After a very long last week the Matthews' family was able to settle in for a quiet weekend at home. Friday we returned to our local hospital for some monitoring and to meet with our doctor. Thankfully, Friday was a better day than the last few. While I am still contracting, somewhat regularly, Cole's heart rate is doing well and he is tolerating the contractions much better than he was earlier last week. In fact, my doctor was so pleased with my progress, that we don't have to go back until Tuesday! Praise God!!
I have to say, we did find out that the situation we were facing on Wednesday was a little more serious than Dustin and I originally knew. We knew that Cole wasn't doing well and we knew that they wanted us quickly moved to Tulsa in case an early delivery was necessary, hence the whole helicopter thing. :-) What we didn't know was how close we were to having a baby on Wednesday. Evidently there was some discussion between the doctors to do an emergency c-section in Grove on Wednesday, then transporting Cole to Tulsa once he was stable. Once they decided to transport us it took a couple of hours to get everything in line for us to leave. One of the issues was that the hospital in Tulsa was full and didn't have a room available for us. I am thankful that one became available when it did, because I truly believe had we been waiting much longer we would have a baby right now. Dustin and I never had a clue things were that bad. Thank goodness! I probably would have melted down!
The weekend has been quiet and I'm feeling great, however, I don't think that is an adequate assessment on how things are going, since I never felt really any different through the whole ordeal. I am still having some disturbance and contracting, but I feel like they have lessened since last week. I guess we'll find out tomorrow when we go for our appointment.
I have to say, this whole bed rest thing is eating on me a bit. I know I'm getting grouchy, even though Dustin lets me get up periodically throughout the day. As you learned during the snow storm, I don't do cooped up well, much less when I can't even shower, get dressed, and fix my hair and makeup before being told to lay down and take it easy. I'm trying *really* hard to be a good patient. Sometimes I think being in the hospital would be easier because I wouldn't be tempted to get up and do the load of white laundry that has been staring me in the face all morning. I know deep down it wouldn't, but I'm sure you get my drift.
Dustin and I really want to thank all of you for your thoughts, calls, texts, emails and, especially your prayers. We know without your support and lifting us up that the story would be much different right now. Praying for one more week!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Confession Number 88: God Dishes Out Interruptions
My mom has been going to a lady's Bible study at her church where they are discussing the little interruptions God sometimes sends to our lives. She and I have talked candidly about her study the last few weeks, but we got a real-life lesson in these interruptions the last few days.
As you all know, I'm very pregnant with our second baby, Baby Brother Cole and the pregnancy has been great. A tad different from the one I experienced with Miss KJ, but it has been relatively easy and I haven't had much to complain about. Minus a scare with gestational diabetes that I wrote about here, there really haven't been any issues. I did, however, start having Braxton Hicks contractions rather early this time around, about 22 weeks. My doctor wasn't overly concerned about them as long as there was no consistency, which there hadn't been until my regular appointment on Tuesday.
I know a lot of you have been keeping up with bits and pieces of our story since then on Facebook, but that is about all I had time to post, bits and pieces. I wanted to make sure you had the whole story, so here it goes.
Wednesday started off very well. I enjoyed a relaxing morning watching Disney Junior with KJ in our bed until I needed to get around to head back to the hospital for a second round of monitoring and the second steroid shot just in case Cole decided he wasn't satisfied with the accommodations of Hotel Mommy. The monitoring went great and the nurse came in to tell us that we were free to go home, she just needed to complete our discharge papers just as I had a contraction. After not returning for about 15 minutes, she called to let us know that during that contraction Cole's heart rate had dropped below their comfort level and that she was waiting for a call back from my Dr., but that they were going to monitor us for awhile longer. About 30 more minutes, another contraction and another heart dip later my Dr. was in my room to let us know that we would be staying for a few days. She hoped it would only last 3 or 4 days, but told us to prepare for a week or so of hospital bed rest. She ordered a whole slew of tests and kept me constantly on the fetal monitor.
