These were at our pond yesterday evening. We had a BALL! Bowen was SO excited to pull those fish in one right behind the other! He even touched several. It was BIG fun for all of us!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Bowen's First Fish!
These were at our pond yesterday evening. We had a BALL! Bowen was SO excited to pull those fish in one right behind the other! He even touched several. It was BIG fun for all of us!
Macy Crawford Jenkins
As directed by my editor, Shelley, I need to give a 'brief' version of events on Macy and why this pregancy for Mary and Jonathan is so critical.
Mary started at about 16 weeks with spotting and many troubles while carrying Macy. She was having placental troubles. It was tearing. If it wasn't one thing wrong, it was three! She was ordered to bedrest, which tended to help for a while, but not totally.
Around the first week of April 2007, Mary was admitted to RCH and later transported to Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters for strict bedrest and closer monitoring. At this point, she was having contractions and lots of spotting. The goal was to stop the contractions totally. Worked for a few days, but then on April 11th, Jonathan came home to go to work and was called to quickly rush back to Norfolk. Mary's contractions had picked back up and they were rushing in for a Emergency C-section. Macy was only about 26 weeks gestation. NOT GOOD! That was the scariest phone call I've ever gotten. Well, Jonathan did just barely make it in time.. Then in the middle of the night, I get the next call-- "she made it, she cried SO loud when she came out!!"
The next 16 days were up and down. The Jenkins and Wentzy families traveled to Norfolk EVERY day. Someone was always with her. Imagine this-- YOUR newborn, sick child--you can't even rub her tiny back, much less hold her! They could only touch her gently with their finger tips. A rub would have been too painful for her small body. Well, on April 26 and in the wee hours of the 27th, they were allowed to hold their baby. The doctors told the family that God was going to take her, and Mary needed to hold her newborn in her arms. And she did! Sadly, early that Friday morning, April 27, 2007 at 16 days young, God came and took Macy.
This was something that I didn't think Mary would EVER recover from. There are still days that SHE doesn't think she'll get through. She was scared to death to get pregnant again. She still is scared. God just CAN'T take another child from her and Jonathan. She won't survive it again. Mary is a SUPER person and a huge character of strength and faith, but the loss of a child must be gigantic. I had heard from many people young and old, that the loss of a child was the hardest thing they've EVER been through. And I havne't first hand experienced it, but I think that would break me down!!
I think back to those days-- a year ago-- I, as a friend, have NEVER felt so helpless. I like to think of myself as a helper, a fixer, a doer! There was NOTHING I could say or do to help them. I could only listen and watch their hearts and worlds fall apart. I was at the house when she and Jonathan came home that Friday. What do I say? What do I do? Nothing. How do you comfort a mother that has just watched her tiny, young baby die? How do you comfort a father/husband that has just watched all this happen?
Just before Macy died, Jamie and I created and carried out The Macy Jenkins Golf Tournament. It was A HUGE success. This was the one thing that I didn't offer to do for them-I knew they'd so "no, we're fine!" We just did it. Their profit was outstanding--I won't give any numbers! We were shocked! All of us! It was a huge day for the families and to Honor Macy!
So, now at 10-11 weeks pregnant, I ask all of you to keep this family in your prayers EVERY day. For strength and health. They NEED this baby-- for many reasons.
Mary started at about 16 weeks with spotting and many troubles while carrying Macy. She was having placental troubles. It was tearing. If it wasn't one thing wrong, it was three! She was ordered to bedrest, which tended to help for a while, but not totally.
Around the first week of April 2007, Mary was admitted to RCH and later transported to Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters for strict bedrest and closer monitoring. At this point, she was having contractions and lots of spotting. The goal was to stop the contractions totally. Worked for a few days, but then on April 11th, Jonathan came home to go to work and was called to quickly rush back to Norfolk. Mary's contractions had picked back up and they were rushing in for a Emergency C-section. Macy was only about 26 weeks gestation. NOT GOOD! That was the scariest phone call I've ever gotten. Well, Jonathan did just barely make it in time.. Then in the middle of the night, I get the next call-- "she made it, she cried SO loud when she came out!!"
