Jo's happy again!

Posted by Joellen Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:21 PM 0 comments
Ok so here's the latest:

Joellen is at 6cm as of about an hour ago after several very painful
contractions! She handled them like a pro :) eventually though, the
pain got to be too much and she asked for the epideral. The doctor was
in within about 39 minutes and needless to say Joellen is much happier
right now! Needless to say? So am I :)

That's the news for now... Stay tuned for more...

Broken Water

Posted by Joellen 8:44 AM 1 comments
About 20 minutes ago, Joellen was given another exam and she hadn't
progressed much so the doctor suggested breaking her water... So we
did. Now we're committed to having him today - so we'll keep you all
posted... We'll all get to meet Asher soon :)

Signs of Labor

Posted by Joellen 5:35 AM 0 comments
> Well folks, looks like today might be the day... We've been admitted
> to the hospital. Joellen started having stronger contractions around
> 7:00 PM last night. We decided to try and get a little rest before
> going in to the birthing center so I slept for a few hours and Jo
> laid there for a while until around 2:15 AM she woke me up and let
> me know we needed to get going. Everything that was prepared a few
> weeks ago has since been unpacked and used so we gathered our stuff
> and headed off to the hospital after a brief stop at Winco to pick
> up some food to have on hand...
>
> Anyway, once we got to Hospital, they put Joellen on the monitor and
> kept an eye on her for an hour or so. Her contractions have been
> nice and strong and a couple minutes apart. Around 4:30 AM they
> moved us from the exam room into one of the birthing rooms.
>
> We'll give the parents a few more hours to sleep before we give them
> a call... We should be here for a while :)

Signs of Labor

Posted by Joellen 5:20 AM 0 comments

Ahh... relaxing is nice!

Posted by Joellen Monday, March 10, 2008 4:59 PM 0 comments
As many of you know, I'm not a very relaxed person by nature. Especially since I work from home, I tend to feel guilty for sitting around and not doing anything "profitable" monetarily speaking. But today, after way too many days of feeling anxious, tired and just a bit sad about this whole prolonged labor thing, we decided to just relax and take it easy. Wow... this is actually fun!

Our doula gave us some great suggestions to try and get labor to intensify - I've still been having contractions but they just haven't really been amounting to much. So, here I am at home, waiting to see if any of these natural remedies will take things to the next level. 

I've also been really just trying to relax my muscles and put my mind at ease about the whole thing. I've endured some physically challenging things - more than the average person considering I was in intense athletic training for a long while (especially the last few years of track) but I still get a little nervous at the idea of labor actually progressing! But, I know that doesn't help... so be praying for my state of mind, courage and that I would put my trust in God's strength instead of my own.

Well, there's not a whole lot else going on... knitting, reading, surfing the web! Mark is a bit busier :-) Designing sites and brochures, calling clients and responding to emails - he's been more productive than me for sure! But that's alright - it's my job to get in the best frame of mind to deliver our little man. If nothing has picked up tomorrow, we have some other great recommendations including acupuncture. I've heard this lady claim to be able to put women who were in prolonged labor into active labor within hours. We'll see! And of course, we'll let you all know how things go as well. Please pray for my sanity - I've never considered myself "stable" per se, but this emotional roller-coaster has really stretched me and I feel like I'm getting close to the end of my rope. I know God knows my limits... I'll focus on that :-) Thanks everyone... love you all!

Friday Appointment Part II

Posted by Joellen Friday, March 7, 2008 12:52 PM 0 comments
Ok so well, we went in to Jo's doctor's appointment this morning and unfortunately, we still have nothing new to report. 2-3 cm, still not much progress. Dr Barker did however say that the baby is getting pretty big and that if he's still not born by next Friday, we should probably start talking about an induction or cesarean... That's really all we can tell you for now. Yesterday, Jenn stopped by to bring us some food which was great and the women from Joellen's bible study all signed a card and brought it by for her. Thank you all for your continued prayers, phone calls, emails, food and support! One of these days, we look forward to introducing you all to our son... As a matter of fact I won't mind meeting him myself :)

