We moved!

Am I really writing in my blog??? It does feel a little weird. But, I am feeling more and more normal now that I have a baby that is sleeping through the night and has been weaned!! Just this morning actually. It tears me up a little to think that she is my last, but you know it has to happen sometime. Oh, and don't get me wrong, it also makes me smile that I am not attached every minute to my sweet bundle of joy... so it's really not that much of a tear jerker, if I don't think about it too much. (:

So, life is busy, but great! At the end of June we sold our good old town house in Maryland (sob sob) and with tears in our eyes, moved ourselves to Utah... Yes, it's been a little of both just like the baby thing. I cry one day about it, but the next I am ecstatic to be close to my family!!! We've had a bawl. And, catching up with old friends has been great too. I LOVE LOVE LOVE not having it rain every other day and the sunshine is putting lots of great D hormones in my body that is making me and my family happy. I do love those beautiful Utah mountains that I get to see every single day, but I have to say, I miss all those beautiful Maryland green trees. So, there is good and bad to life and you take what you get and live with it right?? That's at least what I am always telling my girls. Maybe we will both get it someday.

Brian's new job in Utah is going so so. On and off every day. We shall see how it pans out. We live in a cute neighborhood in South Jordan while our house is getting built!! We are building a home right under the Oqurrih temple. We can't wait! It will be around February before we actually move in though. We have been really really blessed to find a rental house close to the one we are building and it's been perfect because we can attend the same school that we will be in next year.

Now that things are starting to normalize in our lives finally, Brian and I decided to train for another half-marathon in October. After the last one I really didn't think I would do it again, but peer pressure can do a lot I tell ya..... No really, I am really excited to finally run again and feel good again. I mean, it's not every day that I am not nursing, pregnant, or on bed rest for something or another.... And, it's all down hill. What can be better than that??

Club Feet

Brynley was born with club feet. She had to have casts on both legs up to her thighs for eight weeks. She had new casts put on every week and a half to two weeks. During this time she had surgery on her tendons so they will grow longer. She finally graduated to braces that she had to wear night and day for six weeks. Now, she is out of her braces during the day and just wears them at night until she is four or five years. Phew! It's been a long process, but we are just grateful that this is the only problem she has had to deal with. So, here are some pictures of her casts and braces, thought you might enjoy!

First Casts

Blessing day!

Braces!

The Birth Story....

I've been putting writing the birth story off because it's not really something I want to relive, but I decided I need to write it to remember some of my feelings and blessings that I have. And of course, to have those of you who are curious to catch up... so here goes...

On the 24th, the morning of the c-section everything was going just fine. Brian was there early, and even though I was a little nervous, we said prayer and felt everything would be okay. The prep was fine, and the surgery started. Brian came in after the spinal and it quickly proceeded. It seemed like it was taking quite a lot longer to get Brynley out than I expected. I started to get the feeling things weren't going well. When they finally did get her out, she didn't cry for quite a while which was scary, but when she finally did we were so relieved. I got to see her for just a minute and then they whisked her away to the NICU.

Then the placenta, which wasn't coming out. I could tell it was taking longer than usual and my doctor seemed a little panicked. Things got pretty intense fast. The next thing I remember is my doctor yelling for someone to get Dr. Lance (the high risk doctor) and then she leaned over and told me that I would need a hysterectomy. They then put me out.

The next time I was awake was at 4:00 in the afternoon. I woke up in the ICU with a breathing tube down my throat and my hands tied to my side. I couldn't communicate at all, but I was so relieved to see Brian by my side. The breathing tube was torture, not being able to even take a breath for myself. I felt like I was suffocating. Since I couldn't talk and I couldn't use my hands, I had no way of letting anyone know. I finally signed with my hands to Brian and after a while of guessing, he understood. He told my doctors, but they didn't take it off for another hour or so. And then they made me promise that I would breathe on my own. I tell you, that was a scary promise. I hope I'm never asked to promise that again. How would I know if I could breathe on my own? But, anything was better than the breathing tube, so of course I gave them a thumbs up.

After I was feeling a little more coherent, Brian explained to me what happened. Apparently my placenta had grown too far into my uterus, a condition called placenta accreta. When my doctor tried to get it out it wouldn't come so she tried cutting it out. It still wasn't all coming and I was losing a lot of blood. She called in for the high risk doctor, Dr. Lance, and the head of the department of gynecology (Dr. Cox). They all three performed the hysterectomy. After they had gotten my uterus out, they still couldn't stop the bleeding. I was given 9 units of blood transfusions. They realized that they would also have to take out the cervix, which they did, and were finally able to stop the bleeding.

Before the surgery, Brian was told that he needed to leave and being a little stubborn he told them, "no he was staying". He finally was escorted out though and led into the prep room where he stayed for two hours. Of course he was furious. They hadn't told him anything for those few hours that he was in that room and he had no idea what was going on. They finally brought Brynley into him after it was all over and explained the situation.