The next 16 days were up and down. The Jenkins and Wentzy families traveled to Norfolk EVERY day. Someone was always with her. Imagine this-- YOUR newborn, sick child--you can't even rub her tiny back, much less hold her! They could only touch her gently with their finger tips. A rub would have been too painful for her small body. Well, on April 26 and in the wee hours of the 27th, they were allowed to hold their baby. The doctors told the family that God was going to take her, and Mary needed to hold her newborn in her arms. And she did! Sadly, early that Friday morning, April 27, 2007 at 16 days young, God came and took Macy.
This was something that I didn't think Mary would EVER recover from. There are still days that SHE doesn't think she'll get through. She was scared to death to get pregnant again. She still is scared. God just CAN'T take another child from her and Jonathan. She won't survive it again. Mary is a SUPER person and a huge character of strength and faith, but the loss of a child must be gigantic. I had heard from many people young and old, that the loss of a child was the hardest thing they've EVER been through. And I havne't first hand experienced it, but I think that would break me down!!
I think back to those days-- a year ago-- I, as a friend, have NEVER felt so helpless. I like to think of myself as a helper, a fixer, a doer! There was NOTHING I could say or do to help them. I could only listen and watch their hearts and worlds fall apart. I was at the house when she and Jonathan came home that Friday. What do I say? What do I do? Nothing. How do you comfort a mother that has just watched her tiny, young baby die? How do you comfort a father/husband that has just watched all this happen?
Just before Macy died, Jamie and I created and carried out The Macy Jenkins Golf Tournament. It was A HUGE success. This was the one thing that I didn't offer to do for them-I knew they'd so "no, we're fine!" We just did it. Their profit was outstanding--I won't give any numbers! We were shocked! All of us! It was a huge day for the families and to Honor Macy!
So, now at 10-11 weeks pregnant, I ask all of you to keep this family in your prayers EVERY day. For strength and health. They NEED this baby-- for many reasons.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Praise God!
He knows what he's doing...
I talked to Mary last night for a while. We were talking about Macy and 'things' when she started to cry and told me that she has recently learned that she is 10 weeks pregnant. This month of all months.. Really not even trying.. She has had an ultrasound and things look great. She will go to CHKD at 16 weeks for testing and another 'better' ultrasound and possibly find out what she's having. And again at about 26 weeks. Dr. Sheffield is watching like a hawk. It was about 16 weeks when the problems with Macy arose. She probably will not carry to 40 weeks (she delivered at 38 with Wade), but we are just praying to carry this baby close to full term. She is expecting to deliver aroung Halloween or even around Bowen's Birthday (oct.28, yeah!!).. And most likely, another C-section. She and Jonathan are "very nervous, but excited!" And they have just told Wade, and he's SO happy--but confused. He thinks it's Macy coming back.
I have felt for so long that having another baby would help Mary. Jonathan has wanted this, but Mary wanted 'a 100% healthy child garantee', which we all know isn't possible. And with them not even trying so to speak, we do feel that this is God's plan. This couldn't have happened to a better or more deserving family.
Please pray for the Jenkins family. Pray that they will NOT have the complications that they had with Macy. Pray that this child will stay inside until the end of October.
I talked to Mary last night for a while. We were talking about Macy and 'things' when she started to cry and told me that she has recently learned that she is 10 weeks pregnant. This month of all months.. Really not even trying.. She has had an ultrasound and things look great. She will go to CHKD at 16 weeks for testing and another 'better' ultrasound and possibly find out what she's having. And again at about 26 weeks. Dr. Sheffield is watching like a hawk. It was about 16 weeks when the problems with Macy arose. She probably will not carry to 40 weeks (she delivered at 38 with Wade), but we are just praying to carry this baby close to full term. She is expecting to deliver aroung Halloween or even around Bowen's Birthday (oct.28, yeah!!).. And most likely, another C-section. She and Jonathan are "very nervous, but excited!" And they have just told Wade, and he's SO happy--but confused. He thinks it's Macy coming back.
I have felt for so long that having another baby would help Mary. Jonathan has wanted this, but Mary wanted 'a 100% healthy child garantee', which we all know isn't possible. And with them not even trying so to speak, we do feel that this is God's plan. This couldn't have happened to a better or more deserving family.
Please pray for the Jenkins family. Pray that they will NOT have the complications that they had with Macy. Pray that this child will stay inside until the end of October.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
What to do?
To begin with-- I KNOW I have many blessings in my life, ie: friends, family, health, a home, two kids, an awesome husband,etc. But I'm thinking, what REALLY makes a person happy?