Friday Appointment

Posted by Joellen 8:45 AM 0 comments
It's Friday!
And that means it's time for another doctor's appointment. Neither of us thought we'd make it to today's appointment with Asher still incubating, but here we are. The nice thing about these, however is that we at least get to find out if anything has changed since the week before. Jo had some pretty good contractions last night that kept her from sleeping so hopefully they had some effect. We'll let you know when we know more...
In the meantime, we did get a chance to pay Jeff and Chelsi (& Hosanna and Baby Girl Lacine) another visit, this time at the birthing center in Hopewell. They seem to be doing really well and it was refreshing and encouraging (as always) to spend a little time with them. They haven't settled on a name for Baby Girl Lacine yet but I'm sure it will be something unique and wonderfully appropriate :)

We'll let you know you know when we know more about the progress of our own child. Until then, here's a shot of Joellen and the cats attempting (albeit rather unsuccessfully) to keep her mind off Asher's seeming procrastination (which I'm sure he got from me, although technically he's not due for another week). I should note however that since the first trimester, we've predicted a March 7th birth so who knows... it could be today :)

No One Can Say

Posted by Joellen Wednesday, March 5, 2008 1:27 PM 2 comments
Yep, still pregnant (yay). Hope you're feeling my sarcasm :-) We really thought things were going to happen last night... my contractions were a lot more consistent and starting to actually cause some pain. I had a few really good ones that made me think "Oh, I see what people are talking about when they say hard labor" but after an hour or so of tossing and turning in bed, I fell asleep and, well, here I am! Not that I didn't wake up a million times in the middle of the night feeling completely uncomfortable, but just not in labor yet. 

There's not a lot else to say. I'm exhausted. I'm feeling cranky. I am so READY for all this to come to an end! The discouraging thing is that if for some reason my body isn't able or simply refuses to naturally start labor and deliver, nothing will happen to "assist" that for at least a good 2 weeks. I don't know that I can make it that long. I already feel like a total zombie - trying to find things to do at home and feeling tired and worn out all day. I mean, there are things I could do, but this large growing (I know, still growing) thing on my front side dampers many of those activities. It's kind of frightening knowing that Asher has grown probably a whole POUND since we thought we'd get to see him... Mark has been trying to threaten him to come out by saying he'll spank him :-) 

Keep praying though - obviously things will come to pass and this will just be a distant memory someday :-) We're just hoping that "someday" happens before March 22nd or any later! Thanks everyone!

Update on Jeff and Chelsi

Posted by Joellen Monday, March 3, 2008 5:37 PM 0 comments
The past few days have really kept me in suspense for our dear friends Jeff and Chelsi. Her water broke sometime on Friday evening and as of yesterday, she still hadn't progressed into active labor. Well, they had their baby this morning so not without some drama... Here's a summary of their story.

Chelsi went into active labor last night and after only a few hours, she delivered their new baby girl (yet to be named) safely and fairly easily... especially compared to the long labor they had with Hosanna. But once again, as with Hosanna, Chelsi's bleeding didn't stop after the delivery. This time though, it continued for a lot longer until the midwife said they NEEDED to call an ambulance and take her to the hospital (They delivered at a birthing center out in Hopewell).

So they took her to the McMinnville hospital and by the time they got there, Chelsi had lost over 1/2 of her blood volume! They rushed her in and gave her a blood transfusion and tried to figure out what was causing all the bleeding. After 15 minutes they told Jeff that she was loosing blood as fast as they could get new blood in her! They had to put her under anesthesia and onto a respirator. The Doctors also mentioned that if they couldn't stop the bleeding soon they may need to remove her uterus to end the bleeding for sure. 

Once she was under, the Dr's found a piece of placenta that had stuck to the uterine wall which in turn was causing the uterus not to contract. It was still pumping out the same blood volume as before she delivered the baby. Once they got the piece removed and fixed one lesion the bleeding slowed and they were able to get her back to breathing on her own. 

