The Epic Birth Story

So hopefully this all makes sense. This will be long.

On 7/7 we were scheduled to check in at the hospital at 1830 (6:30pm). They were currently full in labor & delivery unit, so we were put into a small triage room till they could clean and move us into the big room.

B trying to get some sleep while we wait to be transferred to the big room. 

After seeing it might be a while before they could move us, the doctors decided to place the Cervadil there. They did the check and placement about 2030, and told me I couldn't walk for 2 hours. At this time I was 1.5

Around 2130, they moved us to the "big room". 

B trying to get comfortable in the big room.
(to be fair, he did work all day before we were admitted, and the plan was for him to try and work till i was in active labor the following day)

At roughly 2230 I was telling B how uncomfortable I was when 2 nurses, a tech, and a doc ran in. James had a significant heart rate deceleration.

They rolled me on my side, on my other side, and finally hands and knees. They rushed fluids and oxygen. But finally got him to settle down.

Within 20 minutes it happened again. This time i got 2 doctors, 3 nurses, 2 techs (and B). This time though, James really want responding.

When they finally got James to settle down the doctors, B and I had a talk about our options. The head doctor told us that right now James is "good" baby, he is healthy... but if we wait too much longer we don't know what's going to happen. The is highly suggested a emergency c-section.

The doctors assembled a team and we were moved really quickly into the OR and prepped for a c-section. When we got there I met the anesthesiologist, signed a bunch of paperwork and I got the epidural started. Unfortunately, the epidural/spinal block didn't take. They hung the screen and sanitized and my belly and I could still feel everything.

Now they're out of options. They made Brian leave the room (until after intubation) had 2 nurses hold my hand, 1 put on an oxygen mask the other one held pressure on my throat and I was put under. I was then intubated and they proceeded with the c-section.

Now everything for this part, I don't remember because I was put under...But, I heard multiple nurse's, a doctor, and my husband what happened. 

What happened was that they were able to get James out rather quickly. But unfortunately he was not responsive when they got him out. He took one breath.... Then decided that ear enough i guess. They rushed him to the incubator area and started CPR and they were able to get him back rather quickly but it was long enough my very even tempered husband was starting to freak out.

So what we didn't know at this point was that down the hall another mom was having an emergency situation. her situation was a bit more severe than mine resulting in a crash c-section. She moved into OR next to mine, half of "my team" split to help her. Causing bri to freak out a bit more.

So they wake me up in your rather abruptly and apparently I thought it was at the bar and couldn't find my husband and was freaking out. So Brian had to leave the baby side to come call me down.

Then as if that's not enough. I had an allergic reaction to the tape they used on my eyelids. Had get a benadryl for the itching and scratching. The benadryl and the pain medicine for the surgery reacted in a way that made me foggy to the point of delirium. The next day, the nurse commented on my... um... crankyness during that part. I explained to her how much I HATE the drug foggy feeling. I hate it more then i can explain, then add to it the fact that I was only able to be awake enough to feed James and I was out again. I hated every moment of that fog.

We learned later that the reason all of this started was James had is umbilical cord crimped between his head and the birth canal wall as well as wrapped around his neck once. So the smallest contractions (the ones that were barely a blip on the screen cause his stats to freak the fuck out.

With all that being said. Its now over a month later and I am still in awe of everything. If i had to do it all again, I probably would. There is nothing the doctors could have done to changed the outcome. Everything that happened was just a fluke and unpredictable. I mean. I got a really great baby out of the deal.

Hi, How you doing?

Fancy meeting you here.

So i haven't blogged in well over a year. I've been a bit pre-occupied. Lets do a life catch up

in November 2012, My husband deployed to Afghanistan.

In January I started my bachelors program at Academy Of Art University for a degree in Interior Architecture and Design.

In June 2013, My husband came home.

Around the time he was coming home we decided that for multiple reasons, I would stay off my birth control. I went off originally for my many issues with migraines. I did the Whole 30 Paleo program at that time too.

