Ben's exciting adventure to the hospital

This has been a crazy week! Poor Ben has been through it!

Tuesday night, I layed Ben down for bed around 9:30. He woke up at 10 and looked like he was in pain. I got him calmed down and tried to put him back down. All he would do was scream! I tried this several times to no avail. All he wanted was to be held and only on my shoulder.

We spent that night in Nannie's recliner. I would rock him to sleep, then put the foot thing out, but if I even leaned back the slightest bit he would scream. I figured it was gas and it would go away. I tried to feed him a few times and he didn't want anything to do with it. I fixed him a bottle at 7:30 Wednesday morning and he took about 1.5 ounces finally. I tried a few times for the next few hours to get him to eat some more, but he didn't want any. I called his pediatrician to find out what to do and the nurse said to bring him in. While we were getting ready to leave, Grandpa got him to eat another 2.5 ounces.

Dr. Reeves had them take blood and an xray. After looking at the xray, he decided he had a blockage in his bowels and we should go to Children's. (*He weighed in at 7lbs 9oz! Almost back to birth weight in less than a week!*)

We headed to St. Joe to the ER to get an IV started and take an ambulance to Little Rock. It was supposed to be a quick thing, but it ended up taking 3 hours! They reweighed him and took his temperature and then the bad stuff started...When they took blood at the pediatricians, it only took one little stick, but at the ER it took 8! I was one unhappy momma! Finally, after tons of screaming they gave up on getting blood, and started an IV. About an hour later we were finally in the ambulance and on our way to Children's.
















When we got here we were put in an ER room and checked in. We saw tons of doctors and surgeons and nurses! He had to have 3 more xrays when we got here. I wish I would've had my camera for 2 of them. They put his legs through a hole and he was sitting on a seat and 2 curved clear plastic sides held him upright from the waist up. He wasn't too crazy about that! They had to redo his port, but it only took 2 sticks, thankfully! We talked to more doctors...they decided that there wasn't a blockage. They decided to check for meningitis just to start narrowing things down. We're still waiting on that and the blood and urine culture, but they don't think it's that. His white blood cells were double what they should be, so they knew he was trying to fight infection. They decided we should stay while they gave him antibiotics and for more tests. We finally got in a room at 4am. He slept all night! Poor baby had a ROUGH day!

Yesterday morning they took another xray, but nothing else. Just tons of nurses and doctors coming in and checking on him. Last night the nurse thought he showed signs of reflux, so this morning they started him on meds for that. They also did more blood work and found high levels of something...all I know is that it means that he has an allergy to something. It's amazing that when all this started my first thought was reflux...just by the way he was acting, and then I mentioned something to Grandpa about him possibly being lactose intolerant...the last thing I ate was a huge thing of icecream. I don't know about the lactose intolerant thing yet, but I was right about reflux...maybe I do have a little mother's intuition.

Anyway, we'll find out about the cultures tomorrow morning and they're supposed to do more blood work to find out about the allergy thing. Ben seems to be doing much much better! He's eating like a horse! We're both very ready to be home!

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers! Also please send some prayers up for the Ackley family. They lost one of their 2 month old twins 3 weeks ago, and now the other one is in Children's with heart problems. I can't imagine what that family is going through! A little stomach problem is making me a wreck! I'll keep you updated...

To Grandpa and Nannie's we go!

Grandpa and Daddy thought it would be best if Ben and I stayed at Grandpa's house for a few days, so Sunday night after church we headed to Dierks. This was Ben's first sleepover!

Grandpa and Nannie are so proud! If we stay here too long, he'll be spoiled rotten...not that he isn't already!

20 Days...

He's gone...he left yesterday morning. At my last dr. appointment, the nurse asked how long Michael would home and I told her 20 days. That got me thinking how sad it was that I counted time with my husband in days.

I've spent 44 days with my husband since October 13th! How sad is that? I didn't even have to try too hard to count those days up. He got 10 days leave after graduation and 14 days of RA. This time he took 10 days of leave and got 10 days of basket leave.