3:30 rolled around and she returned. I had had roughly six contractions during this time (not horrible), but in five of them Cole's heart rate had dropped. He obviously wasn't tolerating the contractions well and with no NICU in our rural hospital she suggested we transfer to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, where, if needed, they could handle a preemie born at 33 weeks. Unfortunately, this meant getting me there as quickly as possible, which was by chopper. Dustin, KJ and my mom hopped into their vehicles and got a head start and shortly thereafter I was in the air with EagleMed, on my way. Talk about traveling in style!
Upon our arrival at St. Francis, they reviewed my test results from Grove and ordered more tests. At this point I had been poked and prodded about all I could stand in one day. While my contractions were actually more frequent once we got there, Cole's heart rate had stabilized and he was tolerating them much better. By 11:00 they were pretty pleased with what they were seeing, gave me the most amazing sleeping pill ever, and let us finally rest. By 9am this morning we were dismissed to come back home, where I once again find myself confined to my own, comfy, fluffy bed.
We aren't out of the woods, yet. We still have a long way to go, but the fear of a C-section and having a 33 week old preemie is behind us, we think. Tomorrow I will return to Grove General for another non-stress test and will, hopefully, be able to return to my own comfy bed. Although, I have to say, knowing that Cole's heart rate is stable with each and every contraction by being hooked up to the monitor is somewhat comforting. We are thankful for each day that Cole continues his stay with Hotel Mommy, but we are really hoping to get to 35 weeks, which is 11 more days.
To say that we have been overwhelmed by all of your well wishes and prayers is the understatement of the year. I know, without a doubt, that we are literally being prayed for by hundreds of people and those prayers are what made our little boy make a turn for the better last night. Please, please continue to pray for us and his safe delivery once he is ready. While going through this "interruption" or little trial, has been stressful, we have felt immense blessings. Thank you all so much! We wouldn't have gotten this far without all of you.
As you all know, I'm very pregnant with our second baby, Baby Brother Cole and the pregnancy has been great. A tad different from the one I experienced with Miss KJ, but it has been relatively easy and I haven't had much to complain about. Minus a scare with gestational diabetes that I wrote about here, there really haven't been any issues. I did, however, start having Braxton Hicks contractions rather early this time around, about 22 weeks. My doctor wasn't overly concerned about them as long as there was no consistency, which there hadn't been until my regular appointment on Tuesday.
I know a lot of you have been keeping up with bits and pieces of our story since then on Facebook, but that is about all I had time to post, bits and pieces. I wanted to make sure you had the whole story, so here it goes.
Wednesday started off very well. I enjoyed a relaxing morning watching Disney Junior with KJ in our bed until I needed to get around to head back to the hospital for a second round of monitoring and the second steroid shot just in case Cole decided he wasn't satisfied with the accommodations of Hotel Mommy. The monitoring went great and the nurse came in to tell us that we were free to go home, she just needed to complete our discharge papers just as I had a contraction. After not returning for about 15 minutes, she called to let us know that during that contraction Cole's heart rate had dropped below their comfort level and that she was waiting for a call back from my Dr., but that they were going to monitor us for awhile longer. About 30 more minutes, another contraction and another heart dip later my Dr. was in my room to let us know that we would be staying for a few days. She hoped it would only last 3 or 4 days, but told us to prepare for a week or so of hospital bed rest. She ordered a whole slew of tests and kept me constantly on the fetal monitor.
3:30 rolled around and she returned. I had had roughly six contractions during this time (not horrible), but in five of them Cole's heart rate had dropped. He obviously wasn't tolerating the contractions well and with no NICU in our rural hospital she suggested we transfer to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, where, if needed, they could handle a preemie born at 33 weeks. Unfortunately, this meant getting me there as quickly as possible, which was by chopper. Dustin, KJ and my mom hopped into their vehicles and got a head start and shortly thereafter I was in the air with EagleMed, on my way. Talk about traveling in style!
Upon our arrival at St. Francis, they reviewed my test results from Grove and ordered more tests. At this point I had been poked and prodded about all I could stand in one day. While my contractions were actually more frequent once we got there, Cole's heart rate had stabilized and he was tolerating them much better. By 11:00 they were pretty pleased with what they were seeing, gave me the most amazing sleeping pill ever, and let us finally rest. By 9am this morning we were dismissed to come back home, where I once again find myself confined to my own, comfy, fluffy bed.