I'm kinda 'stuck' in my present job. It's a so-so job that has many benefits- no, not 401K, health ins, dental plan, etc.. But it offers kinda unlimited paid time off. Now many of you may think, "what could be wrong with a job like that?". Well, I feel horrible everytime I need to ask for time off whatever the reason. No one else in this office can do any of my job even half way correctly. But I can do everybody else's job--now what's up with that? I feel like I have a moral tie to this job. I feel like I'm expected to stay here. Well,another disadvantage is this- if Doc dies tonight, Tina has NO job tomorrow! Now I understand that no job in 'secure' these days, but dang! Not to mention the environment that I sit in, the lack of privacy, the lack of other adult talk during the day, and the lack of 'get up and go' to do my job that I know I once had.
I KNOW in my heart that I missed my true calling. This job was and still is a way to pay bills. PERIOD! The thing is that now I have two children to support, I can't go back to school-which is where I belong! Yeah, granted, I might could get loans etc to pay for tuition, but how would I pay for the bills of running a house? Yes, a part time job is an option--but I'd never make what Jamie and I would need to live on. We don't go all out in our everyday living- our expenses are just that.. Gotta haves! Granted I might could cut out a mere $30-50 bucks a month..but that doesn't hold a candle to the light bill or my goodness, the grocery bill.. You see? So, my thought is and has been for a while, HOW??
I know I was put on the earth to be 3 things: A wife, a mother, and a nurse. Now I've got the first two dreams in the bag, but when and how will the third one come? I feel incomplete as a person to know I have a God given talent that is being wasted! My latest theory was to be a paramedic-- less school time. I would love that too.. Either would be an option. But folks, somethings gotta give. I NEED to be happy as a person inside and out. And that's the ONE thing that could fill the void I have know.
Just had to blow that out..For those of you that really didn't want hear all my issues, refer to my first post--I warned you! ! ! ! ! !
I'm kinda 'stuck' in my present job. It's a so-so job that has many benefits- no, not 401K, health ins, dental plan, etc.. But it offers kinda unlimited paid time off. Now many of you may think, "what could be wrong with a job like that?". Well, I feel horrible everytime I need to ask for time off whatever the reason. No one else in this office can do any of my job even half way correctly. But I can do everybody else's job--now what's up with that? I feel like I have a moral tie to this job. I feel like I'm expected to stay here. Well,another disadvantage is this- if Doc dies tonight, Tina has NO job tomorrow! Now I understand that no job in 'secure' these days, but dang! Not to mention the environment that I sit in, the lack of privacy, the lack of other adult talk during the day, and the lack of 'get up and go' to do my job that I know I once had.
I KNOW in my heart that I missed my true calling. This job was and still is a way to pay bills. PERIOD! The thing is that now I have two children to support, I can't go back to school-which is where I belong! Yeah, granted, I might could get loans etc to pay for tuition, but how would I pay for the bills of running a house? Yes, a part time job is an option--but I'd never make what Jamie and I would need to live on. We don't go all out in our everyday living- our expenses are just that.. Gotta haves! Granted I might could cut out a mere $30-50 bucks a month..but that doesn't hold a candle to the light bill or my goodness, the grocery bill.. You see? So, my thought is and has been for a while, HOW??
I know I was put on the earth to be 3 things: A wife, a mother, and a nurse. Now I've got the first two dreams in the bag, but when and how will the third one come? I feel incomplete as a person to know I have a God given talent that is being wasted! My latest theory was to be a paramedic-- less school time. I would love that too.. Either would be an option. But folks, somethings gotta give. I NEED to be happy as a person inside and out. And that's the ONE thing that could fill the void I have know.
Just had to blow that out..For those of you that really didn't want hear all my issues, refer to my first post--I warned you! ! ! ! ! !
Prayer List
Wayne Benton has started with his 'bad days'. He began feeling bad yesterday evening and still is. It's kinda a flu like syndrome that may last for several days to come. Please continue that Wayne will prove the doctors wrong and pep up a bit. Please keep the Benton, Mayle, and Baugham families in your prayers as they see him through these difficult days and months ahead. It's hard on the family to see such a strong role model and figure to all of them suffer and be in pain.
Please continue to pray for our Pastor Joe for a speedy recovery following his back surgery. We miss him at church and can't wait until he stands before us again, without pain.
