping the doc would be nice and just break my water. LOL Well, that didn't happen and they sent me home. I went to bed and would wake up in the night but more from not being able to get comfortable then from contractions.

Sunday, July 5th, I got up and wasn't contracting at all at first. About 2 hours after getting up I had one and could tell right away that they were way different. They felt like I was getting stabbed in the pelvic bone and in my back. All morning long I would have one here and there but they were an hour or more apart with maybe a couple coming at 30min. Crystal had been camping and was on her way home so I kept her updated. When she got back into town she came over, it was about 4:30-5:00pm, and at that point I had 3 that were 9 min apart. They came out of nowhere!! LOL Once she sat down in the chair I had 2 that were 4 min apart and I told her it was time to go. I had James take the kids to my sisters and Crystal took me to the hospital. Steph met us up there. They took me into a room, checked me and told me I was a 5 and being admitted. At this point it was about 5:20. By the time they got my IV in and I got to the birthing room, I was a 7-8. At that point they gave me some demeral in my IV. I'm kind of sad that I did that but I didn't realize I was as far along as I was. James got there around then I think but honestly I was really out of it and don't remember much of what was going on around me. I was just trying to concentrate on letting my body relax and not to tense up so that my labor could progress. The nurse was at the computer asking me all the questions for admitting me when I told her I needed to be checked, that I was feeling alot of pressure. Yup I was a 9.

The doc came in to break my water. I told him no because I remembered how much more painful contractions are without your water. He giggled and said that at this point it wasn't going to make a difference. He broke my water, turned around and got his stuff on them told me I could push. I was in shock. My mind couldn't keep up with how fast my body was doing this. I started pushing which was horrible, the pain was so intense and the doc was making it worse. I had a hard time pushing right because of it. After a few contractions I was so sick of the doc messing around down there that I told myself I just had to push through it and get Gage out so that the doc would stop touching me. LOL I started pushing and would only come up for a quick breath then go right back to it. I think I did that 3 times and he was born at 6:35pm. It was the most amazing thing when I looked down. His eyes were open and he was staring right at me. After everything I had gone through it was so sureal to look down at my little guy and have him look right back at me. Steph was cutting his cord when I realized he hadn't cried yet and that scared me. He ended up only crying when they made him, other then that he just looked around and took it all in. I was crying like crazy. LOL I just couldn't believe that my baby was finally here. It made all the heartache and disappointment worth it.

Gage was born at 6:35pm on July 5th 2009. He was 6lbs 9ozs and 19.75inches long. He is my miracle baby. After 3+ years of heartache I am finally able to hold my little man in my arms, a moment I have been dreaming about for way too long. I look into his eyes and just lose myself. I couldn't be happier and niether could James or the kids. Gage has made our family complete. I am still in awe of him and I'm sometimes afraid that it was all a dream and that I'll wake up heartbroken again. Thankfully all I have to do is look over at my gorgous son and know that everything really is perfect.

And here are a few pics from his labor and birth.

Wow I suck!!

I can't believe that I have ignored this for so long!! I'm so sorry about that. Life got hectic and I just never thought about coming here and posting.

I don't even know where to start to catch this up. I am now almost 37 weeks pregnant and I'm miserable most of the time. LOL It's funny though because as much as I want to meet my little boy, I don't want this experience to end. I know that this will be my last pregnancy so it's very bitter sweet.

I had preterm labor a couple of weeks ago. They ended up giving me to shots to stop it. Since then I have still had contractions but not regularly and not nearly as often. Last Saturday I was getting really strong ones that were irregular but they only lasted for a few hours. Hopefully it means I'm progressing though. I would like to be 3 or 4cm dialated when I go into labor (I'm asking alot, I know) and as of my appointment last week I was dialated to 1cm.

I had my baby shower on May 31st. It was amazing!! I had such a great time and I think everyone else did too. I got alot of wonderful gifts too so you know thats always nice. HAHA A special thanks to Crystal, Stephanie, Charlotte and Jaimie for all the work they did putting that together!!

Now it's just the waiting game for Gage to show up. He's still VERY active. I don't think he has much room left in there. The doc told me at my last appointment that if I go into labor they will not stop it. I'm secretly hoping for hin to make his appearance this upcoming Sunday, June 21st. Not only is it fathers day but it's the birthday of a great family friend that just passed away yesterday. He wanted so bad for me to have Gage on his birthday. I'm obviously not going to do anything to "make" myself go into labor but it would be cool if it happened since I'm full term now anyways.

I'm sure I missed alot but I have to get back to the kids. I will try to update this more often and try to get some pics up too when I have the chance.