In August 2013, We took a pregnancy test and it told us we were pregnant. Unfortunately the next day we found out we weren't. I had what some people call a 'chemical pregnancy'

Then in September 2013, my period which was SUPER regular was late. I was hesetant to take a test. But the test came back positive. This time the baby stuck.

During the pregnancy we got word that B would be getting orders soon and we would be moving. Little did we know that we were moving to GERMANY!

39 weeks later (roughly) I became a mom. I'll post about the birth later. It was... an ordeal to say the least.

8 July 2014 James Stefan was born

He was born via c-section at 0021. 7lbs 11 oz 20.5" long.

The movers showed up on July 28th and packed up our house.
On August 8th we had James' one month appointment and we were cleared to travel. Coincidentally, that day B finished his out processing.

Saturday August 9th we decided to pack up and start our leave by driving 10 hours north to come home before we leave for Germany.

Currently I'm sitting on the couch at my Father-in-laws house.

Its been an EPIC whirl wind of a year. I wouldn't change a thing.

I decided to get back into blogging to get out 'all the feels'. Motherhood has been such a mixed bag of emotions. I really haven't had a moment since James was born to get a moment to myself to really evaluate everything. So here's hoping that I will stick to the blog and be able to talk out/Type out everything in a manner that works both for me and makes sense to you.

Hush Hush Series by Becca Fitzpatrick

I'm going through my "read books" section on my Kindle and catch up on some of the books and series i've read but never updated on.

Hush Hush Series
By Becca Fitzpatrick

I read this series a long time ago (maybe over a year) but i've always liked it, I even recommended it to my mom. She was unimpressed, but liked them. She called them 'fluff... entertaining fluff'. lol

The Hush Hush series follows Nora Grey. She's just a normal teenager living her life, until Patch shows up. Then she is dragged into a war she never knew was happening. and its just her luck, she has a key role in the war.

Its your typical girl meets boy, boy annoys girl, boy saves girl, girl is convinced boy is stalking her, girl admits feelings for boy, and boy tells her he's a fallen angel sworn to protect her.

awww, sweet love.

Honestly though, I think its a cute story. Its definitely not a series that stimulates the mind, but its a cute story.  I read all 4 books. I totally got sucked into it.

Kitty Norville - By Carrie Vaughn

Kitty Norville Series
By Carrie Vaughn

This series was recommended to me by a friend who is also obsessed with all book on paranormal  fiction. I'm so glad she did. This series is AMAZING! I like to classify this series as 'paranormal mystery'.

Kitty Norville is just your average girl, but she's got a not-so-secret secret... she's a werewolf. Kitty has her own radio talk show and after one day buying a copy of Weird World of Science, decides this would be a good idea for her show. It turned out to be a fantastic idea and her show quickly becomes a cult classic and quickly rises in popularity. The only problem is that she is bringing to light the world that most would like to be left in the dark. After someone puts a bounty on her head, Kitty has to fight for her life.

I love Kitty. She's so quick witted, sarcastic, snarky, and so fucking funny. I highly recommend this series to anyone!!

• Kitty and the Midnight Hour - (Kitty Norville, Book 1)
• Kitty Goes to Washington - (Kitty Norville, Book 2)
• Kitty Takes a Holiday - (Kitty Norville, Book 3)
• Kitty and the Silver Bullet - (Kitty Norville, Book 4)
• Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand - (Kitty Norville, Book 5)
• Kitty Raises Hell - (Kitty Norville, Book 6)
• Kitty’s House of Horrors -  (Kitty Norville, Book 7)
• Kitty Goes to War - (Kitty Norville, Book 8)
• Kitty’s Big Trouble - (Kitty Norville, Book 9)
• Kitty Steals the Show - (Kitty Norville, Book 10)...released July 2012
• Kitty Rocks the House (Kitty Norville, Book 11)... due to be released April 2013

Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies Series 

By: Scott Westerfeld

This series is set in the 24th century. After man kind all but destroyed it self with a large airborne virus. The series revolves around Tally Youngblood who has waited her whole life to be 16 and become a 'pretty'. After a trip into New-Pretty Town has a disastrous out come she finds a new friend in Shay. Shay has a different way of seeing the world and turns Tally's world upside down.  Soon Shay shows Tally how to hover board and takes her to the old 'rusty ruins' and the night before their big surgery Shay brings up the 'smoke'. with the introduction of the Smoke and all that entails, Tally now has to decide which path she should take. the one well worn or the one less traveled. 

