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Hayes' #1 Video to Baby Hope.......
Hayes' #2 Video to Baby Hope
Hayes' Video #3 (He mentions Baby Faith & Baby Robby ALL ON HIS OWN)
Hayes' Video #4
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Out of the mouth of Hayes ~ Baby Hope
Preparing Hayes for Hope's soon to be arrival.........
Because we finally have a "plan" for Baby Hope to come (if I don't go into labor myself between now and then). We've been explaining to Hayes that it was almost time for Baby Hope to come out. We have covered all the important things with him during this pregnancy-talking about the hospital, prepping him for early delivery, what everything looks like at the hospital, sibling class, hospital tour (and he remembers when Robby was born/hospital), and so on.
Well, a couple days ago I asked him if he was ready for Baby Hope to come out of Mommy's belly. When I asked him he said, "No". I asked him why at the time....but he changed the subject. I have to say....I was kind of surprised because this ENTIRE pregnancy he has showed nothing but interest and true desire to have his baby sister here. I thought to myself....well maybe the jealousy thing is finally kicking in. I know enough on how to engage little people-and again asked him later. This time I said, "Hey Buddy...are you ready for Baby Hope to come out of Mommy's belly?" He said, "no" again. I said, "why not buddy?. He then says to me, "well Mommy....I don't want Baby Hope to come out of your belly because she's not ready...she has to stay inside of you to grow and get stronger....she can't come out yet because we don't want it to be too early....we don't want her to go to Heaven". THIS IS WHAT MY HAYES SAYS TO ME!!!! I was right......it wasn't yet the jealousy thing..........he was SCARED SHE WAS GOING TO COME OUT TOO SOON AND DIE! I also realized and it all clicked...that when we said our prayers at night and prayed to God.....we prayed that Baby Hope would stay inside of Mommy for a long time-and would grown and stay healthy and be strong. Suddenly, this ALL MADE SENSE! Of course, he didn't have a sense of time of "WHEN" it was time and GOOD for Baby Hope to be born!
How amazing that my 4 year/8 month old can verbalize this .....and yet we have adults in our lives that don't know how to express themselves...tell us their feelings about Baby Hope. I was so glad he was able to tell me this. I then went ahead and explained to Hayes...that Baby Hope was REALLY healthy, strong, and big...and that the doctor said it was ok if she came out of Mommy NOW...or some time SOON! He said, "Oh, ok". That's all it took was for me to explain that she was NOW ready.
WOW...how amazing....I love my little man! Below is the teddy bear Hayes picked out for Baby Hope....each Hayes, Faith, Robby, and now Hope all have their own bear! He was SO EXCITED that it was PINK!
Because we finally have a "plan" for Baby Hope to come (if I don't go into labor myself between now and then). We've been explaining to Hayes that it was almost time for Baby Hope to come out. We have covered all the important things with him during this pregnancy-talking about the hospital, prepping him for early delivery, what everything looks like at the hospital, sibling class, hospital tour (and he remembers when Robby was born/hospital), and so on.
Well, a couple days ago I asked him if he was ready for Baby Hope to come out of Mommy's belly. When I asked him he said, "No". I asked him why at the time....but he changed the subject. I have to say....I was kind of surprised because this ENTIRE pregnancy he has showed nothing but interest and true desire to have his baby sister here. I thought to myself....well maybe the jealousy thing is finally kicking in. I know enough on how to engage little people-and again asked him later. This time I said, "Hey Buddy...are you ready for Baby Hope to come out of Mommy's belly?" He said, "no" again. I said, "why not buddy?. He then says to me, "well Mommy....I don't want Baby Hope to come out of your belly because she's not ready...she has to stay inside of you to grow and get stronger....she can't come out yet because we don't want it to be too early....we don't want her to go to Heaven". THIS IS WHAT MY HAYES SAYS TO ME!!!! I was right......it wasn't yet the jealousy thing..........he was SCARED SHE WAS GOING TO COME OUT TOO SOON AND DIE! I also realized and it all clicked...that when we said our prayers at night and prayed to God.....we prayed that Baby Hope would stay inside of Mommy for a long time-and would grown and stay healthy and be strong. Suddenly, this ALL MADE SENSE! Of course, he didn't have a sense of time of "WHEN" it was time and GOOD for Baby Hope to be born!
How amazing that my 4 year/8 month old can verbalize this .....and yet we have adults in our lives that don't know how to express themselves...tell us their feelings about Baby Hope. I was so glad he was able to tell me this. I then went ahead and explained to Hayes...that Baby Hope was REALLY healthy, strong, and big...and that the doctor said it was ok if she came out of Mommy NOW...or some time SOON! He said, "Oh, ok". That's all it took was for me to explain that she was NOW ready.
WOW...how amazing....I love my little man! Below is the teddy bear Hayes picked out for Baby Hope....each Hayes, Faith, Robby, and now Hope all have their own bear! He was SO EXCITED that it was PINK!