3D ultrasound tomorrow!!!

I can't wait to see my little man again!! I have to leave early and go do my glucose test then I have to be back at 10:15 for the ultrasound. I wanted to wait until I was about 30 weeks but it's so hard to make appointments then worry about how I'll get there and who will watch the kids for me. I already knew James had Friday off so I just went with that.

I had my appointment the other day and everything is looking good. I gained 3lbs LOL. My doc said that I don't need the NST's so thats atleast one thing I don't have to worry about. Gage is doing amazing. The doc even commented on how fast and strong his heartbeat was. I told him it's because this little guy never sits still. HAHA

I'll post his new pics as soon as I can tomorrow. I have alot of things to do after the ultrasound but as soon as I get home I will put them up.

Gage's room is done!!!

I still need to get some more decorative things and I'm getting another dresser but it's pretty much done!! I'm so darn excited I can hardly see straight. James took a vacation day yesterday just so we could finish. LOL I'm so tired and sore now. I barely slept last night because my back hurt so bad but it was all worth it!! I LOVE it!!!

There isn't a border that matched his bedding so I had to order plain white border and get a bunch of the decals so we could make our own border. I LOVE how it turned out.

This is why my back hurt so bad. James decided he wanted the bottom of the changing table painted the different colors of the room. I was down in some funky positions with a tiny paint brush painting that. LOL

I'm going to get the letters that spell out his name and hang those up. Just trying to decide if I want to try and do them myself or buy them. HAHA

Slowly but surely

Well, not much got done in Gage's room last weekend. Today though the carpet was layed. All the trim was supposed to go up but you know men, he didn't measure everything first so some of it doesn't fit. Hopefully I can convince him to do that Thursday when he has the day off since I can't finish painting until that is all up. I think the most frustrating part of this is not being able to do more to help get this room done. I'm very impatient, LOL, and all I want is to see my little boys room all done and ready for him. It's ok though because I know that it will turn out so much better if we take our time and do it right.

There's nothing really going on right now, just more of the same. Gage is as active as can be. I'm tired alot more lately. Maybe it's because I'm almost to my 3rd trimester. I can't believe that in 3 months I'll have my little guy here in my arms. We have waited for so long for him and have went through hell to make this little guy happen that its a little surreal that it's almost time.

Just updating

There really isn't much going on but I realized that I haven't updated this in awhile so though that I should. Gage is VERY active now. I go to sleep everynight with him bouncing from one side of my stomach to the other. LOL It has been very soothing to me until the last couple of days. Some of the kicks are getting really hard and actually hurt. Before long I won't be able to fall asleep to it I'm sure. LOL

At my last appointment the told me again that I'm high risk. My next appointment is April 14th then after that I have to start going back every 2 weeks. I also have to have a NST (non-stress test) done either once a week or once every 2 weeks. I can't remember which. I think they also plan on doing an u/s with those so thats exciting if they do.

As much as I try not to worry about my test that came back positive for Downs Syndrom, I can't help but have it nag at me. If he does have it, it will not change how much I love him. I just worry about the health issues that come along with it. I know there is some heart problems that are a part of it and also people with Down's have a shorter life expectancy. I hate the thought of out living my children and would never want that to be the case. I think when I have my 3D u/s I'm going to have them check again for Down's markers. Just to be safe.

Gage's room is coming along. We now have it painted though we still have to get the border and put that up. We are pretty much designing our own border. We are going to get a plain white one and either put star decals on it or paint some stars on there. Today we are going to be putting the carpet in and we are getting the crib and dresser from my mother-in-law. Hopefully by the end of today it will start to look like a nursery. I'm so excited!! I will post pics tonight or tomorrow of our progress.

I have the best friends and family!!!

I just have to say that I have the most AMAZING freinds and family in the world!!!!! Crystal, Steph and almost everyone I know have been keeping a secret from me for months! They all pitched in to redo Gage's nursery!!! You have no idea how wonderful that is. The room would not be fit to put a baby in without this and with my financial problems I was sooo scared I wouldn't be able to get it done. They had it all planed out to do this while Crystal and I were in Canada this weekend. Now I know why Crystal was SOOOO mad about work! LOL Well Steph took me on what I thought was just a girls day out today but in reality, they all came together to get as much done on the room as they could to surprise me. They all did such an amazing job!! Almost all the drywall is up and they are all coming to finish it tomorrow. I'm in tears as I'm writing this because I am just overwhelmed with gratitude. I couldn't possibly have been given a better surprise and I just hope that I am able to repay them in some way. I don't think any words can express how much they all mean to me. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

James felt Gage kick!!!