Please pray for the young woman Shelley mentioned earlier this week with the pelvic mass. She came out of surgery okay. They had to remove one ovary and one fallopian tube. She and her family need to be lifted up for her healing and recovery.
Pray for Shelley this week and weekend. She finally got the swingset she ordered for Bentlee's birthday. Now she's worried about the weather holding out for a SUPER party day on Sunday. She's expecting ALOT of roaring kids and she needs the weather to be good so we can all be outside running and playing. Also, the swingset will be a doosy to put together. Pray that she has patience with Wade while trying to put it together!
Also, pray that Rylee gets over her 'virus'. She had the vomitting yesterday and today she has a touch a diarrhea and fever. Pray that she quickly recooperates and that no of us gets it!
Lastly, pray for one another. Pray for continued health and peace. Everybody is going through SOMETHING! No prayer is too small or too large for him to answer. And remember, Don't worry about showing God how big your storm is, show that storm how large your God is! He will answer you!
Please continue to pray for our Pastor Joe for a speedy recovery following his back surgery. We miss him at church and can't wait until he stands before us again, without pain.
Please pray for the young woman Shelley mentioned earlier this week with the pelvic mass. She came out of surgery okay. They had to remove one ovary and one fallopian tube. She and her family need to be lifted up for her healing and recovery.
Pray for Shelley this week and weekend. She finally got the swingset she ordered for Bentlee's birthday. Now she's worried about the weather holding out for a SUPER party day on Sunday. She's expecting ALOT of roaring kids and she needs the weather to be good so we can all be outside running and playing. Also, the swingset will be a doosy to put together. Pray that she has patience with Wade while trying to put it together!
Also, pray that Rylee gets over her 'virus'. She had the vomitting yesterday and today she has a touch a diarrhea and fever. Pray that she quickly recooperates and that no of us gets it!
Lastly, pray for one another. Pray for continued health and peace. Everybody is going through SOMETHING! No prayer is too small or too large for him to answer. And remember, Don't worry about showing God how big your storm is, show that storm how large your God is! He will answer you!
Wrong's wrong in today's world?
Everytime I turn the news on, I get very angry and sometimes tearful. It's always, 'this person got shot, this parent abused this child, this drunk driver hit a killed an innocent victim(s).' It sickens me to think what we are raising our children in. This 'free' country. Is it really?
Kids killing kids in the streets or in their own neighborhoods. Over what? Drugs, money, boy/girlfriends? Why? What does that solve? Is taking a life, and then you going to jail and upsetting your family gonna solve the problem? NO! What ever happened to turning the other cheek or talking out your issues?
Parents or caretakers abusing children. Give me a break. There's NO excuse for this. There's no excuse that our justice system isn't more strict on these people. I, as a mother of 2, can certainly say I understand the stresses of raising children while having several other 'jobs' and responsibilities. BUT, nothing could EVER make me want to seriuosly hurt, burn, lock up, or throw a child. It's wrong and unexcusable!
Drunk Drivers. Again, I have personal experience with this. There was a time in my life that I'd rather drive while drinking than sober. It wasn't until I was court ordered to go to a class where we watched numerous videos about the REAL dangers of drinking and driving. It then dawned on me that a person could really get seriously hurt or killed just because I was stupid and got behind the wheel of a vehicle. Now, I think, what if I would have killed a person? What if someone drunk hit and killed MY FAMILY? It's stupid, immature, and plain reckless. There are SO many people now days that offer to drive you home, etc. There's no loss of pride by leaving your car and hitching a ride-a safe one! Those few drinks and one crash(it isn't an accident) can't be reversed! EVER! You can't take it back, regardless of how sorry one might be. And what happeded to our stricter laws about repeat offenders?? The news is always referencing repeat offenders finally actually killing people.. What's up??