Baby Hope Update - STILL HOME
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 - 35 weeks & 3 days pregnant
(10:03pm)
Hello Family & Friends,
Well, the good news is Hope is still doing GREAT hanging out inside her lil hot tub-and we're ok! Things are still the same. I've been having the same intense time able contractions every night since Wednesday, but no further progress (no worse/no better). We went to our scheduled doc appointment today at 3pm. We were fully prepared with bags in car (for all of us), picked up Hayes from school to come with us, had Grandma ChaCha meet us at Hillcrest-ALL just in case the baby and my body were "ready" for show time! As it turns out, I'm partly effaced and the cervix is soft....but not dilated...and not enough progress to push for delivery. Since Hope is doing so well, the doc would like to see her stay inside of me until either a) she comes on her own, or b) we do the induction next week.
The induction is scheduled for Tuesday eve....and delivery should be some time on Wednesday, December 1st! There is a cervical gel they use to accelerate the process-which needs to be on for 12 hours. Post the gel-they will then introduce the pitocin-which is the medication that induces labor. The doc said I may or may not need the pitocin...but delivery is most likely to happen Wednesday morning. We will be delivering Hope at a hospital that's a little hike, and if we make it to the induction-it will be such a blessing to not have to drive all that way with hard core contractions (poor Bob.....5xs with Robby....Faith....and then Hayes of course-NOT a pretty 45 minute drive under those circumstances-ha!). If Hope comes on the planned induction delivery date.....I will be 36 weeks & 3 days pregnant-how INCREDIBLE!
Overall, we are just so amazed and beyond grateful that we've made it this far with Hope. The doctor (us included) NEVER imagined we'd make it to this point in gestation. We have been so thankful for each and every day Hope has been with us, growing, thriving, and staying inside of me! It's an absolute miracle, and all your prayers have worked-God was listening-THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love being pregnant...and at the age of 41....I've done the best I could to savor every moment-and truly appreciate every bit of it.
When you go through the experience we have.....losing two babies....delivering them...seeing them......holding them......loving them.....and then to have to hand them over to the nurse...as you leave the hospital in the wheel chair with empty arms....you can't imagine what this journey of the subsequent pregnancy has been like. Robby was our subsequent baby....he was the one that should have lived. But, he didn't. So as you can imagine.....we NEVER once-nor do we now take Baby Hope for granted. We also don't assume everything will be ok.......we can't. This pregnancy has been a difficult journey to say the least, and we really will not be able to take any sort of deep breaths until she is in our arms....alive...healthy...and ok. Even after that...even once we get home...there will be challenges in our walk of grief....guilt...and pain that will rein act for Faith & Robby. This is all part of the grief cycle for parents who have lost a baby......and part of what we have to face. So while we are beyond happy and excited for Hope's arrival...there is also struggle, and it's not as simple as Meme & Bob getting their new little miracle. Hope can't replace Faith & Robby, but we will find a new way in life....and with this part of the journey....we will "hope" to start the healing process in a different way now.......little by little.
Thank you again for ALL your prayers and good thoughts......we don't know what we would have done with out the people in our lives that have cared so much these past few months...and past three years for that matter. Thank you to those of you that wanted to participate and be present in our lives. God has amazed me...and where there have been gaps and deficits in life...he has provided people out of the blue to make up for some of the missing pieces. It's Baby Faith's 3rd Birthday on December 9th......how interesting that God has planned for Baby Hope to come in-between Baby Robby and Baby Faith's birthdays. The last 4 fall/winter holiday seasons have been extremely difficult for our family-yet now we have something positive to celebrate in moving forward.
We'll try to send an email, text, and FB update after she's born with a picture! Thank you again! Waiting to Exhale...............
Love-Bob & Meme
(10:03pm)
Hello Family & Friends,
Well, the good news is Hope is still doing GREAT hanging out inside her lil hot tub-and we're ok! Things are still the same. I've been having the same intense time able contractions every night since Wednesday, but no further progress (no worse/no better). We went to our scheduled doc appointment today at 3pm. We were fully prepared with bags in car (for all of us), picked up Hayes from school to come with us, had Grandma ChaCha meet us at Hillcrest-ALL just in case the baby and my body were "ready" for show time! As it turns out, I'm partly effaced and the cervix is soft....but not dilated...and not enough progress to push for delivery. Since Hope is doing so well, the doc would like to see her stay inside of me until either a) she comes on her own, or b) we do the induction next week.
The induction is scheduled for Tuesday eve....and delivery should be some time on Wednesday, December 1st! There is a cervical gel they use to accelerate the process-which needs to be on for 12 hours. Post the gel-they will then introduce the pitocin-which is the medication that induces labor. The doc said I may or may not need the pitocin...but delivery is most likely to happen Wednesday morning. We will be delivering Hope at a hospital that's a little hike, and if we make it to the induction-it will be such a blessing to not have to drive all that way with hard core contractions (poor Bob.....5xs with Robby....Faith....and then Hayes of course-NOT a pretty 45 minute drive under those circumstances-ha!). If Hope comes on the planned induction delivery date.....I will be 36 weeks & 3 days pregnant-how INCREDIBLE!
