Sawyer Penn- 5 years old!

Sawyer- There's something about your first baby turning 5, and mama can't put her finger on it. In some ways, you seem so so grown. And in others I'm reminded that you are still so small, and that 5 years is really not a long time at all.

5 years ago, I had it all figured out. I knew exactly the kind of mom I would be, I knew exactly how and what I would do for every situation I could possibly dream up. And then you were born and all of that flew out the window. You are more than I ever could have imagined or prepared for.

I have said this before-- You are an enigma to me. I work every day at trying to figure you out; trying to see what makes you tick and how exactly to help you best. I don't always get it right. More often than not, I fail horribly at it. But I'm thankful that you love and trust me enough to let me keep trying.

You have THE biggest heart, even though you don't always show it. You love so, so hard and feel all of your feelings in a big way.

You are without a doubt the smartest and funniest person I know. I know that all parents probably feel that way, but man you just amaze me every single day. Your favorite things are trains and dinosaurs and I think you probably know everything there is to know about them. You're starting to learn to read a few words and you've recently been really into learning how to do addition. You love learning how things work and are never content with just an easy or simple answer. I often find myself turning to the internet or a book to better answer whatever questions you are throwing at me! You have a pretty quick wit and sometimes I'm caught off guard by the things you say to me and I just have to stop and laugh. You are a master negotiator and prefer to do things on your own terms, but what 5 year old doesn't?

You have a love hate relationship with your brother, but maybe that's just how brothers are? Maddox thinks you hung the moon. You are usually pretty mean to him, but you have these super kind moments that show me that you really do love him.

You still have your bunny and you sleep with him every night, your favorite foods are tacos and macaroni and cheese, you love Berenstain Bear books, you're really into dressing up like superheroes, you're not super into art and getting messy, you need a made-up Sawyer story before bed every night, you like to snuggle for a bit right after you wake up in the mornings, you like playing t-ball and riding your scooter, and you are without a doubt, the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I hope that you are always brave enough to make your feelings known, but kind enough to do so gently when needed. I hope that you stand up for people who need help and that you will always take the high road, even if it's not the most popular one. I hope that we've given you the confidence you need to be whoever you want to be and that you know that without a doubt, no matter what, we have your back.

Happy, happy birthday little man. "I love you all my heart, rest of my life, even more than that, I love you most."

Maddox- Two Years Old!

Dear Maddox-

Happy Second Birthday, Little Man! How oh how are you two? These past two years have flown by. I'm not going to lie, I was a little sad when I came to this blog and saw that I haven't updated it since your first birthday post. I feel like most days we are just barely hanging on and though I had good intentions, I just never had the chance to sit down and write. I hope you know that that doesn't mean we love you any less.

I feel like you were just born yesterday, but at the same time, it feels like you've always been a part of our family. You are the sweetest little thing, but you are definitely not afraid to make your wants and feelings known. You love your big brother SO much and if he is doing or saying something, then more than likely, you're doing and saying it, too.

You are a terrible sleeper, just like your brother. Some nights you are up every hour. It's exhausting, but I know you'll figure it out eventually.

You are hilarious and you have the best little smile. Your language has really exploded lately and you will say anything. You've recently learned to say "Sawyer" and you will walk around calling for him. It may be one of the cutest things I've ever heard. You call strawberries "wah-gees" and I don't have the heart to correct you. You have a stuffed fox that you named Kitty and you carry him everywhere with you.

You love to read books and your current favorites are: Fire Engine Man, Train Man, My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs, and these little books we have about colors. We read them over and over and you can recite them along with us. I love catching you when you're reading out loud to yourself. You also love music. I can play a song for you once or twice, and you can almost instantly hum the melody. You love to dance too, so I'm hoping I can convince you to start dance classes in January.

You like to play with paints and ink and stamps, bubbles, you love trains and trucks like your brother, and you love to look for the trash truck out the window.