• Uglies (Uglies series book 1)
• Pretties (Uglies series book 2)
• Specials (Uglies series book 3) 
• Extras (Uglies series book 4)

 

Queen Betsy (Undead) Series by Mary Janice Davidson

Queen Betsy / "Undead" Series 

By Mary Janice Davidson

This is one of those series where you feel like you "know" the characters, or at least I did. I yelled at Betsy, told her what to do, clapped & cheered her on, and fell in love with her. I am constantly at a battle of wanting to finish the books yo find out what happens and not wanting it to be over so I read slower.

Betsy was a typical office secretary. She worked hour an executive, fixed the printer, and saved her bosses butt... That was until she got fired and then hit by a car all in the same day. When she wakes up in a morgue in a tacky pink suit and cheap shoes, she's unsure what happened. But after trying to re-kill herself, she is resigned to her nee reality. She's a Vampire. But not just any vampire, Betsy is foretold to be the Queen.

• Undead and Unwed (Queen Betsy, Book 1)
• Undead and Unemployed (Queen Betsy, Book 2)
• Undead and Unappreciated (Queen Betsy, Book 3)
• Undead and Unreturnable (Queen Betsy, Book 4)
• Undead and Unpopular (Queen Betsy, Book 5)
• Undead and Uneasy (Queen Betsy, Book 6)
• Undead and Unworthy (Queen Betsy, Book 7)
• Undead and Unwelcome (Queen Betsy, Book 8 )
• Undead and Unfinished (Queen Betsy, 9)
• Undead and Undermined (Queen Betsy, 10)
• Undead and Unstable (Queen Betsy, 11)

• Undead and Unsure (Queen Betsy, 12) expected release date August 6th 2013
• Undead and Underwater - (Queen Betsy, 13) expected release date March 5th 2013

Dulcie O'Neil Series by HP Mallory

Dulcie O'Neil Series

By: HP Mallory

Dulcie O'Neill is a fairy. But not one of those glitter loving tiny gift giving creatures in the dreams of little girls. Dulcie is a paranormal law enforcement officer, also known as a "Regulator". She keeps the balance between the supernatural and humans. But her world gets thrown into a tornado when she is the last person to see a warlock alive..

I just love the concept of the series. And Dulcie's no nonsense attitude makes me love her more

• To Kill A Warlock, an Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance (Dulcie O’Neil Series, Book #1)
• A Tale of Two Goblins, A Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy (Dulcie O’Neil Series, Book # 2)
• Great Hexpectations, A Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy (Dulcie O’Neil series, Book # 3)
• Wuthering Frights, A Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy (Dulcie O’Neil)
• Malice In Wonderland: The Dulcie O’Neil Series, Book 5 (Paranormal Romance)
• For Whom The Spell Tolls: The Dulcie O’Neil Series, Book 6 (Paranormal Romance)

Jolie Wilkins Series by HP Mallory

So, my life has taken a shitty turn lately. so I'm distracting myself with cheesy ABC family TV shows and book reviews.

Jolie Wilkins Series
By: HP Mallory

This series was so fun to read. Its am interesting new spin on paranormal fun fiction. Jolie Wilkins is a small time fortune teller in a small town in Washington. She is content with get little life. She has her car, home, cat, the shop, and her best friend. All seems perfect until a stranger storms into her life and flips it upside down. Rand sweeps into Jolie's life and brings her into a world she didn't know existed.
I highly recommend this series. I love Jolie. I kind of want her to be my friends in real life.