Leaving isn't getting any easier. It was so hard to see him walk out our apartment door and know that he may never walk back through it. I think this was probably the hardest goodbye I've had. Leaving for bootcamp wasn't too bad, because I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. MCT was only for 20 something days...how bad could that be? When I left him in Pensacola, I knew I would be seeing him again in about a month, so it wasn't too bad. This time however, I fell apart. Luckily...or unfortunately...I had Ben, so my falling apart had to take a backseat to him. It's certainly NOT unfortunate that I have Ben! I guess he helped me to not have a complete melt down, just a few breakdowns. I think Ben will be a major blessing to me once we get used to being alone. He'll keep me completely occupied! It would've been nice to spend the day in bed crying my eyes out, but I guess that would've been a waste of time anyway.

Michael found out today that he classes up July 6th. I'm not sure what my plans are now. We've gone back and forth about whether I should move or not. I just don't know the answer...I guess we'll just keep praying. Here's a picture I took of Ben and Michael the morning before he left.

1st Dr. Appointment! (and other firsts)

Ben had his one week check up on Thursday. It's hard to believe he's been here that long! We weren't too impressed with the pediatrician's office or staff, but his nurse was very sweet and he was very nice and good with Ben. I'm not sure if we'll be going back there or not...I guess it all depends on me finding another place to go. Any suggestions?

Ben weighed in at 7lbs and 5oz. I knew he would lose a little a weight, from all my reading, but I was afraid he might've lost too much. He was eating every 3 hours in the hospital, but when he got home it was much more sporadic. Dr. Reeves didn't say anything, so I guess we're doing ok and since then he's been eating more regularly. Dr. Reeves said everything sounded and looked good, but was a little concerned that he might have jaundice, which we were afraid of as well. A nurse (covered in tattoos) came in and took blood. A few hours after the appointment, I got a phone call saying he didn't have jaundice. We were so happy! When we scheduled our appointment for his one month check up, the lady at the desk was very rude! We're so happy our little man is doing good!

Thursday was also Ben's first time to go to Wal-Mart! He did so good and didn't make a peep! He's been out to eat three times now. Twice at Fish Nest, the first time for Ethan's graduation get together (Congratulations Ethan! Good Luck!) and the second with me and Michael. Thursday we went to Salsa's. He did so good all three times! The only time he woke up during any of the three was at Salsa's to get a diaper change and eat. He went to church for the first time Wednesday night. He did ok. He cried when he got hungry and he was pretty hot which made him fussy. Everyone thought he was precious of course! ;)

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera for all above events. I've really got to work on that!

He's Finally Here!!

Wednesday, May 13th, Michael and I met my mom, grandma, and uncle at Red Lobster. It was the first time I've seen my mom in almost 2 years! We had a good time catching up. She bought some books for Ben and one for me. After we ate, Michael and I headed to the hospital.

They showed me to my room and gave me a beautiful gown and gorgeous bracelets to match ;). Around 7:30 they gave me some medicine to get things going. I don't remember too much about that night...I remember watching American Idol and then they gave me a sleeping pill and some Stadol and I was out!

Thursday morning around 4 they started the Pitocin. Dr. Gordon came in a few hours later and broke my water. Things were moving so slow! When I went in I was still a 1 and by maybe 11 or so I was finally a 2, so they started the epidural. I'm not too sure why they started one so early...I wasn't in too much pain and was pretty much sleeping through the contractions. I wasn't going to argue though. The epi wasn't bad at all! I think I got lucky with that though, because she got it in the first try. Not being able to feel your legs is the strangest feeling! My feet felt cold, but I wasn't really sure if they were or not...my legs also felt like concrete blocks!

Anyway, around 3 they decided that Ben wasn't doing too good with the Pitocin. When I would have a contraction his heart rate would go down, so they stopped the Pitocin to see if I was contracting on my own. I was having small contractions and he was having no problems, so they turned the Pitocin back on. By 4pm I was only at a 5, so they started talking about a c-section. That's the last thing in the world I wanted to hear, but once it's down to that, I guess you don't really have a choice.

By 4:40 I was in the OR getting prepped. They tried to just top off my epi, but I still had quite a bit of feeling, so they went ahead and put me out. Benjamin Michael was born at 4:58pm. He weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces and was 20 inches long.

I have no idea what happened til around 7. When I came to all I could do was cry and I was so hoarse. I completely freaked out! I remember ripping the oxygen mask off and begging them not to hurt me. Very strange feeling!

