May 1, 2012

Tuesday, May 1, 2012, a day I will never forget.. yes, I'm sure details will become fuzzy but this was one of the happiest days of our lives.. Our precious John William came into the world, and our lives will never be the same.  So, in order to not forget some of those details, let's write the story right here of May 1 as well as the weeks that followed- but to be honest, some of those days I'd like to forget!!

--- warning, this is a little lengthy ---

John William was due Saturday May 12, and I had talked with my Dr and we had planned to induce on Monday May 7.  John Will didn't want to wait ;)  The week and half prior to his arrival I had been sick with an awful summer cold.  Coughing, congested, had no voice, and just worn out.  My maternity leave at work was suppose to start April 31 so I'd have a week to 'prepare' for our little one and I had lots of doctors appointments that week anyway, but because of being so sick, it actually started the week before- which turned out to be a very good thing, I was resting because of being sick.

The day before John Will came I had my last appointment with my hematologist to see if my platelets had gone up above 100,000.  For those that don't know, I have something called I.T.P ( Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura), a fancy term for having a low platelets count.  My body produces platelets, but for some reason they all go to my spleen instead of throughout the body.  This is something we found out I had right before we got married 3 years ago, and it really doesn't affect me, I just have to go regularly to my hematologist and get my numbers checked to make sure everything is going alright.  Every once in a while my other numbers will bottom out, but for the most part all is good- God has definitely taken care of me!  Anyway...  Around mid 3rd trimester of being pregnant I began taking steroids in order to boost my blood counts up, and try to make my platelet number above 100,000 (I was at 64,000-74,000 throughout the pregnancy).   We wanted it above 100,000 so that it would be higher of course, but also so that I could receive an epidural- anesthesiologist will not give you an epidural or spinal if it's not above 100,000- no questions asked!  So, I was a little anxious at this last check to see if it was going to reach that magical number!  However, when we checked it, it had only gotten to 78,000.  When I left I was thinking, well we've got another week, maybe it can still go up!

So now we're at Tuesday morning..  When Brett left to go to the gym about 5:00am I started having some pain in my lower back, and was thinking these were contractions, I told Brett as he left to be sure he kept his phone on him because I felt like something may be happening.  I went back to sleep and about 6:45 woke up to continuing to feel these back pains.  Nothing horribly bad, just cramping, and this cramping continued in a regular pattern.  I got up and moving around thinking this is just braxton hicks and it'd go away.  They continued.  I got my handy iPhone out and downloaded a contraction timer app to see what was going on.  I started timing them and they were about 7-8 minutes apart.  I have to say I was getting a little nervous!!  I called Brett to tell him and we decided I was just going to wait until the doctors office opened at 8 and call them.  I continued moving around the apartment just seeing if they'd go away or get closer/stronger.. they pretty much stayed the same.  I called a friend who has a 2 year old and used the same doctor I used just to ask her what she thought, she too said to call or just go to the office- I don't know why I was so nervous to call, I guess I was nervous about it really being time and at the same time I didn't want to make a big deal if it was really nothing!  I called the doctor and they told me to just come on in.  I had had mine and John William's bags packed so I grabbed them just in case and loaded up and headed to the doctor!

I called Brett and told him I was headed that way, and told him just to hang tight at work in case it was really nothing and I'd call him if anything changed and for him to stay close!  I got to the doctor about 9:30 and they took me on back.  I went through all the normal things of a normal check up, but when they checked my blood pressure they were concerned because, for the first time, it was high.  The nurse was so sweet, she just told me to calm down and relax, I was very tense!!  Because I was a 'drop in' I had to see the doctor on call which was not my normal doctor, that had me a little nervous as well.  I love Dr. Ray and her nurse Mandy, they had made the past 9 months great and set my mind at ease about so many things, I was so scared to not be seeing her!  Dr. Dipiazza (Dr. D) was the doctor on call, and now.. I love her too!  She came in and checked me and I was only dilated about a centemeter and a half and about 75% effaced.  She told me these could be real contractions or Braxton Hicks.  She told me I could go home and call back when/if contractions got worse and closer together or I could go to Labor and Delivery and be monitored.  I decided I'd go home and wait there where I'd be more comfortable.  They wanted to check my blood pressure one more time before I left though, and when they did it was still high, so they said I needed to go to Labor and Delivery to have that monitored.  So I called Brett and told him what was going on and he headed toward the hospital.  I got all checked in and hooked up to the machines about 11:00 and Brett and I just waited.  We hadn't called our parents or anyone yet because we weren't sure what the day had ahead of us, and we didn't want anyone making unnecessary trips to Tuscaloosa!