(series in order)
- Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, a Paranormal Romance (Jolie Wilkins Series, Book #1)
- Be Witched (Novella)
- Toil and Trouble, a Paranormal Romance
- Witchful Thinking (Jolie Wilkins Series, Book # 3)
- The Witch Is Back (Jolie Wilkins Series, Book # 4)
-Something Witchy This Way Comes (Jolie Wilkins Series, Book #5)

Oh, The Fear

So I have a confession.


I have Dipsophobia
I am desperately, insanely, crazily afraid of the Dentist.
You know how some people fear riding in planes, spiders, etc. I fear the dentist.

I had a bad incident when I was a kid where they drilled before I was numb.
Then long stretches of not having dental insurance so I always had cavities.
Those 2 coupled with some serious anxiety normally and you get some serious catatonic fear.

I thought I had finally kicked the fear when we were still back home.
I had found a really really amazing dentist. They just opened an office around the corner from our old apartment. Plus the dentists first and last names were the same as my husbands first and middle name.
A freaking sign, right?
He was amazing. He totally understood my fear. He was so helpful.

So, I felt pretty good when I moved down here. I made an appointment to go to a local dentist. And it was an EPIC FAILURE!!

First, the office was really hard to find.
Second, I had to wait in the office for over 20 minutes past my appointment time
Third, When they finally called me back, the tech was rough when she took my x-rays and then I seriously sat around for over an hour. then the tech complained about how small my teeth were and then the dentist was really forceful. she wanted me to wait another hour and come back and have something done. I left, cried, and never went back. 

But now the military has said I need a note from my Civilian Dentist. So...fuck.
A new dentist opened up not to far from the house. I thought i'd give them a chance.

I'm freaking out. B, isn't here. I have no one here.
I am slightly freaking out.
By slightly I mean I'm majorly having panic attacks on the inside.

Week 1 - Smashed it.

As this week draws to a close I thought I might blog about the ups and downs of the first week on Whole 30

I read about all of the Whole 30 tips, tricks, testimonials, etc. So the weekend before I packed up EVERYTHING out of my house. I packed up 5 bags and 2 boxes of (semi)healthy food and gave it to one of my co-workers. She's a tiny little thing and has 2 kids. So I figure, she can use the food.

So as you know Monday was New Years Eve. It was.... interesting. I spent it in bed watching movies. Lol. With B deployed, I didn't want to go anywhere where I'd have to drive home.  So I just stayed here. and had wine. lol.

That was Monday.

Tuesday It all started. The Showroom I work at was closed, so I used today to go to the grocery store. I stocked up on veggies, fruits, eggs and meats.

Can I just say how hard it is to find bacon with out SUGAR in it. FUCK! I just want bacon.

I did pretty well all week. The food is glorious. I had talapia and green beans for 3 nights in a row, simply because it was so freaking good.

The major downside to the first week is the withdrawl from everything. I went further than most with the Whole30. I gave up caffeine too.

The side effect or side bonus of this Whole 30 is I find more out about my migraines and my battles with them.

So I gave up fake sugar, anything processed, most carbs, caffeine, alcohol, and um... I think thats it.

When I tell people this, they say "so what do you eat?" but seriously, there is so much more to life than all of that crap.

I'm eating like a mother fucking queen!
Sometimes you want something bad, but you have to remember that those little things got me here to this weight. those things got me to this point. Those things aren't going to stop me now.

So I started a support group with some of my friends and we do weekly weigh ins. I know on whole30 they suggest not weighing yourself till the very end, but I did.

So 12/31 I weighed in at 202.5.... and I cried. I've never been at that weight. It is my all time heaviest. I couldn't believe it. but it happened.

on 01/06 I weighed in at 195.5. Thats a 7 lb difference in just one week.

The headaches are still here almost nightly. but i'm still holding out hope.

On to week 2....