I think ALOT of today's issues have one simple solution: TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE'S SELF! What happeded to raising our children to 'do unto other's as we'd have done to ourselves.' Be good people. Raise good little people. Hold them accountable for their actions. Don't blame their friends for their behavior. Don't blame the lack of a father/mother. Don't blame where they live. Don't blame your financial situation. Quit blaming everyone and everything else. BLAME YOURSELF! In school systems, if your child gets suspended from school, carry that same punishment at home! If they can't go to school because of bad behavior, then DON'T allow them to run the roads, etc. They should be grounded (word of the past!).. or more! Even if a parent disagrees with a school policy, you still have to make your child and yourself follow those rules. I have heard a parent say that they thought getting in trouble for being tardy at school was stupid. It really didn't matter if you were a few mintues late. BUT after 3 or 5 times of tardiness, the school has to issue punishment to teach a lesson. Hopefully! But when mom or dad says to the child, 'that's a stupid reason for getting suspended.. It's not a big deal!' 'Yes, you can go fishing today while you're out of school!' What does that show or tell your child?? It tells them that it's okay to break the rules IF you don't agree with them... WHAT?!?!? Everywhere you go today, you WILL find rules of which to follow! If you don't agree with the speed limit or wearing your seat belt-that's BESIDE the point.. It's the law. Do it. Or take your punishment. DON'T keep making excuses!
I pray everyday for my children to become good people. One's that will follow the rules and if they don't we DO have consequences in place. I pray that I teach them the right way to live. It HAS to start and finish at home! School can't teach them. Church alone can't teach them. WE BROUGHT THEM HERE and it's OUR job to teach them right from wrong.
Kids killing kids in the streets or in their own neighborhoods. Over what? Drugs, money, boy/girlfriends? Why? What does that solve? Is taking a life, and then you going to jail and upsetting your family gonna solve the problem? NO! What ever happened to turning the other cheek or talking out your issues?
Parents or caretakers abusing children. Give me a break. There's NO excuse for this. There's no excuse that our justice system isn't more strict on these people. I, as a mother of 2, can certainly say I understand the stresses of raising children while having several other 'jobs' and responsibilities. BUT, nothing could EVER make me want to seriuosly hurt, burn, lock up, or throw a child. It's wrong and unexcusable!
Drunk Drivers. Again, I have personal experience with this. There was a time in my life that I'd rather drive while drinking than sober. It wasn't until I was court ordered to go to a class where we watched numerous videos about the REAL dangers of drinking and driving. It then dawned on me that a person could really get seriously hurt or killed just because I was stupid and got behind the wheel of a vehicle. Now, I think, what if I would have killed a person? What if someone drunk hit and killed MY FAMILY? It's stupid, immature, and plain reckless. There are SO many people now days that offer to drive you home, etc. There's no loss of pride by leaving your car and hitching a ride-a safe one! Those few drinks and one crash(it isn't an accident) can't be reversed! EVER! You can't take it back, regardless of how sorry one might be. And what happeded to our stricter laws about repeat offenders?? The news is always referencing repeat offenders finally actually killing people.. What's up??
I think ALOT of today's issues have one simple solution: TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE'S SELF! What happeded to raising our children to 'do unto other's as we'd have done to ourselves.' Be good people. Raise good little people. Hold them accountable for their actions. Don't blame their friends for their behavior. Don't blame the lack of a father/mother. Don't blame where they live. Don't blame your financial situation. Quit blaming everyone and everything else. BLAME YOURSELF! In school systems, if your child gets suspended from school, carry that same punishment at home! If they can't go to school because of bad behavior, then DON'T allow them to run the roads, etc. They should be grounded (word of the past!).. or more! Even if a parent disagrees with a school policy, you still have to make your child and yourself follow those rules. I have heard a parent say that they thought getting in trouble for being tardy at school was stupid. It really didn't matter if you were a few mintues late. BUT after 3 or 5 times of tardiness, the school has to issue punishment to teach a lesson. Hopefully! But when mom or dad says to the child, 'that's a stupid reason for getting suspended.. It's not a big deal!' 'Yes, you can go fishing today while you're out of school!' What does that show or tell your child?? It tells them that it's okay to break the rules IF you don't agree with them... WHAT?!?!? Everywhere you go today, you WILL find rules of which to follow! If you don't agree with the speed limit or wearing your seat belt-that's BESIDE the point.. It's the law. Do it. Or take your punishment. DON'T keep making excuses!
I pray everyday for my children to become good people. One's that will follow the rules and if they don't we DO have consequences in place. I pray that I teach them the right way to live. It HAS to start and finish at home! School can't teach them. Church alone can't teach them. WE BROUGHT THEM HERE and it's OUR job to teach them right from wrong.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Today's Deep Thought
Alrighty..I have had someone after me ALL day for a new blog. So, here I go.. You asked for it..