The next couple of days I stayed in the ICU and Brynley stayed in the NICU. Brynley wasn't breathing as well as they would have liked. She also had some eating problems so she was on feeding tubes and IV's. I wasn't able to see her for about four days after the surgery. But, I was grateful for a little picture that someone had taken for me and taped by my bed. This is what would keep my going many times during those first few days.

I received two more units of blood and some antibiotics to help with infections. I was so grateful after a couple of days to finally get out of ICU and into postpartum. Brian stayed with me every day, always by my side. Except at night of course when he went home to sleep. I don't know what I would have done without him. Especially those days in the ICU, apparently they aren't used to patients that are coherent. They also told me they hardly ever get someone from maternity. So they didn't really know how to handle me.... hmmm... that was fun.

Anyway, things were much better after that. I was pretty sore and really worn out, but every day was a little better. After about three days I was finally able to get up to the bathroom and then one or two days later finally got to go see my baby. It was so great after all that time to see Brynley and to actually hold her. It was hard to see all her IV's, and feeding tubes, but she was also improving every day and doing well. Her jaundice had peaked a little, and her billirubin was up to a thirteen, so they put her under the lights for a couple of days.

After the surgery I had many of my nurses and doctors come and visit me. I was so glad to see them. I have definitely made some good friends in the hospital and it will be a little sad to leave them. One of my doctors (Apgar) came and talked to me after. She told me how close I came to losing my life. She gave me a hug and with tears in her eyes and said she was grateful that I was alive and well. We both were a little emotional. Then she told me that I should consider giving blood because that blood saved my life. I have always been a little squeamish about giving blood, but now I am have made up my mind and I'm definitely going to do it.

After six days, they finally discharged me from the hospital (really, after ten weeks of being there, it felt like leaving home or at least something like that). That was the same day that my mom went back home to Utah, which was so sad but I was happy for her to finally get home too.
I tell you, it was so good to be in my own bed that night.
Brynley got discharged the next day. We finally left the hospital for good and oh were we happy.

Okay, okay, sorry for such a long story. I just can't end this though without saying how grateful I am for my life and my little Brynley's life. I feel like so many things that happened were the Lord helping us through this. I couldn't have been more grateful that I was able to move my surgery up a day to have Dr. Hammond deliver her. She is definitely the most experienced of all my doctors. And, even though it was hard to stay in the hospital for so long, I can't even think about what would have happened if I hadn't. There were just so many blessings in all of this. I can't express enough how grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who cares about me and my family. I know now more than ever that he loves and cares about me. I had so many wonderful friends and family members fast and pray for us, and to you all I will be forever grateful. I am so glad to be here with my sweet girls and to be able to raise them.

Brynley Anne Whipple

Yep, we had our baby and feel so blessed. Sorry it has taken me so long to post, it's been an adventure that we never expected this last week, but now we are all well and happy. She was 6 pounds 9 ounces and is 19 inches long. I'll write the story soon. Here's some pictures ...


Brynley in the NICU....

Going home day!

Father's Day

This was written a couple weeks ago..... Brian's been a little busy.

First, before I write about Father's Day, I have to tell our good news. I only have three more days left!! My practice of doctors has six or so doctors that I see on a regular basis. I do like all of them, but there is one in particular that I love (doctor Hammond) and when she heard that I was having my c-section on Friday she said, "Are you sure that you aren't 37 weeks on Thursday?" I told her I was pretty sure and she said, "because I am on call on Thursday and I would love to do your c-section." So, I begged her to ask the high risk doctor (who apparently has most of the say here) if there is a chance I could go a day early and he said that was fine. So.... I am now due for the c-section on Thursday instead of Friday and I get my favorite doctor.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be done. I tell you, it's been a long ride, but at least now there is an end in sight. I have to say though, I am a little nervous to have a c-section. I have heard the recovery is not fun, and I just can't wait to be up and around again. I do have another ultrasound on Wednesday (the day before) just to make sure the placenta hasn't moved. I guess the worst case scenario would be that if it has, and I still have a breech baby, then I would go home and then in a couple of weeks have a c-section anyway. Well... that probably won't happen, but we shall see...

Yesterday was Father's day and Brian called me yesterday telling me about his lovely night. I have to admit, I'm a little glad I wasn't there, but I do feel bad that it happened on Father's day. Ashtyn was sick with a stomach bug which kept her by the toilet for a while and then she begged her dad if she could sleep with him. She finally zonked out, but all the commotion had woken Raegan up and now she couldn't get to sleep, so Brian slept on the floor with her for a while. When he thought all was good, he quietly snuck back into his room, but she must not have been quite asleep because the wailing started again. After a couple of hours of this, I think he finally got a few hours of sleep.... Happy father's day Bri.

The afternoon was good though. My mom took care of the dinner and kids while he took a nap and then they came to visit me. We got to go in the wheelchair (outside!) for a half hour, while I just kind of held my breath as my kids ran with me down the sidewalks (how do babies in strollers do it??). Then we had some ice cream and opened a couple of gifts that the girls had made Brian. It was fun, oh how I miss my girls...

