Ryan Lincoln Woodbury July 16, 2013 Mom's version

It all happened so fast there are multiple points of view of what happened when. Here is my story of what happened July 16th, 2013. 

I woke up early (4:45am) Tuesday morning due to the excitement of knowing I'd be meeting my little man within 24 hours. I took a nice long shower feeling perfectly fine and called the UofU hospital to check that we did still have an induction time. There had been a big thunder storm Monday night and I was sure all the pregnant women in the valley were going to go into labor due to the weather change. They said to come in at 8:00am. So in we went. 

If you look on the back wall you can see the time. They got us in fairly quickly and started me on Pitocin right away.

We then started a very long waiting game. They started the Pitocin right away and around 10:00 I was having small but regular contractions. We met our doctor for the day who checked my cervix (2cm 80%) and then tried to break my water. He decided that I was still too tight and he'd come back in 2 hours to try again. 2 hours later he showed up to check me again. I was still at 2cm but was 100% effaced. He made 2 attempts to break my water. The second time around he felt like he had created a small hole and that I'd start leaking slowly.

The contractions continued in a nice pattern and got a bit more intense.  I was still managing my pain fairly well. At 5:30pm Ryan decided it was safe to step out to the cafeteria to grab a bite away from his starving wife. The doctor had said he'd be back at 6:30pm to do another cervix check maybe do an internal monitor since baby's heart monitor kept slipping. 

My neighbor who is a nurse, Christine Esplin had taken over my service which was such a wonderful blessing. She'd come in to check my vitals and then we'd just shoot the breeze. She was also amazing at stopping the doctor and making him explain everything that was going on in easy terms for me. 

At 6:00pm the doctors' changed shifts so I met my new night doctor. She checked my cervix and decided to go ahead and break my water since it was still intact. Ryan was still away from the room. They asked me if I wanted to wait but I said I could handle it on my own. The doctor broke my water, stated that it was a clear color and went on her way. Christine stayed behind to talk to me more about doing an internal monitor (why they'd do it, what it'd be etc). She checked my 'puddle' and then things got interesting. 

She immediately stopped all the pleasant talk and called for a doctor and a second nurse to come into my room. She assured me that everything was fine but baby's heart had been very very low and she wanted another opinion. The doctors and nurses started filing in like bees to the hive. I could tell by how many people they had in the room that things were not fine. Christine and another nurse kept me completely assured that they'd all be well trained and I'd be fine. Meanwhile nurses and doctors were plugging things in and out, poking and prodding, pulling off robes, and putting masks on me. My cell phone was just out of reach but I managed to have a nurse hand it to me so I could send Ryan a text "Come Quick." 

Christine told me that they'd be taking me to the OR to do an emergency C-Section since baby's heart rate was so low and I was losing lots of blood. As they wheeled me out we passed Ryan on his way in. I can only imagine the shock he received. 

We rushed down a short hallway to the OR. The whole time doctors and nurses were talking back and forth over my head. They were putting on surgical scrubs like firemen going to the fire. We got to the OR room to find it full of people who had gotten the page and set up. The anesthesiologist who had talked to me before about an epidural was there and ready. They got me to the table and started pinning me down and prepping me for the C-Section. Since I hadn't had an epidural they had to put me completely under. I had my eyes closed trying to stay calm and work on my breathing. When they started prepping me I freaked out. I was terrified that they'd be in such a hurry to get Lincoln out they'd start cutting before I was out. I then decided to keep my eyes wide open so they'd know I wasn't out.

One nurse stayed right next to my head and kept assuring me that things were scary but in control. She kept complimenting me on my ability to stay calm. She saved me from freaking out completely as they poured a liquid on my stomach and draped me with a blue sheet. The kind anesthesiologist assured me that I'd feel a small prick and then I'd fall asleep. Which I did.