Chelsi is recovering now and everyone thinks that the problem has been resolved. She's a bit swollen from all the fluids and will probably feel quite weak for a while but hopefully this is the end of the trauma for them. She said as they were wheeling her into the OR, she was praying and just felt that if this was her time that God would take care of her family. How strong is she!!!! Her and Jeff both know where they are going after death, but to face it in such a tender time and all of a sudden was so incredibly courageous. Jeff and Chelsi are both so brave and we feel so moved by their endurance. What strong friends we have in the faith... we are truly blessed to be a part of their lives.

So, little baby girl Lacine... She's so cute! She was a mere 6 lbs 9 oz and only 18 inches long. Her feet are very long and slender... after all, she is Jeff and Chelsi's daughter. She is definitely tiny compared to the butterball Hosanna was :-) It was so good to see all of them thanking God for taking care of them during this frightful time and amazing to see the new little life God made through them. Please continue to pray for Chelsi's recovery, the baby girl's health (doing great so far) and their adjustment to having a new addition. Hosanna seemed to know she was getting a sister all along, so I guess she wasn't too surprised! 

Here's a link to Jeff & Chelsi's website for more (and possibly more accurate) information:

Anyway, we'll let you know when we have more updates. We'd love to be in labor while they are still in the hospital, just a few doors down... but we'll see what God has planned :-) 

Love you all!

I am still alive - believe it or not :-)

Posted by Joellen 10:28 AM 1 comments
Hey everyone, I thought I would actually write a post on here since Mark has been my secretary for quite a few days now! Things are going well - not well as in I'm in labor, but well as in I am alive and in pretty good spirits today :-) Sorry if I never answer your phone calls or text messages... I was pretty lousy at that before all of this started. 

I know that according to laws of nature I will eventually deliver this little boy one way or another, but somedays, I actually think it will never happen. I knew I was crazy but that is definitely pushing the limits right? I know! Anyway, the past 2 weeks have been a great/not so great lesson in how we should hope in the Lord. No one would condemn me for being sad or depressed or disappointed in this waiting... but it really is just a temporary state and it isn't quite right to be all worked up over something that is COMPLETELY INEVITABLE!

I know, it's so exciting having your first baby and who wouldn't be anxious? But I asked God to give me a stronger faith in His provision and timing so I have no one to blame except me :-) (Sorry Mark!) But really, I'm excited, and some days are tougher than others but I'm just glad that I probably won't have to wait more than another, well, maybe 16 days... no worries! And I could always use a real life, applicable lesson in how God's timing always works out for the best and how we can always be learning from the situations we are in. Hopefully, I feel like this tomorrow! And none of this is to say I'm not actively praying for this baby to come today!

Anywho, we're so glad for all your support these last few weeks... I can't imagine how much more of a wreck I might have been without all your prayers and encouragement! Hopefully we can have some excellent baby news to report very, very soon!

New Links and Blinks

Posted by Joellen 12:26 AM 2 comments
All is still quiet here in McMinnville. Joellen is hanging in there trying to keep from thinking about the bulge in front of her that just won't go away... All in God's perfect timing, right? That's what we keep reminding ourselves. It's just wild to think that before the world was even here, God had a plan and a purpose and a specific Birthday all planned out for Asher. Before any of us were here or had the ability to fret or grow impatient, He had everything all worked out. Crazy!

Anyway, in the meantime while we wait, we've added some links to a few of our other sites as well as some blinks (links to blogs) from other family members. Feel free to check them out as you please. My sister Becca and her family who recently moved to sunny California just jumped on the blogging bandwagon so a big warm welcome to them!

Hopefully we'll soon have more exciting baby news to report. Until then, our exciting links will have to do!

Jo's doctor visit

Posted by Joellen Saturday, March 1, 2008 7:46 AM 3 comments
Joellen had a doctor's visit yesterday but unfortunately, there's not much to report. She is dilated a little further to 3 cm now and her contractions are picking up a bit, but still no active labor... She is definitely getting there, a little bit at a time.

Meanwhile, we received word from our friends Jeff and Chelsi that they were heading to the birthing center last night! We're very excited for them and can't wait to find out if they had a little boy or girl! We are keeping them on our prayers and asking for a safe and wonderful delivery.

I suppose I really don't have too much else to fill you all in on. I am happy to report that I landed a new web design project for this month so praise God for that! Please pray for his continued provision and thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers.

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