Through my 30 years of life, I have had many 'friends' to come and go. I have childhood friends, school friends, ball playing friends, partying friends, mom friends, crisis friends,on and on. Some of you fit into ALL of these categories! I have just a few that came along at one point in my life and has stayed around and toughed it out with me as I 'graduated' through these phases. And man, has it been a ride!
I think that regardless of how tight one's 'home life' or family is, some people mean as much or more to me than my blood family. As I blogged in 'my decsription', I don't have any neices or nephews and only have one sister--but I claim more than that! I surely can't list names, for fear of leaving someone out and hurting their feelings, but you KNOW who you are and which category or categories you fall into.
I've seen the Circle of Life evolve, sickness of your children, surgeries,and even the death of a friend's child. I've been involved in your marriages, fights, and some of your best days of your life. We've spent many hours on the phone or now days, emailing one another. We've took each other's side in an argument or potential fight. We've made each other laugh and spit liquids out of our noses and mouths, cry, and even pissed each other off--only to work it out later. We've spent a house apart, miles apart, and sometimes years apart-- but one thing has remained for many years, WE ARE STILL FRIENDS and sisters in my mind!
To all of you, my buds, I thank you for being a friend to me at one point or another--or at EVERY point in my life. I DEEPLY LOVE each of you differently and for different reasons. I thank God for putting you in my life. And pray that you'll stay in my life for many years to come.
And in closing, and to quote one of my bestest pals, "You like that?"
Through my 30 years of life, I have had many 'friends' to come and go. I have childhood friends, school friends, ball playing friends, partying friends, mom friends, crisis friends,on and on. Some of you fit into ALL of these categories! I have just a few that came along at one point in my life and has stayed around and toughed it out with me as I 'graduated' through these phases. And man, has it been a ride!
I think that regardless of how tight one's 'home life' or family is, some people mean as much or more to me than my blood family. As I blogged in 'my decsription', I don't have any neices or nephews and only have one sister--but I claim more than that! I surely can't list names, for fear of leaving someone out and hurting their feelings, but you KNOW who you are and which category or categories you fall into.
I've seen the Circle of Life evolve, sickness of your children, surgeries,and even the death of a friend's child. I've been involved in your marriages, fights, and some of your best days of your life. We've spent many hours on the phone or now days, emailing one another. We've took each other's side in an argument or potential fight. We've made each other laugh and spit liquids out of our noses and mouths, cry, and even pissed each other off--only to work it out later. We've spent a house apart, miles apart, and sometimes years apart-- but one thing has remained for many years, WE ARE STILL FRIENDS and sisters in my mind!
To all of you, my buds, I thank you for being a friend to me at one point or another--or at EVERY point in my life. I DEEPLY LOVE each of you differently and for different reasons. I thank God for putting you in my life. And pray that you'll stay in my life for many years to come.
And in closing, and to quote one of my bestest pals, "You like that?"
Monday, April 14, 2008
"My Man", Bowen Edward Bryant
Well, because of Miss Karley getting my heart ALL outta wack, I couldn't take any birth contol. So, Jamie and I went old school with out BC methods..Yep, go to Wal Mart, and stare at the packages for like 20 minutes b/c neither of us knows what to buy. Anyway, this seems to be working very good. We decided when Karley was about 10 months old that we were gonna build a house. We split our living arrangements between my parents house and Memama's house. (Not recommended for long term with a baby!)
At last!! February 10, 2005 we moved in!! Finally back 'home'! Well, on March 10th (YEP, ONE MONTH!) those little lines appeared SO bright on that test stick!!
But, thankfully, not any drama at all with this kid. I gained my usual 50-55 pounds, but was able to switch my heart medications to safe ones while I was pregnant. So, I was fine on that. He was due November 9th, but we set the date of arrival for October 28th because after Karley was born , my MD told me he'd never let me labor again, and he didn't want me to get close to labor. So, it was an uneventful, scheduled C-section AND tubal ligation. As I awaited the surgery, dang if I didn't start having contractions! Which we all thought was SO funny and typical of me and my silly kids!!
On October 28th at 2:35pm, we welcomed "My Man". 7 pounds, 9 and a half ounces and 19 and 1/4 inches long. My family was complete! My world was complete.