When I woke up my first thought was "Man! that was the best sleep I've had in a long time." Then my aching belly reminded me of the real reason I was asleep. I opened my eyes in my delivery room to find myself surrounded by my family. Dad, Darla, Clayne, Melanie and Mark were all there for me. Christine Esplin was also there and her calming presence once again assured me that things were fine. Baby was out and doing fine in the ICU. Ryan was no where to be found. He had gone with Lincoln to watch over his care.

There then proceeded to be some intense pain in my tummy area every time I moved or breathed. Christine had to press my tummy every hour but she did it in such a way that even though it hurt like h*** I still was able to smile through it. 

Doctors, nurses, and other staff members then filed in to tell me over and over what had happened and why it happened so quickly. I was pretty out of it thanks to some wonderful pain medicine but here is what I understood happened.

1. After my water broke Lincoln's heart dropped off the radar it was so low. There was also too much blood to be safe.

2. They rushed me into the OR because Lincoln was loosing oxygen, blood and time. They had him out within 60 seconds of putting me under. He was born at 6:25pm. (They broke my water around 6:15)

3. When he came out he wasn't breathing so they performed chest compressions and gave him oxygen.

4. He was revitalized and sent to the ICU to start on a cooling bed to slow down his organs and stop any damage to the brain since he had been without oxygen for a given amount of time.

5. I did wonderfully and would recover just fine as long as I kept up with my pain meds and allowed the nurses to press my tummy painfully every hour. 

After spending some time in my delivery room recovering (Ryan showed up within 8 minutes much to my relief  and the family all got to go see Baby Lincoln in the ICU) they wheeled me out to the recovery floor. Before settling me in my room they took me on a detour through the ICU. It was very cramped. They had about 6 incubators in there along with my huge hospital bed. I was in too much pain to sit up and see him properly but the nurse held him up for me to catch a glimpse at. He is beautiful.  They got me settled in my room with my pain medication and let me sleep for 10 minute segments. Every 10 minutes I'd have to wake up to press my medicine button that released the pain killers to my body. I got very good at crashing in about 2 minutes and waking up in 1 minute. 

At 5:00am they woke me up to move me around. They had me go sit in the bathroom while they did their checks just so I'd move. Since they had me up I asked them if I could go see baby Lincoln. They went to find me a wheelchair while I tried to wake up Ryan to see if he wanted to come with. He was dead to the world so I went alone. I got to stand by my baby's bed and just look at him. I'm already in love.

Here is Ryan on his amazing bed. He was so tired. We all were.

Today I've spent the day recovering and getting to know my new post baby body. Ryan, Dad and I were able to go to the ICU and touch Lincoln. They had a chair all set up for me so I could sit by his bed and just rest my hands on his body. I can't believe this little man is mine. 

The first look I got of my son via Ryan's cell phone.

Our first family photo. 

He doesn't like to be stroked or rubbed you just have to put your hands on his body so he can feel their weight. 

Today lil' Lincoln got an EEG to test his brain activity. Because he is on a cooling treatment he is shivering a lot but they wanted to check to make sure it was just shivers and not any seizure systems.  

He'll probably stay at the UofU ICU until his cooling treatment is over (72 hours) then they will transfer him to Primary's where he will wait for his heart surgery.

Proud to be American!

What a fun Fourth of July weekend we've had!
On the fourth Ryan and the boys went golfing. I went along for the nice long walk (I'm a bit over excited to get this baby out) and to take pictures.

 Here is a classic look at Mark. 

It really never gets old. 

 Look at that perfect putt.

Don't mind my HUGE belly I'm only 38 weeks pregnant. 

Dad & Darla spent most of the 4th on their bikes cruising around from one event to another. 

After golf Ryan and I went over to Uncle Blaine's house for a BBQ. It was so much fun to be with them and their friends. They are a funny bunch. We then played volleyball until it was too dark to see. It started off as boys vs girls. But the girls had a slight disadvantage since most of us were crippled in one way or another. It was fun though. 

We ended the night with firework show in our front circle. I have to admit I was nervous about the aerials after last year. But we survived!