We aren't out of the woods, yet. We still have a long way to go, but the fear of a C-section and having a 33 week old preemie is behind us, we think. Tomorrow I will return to Grove General for another non-stress test and will, hopefully, be able to return to my own comfy bed. Although, I have to say, knowing that Cole's heart rate is stable with each and every contraction by being hooked up to the monitor is somewhat comforting. We are thankful for each day that Cole continues his stay with Hotel Mommy, but we are really hoping to get to 35 weeks, which is 11 more days.
To say that we have been overwhelmed by all of your well wishes and prayers is the understatement of the year. I know, without a doubt, that we are literally being prayed for by hundreds of people and those prayers are what made our little boy make a turn for the better last night. Please, please continue to pray for us and his safe delivery once he is ready. While going through this "interruption" or little trial, has been stressful, we have felt immense blessings. Thank you all so much! We wouldn't have gotten this far without all of you.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Confession Number 87: Considering a Name Change
Whew! It has been busy around here the last week or so. I know you all might have been feeling a little neglected with it being a week since my last update. We have been busy around here with normal day to day life and trying to get a few things ready for Baby Cole. Life has sure been busy, but you, my loyal readers, shall feel neglected no longer! I have this sneaky feeling that I am going to have plenty of time in the next few weeks to hang out and write for you. It may take you a while to notice it though, since I'm seriously considering a temporary name change for the blog. Let's see what you think of this... from Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom to Chronicles of Bedrest. Or maybe Tales of the Seriously Pregnant. What do you think? Sounds okay right? Oh? What? It has you confused? Well, let me fill you in on what has happened today.
This morning I had an appointment with my wonderful OB, Dr. Dietz, to whom I happily reported that I was feeling great! Which is true! I was feeling pretty awesome and refreshed this morning. I looked cute, as cute as a woman with a watermelon strapped to her belly can look anyway, and felt pretty full of energy. I was happy to get on with my appointment, get my grocery shopping done and get home to get some painting done in Cole's room while KJ was at school. To say that "nesting" had come for a visit in our house would be an understatement. However, after reporting that "he must be pretty low because it feels like he is bouncing up and down on my cervix" and one episode of pretty consistent Braxton Hicks a week ago, Dr. D decided she needed to take a closer look. About two hours after my scheduled appointment we left, having spent an hour in the Women's Center at Grove General hooked up to monitors, we found that I was having quite a few uterine "interruptions" (cramping), a few random contractions, and was dilated to a 1. They started a round of steroids to build up Cole's lungs in case an early delivery took place and sent me home.....to bed. I get to do the whole thing over again tomorrow. Yay!
My spirits are really pretty high. I mean, it isn't like I can do a whole lot more than lay around here at this point, right? I was 33 weeks yesterday, which sounds early, and is, but because I have stood by more than one friend with a preemie, I know that it could be much, much worse. Also, I know that God has a plan, and maybe, just maybe, he knew that this hard headed girl needed some serious intervention before she would sit down and rest. Dear God, It's me, Margaret....um, Charla, and I'm listening now, I promise! I have a wonderful prison guard, I mean husband, who is taking great care of me and my momma is on her way. We aren't sure what the next few days or weeks hold, but hopefully we'll know more tomorrow. Please pray for Cole to get super strong and healthy and pray that he really likes Hotel Mommy. I've tried hard to make it a super nice place for him, and now he (and I) are even getting room service. My current prayer is that if I must stay on bed rest that I'm able to do so at home and not in the hospital, and of course, for Cole's health. If you don't mind, please add us to your prayer lists. We could use all the help we can get!
Stay tuned for more Stories of the Bedridden, I mean Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom.