About 2:30 Dr. D came in and said that my blood pressure wasn't going down and began explaining Preeclampsia to me and that because I had that and the contractions we were definitely going to have a baby that day.  She put me on the pitocin to move along the labor and put me on magnesium for the blood pressure which is pretty much the opposite of the pitocin!  I got all hooked up and we called our family to tell them the exciting news!  The anesthesiologist came in to ask questions and talk to me about the epidural-- that I was not going to get to have.  I tried batting my eyes and begging, but it was a no go, my platelets were only at 78,000 so I hadn't reached the magic number.  My only other option was to have a C-Section where I would be put to sleep.  When I get put to sleep, I don't wake up very easily, so I didn't want to do that, I knew if I did I'd miss so much and would be very groggy even the day after.  So then we waited some more.  Dr. D told me I could walk the halls or rock in the rocking chair in order to help speed things up if I wanted.  So I rocked.  The contractions began getting more intense, I remember having one and then afterward looking at the machine that shows them to see if it was really as bad as I was thinking, sometimes it was, sometimes it wasn't ;)  By about 7:00 I was telling Brett that I just couldn't do it anymore.  The contractions where hurting so bad, and I just wasn't going to be able to do it.  I wanted them to knock me out and just do the C-Section.  The C-Section would be considered more dangerous for me because of more blood loss, so Brett continued to tell me that I could do this, that he knew I could.  He held my hand tight and reassured me everytime I said I was ready to quit. Dr. D was the same way, encouraging me all along and being so positive saying how good I was doing.  However, I continued to ask for the C-Section... They finally gave in and said ok, however there were 2 sections ahead of me and since there was no emergency I couldn't 'jump' them.  By this time I was about 5cm dilated, and that scared me because I just knew it was only going to get more and more painful! In case you haven't picked  up on it, I have a very low pain tolerance!! So we waited, and contractions got more and more intense, and Brett kept holding my hand and telling me I was doing great and that I could keep going and how proud he was!

Toward the end, I have no idea what time it was, my body pretty much took over, it was so strange how it just started feeling like it was pushing for me, I could tell things were changing!  Brett could to and was asking the nurse to check me again.  I was still asking about the c-section and they told me it was almost time to take me, but she was going to check me one more time.  When she did she told me there would be no reason or time for a section because I was at 10cm and his head was right there, it was go time!  I think this was about 10:00 at this time, and everyone was getting in position, all the nurses came in and were preparing for John Will to be there.  Dr. D came right in and gave me a quick run down of what was about to happen.  Between her and Brett I had the best cheerleaders.  Brett really got me through the pushing, and at 10:25, we had a beautiful baby boy.  I couldn't believe it.  He was here, and all the pain was gone.  It was a beautiful moment.  John Will had a bowel movement after my water had broke so he was taken straight to his 'cart' to be checked out by the NICU nurses to make sure he hadn't ingested anything, all was perfect, and it wasn't long before he was in my arms.  I remember the nurses telling Brett he could take him now, Brett looked at me and smiled saying he was going to bring him straight to me and how much I deserved this wonderful prize.  He kept saying how proud he was of me and how happy he was.  It was such a wonderful time.  Just the three of us (and the team of nurses in there) all gazing at each other.  God is so good.  We are so blessed.

It was now time for those waiting to come and meet our precious angel, we were so proud to show him off!!  Brett's parents and brother and sister were there along with the Boykin family, it was just perfect.  They all came in, ooed and gooed, each taking turns holding him.  Brett and I were still on cloud 9 just soaking every second of this perfect day.  And perfect it was.

So this has been long enough of a post.. I'll post about the next 3 weeks to follow later, long story short it involved high blood pressure and 5 days of throwing up :)  And let me say, the natural child birth thing, not nearly has bad as I had anticipated :)

and now for some pictures..

John William Paulk, 7lbs 3oz 19in long, 10:25pm May 1, 2012

first family picture

Uncle Brian

 Grandma and Grampa (not sure what they'll be called!)

The Boykins

Aunt Ashley

We had so many visitors at the hospital!  We are so blessed!!

my grandmother made the trip with my brother and sister-in-law

my 2 favorite guys!

cousin Candace

Brittany

 Carla

our sweet boy!

Granny Angie

Grandaddy Mel

Last post.. 2 months ago!?!