 This weekend was my family reunion at my grandparents house. We kicked it off right with a family breakfast. My Uncle Randall is all about the theme. The theme of the breakfast was "hobo" since my Great Grandpa Ralph was known to jump the trains in his youth. The cooks (Dad, Randall, Grandpa Davidson) smeared butter and oreo crumbs on their face to get the correct look for the theme. It was so fun. 

We spent the day visiting with family from California and our family here. I love my family and the crazy things we do. 

This picture is a little late but here ya go. This is the quilt I made for Jr. Its folded in half so you can get a good look at my 38 week belly as well. I have to admit I am so proud of my sewing skills with this blanket. I hope baby likes it as much as I do. 

The Bearded Man

Ryan had a brillant idea to grow out his beard until the baby comes. Well after a few months he gave up that dream and started shaving in stages. Here is the documented proof of my husbands manliness. Feel free to leave comments on which one is most creepy. 

Stage 1: Full Beard

Stage 2: Horseshoe Beard

Stage 3: Mustache with added bonus...sideburns! 

Stage 4: Mustache with fangs

He has since shaved the whole thing off and looks so good! 

Baby update: We went to the doctor last Thursday and I'm looking good to not be induced. I'm currently 37 weeks, 1 cm and 70% effaced. My OB does not want to induce me due to the high percentage of C-sections that happen with inductions. My cardiologist wants to induce me so they can better plan for Little Man's surgery. They will let us know at our next appointment. We'll see what happens. 

7 Peaks @ 8 Months

Today was a blast! Ryan dragged me to 7 Peaks for a day of fun in the sun. Buying a maternity swimsuit was not a fun experience. It's hard buying a swimsuit with a regular body, it's very taxing to buy one when your body has been taken over by a baby. So needless to say my attitude at the beginning of the day was not pleasant. Lucky for me I have a husband who ignores my moodiness and just goes about life with a smile on his face.

After getting there I had so much fun, even though I couldn't do anything except the lazy river and the wave pool. It was fun being outside in the shady trees people watching and being the unofficial official photographer of the boys' fun. I am seriously so grateful for my husband who pushes me to do things that take me out of my comfort-zone.

We met up with Ryan's brother Mark, and his roommate Parker. The boys had so much fun together and I loved capturing it on my camera. So without further ado here is a photo-dump of all our fun.

"I love me some husband" Ryan commented. 

What a stud! 

Playing with the zoom on our new camera. 

The boys at the starting line. Mark is so ready to win.....

Too bad he lagged behind. 

It was a close finish but Parker won by a hair. (not a mustache) 

Mark's faces all started to look the same...but they still had me laughing. 

See what I mean about Mark's faces. 

These boys have so much fun together. All the other little kids were doing the two-man waddle with their tubes so Mark & Ryan decided that would be the best way to carry their tube too. Too bad they are a tad bit bigger than the 10 year olds. 

I ended the day with no sunburn (BOOYA!) and a smile. I love me some husband! 

Father's Day Weekend 2013

I took photography in high school and absolutely loved it. I have a weakness for photos (just like my Mom) when I told Ryan I wanted to get professional pictures with our baby (not as many as Mom did...she took me every month for the first 1.5 years of my life) he decided it would be cheaper to buy our own nice camera so we could do higher quality pictures ourselves.

We decided to start saving and maybe we'd have the money by the time we moved out to Notre Dame. We also decided to give the Woodbury's back the truck that they gave us for a wedding gift. The truck has been through it all with Ryan. High School til now but seeing how it would cost more to transport the truck out to Indiana then the truck is worth we decided to part with it.  The Woodburys are very generous people and decided that they'd trade us a new camera for the truck. That my friends is how we got our new camera which we love!

Here are some of the first pictures we've taken with it. Ryan is having so much fun learning all about ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture. I am also benefiting from doing a quick review on them. I don't mean to brag but I'm pretty excited with how these pictures have turned out.

 For Father's Day we spent Saturday at the Woodbury's having a good ole fashion BBQ & Lasso Golf. Fun stuff.