This morning I had an appointment with my wonderful OB, Dr. Dietz, to whom I happily reported that I was feeling great! Which is true! I was feeling pretty awesome and refreshed this morning. I looked cute, as cute as a woman with a watermelon strapped to her belly can look anyway, and felt pretty full of energy. I was happy to get on with my appointment, get my grocery shopping done and get home to get some painting done in Cole's room while KJ was at school. To say that "nesting" had come for a visit in our house would be an understatement. However, after reporting that "he must be pretty low because it feels like he is bouncing up and down on my cervix" and one episode of pretty consistent Braxton Hicks a week ago, Dr. D decided she needed to take a closer look. About two hours after my scheduled appointment we left, having spent an hour in the Women's Center at Grove General hooked up to monitors, we found that I was having quite a few uterine "interruptions" (cramping), a few random contractions, and was dilated to a 1. They started a round of steroids to build up Cole's lungs in case an early delivery took place and sent me home.....to bed. I get to do the whole thing over again tomorrow. Yay!
My spirits are really pretty high. I mean, it isn't like I can do a whole lot more than lay around here at this point, right? I was 33 weeks yesterday, which sounds early, and is, but because I have stood by more than one friend with a preemie, I know that it could be much, much worse. Also, I know that God has a plan, and maybe, just maybe, he knew that this hard headed girl needed some serious intervention before she would sit down and rest. Dear God, It's me, Margaret....um, Charla, and I'm listening now, I promise! I have a wonderful prison guard, I mean husband, who is taking great care of me and my momma is on her way. We aren't sure what the next few days or weeks hold, but hopefully we'll know more tomorrow. Please pray for Cole to get super strong and healthy and pray that he really likes Hotel Mommy. I've tried hard to make it a super nice place for him, and now he (and I) are even getting room service. My current prayer is that if I must stay on bed rest that I'm able to do so at home and not in the hospital, and of course, for Cole's health. If you don't mind, please add us to your prayer lists. We could use all the help we can get!
Stay tuned for more Stories of the Bedridden, I mean Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Confession Number 86: They Are Pretty Good Eggs
One of the things that has really helped Grove feel like our home has been our recent settling in to a local church. It has been great for all three of us. Not only do we gain spiritual fulfillment, but we also love the fellowship with other young families. Each month we decided to get together with this group for "Supper Club". This month the boys (AKA: husbands) took charge and decided to treat the wives for Valentine's Day. Holy cow! These boys completely outdid themselves. They not only took over the house of my great friend Brenda, but they cleaned, cooked and arranged child care. They literally did it all. Serious brownie points to our little group of overachievers! Don't boys look sexy in the kitchen????
They even plated the food and threw in a decoration or two...
I have to say, it was pretty darn sweet! I think all of us left with a renewed sense of romance for our husbands. One thing is for sure, this sure put me over the top of my ongoing change of heart regarding Valentine's Day. We sure are a lucky bunch of ladies! Don't forget to hug and kiss your Valentine a little extra today! Happy Heart Day!!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Confession Number 85: She Surprised Us
I pride myself on being a mother that is pretty in tuned to my kid. I can usually call what her reaction is going to be to most situations. I know that I will barely get a kiss goodbye when I drop her off with a babysitter. I know that when she meets someone new (especially a man) she is going to velcro herself to the back of my leg before warming up to him 10 seconds later. I know that she says she wants to try things that are new, and slightly scary, but that when the moment comes, she chickens out. I know these things because she operates a LOT like her Momma. So that is why, when she started talking about riding the horses at Weezie and Papa Lynn's house, I never thought it would happen.
I thought we would get as far as to stand next to the horse and she would start climbing up Dustin's side trying to get away. I thought we'd do great to get her to feed them again and that the whole situation would end with her in tears. I was so sure in what would happen I even began bribing her ahead of time.
Me: Hey KJ, Jay is going to go get Bo ready so you can ride him.
KJ: Okay.
Me: Are you really going to ride him?
KJ: Um, yeah. But I need a cowgirl hat. (She is ALL about the accessories)
Me: I bet Papa Lynn has a hat you can borrow.KJ: But I want a pink one!
(yep, no way this is going to happen. She's more about the hat than the horse.)
Me: I'll tell you what. If you will actually get up in the saddle on Bo with Papa Lynn and ride, then Momma will look for you a pink cowgirl hat. Deal?
KJ: Um, okay.
Knowing she would never ride without someone we waited until Papa Lynn got back from town. Luckily, there was a short nap in there and, luckily, Papa Lynn ran a few errands before he came home. She woke up before Papa Lynn made it back, and to our complete surprise, she jumped right up in the saddle. All. By. Her. Self.