Well, I guess I am now a blogger fail :) oops!  During the last two months lots of things have happened!!  Our house is moving along, painters have been there this week, and hopefully floors will begin being laid soon!  Estimated move in date is still June, which is fine-- I have lots of other things occupying my mind :)  Brett and I have been blessed by 4 baby showers in the last 2 months, a Crossfit Shower, Fort Deposit Church of Christ Shower, Univeristy Church Shower, and a work shower at my school!  We have been so humbled by so many peoples generosity!!

Today I'll post about our Fort Deposit Shower...  Fort Deposit Church of Christ is where Brett grew up going to church, and has been involved with since day one!  When Brett and I started dating I began going to church with him, and it became home, and everyone invited me in as if I'd been apart of their youth group forever!!  Brett's parents and grandparents have always been active members of this church, and I know always will be.  Brett and I were married in this church, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts!!  For the church to seek us out and to tell us that they were planning a shower for us was such an awesome surprise!!  Brett and I have been in Tuscaloosa almost 10 years, and yes we visit Fort Deposit often (well not as often as we use to), we definitely were not expecting them to go out of their way to bless us so much with an awesome Shower!!  A class mate of mine, Lindsey, called me and asked me about it, and I was so thankful for her words!  Lindsey, a mother to a one year old and new born as well as a High School senior (the Croley family has a great foster and adoption story, they fought the hard fight, knowing God would get them through-- very inspiring!!)  She is also a full time elementary teacher-- so this girl really didn't have time to do this, but with they help of some of her good friends (and ours) they gave us the perfect shower!!  It reminded me of the closeness of small churches, the family and community that churches display, and how much Brett, his family, and I are loved by Fort Deposit Church of Christ.  We have been blessed by this church and always will.  We can't wait for the Fort Deposit Community to meet John William this summer :):)

here's just a few pics...

 AMAZING cake, made by the wonderfully talented Rayla Black!!  Thank you Rayla!  We love you!!!

 Houndstooth of course!

 You can't really tell by this pic above, I'll post better ones later.. but..  the bear on the right was Brett's 'snuggly' a polar bear, that has bald spots where he twirled the bears hair and loved him, a missing nose, and some what 'discoloration'... on the left is John William's polar bear, which is what Brett's looked like once upon a time!!  Brett's baby blanket is also in the basket, and a picture of Brett snuggling with the blanket and bear-- this is a treasure!  Thank you Mrs. Sharon!

Thank you again so much Lindsey (and Lauren, and Melissa, and Rayla) for a special day!!  Thank you Fort Deposit Church of Christ for blessing Brett and I with your generous gifts and prayers for our family!!!!  We appreciate you all!!

TWELVE

This was the theme of Winterfest this year... and what a powerful weekend it was!!  It's amazing to me how when Brett and I go on trips with Univeristy Church's Youth group (and spend any time with them for that matter) how much WE get out of it- how much God speaks to us!!  There were 12 disciplines that were challenged before us in order to become a better disciple for Him and how obedience to Jesus demands a radical transformation of our lives.  These disciplines will help us be more of Jesus and less of ourselves, these disciplines were practiced by Jesus himself- if we want to be like Jesus, then these disciplines give us insight into living like he lived.  These disciplines are:

Prayer, Meditation, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration

Each one of these were elaborated, and wow, were eyes opened on how far away from practicing these we  (I am) are.  It didn't matter if you were the youngest or the oldest person there, we can all relate to some of these issues, and we all have our struggles (and excuses).  There were some amazing speakers (Rich Little, Jeff Walling, Josh Ross, and Patrick Mead- amongst other talented speakers), awesome praise, and wonderful fellowship.  The weekend was great.  It's very easy to go away on a conference/rally and return home on fire and ready to serve, the goal and challenge is to keep it.  My plan is to go through the study book we were given and strive to discipline myself!! (Julie Kopf, you were missed, for I kept thinking of you and your March 1 challenge you are putting on all of us!!!)

I was very excited as we brought our camera along and carried it with us everywhere-- only, I didn't get it out as much as I had planned!  Next year, I'll do better :)

University Youth

and for some reason, these shirts were the hit of all!  You couldn't walk down the street without seeing at least 5 people in each group wearing one!

Sunday morning the artist started with a blank canvas, and while we began to worship, he began to worship through his painting.. in only about 45 minutes he had this..

 and when the lights went out, we saw this...

We had such a great trip, and this has become a trip we look forward to every year!

Of course the good food always helps too :)

we passed these goodies up this year.. (actually we ran out of time to go back and get them :) )

John Will enjoyed the trip as well, as he was kicking and rolling around inside every time we began to sing- I loved it!