For actual Father's Day Sunday we got to skype with Marie in the Philippines. She told us 5pm Utah time so we were logged on the computer waiting at 4:30. She finally logged in at 6pm. She had forgotten about daylight savings. The hour and a half wait was worth it. Man I love my sister. It was so much fun. Marie has changed a lot yet at the same time she is exactly the same.

She was amazed at how big I was and wasn't afraid to tell me. Good thing I love her.

Look at this studly father to be.  

After skpying with Marie we went up to Grandma Davidsons to chill on the back porch with family. Ryan got the Father's Day song & dance so that means he is officially in the Fathers club even if his little man-cub isn't here yet. 

Monday after Father's Day we traveled down to St. George with my dad to visit Jill & the girls and see Mary Poppins at Tuacahn. It was marvelous as always but oh my HECK it was HOT!!!! I broke down and had bought a frozen lemonade halfway through the show just to get some relief. I was dying. 

Look at this SWEET Welcome sign Kela made us. 

We took up a whole row! 

My dad is busy working on his condo this month so we dropped him off in Beaver on our way back to Salt Lake. He recently bought himself a father's day gift of this on-road/off-road dirt bike. He let me take it for a quick spin ;) 

I've accepted the fact that this summer is going to be super lame due to this baby coming. ;) I'm either too close to my due date to go anywhere (Jackson Hole) or my baby will be too small to go anywhere (Lake Powell). I am so glad we got a little mini-vacation down to St. George to visit family and see Mary Poppins. It will be my only trip this summer. 

All my complaining is done in complete sarcasm. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a mom soon. I honestly can't wait until the days when my vacations are more about watching how my children react then me relaxing and getting away. 

End of a chapter

This week has had me thinking a lot about how this point of my life is an end to one big chapter and a beginning to another.

On Thursday I closed up my classroom for the last time. Ryan came to school with me and really helped me pack up and clean up so I could leave at the end of the day with the students. It was a very emotional day for me. At the end of each school year the whole school meets out on the front lawn to say the Pledge one last time. By the end of the pledge I was teary and then my students all came up to give me hugs and say goodbye. I kept thinking this is the last group of students I might have for awhile and boy were they amazing.

I'm not planning on teaching in Indiana at least not this first year. We'll re-evaluate once we get there and settle down. Right now we have no idea what to expect with this new adventure. We don't know what our schedules will be like or our budget but we're excited to get there and figure it out.
Thus I'm closing the book of teaching for the time being.

Another big change coming up faster then I ever thought it would is the birth of our baby boy. It boggles my mind how fast these 8 months have gone. I am currently 34 weeks and since they plan on inducing me, we only have 5 more weeks before our baby comes. 5 weeks is all that is left to prepare. I feel like a huge procrastinator I feel so unprepared. We have our last echo on Tuesday. If this echo looks like all the others then we won't be having any more until baby boy is here. That blows my mind.

The last big change coming up is our grand exodus to South Bend. We have that all finalized and its crazy to me to finally have a plan. Ever since we found out that Jr. has a hole in his heart all my careful planning went out the window and we've been stuck in limbo. I thought that was tough, not being able to plan for the future but now that we have a plan it is really baffling me how close we are to so many big changes.

Most people space out the big changes in their lives, Ryan and I we just get them over with all in the same season.

Here is the tentative plan for those of you who want to know. (all of these are tentative because we're dealing with so many variables that can't be controlled)

Baby will be here July 15th-ish. I'll be induced around that day so he can get surgery later that same week.

Baby will be in the hospital until about August 15th. (we're planning on a month hopefully its shorter) Folks are more then welcome to come visit us at the ICU while we are there. Only a couple can be around his bed at a time though.

Baby will be blessed August 20th in the evening at my Dad's house.
Ryan and the boys will head out August 21st for Indiana.

Baby and I will stay behind only until he is cleared for take off. Then we'll fly out to meet Ryan and start our new adventure.

Are we crazy? I think so ;)