Since it is Father's Day, I'm going to brag a little about mine. I know I'm a little biased, but I think I have the best dad and the best husband in the world. I'm not sure why I have been so lucky to have both, but I do. Really, they are both very different from eachother, but two of the best guys have ever known. I was talking to my mom the other day and she agrees with me. It's amazing how different, yet how great they both are and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have them both! I sure love you dad and Brian and happy Father's Day.

Two More Weeks....

Well, I had my ultrasound on Friday (the one I have been waiting for for two weeks) and unfortunately the placenta has NOT moved. So.... I have to stay in the hospital. I know, bummer! I was really looking forward to going home. Oh, and to top it all off, my neighbor friend ( a girl right next door to me that has placenta previa too and I know all about even though we have never met) went into labor (or had an episode) that same night and had her c-section! I couldn't believe she deserted me after all this time together.... I mean, I was a week further along than her, so I was supposed to leave her. Oh the nerve!! Well, I am going to miss her though and now I am all alone in my little hallway with my own nurse who keeps telling me that I am making her life too easy.

I do have some good news though. I have a set date for my c-section. It will be on June 25th. So it's not all bad, at least in two weeks I will have a baby to take home with me. And today I only have twelve more days left. I can do that right? What's two more weeks?

I am getting to the end of my good books and nothing on tv is very interesting to me anymore. So, I'm running out of ideas to keep me busy. If you have any good books that you have read lately, I would love some ideas. I asked my doctor yesterday if I am allowed to take a little stroll in a wheel chair when my kids come to visit and she said yes. I get thirty minutes every three days or so to ride around the hospital. I know that may not sound too exciting to you, but when you have been stuck in one room for eight weeks, it's the best news I can get... well almost the best.

There are a few advantages to being on bed rest. First of all, my veins are so much better. For those of you who don't know, I have terrible vericose veins and with each pregnancy they just get worse and worse and so uncomfortable. But, with this pregnancy they have been awesome and hardly even bother me. The other great thing is I don't have marshmallow feet. Yes, my feet actually look normal and maybe I won't even grow a shoe size this time... wouldn't that be great?

I was talking to a friend the other day that helped me remember the good things in pregnancy and since this will be our last baby (unless divine revealation comes into play) then this will be the last time I will be pregnant. For as much as I complain and would love to have it over, I was glad to be reminded of that. I do love feeling my little baby kicking and moving inside me. It's pretty amazing what our bodies can do, so I'm trying to appreciate these last couple of weeks even though I am getting almost no sleep at night and I could go on and on, but I'll save it for another blog.

Okay, the most exciting thing that has happened in the past week is that my little Raegan is potty trained! Yes, I mean all the way. I actually started training her a few days before I went on bed rest, and then realized that it might be too hard for me, so we put her in pull ups and hoped she would learn slowly. She did really well the first couple of weeks and even though she had accidents every once in a while, she was learning. Then I went into the hospital, so we pretty much gave up encouraging her. But, she just kept getting better and better at going, so just this last week my mom took her pull ups off and left her in panties and she has been amazing! She is done now and hardly ever has an accident and I couldn't be happier.... I am so relieved that I won't have two kids in diapers when I come home. That was the easiest potty training I have ever done... (: Thank you mom and Brian!

Kids Day!

Okay, even though I didn't get to participate in Kid's Day this year, I still can blog about it right? I just have to after hearing what a good time they had. And, even though I didn't get to participate much (although they did come visit me), grandma and grandpa were there with them, so they had just as much fun. So this is what they did this year:

* Woke up early, did our usual shopping for cold cereal (they all get to pick whatever cold cereal they like) then headed to the park to eat it and played at the playground for a while.

*Next they all visited me in the hospital, which I loved even though they were all pretty much on a sugar high...

* Left grandma to spend the afternoon with me, and they headed out to go ice skating. This was Raegan's first time ice skating. Usually she just sits up at the top with me and envys her sisters. Apparently she had the time of her life and couldn't get enough. Brian or grandpa would take her little hands and pull her around as she would yell at the top of her lungs, "I'm skating, I'm skating!" Just like in What About Bob.... oh, I wish I could have seen it! Every time she got back around for a little break she would beg, "just one more time!" so off they would go again. That night she called me to tell me all about it.

*Chick-Fil-A for lunch. What could be better I tell you....

*Headed on up to the airport to drop grandpa off. Everyone was pretty sad about that, especially grandma. We've had a great time with him.

*Came back to the hospital, picked up grandma and headed on out swimming. They were all pretty exhausted, but managed to have a great time anyway. Raegan discovered the baby pool and couldn't get enough.

*After an hour and a half of swimming, came home for a dinner that grandma had prepared and then ended the day with a little bit of Wii against dad.

So, all in all it was a success even without mom (which is really what I was hoping for). Plus, I'm always interrupting everything with my picture taking, so it was probably much better. Even though I am a little bitter about no pictures... there's always next year I guess....