When I got to my room everyone was coming in telling me how beautiful my baby was, which at the time, I really didn't want to hear...I wanted to see. A nurse came in and told me that Ben's blood sugar was low and asked if they could give him a bottle. This completely freaked me out. All I wanted the whole time I was pregnant was to breastfeed. It was a really big deal to me, and here they are giving my baby a bottle before I even get to meet him! My hormones were going crazy! Finally 2 nurses come in and tell me they are going to move me to a different bed. I was hurting so bad and the last thing I wanted to do was MOVE! Of course, as soon as the nurses start moving me, another nurse knocks on the door with my baby! I was so excited until the nurses moving me told her to leave and come back later! :/ All I could do was cry. I finally got moved and in comes a huge crowd of people and the nurse with my baby. As excited as I was to see him, I wasn't too excited about 500 other people sharing in this moment with me. Thankfully they all left pretty quick, leaving me with Michael and Ben around 8.

We left the hospital on Saturday afternoon. I don't think I've ever been so happy to be home! Ben is such a good baby! He sleeps all day and he's getting better at sleeping at night. He only cries when he's hungry or your changing his diaper. He already trying to hold up his head! He started doing it in the hospital, but now he does it all the time! All my freaking out in the hospital about bottles was for nothing! Ben is a great eater and is doing wonderful at going from breast to bottle and back to breast. I was really concerned with this, because I knew I wanted to pump for convenience.

Michael is the best dad! I couldn't ask for a better a husband! The first day at the hospital he was a little shaky, but who isn't with a newborn? By the second day he was doing great and now he's a pro! I think Ben is more comforted by him than by me. I don't know what I would've done if Michael hadn't have gotten 10 more days for paternity leave. After having a c-section I was completely out of commision! I couldn't even go to the bathroom by myself, muchless take care of a new baby. Not being able to do anything drove me crazy! He was so wonderful cooking, cleaning, and taking care of Ben and me!

It hasn't taken as long as I expected to get to feeling better. The first few days home were pretty rough! Everyday gets better and better and I find that I can do more and more. Thursday night was my first night to sleep in the bed. Michael did all the getting up and down with Ben, but last night I was able to sleep in the bed and get up with Ben! Progress! Michael leaves tomorrow morning, so I'm going to be a full time mom...I have no choice but to be better! I'm not sure what I'll do without Michael here to help me. I guess I'll figure it out as I go...isn't that what motherhood is all about anyway?

Dr. Appointment and more!

On Friday, I had my very last appointment! I didn't make anymore progress, but I have been having some contractions, so she said that was a good sign. If nothing happens before Wednesday night, I'm scheduled to go to the hospital at 7 to get things moving. Wednesday night they'll give me prostaglandin and then Thursday morning I'll get pitocin...hopefully Ben will get here sometime Thursday!! I can't wait, but I'm so nervous and scared! I can't wait to get all of this over with! Last night around 10:30 I asked Michael if he wanted to go for a walk with me. He said sure, so we walked to the park and made a few trips around the trails and came back home...nothing. Last night I think I would've tried anything to get things going! I ate fresh pineapple and bounced up and down along with a few other things I read about on the wonderful internet...nothing. Oh well, I guess he's just stubborn like his daddy and he'll be here Thursday whether he likes it or not!

Today we went to Dierks and had maternity pictures made by Carmen. I can't wait to see how they turn out! I guess we'll be going back one day next week for newborn pictures! How crazy is that? I'm glad he we was able to hang in there this long so we could get some maternity pictures. I'll post them as soon as I get them!

I guess that's all of the update I have for now...not much longer and I'll have tons of pictures to post everyday!

He's HOME!

Michael flew into Memphis on Monday and my mother-in-law picked him up, since I shouldn't exactly be driving quite that far away from Hot Springs in my current condition. I met them in Hot Springs, which would be the best place for me to go into labor! Anyway, it was our 2 year anniversary and he gave me beautiful rose that he got at a flower shop he just happened to see while waiting to meet me. :) One of first pictures together.

Our engagement picture.