Everytime James tried to feel Gage kick he would press on my stomach which would then cause Gage to stop moving. Well this morning I was getting dressed and Gage was really active so I layed on the bed and put James' hand on my tummy. Gage went crazy!! I could even see James' hand jump when Gage kicked him! I got all teary eyed that he was finally able to feel his little boy!! I got over that though when they started a pushing war with my stomach. Boys will be boys I guess. HAHAHA!!

My scary night at L&D

I went up because I was having some bad mentral like cramping so I was worried about a bladder infection. The midwife from my doc's office was there and she told me to come up and they would monitor me for an hour and check my urine. Well that hour turned into almost 4. About 30 min after getting there I noticed that Gage's heartrate was dropping. At first I thought he was just moving and the monitor lost him but then I noticed that it actually sounded like his heartbeat was slowing down, not disappearing. The midwife confirmed my fears when she rushed in and told me to turn on my side. His heartrate was slowing down and there was almost a pattern to it. The monitor didn't show me as having contractions and I wasn't feeling any but they gave me the shot to stop labor to calm down my uterus. It made me shake like crazy but worked and Gage's heartbeat stayed up. They then started an IV to give me fluids and take blood. Turns out I was pretty dehyrated and my white blood cells are pretty high. She thinks that I will have the full blown flu by this weekend.

So now I am back on pelvic rest and considered high risk. I had preterm labor with Mike but not with Kira so I never expected problems this time. I'm counting every little movement now because that scared the crap out of me. I'm nervous because I would have never known his heartbeat was dropping if I hadn't gone in last night, then what would have happened? Everything is ok now though so I am very thankful. I'm going to take it easy the next couple of days and drink TONS of water. Hopefully I can stop this flu before it starts. I have the mother/son dance on Friday and my fathers surprise 60th b-day party I'm throwing on Saturday so I don't have time to be sick. LOL

Half way there!!

I'm almost 21 weeks now!! I had my official u/s last Thursday and he is still a boy. LOL The tech was even nice enough to switch it over to 3D for me so I have a couple of those pics too. I did find out that there is a small chance, half a percent, that Gage could have Downs Syndrom. I'm trying very hard not to worry about it but concidering I'm a worry wort as it is I'm not doing a good job at it. I will love him no matter what, I just want him to be healthy.

Today I have this stabbing pain in my stomach. It's about half way between my belly buttom and my side. It's freaking me out but Gage has started moving and kicking me so thats making me feel a little better. I also got his bedding in the mail yesterday. It is so darn cute!! I can't wait until we can start on his room. Thats going to be awhile though since we are redoing the whole thing from cealing to floor and as of right now I'm not even sure how we're going to be able to do that. I just keep reminding myself that it all works out in the end.....right? LOL

I also started my registry Sunday. They didn't have those when I had Mike and I didn't have a shower for Kira so this was my first time doing one. It was so much fun!! I know I have to add more to it but when I was walking through Target, I had a hard time remembering what I needed. LOL

Ok my niece is in desperate need of my attention, LOL so I will update more later. Sorry it took me so long to update this much.

Holy Movement!!

I was watching TV last night and talking to Crystal on the phone when all of the sudden I feel the strongest movement to date from Gage. It actually shocked me and I yelled out. LOL At first I was thinking "What the heck was that?" Then the realization hit my that oh yeah, it was my baby!! I sat there for the next 30 min trying to get him to do it again but all I got was little kicks. Already ignoring his mommy. HAHA!!

I go to see the Physical Therapist on Friday. I'm very excited because I am having so many back problems already and still have a long way to go until I have the baby. I hurt my back a little over 3 years ago and that is what I think is causing the problems. Sometimes I can barely walk or stand up straight which is making life very difficult at the moment. Today is a good day though. It's only an ache instead of all out pain so I'm happy about that. LOL

Oh and tomorrow, I will officially be 5 months preggo!!! WOOHOO!!!!!

IT'S A BOY!!!

I went to the ER last night because of some cramping. They think it's just the baby growing and I was overreacting. LOL But my friend did pull some strings and I got a quick ultrasound to find out what I was having. I had them print what it was on one of the pics and waited until I got home so James and I could find out together. He gave us a great shot of his buisness. LOL I even got a great pic of him sucking on his hand. I'm just so excited to be having another boy!!! I even went back out to the store last night just to buy him some things. LOL

So now I introduce you to Gage Henry Herrington!!! (unless we change the name before he's born. LOL)

Just Updating

I had my OB appointment last Thursday. Everything is good. Baby's heartbeat was between 150-155bpm!! We also set up my big ultrasound which is on Feb. 19th at 10am. I can't wait!! I begged them to make it sooner. LOL

Today is kind of hard for me. I'm in a due date club and one of our girls lost her precious baby. I feel so bad for her and so scared for myself. It's very uncommon to lose a baby at this stage in pregnancy but it shows that it can still happen and thats what gets me. It doesn't help that I lost my second angel a year ago today. I am feeling alittle better now though because as I was responding to a post, baby firecracker kicked me! I was instantly in tears. It was like it was the baby's way of saying I'm ok mama. don't worry. :)

Here is my 16 week pics from Thursday!!