Bowen was then diagnosed with Hypospadias and the pediatrician suggested we not circumsize him and see a specialist for repairs. So, that's what we did. We yet again witnessed an Angel on Earth when we met Dr. Jean Hollowell at CHKD. She fixed his 'pee-pee' (for lack of better terms!LOL) in August of 2006-he had to be at least 10 months old to be put to sleep. In fact, just last week we saw her for the final visit and she released him. She said he was 'perfect'! Which I already knew that!!
All in all, Bowen has been our 'sick kid'. First he couldn't maintain his temperature and had to 'sun bathe' quite a bit in the hospital. Then Jamie and I darn near got the pneumonia while we were in the hospital, and the hypospadias, three hemangiomas, a brown birthmark on his back, colic, reflux (not bad cases), allergies, busted his head open last April, to list a few things.
But he really has completed mine and Jamie's lives. But thank goodness, we're done with KIDS! I wouldn't trade either of them for a million bucks, but wouldn't take another kid for a trillion bucks!! God has me right where I'm supposed to be.
Miss Karley Breann Bryant
Jamie and I were on no birth control for about 2 1/2 years when we finally got the news. We had one confirmed miscarriage and a fertility drug (Clomid) prescription in hand when Jamie told me I was pregnant. And yep, he was right!! So, under the advice of my OB/GYN, I started a course of yucky drugs to 'prevent miscarriage'. Did that for about 2 months. Then we were out of the woods, or so we thought. I was due September 13th, 2003. It was about July when I started swelling terribly and my blood pressure was CRAZY! I was admitted for close observation, blood tests, and non-stress tests twice. So, then on August 1 (my birthday!) I was checked and found that I was carrying VERY low and the Pre-eclampsia had set in and wasn't going anywhere. I was taken out of work and put on bed rest. We traveled to Franklin about 2 times per week for Non-Stress tests and at least once per week for blood work. The good part of this was I got an ultrasound at least once weekly for about 2 months. So, I got to see more of her than most moms get. And all the while Karley was fine. Never under any stress. Just killing me.
On September 2nd, I went for the check up alone. Jamie had been to almost every one, and I told him to work, I'd run right up there and be right back. No big deal at all.. Well, Karley had other plans! At my appt., my doctor said, "I've had enough, I'm not going to continue to put you through this anymore! I'm gonna deliver you tonight." We had become VERY close to him at this point and he and Jamie were on great terms. So, he said "Go home and get Jamie from work and come right back!" So, I did..
I will spare you the minute by minute details, but I progressed rapidly and a good amount. I was convinced to try this drug free. Jamie and I did the Birthing Classes and I had already used the Exercise Ball alot during the pregnancy to relieve that 'low' pressure. We planned to do breathing techniques and I would do walking and dancing techniques. Well, that started downhill when my MD wouldn't let me out of the bed AT ALL. Now some moms don't want to get up and dance around, etc. But I really did! I just knew it would help. Well, I had 26 hours of labor with about 3 hours of a decent epidural before that quit on me too.. There I sat at 8 cm.. NOTHING! Well, that was some what fine until my temperature starting shooting up and I started to bleed heavily. My BP was already too dang high. So, he made the decision to get me in the OR for a C-section right now!! I spoke to Jamie and my family about the risks and the position we were in with my health. I MADE Memama come pray with us in the middle of the madness. And, there we went. It was so quick! He had two complete OR teams come in. He said he would take whoever got there first-so needless to say, there was an OR full of folks. Looking back now, they all seemed to be Angels. He was an Angel. At 8:06 pm on September 3, 2003, I finally had my baby girl. Completely healthy. A tiny 6 pound 10 ounce 19 and a half inches long baby girl. Who still at this point, I wasn't aware that Jamie and I had agreed on her first name. When all of a sudden one of the nurses called her KARLEY. Yeah, Jamie named her and told all of them. Her middle name didn't come until the next afternoon.. Anyway, the MD told Jamie afterwards that I probably would have never had her--that turkey had twisted and was face up and locked in my hip. And to this day, she does nothing easy. She is still full of drama. But we finally had our baby girl. Our 'peanut'!
Finally Arrived in Blogger World!
Well, I'm here with all you blogging freaks!! I'm not quite the Cyber Queen like Shelley, but if I could without so many eyes here at work staring at me, I'd probably be as bad! Those of you that know me HAVE to agree, I have ALOT to blog about, so tighten your desk chairs, and get ready!!!
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