I can't believe that we've been married for 2 years! The majority of this last year we've been apart unfortunately. We started dating 3 years ago on the 10th and from that day until he left for boot camp, the longest we went without seeing each other was 3 days! Boot camp was so hard! MCT was easier because we got to talk on the weekends, and now MOS is even easier! We talk constantly everyday and we talk on Skype every night! It makes it alot easier to get back to normal when we are together again.

I can't imagine my life without Michael. He's my best friend! He's the only person who knows everything about me and he loves me anyway. He's probably the only person in the world that could put up with me! I'm so lucky to have found him...I really feel that we are soul mates. We compliment each other so perfectly! Where I'm weak, he's strong and where he's weak, I'm strong. I can tell him anything and everything and know that he won't judge me. There's not a whole lot that we don't agree on. I could go on and on...but I think you get the picture! :o)

Anyway, we went to Red Lobster for our anniversary. We had one of first dates there after his graduation where I met his whole family and we ate there after our wedding. That was also the last place we ate before he left for boot camp...I guess that's a special place for us. Then we went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. Fun stuff! He was exhausted since his plane left Pensacola pretty early, so after that we came home.

We've spent the last few days catching up and doing last minute stuff in Ben's room and I've been showing him all of Ben's stuff! I'll try to get pictures on here now since he's seen it. My camera is packed for the hospital, so it may be a week or so til I do it. My luck, I'll unpack it and take some pictures, go into labor and have no camera for pictures of my new baby boy! I have an appointment tomorrow, so we'll see if I've made anymore progress. We're also going to make final plans for induction, just in case he decides to wait until next Thursday! I'm so excited, nervous, happy, scared....

My Plan is the Marine Corps!

Old people are so funny! The first time I met one of Michael's aunts (great aunt I think) she asked me at least twice if I was in college. Both times I told her no and she would proceed to ask me if I had a plan. I don't remember what the plan was then...I know Michael had already joined the Marines, but I don't think we knew Ben was on the way...

Anyway, yesterday I went to the bank at Amity to get some cash. On the way out, an older man asked me if I had a job. I told him no I didn't, but in about 2 weeks I would be having a baby and that was more than a job! He then asked what my plan was. I told him I had a husband and he said that was a good plan! So then he wanted to know all about my husband's plan. I told him that Michael was in the Marines and he thought that was a GREAT plan! He had been in the Navy. He told me that he would rather have 2 Marines on his side than 100 of anything else. *proud wife* He told me that he hadn't had enough money to send his sons to college so he took them both to the Air Force recruiter and made them sign up. One stayed in for 23 years and now has his master's in hazordous material and is teaching at Sam Houston! The other got out after his contract was up and moved to Orgeon to build houses...now he has no job. He also told me about him having a great job in the logging business until he had a wreck that caused a stroke that left his left arm lifeless. He told me about his time in the Navy and lots of other stories about his life.

While all of this was completely random, I think God sent him to me. He was saying that since Michael was in Intel that he would be going to Iraq and Afgahnistan, not what I wanted to hear, and I told him that. He just laughed and asked if I thought they were just going to send him to Little Rock. :) Anyway, he told me he would be fine if he just listened to his command. He made a good point, he said they don't want him to be killed. He's more use to them alive than dead.

I didn't really know that I had been worrying about this, but I guess it is something that is always in the back of any military wife's mind. I know there will be at least one deployment in this career, and somehow I feel a little more prepared for it. Not only that, but I just asked Michael if he would get out after his 5 years were up and he said we would see. After talking to that guy, I think staying in and retiring is the way to go. I always knew it was...I mean, talk about job security...not to mention great insurance, housing allowance, steady paycheck, an awesome support system, and I really feel like part of a family.

"Once a Marine, Always a Marine" is something that I have found to be very true. I live in one of Plyler's apartments and my drain in my sink was stuck, so he sent a repair guy over to fix it. The repairman saw all my Marine stuff and we started talking. He was in the Marines. He told me that he understood how hard it was knowing that your wife was here all alone and said if I ever needed anything to just let him know. Turns out I can see his house from mine. I know where 2 other Marines live, within walking distance of my house. I don't know either one of them, I've met one once, but I feel if I ever had a problem that all I would have to do is tell them that I am a Marine wife and they would do all they could to help me. Marines are all over the world, so this is a very comforting thought! No matter where we go, we'll be surrounded by our Marine family!