Overall, we are just so amazed and beyond grateful that we've made it this far with Hope. The doctor (us included) NEVER imagined we'd make it to this point in gestation. We have been so thankful for each and every day Hope has been with us, growing, thriving, and staying inside of me! It's an absolute miracle, and all your prayers have worked-God was listening-THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love being pregnant...and at the age of 41....I've done the best I could to savor every moment-and truly appreciate every bit of it.
When you go through the experience we have.....losing two babies....delivering them...seeing them......holding them......loving them.....and then to have to hand them over to the nurse...as you leave the hospital in the wheel chair with empty arms....you can't imagine what this journey of the subsequent pregnancy has been like. Robby was our subsequent baby....he was the one that should have lived. But, he didn't. So as you can imagine.....we NEVER once-nor do we now take Baby Hope for granted. We also don't assume everything will be ok.......we can't. This pregnancy has been a difficult journey to say the least, and we really will not be able to take any sort of deep breaths until she is in our arms....alive...healthy...and ok. Even after that...even once we get home...there will be challenges in our walk of grief....guilt...and pain that will rein act for Faith & Robby. This is all part of the grief cycle for parents who have lost a baby......and part of what we have to face. So while we are beyond happy and excited for Hope's arrival...there is also struggle, and it's not as simple as Meme & Bob getting their new little miracle. Hope can't replace Faith & Robby, but we will find a new way in life....and with this part of the journey....we will "hope" to start the healing process in a different way now.......little by little.
Thank you again for ALL your prayers and good thoughts......we don't know what we would have done with out the people in our lives that have cared so much these past few months...and past three years for that matter. Thank you to those of you that wanted to participate and be present in our lives. God has amazed me...and where there have been gaps and deficits in life...he has provided people out of the blue to make up for some of the missing pieces. It's Baby Faith's 3rd Birthday on December 9th......how interesting that God has planned for Baby Hope to come in-between Baby Robby and Baby Faith's birthdays. The last 4 fall/winter holiday seasons have been extremely difficult for our family-yet now we have something positive to celebrate in moving forward.
We'll try to send an email, text, and FB update after she's born with a picture! Thank you again! Waiting to Exhale...............
Love-Bob & Meme
Baby Hope - SOON!!!???
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 - 34 weeks & 5 days pregnant
(5:31pm)
(5:31pm)
Hello Friends & Family,
We wanted to let everyone know the status and most recent update on Baby Hope (while we can still give one). It's looking like her arrival MIGHT be some time in the NEAR FUTURE! I've been having sporadic contractions for the past month (hence the bed rest), but not time able or aggressive. As of last night, I started having having time able more intense contractions every 2 to 5 minutes for over a 4 hour period. These contractions were very much like I had at the beginning of labor with Hayes, Faith, & Robby. We contacted the hospital/Doc on call....to bring him up to speed-and "check in". He gave me the choice to come into the hospital-or stay home and monitor closely-and to head in immediately if it became more painful/intense. We opted to stay home-and went to bed. I woke up four times throughout the night...but by morning the contractions became less in sequence-but were STILL happening.
I went to my Doc appt this morning, and they hooked me up to my non-stress test/monitor (as they've been doing for past 3 weeks), and the monitor confirmed and showed several contractions. It also showed that Baby Hope was doing well-and the results of her movement and heartbeat combined were GOOD! This is the week the doctor was going to start checking my cervix anyway....and when he did everything was still in tact. Basically, the doctor said my body is getting ready to labor and deliver Baby Hope at this point. He indicated that the potential "plan" of getting to 37 weeks post Thanksgiving was more than likely NOT going to happen. He believes that it can happen anywhere from NOW or some time by next week. It could be longer...but based on what's happening it may be soon.
Dr. Alvarez has put EVERYTHING in place for us and Hope to be ready for this moment....and with the lung steroid injections...and all that's been done to this point....we should be ready...and we should be ok. We're really scared...but, we are SO AMAZED that we've made it THIS FAR. We will be 35 weeks on Saturday. We've prepared for MANY scenarios with this pregnancy...death, early delivery with a baby trying to survive/NICU, to a sick baby in the NICU in the later gestation time frame.......all things we HAD TO BE PREPARED FOR. With that said, to make it to this point-we are just so grateful! Our journey is far from being over....and there could still be many issues, but as we've done this entire pregnancy-we have LET GO & LET GOD be in control-but we've done everything physically possible to obtain a "positive obstetric outcome" as they might say in the clinical world.
THANK YOU for ALL your thoughts and prayers. We thought we'd sneak in ONE MORE update in with what's been happening. We'll try to keep everyone posted on what happens and when Hope gets here! Please be patient with me with phone calls back, texts, or emails-as I haven't been feeling so great with the contractions and all that we're trying to prepare for at this point has been overwhelming....we APPRECIATE everyone's offer to help and we hope to talk to some of you SOON!
Love-Meme & Bob
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