She was such a BIG GIRL. She loved it! It was sure a good thing that Papa Lynn ran those errands before he came home. Look what he found....
KJ: Look Momma! Papa Lynn got me a real cowgirl hat! Just like Jesse!! (Jesse the Cowgirl for those of you aren't up on your Disney Toy Story trivia)
And of course, after that, it was ALL about the accessories. She jumped back up for a ride with Papa Lynn, but she was more concerned with losing something....
I really couldn't believe she actually did it. My little girl is growing up right before my eyes and it is so much fun to watch! A big thanks to Lynn's nephew Jay for hanging around long enough for her to wake up and for leading her around. And a huge hug to Papa Lynn for finding a pink cowgirl hat. Only in Duncan.
For those of you who know the story, does she remind you of another little girl wanting her Meemo's porcelain doll????
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Confession Number 84: She Was Wrong
Kennedy and Dustin finally got out in the snow to play over the weekend. Here they are with their snowman....
This morning Kennedy got up, looked out the window and said, "Oh no! Mommy, my snowman is melting!!!"
Me: "Um, no honey. He's just covered in more snow. "
12+" later it is still snowing.
Poor snowman.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Confession Number 83: There is a Light
Get. Me. Out. Of. This. House. Those were my instructions to Dustin last Friday. So he did, and KJ and I sat at the bank. Hey, at least it was a different set of walls to see. That was day four of our snow vacation. You all know I don't like to be cooped up in the house. If you missed it, you can catch it here. And here. And a brief change of heart I had here. These snow "storms" were nothing compared to what we are going through now. NOTHING.
Last Tuesday it started coming down and 14" later it finally stopped. We couldn't even dream of getting out since our new 4 wheel drive vehicle is being held hostage at a dealership in warm and balmy Houston, Texas. So, here I sat. All day Tuesday, all day Wednesday, all day Thursday, and half of the day on Friday until Dustin got his orders to break us free from our prison. Of course, as we drove into town the snow started falling again. Luckily, we dodged a bullet on Sunday, but more "accumulating" snow (to the tune of 4-10") is in our forecast in the next couple of days.
Thanks to a little thawing and some great friends, I've broken free the last couple of days, but since the truck is still useless, I'm stuck for, what looks like, the rest of this week.
We aren't made for this! Our Wal-Mart is completely bare of eggs, milk, bread, fruit and meat. I've never been more thankful for my stockpile of groceries and the fact that I have been stashing away freezer meals for the last month. Thanks to Dustin and our neighbor, Bruce, for running to Walgreens to snatch up a new gallon of milk for each family this weekend, it looks like we'll make it without even feeling the pinch on the grocery end of things.
Now, my mental health? That is another subject all together. The good news is that Saturday the high here is in the 50's. Ahhh. A light.
Oh, and I'm not the only one. Check out my friend Megan's take on the storm here.
Last Tuesday it started coming down and 14" later it finally stopped. We couldn't even dream of getting out since our new 4 wheel drive vehicle is being held hostage at a dealership in warm and balmy Houston, Texas. So, here I sat. All day Tuesday, all day Wednesday, all day Thursday, and half of the day on Friday until Dustin got his orders to break us free from our prison. Of course, as we drove into town the snow started falling again. Luckily, we dodged a bullet on Sunday, but more "accumulating" snow (to the tune of 4-10") is in our forecast in the next couple of days.
Thanks to a little thawing and some great friends, I've broken free the last couple of days, but since the truck is still useless, I'm stuck for, what looks like, the rest of this week.
We aren't made for this! Our Wal-Mart is completely bare of eggs, milk, bread, fruit and meat. I've never been more thankful for my stockpile of groceries and the fact that I have been stashing away freezer meals for the last month. Thanks to Dustin and our neighbor, Bruce, for running to Walgreens to snatch up a new gallon of milk for each family this weekend, it looks like we'll make it without even feeling the pinch on the grocery end of things.
Now, my mental health? That is another subject all together. The good news is that Saturday the high here is in the 50's. Ahhh. A light.
Oh, and I'm not the only one. Check out my friend Megan's take on the storm here.
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