Thursday, May 28, 2009

Three weeks

It is so hard for me to believe that Naomi is three weeks old already. She is thriving and getting bigger. She is still a peanut but to me she looks like she is getting longer and I just can't believe it.

So much has happened in the past three weeks that I don't know where to begin. We have had some adjustments that needed to be made but we are all doing well. Isaiah is doing well with having a new sibling but he is starting to get into the talking back phase and having to have the last word phase that it is driving me insane. He makes me laugh because he acts older than he really is.

Nathanael was not too fond of Naomi when she first arrived but now he loves to look at her and loves to give her kisses with Isaiah. They both enjoy giving her kisses and hugs. Nathanael has also had a growth spurt and is starting to look a little taller these days. His birthday is right around the corner in two months so we are thinking of ways to make him feel extra special without breaking the bank. Anyone have any ideas?

As far as Alex and I...we are doing well. Alex is still in Texas and I can't wait for him to be home already. He tells us he misses us dearly and we definitely feel that way about him. It will be nice to have him home again soon. I am a little exhausted but doing well. I finally got Naomi's crib situated to be her bed and transitioned Nathanael out of the crib into a twin mattress. Once Alex gets home I will have him get his bed together but he enjoys having his big boy bed. I have managed to stay busy but I am resting as well. My sister has been here helping me keep my sanity.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

A time of frustration

I feel so overwhelmed at this moment and really need prayer. Wednesday Alex's brother Mario passed away and went to be with the Lord. Although we knew it was coming it has still been something that has been a bit overwhelming. Alex left for Texas yesterday with his family and they should be there tomorrow night sometime which I will be happier knowing he made it there safely. Today I have been researching flights for him to come home and that has been hard because it is hard to determine when would be a good time for him to fly home and what can we really afford and that kind of thing. My sister stayed behind to help me manage three kiddos without losing my sanity as I try to rest some as well. So I have also been trying to look up flights for her too.

I am just ready to have a good cry and go to sleep for a few hours because none of us slept good last night with Alex leaving. The boys didn't get to say bye to him so they keep asking where daddy is and when he will be home. They don't understand time just yet. Thank you for listening to me vent a little during this frustrating time for me. I hope you are having a better day than I am today. I know tomorrow is a new day and things will get better and easier.

In Christ,

Aleida

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Many Prayer Requests

I can't believe tomorrow Naomi will be two weeks old. It just blows my mind how fast time has gone by. I realize I have not been online very much because we have had the new baby along with having my parents here helping us out. I thought I would get online a little bit today as I have a little quiet time right now. The main reason I get online today is to ask for prayer for many things...

I ask for continued prayer with the recovery process of child labor and delivery. You would think after two weeks I would feel better but this has been a slow recovery for me and I must admit that I am in some pain still. This is frustrating for me because I am used to doing more around the house to help and I have had to learn to just let others help me out while I just rest.

As I learn to rest and try to take it easy, I have become overwhelmed with other things that go on. Yesterday we received a phone call that Alex's disabled brother went to be with the Lord the evening before but they resuscitated him and he was now on a respirator and we had to wait to find out how much more brain damage had occurred. We learned this morning that he survived the night despite having several seizures throughout the evening. Today we think they are going to try to take him off the respirator and see how he does and if he can breathe on his own then they will leave him off and wait to see how everything plays out. If he doesn't do well on his own they will put him back on the respirator until the family gets there and then they will just let him go so he can be with the Lord. Needless to say that this is a very sad ordeal for my husband and as I try to comfort him we are trying to figure out the details as far as him traveling back home.

My parents leave Maine tomorrow morning and start heading back to Texas so we ask for safe travels for them. Alex's parents were on their way to visit us when we got the news so I think they will be here tomorrow and will be turning around shortly to head back home but they really wanted to see Naomi. So we ask for continued safe travels for them. Alex's command has been very generous and has offered much support as we figure out what is going to happen within the next week or so and I couldn't ask for more.

I hope everyone of you are having a wonderful day but I must go now and take a nap because I am so exhausted. Please keep us in your prayers.