Welcome 3rd Trimester

Hard to believe we have entered 'the last leg' of this race.. and oh how awesome it is.. and bittersweet.  As I grow more and more excited (and largeer), anxious, scared, and ready I also think about how time flies.  Every year as I've grown older it seems as if each year goes by faster, and I know once John Will enters the world it will only go faster.  Time flies when you're having fun!

I am now at week 28, and I really do feel great!  John Will is kicking all the time, and even gets the hiccups from time to time.  I love every minute of it!!  I love feeling him move and it makes me smile so big!!  According to my "baby app" on my phone John Will is the size of a Chinese Cabbage.. aproximately 2 1/4 and 2 1/2 pounds and around 14 1/2 inches long-- growing growing boy!!

In the past week I have actually felt a few cramps, but nothing really to complain about, and the only thing that keeps me up at night is having to get up and go to the bathroom!!  My next appointment isn't for 2 more weeks- the 30 week mark!  Wow!!  I look forward to hearing my little man's heart beating!!



In other news...
Our house is coming right along!!  It's amazing every time I drive by how much they get done in just one day!!  This is such an exciting time for Brett and I, and we know we are so very blessed to be able to be building our own home!!  I'm so excited to move in (sometime this summer.. no, probably not before John Will gets here) for so many reasons!!  We are going to be so blessed by living in this home, and making it a loving home- where people are always welcome!  We are excited to be living next to many of our closest friends, and for the new close friends we are going to meet in our new community!!

upstairs is coming!

(below) This is the front of the house

and this is the back

 downstairs...

upstairs 

 While I was there taking pictures one day there was a little backyard football going on...

 Although he will be much younger- John Will is going to have some pretty fun guys to play with, and learn from!

Last weekend Brett's mom, dad, and brother came to Tuscaloosa for us to celebrate Mr. Ronnie (Brett's dad) and Ashley's birthdays... We went to Five, and oh my, it was so good.  This was mine and Brett's first time to go, and we enjoyed it so much.  The atmosphere was great and the food was awesome.  I recommend it to anyone who hasn't been!!  We went back to Ashley's house afterward for birthday cake and pie.. it's always nice to have family time :)

Oh... and one more thing... CONGRATULATIONS to Mary Kathryn and Brad Thomas on Everett Bo making his appearance to this world today!!!  Can't wait to meet this little guy!!

PASS!

I had my 3 hour glucose test this morning, and passed with no problems!!  So thankful that God is allowing us to have such a great and healthy pregnancy, continuing to pray God's hand on us!!

and....

We are getting framed!  So exciting, and another thing we are so thankful for!!!  Thank you Lord for beautiful weather this week, not only for workers to work (and preschoolers to go outside ;) ) but for the reminder you are in control of all things, and make all things beautiful!  Things are moving right along, and God is so good!!

Almost too much excitement for one day!!!

INTRODUCING...

We have finally decided on finalizing our little guys name...

John William Paulk

A name that I know will be shortened to a variety of different things.. J Will, JW, J Dub, JP, and whatever else his friends decide to call him.  However, his Mamma will call him John William or John Will.  This was a name Brett and I had from the beginning.  We struggled in finalizing because we know others with similar names, and because it's a long name, and 'William' can be kind of hard to say.. Brett wants to make sure that while our son is playing ball his name can be called out easily for his coaches :)

But, he is John William, I call him that every day, and love every move he is making inside of me!  Where did John William come from? ....

Johnny David Gentry

My wonderful Grandfather!  I mean look at him, does he not just scream so much fun?? Ok, so maybe goof ball- but oh, I wouldn't have wanted to know him any differently!!  So obviously, John, is coming from him.  I had the honor of living with this grandfather (and my amazing beautiful Grandmother, Marja Gentry) when I was a newborn and my parents were finishing our house (right behind theirs) and then again for a few years at the end of highschool and beginning of college.  What a blessing.  My grandfather passed away late January 2006 at age 67, I think about him often and when I think of my grandfather I think of so many wonderful things.  He was a very joyful man, and would always put a smile on my face.  He never met a stranger and was always ready to spread the good news of our amazing God.  I see pictures of when he was a little boy living in Cullman Alabama- always having dirt on him from playing hard and doing work around the house. I've seen pictures of he and my grandmother from highschool- and wheeeewww- what lookers were they (and my grandmother still is!!)  I always knew my grandfather as a hard worker and provider for my grandmother.  They would've celebrated 50 years of marriage the year he passed away.  What love they had for one another and a wonderful example of marriage they set for me.  They knew what is it was like to live with very much as well as with very little- yet, either way, still very humble and generous people. He took pride in anything he did and if his name was going by something, the job would be done right.  There is even a building named after him in my home town in Florida.  He loved his family and would do anything in his power he could for them.  He and my grandmother raised 3 beautiful children to know and fear the Lord and be active in the community.  My "Grand John" and I shared many inside jokes that I can't wait to share with our John Will, and when I think of the name John, it brings me great joy to think of this wonderful man!!  Another bonus of the name John is that there are many John's on Brett's dad's side of the family as well, so we'll be gladly carrying on that tradition as well!  John- a beautiful reminder of some pretty great men!

and then there is...

