So I have for months put off the creation of a blog finding reason after reason to keep me from getting busy. No time like the present...and now I'm putting off other jobs! It's not "fancy" yet but with some time it will be! My teacher spirit will just not allow for a simple, run of the mill blog. I will need borders, fonts, pictures and add ins. The only reason I don't have it now is because I haven't figured it out yet! So where am I going with this blog? That's easy. There have been so many intense, moving and memorable moments in my world and I want to share them.
Let me rewind. This time last year I was newly pregnant; just getting over the dreaded "all day sickness" (whoever coined the phrase "morning sickness" had never been pregnant) and dreaming of what was growing inside my belly. We knew of Ryan's upcoming deployment and thought he would return in late December just a week before my due date. I had never been more distraught and upset. I cried for days on end and knew in my heart he would miss the birth of our baby. I knew it deep down in my heart. Then by chance somebody in charge very casually said, "Sanders you're going on a 60 day instead of a 120." Now we are talking! It was still incredibly sad to see him go. Two days before he left we found out God was giving us a baby girl and promised to pick names when he returned in late October. I went home to Georgia and spent some time with my family and friends and when I returned to Little Rock I started feeling not so good and started swelling. I gained 8 pounds in 1 week, started having pain between my ribcage and could almost feel my blood pressure getting higher. The doctor said no big deal...watch what you eat and give yourself a rest sometime throughout the day. Things did not improve and I was increasingly getting sicker, in more pain. I was told I had heartburn, was treated over the phone and in labor and delivery with pain meds, fluids and heartburn remedies. Something wasn't right and I remember sobbing over the phone begging the doctor for relief and being in so much pain I couldn't talk to Ryan when he made his few and far between phone calls from Iraq. Can you imagine the worry for him? Geez. When they finally figured out I had HELLP Syndrome I was promptly taken to the hospital with an impending, immediate delivery. Red Cross and I had a little chat; they were getting Ryan home quickly and I was praying I could make my short 28 week pregnancy last for at least 29 weeks so she could grow a little more and the daddy could be there to help me through. It didn't happen. I knew from the beginning of the pregnancy that he wouldn't make it. So Avery was born on October 15th at 2 pounds 6 ounces with my mom by my side and his family in the waiting room. Ryan found out he was a daddy while on a stop in London and then arrived on the 16th after many cancelled and delayed flights. I remember seeing the quote, "Where there is great love there are always miracles," on a frame that was given as a gift for my baby girl's room. Before I could see Avery in person her nurse in the NICU brought a picture of her and we placed the photo of my tiny, frail baby in the frame and started praying for miracles. We then spent 54 days with Avery Beth in the NICU; it was a very scary and emotional time with many highs and just as many lows.
In my house there is great love and even bigger miracles. Avery Beth turned 8 months last week and is 15 pounds of personality and happiness. Ryan is deployed again and despite my anxiety about his departure we are doing okay. I look forward to sharing our many blessings.
Let me rewind. This time last year I was newly pregnant; just getting over the dreaded "all day sickness" (whoever coined the phrase "morning sickness" had never been pregnant) and dreaming of what was growing inside my belly. We knew of Ryan's upcoming deployment and thought he would return in late December just a week before my due date. I had never been more distraught and upset. I cried for days on end and knew in my heart he would miss the birth of our baby. I knew it deep down in my heart. Then by chance somebody in charge very casually said, "Sanders you're going on a 60 day instead of a 120." Now we are talking! It was still incredibly sad to see him go. Two days before he left we found out God was giving us a baby girl and promised to pick names when he returned in late October. I went home to Georgia and spent some time with my family and friends and when I returned to Little Rock I started feeling not so good and started swelling. I gained 8 pounds in 1 week, started having pain between my ribcage and could almost feel my blood pressure getting higher. The doctor said no big deal...watch what you eat and give yourself a rest sometime throughout the day. Things did not improve and I was increasingly getting sicker, in more pain. I was told I had heartburn, was treated over the phone and in labor and delivery with pain meds, fluids and heartburn remedies. Something wasn't right and I remember sobbing over the phone begging the doctor for relief and being in so much pain I couldn't talk to Ryan when he made his few and far between phone calls from Iraq. Can you imagine the worry for him? Geez. When they finally figured out I had HELLP Syndrome I was promptly taken to the hospital with an impending, immediate delivery. Red Cross and I had a little chat; they were getting Ryan home quickly and I was praying I could make my short 28 week pregnancy last for at least 29 weeks so she could grow a little more and the daddy could be there to help me through. It didn't happen. I knew from the beginning of the pregnancy that he wouldn't make it. So Avery was born on October 15th at 2 pounds 6 ounces with my mom by my side and his family in the waiting room. Ryan found out he was a daddy while on a stop in London and then arrived on the 16th after many cancelled and delayed flights. I remember seeing the quote, "Where there is great love there are always miracles," on a frame that was given as a gift for my baby girl's room. Before I could see Avery in person her nurse in the NICU brought a picture of her and we placed the photo of my tiny, frail baby in the frame and started praying for miracles. We then spent 54 days with Avery Beth in the NICU; it was a very scary and emotional time with many highs and just as many lows.
In my house there is great love and even bigger miracles. Avery Beth turned 8 months last week and is 15 pounds of personality and happiness. Ryan is deployed again and despite my anxiety about his departure we are doing okay. I look forward to sharing our many blessings.
Reading this story again I just got chills. It is so amazing to think about all that has happened.
ReplyDeleteMelissa