In Christ,

Aleida

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Naomi Annette

Wow has this week flown by. Monday I went in for my check up and left the office a little discouraged learning that I was only at a 3. The next day I had made some progress but not enough to send me into active labor. Yesterday morning I woke up feeling significantly different and told Alex that we were going to have Naomi that day. After waiting for about 3 1/2 hours at home we came into the hospital for the third time but this time they admitted me and started me on antibiotics because I tested positive for group B strep. When I was admitted I was still a 3 but they told me that I was very soft and they didn't want to chance sending me home this time. After being in the hospital for about 2 hours my midwife told me that she would rupture my water because she really didn't want to see me miserable for the next few days. I called my mom and told her what was going on and then an hour later around 10:25 we found out I was a 5 so I was definitely making progress so we knew this was the real thing. My midwife went ahead and ruptured my water bag but it didn't go as she had planned. She decided that she wanted me to get up and walk around and see if I can get Naomi's head to put a little pressure on my cervix so she can get the rupture she wanted but the minute I stood up I felt a shift and this put me into full swing. My water bad ended up completely rupturing so I went straight to the jacuzzi to labor in the water up until I needed to push since I was unable to do the water birth that I so desperately wanted for this birth. I had a water birth for Nathanael and was very pleased and honestly prefer this experience over anything but since the hospital can not perform water births here anymore I had to settle for laboring in the jacuzzi and then shifting to the bed when it was time to push. When I felt it was near time to push they moved me back to the bed and I learned I was a 9. At this point about an hour and a half had passed since my water breaking and then finally after 21 minutes of pushing our beautiful little girl made her appearance. By far this was the most difficult labor process I had ever done but the Lord gave me the strength to endure what I needed in order for me to complete this process.

As I sit here in silence watching this beautiful gift the Lord gives me I feel completely blessed. Because this has been the most difficult labor for me I have rested for most of the day and I am enjoying the fact that I have this time to rest in silence. I am doing well and the recovery process is definitely slow but we are making it. Naomi is a very mellow baby. She is also a very good eater and is latching on very well. She made her appearance at 12:22 pm and weighed in at 6 pounds .7 ounces. She was 19 1/2 inches long and her head was 13 inches. Although she was my biggest baby yet she is so tiny. I forgot how small babies are when they are first born. We will be in the hospital until tomorrow at least I believe but like I said we are just enjoying the quietness of just being together.

Thank you for all your prayers for us during this pregnancy and I can't wait to get some pictures of this beautiful baby girl up soon. As soon as I get some pictures up I will post them. I pray all of you have a wonderful day and will keep you updated on any further news that may come up.

In Christ,

Aleida

Friday, May 1, 2009

Nearing 39 weeks

I have been so frustrated with my computer because for some reason I have been unable to use it lately so I have been out of touch with everyone. So here is my quick update. I am still pregnant and doing well. I have not had as much pain lately which is good because honestly I would be crazy by now considering she is still in my belly. There have been days I have just wanted her to come but I am also learning to be patient. There have been many good reasons that she hasn't come yet. One reason is she is still growing healthy in my belly and another reason is all of the boys in my house have been sick with some but they can't seem to shake off. We are convinced that Lord has deliberately not allowed for our baby girl to come into this world because it would be so hard to keep the boys away from their sister.

My parents will be traveling up here for their 2 week vacation starting on the 9th and my actual due date is the 12th so maybe she will just wait until they get here which is also a plus because at least the boys will have family they can hang out with. We already have arrangements made in case she does come a little early but we just don't know the time she will actually come.

My last doctors appointment went good and I had passed my mucus plug on Sunday and I was at a 2 as far as dilation goes. My midwife told Alex I would probably have the baby within a few days but it has been a few days and no baby has come yet so once again we have to chalk it up to a baby will come when they are ready. I am partly convinced I will be pregnant forever but I know that is not true. I will keep you updated as the time comes and I can only hope it will happen soon. Who knows we may end up having to discuss induction at my next appointment on Monday because my midwife doesn't like for any of her patients to go too far over their due date.

More updates to come soon as we are nearing the end...

Aleida