William Eldridge McCraney

Oh, Mr. Bill (Grandaddy)!!!  This was Brett's maternal grandfather who I was blessed to get to know for the beginning years of mine and Brett's relationship.  Mr. Bill passed away in mid June of 2008, he was 76 and he and Mrs. Mary David would've been married 57 years.  Yes, another power couple!  Mr. Bill would do anything for Mrs. Mary David!  Mr. Bill was the quiet type- but buddy, you better listen when he had something to say because I promise you it would be worth hearing!  He was very compassionate and an upstanding Christian man doing so much for the Kingdom- but never wanting fuss or recognition for himself, he gave all glory to God.  A hard working man, always providing for his family never finishing until the job was done.  If someone had a need, Mr. Bill would fulfill it.  He had high expectations of people because he saw the good and potential in everyone.  For those out there that didn't feel like they had a father figure of their own to follow they would follow Mr. Bill, and Mr. Bill would gladly reach out to them and teach them.  I hear Brett is alot like Mr. Bill, in many ways I know, and in some I don't completely know because I wasn't around in the younger years.  One thing I know they have in common is that there is no time to just sit still.  There's always work to be done, people to help, or cake to eat :)  I remember being at Brett's house and Mr. Bill would just come in, see what was going, grab a piece of cake that Mrs. Sharon had just made, and then smile and say, "Well, guess I better mosey on along".  He always called me "Miss Crystal" and I loved it. Also when I think of Mr. Bill I think of him NEVER missing a ball game of Brett's (or Brian or Ashley) he was always there in his red, white, and blue, and always the proudest fan- in every sport, rain or shine!  Mr. Bill was very good with his hands, much like Brett, and always had his engineer brain going, he could fix just about anything and would gladly do it for you.  Although Mr. Bill wasn't my biological grandfather, I had no doubt he loved me as his own, and I'm proud to be part of his family.  

I would be very honored and a very proud mother if our son has the qualities of his name sakes.  And of course there is the name Paulk... the name I was very proud to gain when I married Brett.  Being Mrs. Paulk makes me smile.  I'm so blessed that God chose Brett to be my partner here in the world.   Brett is so kind and loving.  Hard working and dedicated.  Strong yet very gentle.  Compassionate and giving.  He is the leader of our family,  he loves Christ and seeks to know Him more and more everyday.  I can't wait to see Brett interact with our John Will, and to teach him all he knows.

Ok, ok.. enough of the sap :)  We'll blame it on my hormones!!

So, how is John Will?  Had an appointment yesterday (I'm now 26 weeks!)  and everything looks great with John Will!  His heart rate was at 148 and I'm measuring right on track at 25 inches, my blood pressure and weight gain she said was great as well ( at least the doctor thinks that!)

he is now the size of an English hothouse cucumber- 14 inches from head to heal.  He's approximately 2 pounds, give or take a few ounces.  He is also a wiggle worm- and I still love it!!  I can now see my stomach jump when he kicks and punches and does flips.  Brett has also seen it, although sometimes it looks a little freaky, it is so cool and exciting!!  At yesterdays appointment I also had my glucose test..  I didn't pass it, so I'll be going back next week to take the 3 hour test and then we'll go from there.  They all told me it's very common to not pass the first test, but to do fine with the 3 hour one, and that I didn't fail the one hour test too badly so I shouldn't be concerned.  And, I'm not.  That's weird for me, I tend to be a worrier- but with this I'm not.  As I should not be about so many things.  God has blessed me with a great pregnancy so far, and a healthy boy inside of me, if for some reason I don't pass the 3 hour test God will take care of it, and I am still so incredibly blessed.  I'm very thankful for my doctors office and all the staff there.  They are so kind and so patient, and always positive!  Thank you Partlow, Harbin, and Poist (and especially Dr. Ray and Mandy) for such a great experience every time I have to come into your office!!

That's all that's going on with the Paulk's for now, I'll update next week on my appointment!