My son stole my heart this morning

I was in my room getting ready for my day when he came in and noticed that Kira was sleeping in my bed. He made the comment that she needs to learn to sleep in her room and I told him that when the baby is born, the last place she's going to want to sleep is in my room because the baby will wake her up all night long. Then he shocked me by saying that when the baby comes, I can wake him up in the night to help out so I can get some sleep as long as it's on a weekend. AWWWW!!!! Now you have to realize that Mike is at that age where puberty has set in. He can be pretty hard to deal with alot of the time and this just shows that my wonderful little boy is still in there somwhere. I could just hug and kiss him for his sweetness but he would run away and scream so I won't even try. LOL

Awwww

This morning I was laying in bed not wanting to get up when James cuddled me and put his hand on my stomach. Instantly the baby started moving and doing flips! It was sooo sweet. I asked if he could feel it but he said he wasn't sure if he did or if it was just me breathing. LOL I just thought it was too cool that the baby started moving for daddy. And it was right under where his hand was.

I'm starting to feel her move more often now. At least a couple times a day. It's such a reassurance to me everytime I feel it. It's like it's her way of letting me know she's ok. Man, if this baby ends up being a boy he's going to be really mad at how often I call him a "her". HAHAHA!!

A week from today is my next doctors appointment. I'm getting so impatient!! At this appointment we are setting up the big ultrasound. I just can't wait!! I want to go shopping for this baby so bad but I can't find anything gender neutral so I have had to wait to find out what the sex is. I'm NOT very good at waiting. LOL

Oh and here is my 15 week belly pic that I took tonight. I'm getting HUGE and I LOVE it!!!

Out of the mouth of babes

I was waking Kira up this morning for school. She reached over and started rubbing my belly, something she loves to do, when she looked at me all serious and asked if we were going to lose this baby too. Talk about wanting to cry. Sometimes its hard to remember how difficult the miscarriages were for my kids too. They wanted James and I to have another baby long before we did. LOL I explained to her that we were past the point in pregnancy when miscarriges were more likely to happen but I think there is still so much fear there for all of us and I don't think it's going to go away until we are holding this baby in our arms. I just wish that my kids didn't have to feel that worry too. :(

Just babbling

I am sooo in love with this baby!! I'm starting to feel "her" move more and everytime it melts my heart. Corny I know but I don't care. I was talking to James on the phone today and told him I needed a present and at that moment the baby kicked. I told him she must agree with me. The other night I was in bed and it felt like she was doing little flips over and over again. I just can't wait now for my kids to be able to feel it.

James is starting to show more affection towards this pregnancy now too. He didn't really talk about the baby or touch my stomach until the last couple of weeks. I think it was still unreal to him and he didn't want to get too attached until we were past the scary point.

I have posted my u/s pics from 5 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks. Should only be a few more weeks and I'll have my big u/s and we'll know if this little firecracker will be a boy or girl!!!!

About me

Well, I've never had on of these so I don't exactly know what I'm doing. LOL My name is Nikki for all who may not know me. I am married to the love of my life, James, and we have 2 beautiful children with one on the way. Mike will be 12 in a couple of months and Kira just turned 8. I am 14 weeks and 4 days pregnant with our miracle baby. We tried for over 2 years to get pregnant with this baby and after 3 miscarriages we our finally on our way to completing our family.

This blog will mainly be my way of sharing my pregnancy and writing down my fears, joys, and frustrations. And trust me, there are alot of fears this time around that I didn't experience with my other 2 due to my history of losses.

To catch you up, I have had 3 ultrasounds already. We first heard the heartbeat at our 2nd u/s. It was 118bpm. Our 3rd u/s the heartbeat was 162bpm and at my last appointment we got to hear it with the doppler and it was a wonderful 158bpm. This has helped ease some of my worries. I have felt the baby move also. Last week it just felt like little nudges but last night it felt like the baby was doing flips for a couple of min. I almost cried it was so great.

Well, I think I have caught up on everything so far. If I think of anything else I'll be sure to let you know. LOL