Your imagination has taken off lately and you will "cook" food and coffee for me in your kitchen. You love to swing, take baths, and give hugs.

I feel like there is so much I want to say about you, but it's so hard to put you into words. You are just so uniquely you, Maddy Man. Full of smiles and love and a temper to match. We love you so, so much little man and we are so happy you're ours!

Maddox- One Year Old!

Dear Maddox-

Where oh where has the time gone, little man? It does not feel like you should be one already. This past year has been such a whirlwind. The mom guilt is real most days. Your brother had an update every month and I have only managed to do one for you so far. I hope you know that it doesn't mean we love you any less. Quite the opposite! It's just been a year of learning and balancing- learning who you are and how to balance life with two kids has been so hard. But I hope we are getting the hang of it!

You are just everything, Maddox. You are such a happy, easygoing guy. You have the best smile and it's so easy to get them out of you! You scrunch your nose and eyes when you smile and you have 8 of the cutest little teeth I've ever seen that make it even better. While you are usually a little ham and so happy, you are not afraid to make your opinions known! And you do it loudly!

I know that I shouldn't compare you to your brother, because you are each your own person. But I find myself doing it from time to time. Sawyer was a very high needs baby, but you've always been pretty chill. You are a pretty great napper, but you are an awful sleeper at night. Some nights you are up every hour. It's exhausting, but I know you'll get the hang of it eventually. Sawyer had about 8 words by his first birthday, and while you babble all the time, you don't really have any words. You will say "mama" sometimes and you have said "more" once or twice, but other than that you're not really talking. Sawyer never really got into things that he shouldn't, and you are into EVERYTHING. You open drawers, crawl under tables, and no cord is safe around you.

You love eating and I haven't found a single thing that you won't eat. Blueberries are probably your favorite thing. You are so incredibly impatient when I'm trying to make your food. You will sit on the kitchen floor and scream at me until it's ready. You are also still nursing, which I'm grateful for. We had a scare when you were 6 months old and my milk went away. I kept at it and it came back and I'm so thankful. You aren't as into it right now though. During the day you don't want to nurse much, but then at night you want to nurse all night long. It's exhausting, but we'll keep on until you don't want to anymore.

You love baths and water in general. You will dive for the pool or bathtub as soon as you see them and you love splashing. You love standing on the back of the couch and watching the trash truck go by. You love when I sing the ABCs and it will usually calm you down. You also love "Up Down" by Morgan Wallen, which is only slightly embarrassing. You love playing on the back porch and will sit at the back door and scream until I open it and let you out. You love your brother, and when he's not here you are constantly looking for him. You love climbing on me. If I lie down on the floor you will come over and crawl and climb and laugh your head off. You love looking in mirrors, playing with anything that makes noise, and have recently started loving touch and feel books. You love going for rides in your push car and you love pretending to drive my car. You stand in the seat and turn the steering wheel and you think it's the best thing ever.

You are so affectionate. You love to snuggle and you give the best hugs. You also give these big open mouth kisses and you'll say, "MMMM-ah!" which is the cutest thing ever.

You can crawl, clap, high five, pull up to stand, dance when you hear music, and just the past few days you've started letting go and standing on your own. I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I'm ready for you to walk!

Life is just so much fun with you in it, little man. It's hectic and exhausting and sometimes I don't know which way is up, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. You are the most perfect addition to our family and we love you to pieces. I can't wait to see what the next year brings. Happy, happy birthday sweet baby.

Maddox- 1-4 months old

Oh Maddox. I can't believe you're 4 months old and I'm only just now getting to write your monthly updates. I hope you understand. It's not that I love you any less, but life with two kiddos has definitely thrown us for a loop.

You are the best little addition to our family. Life is hard, but it so much better with you in it! Let's do a little recap.

After Sawyer's ordeal with being tongue tied, we had you checked out right away. Like your brother, you had both a tongue and lip tie. You also had buckle ties in your cheeks. We met with a wonderful doctor when you were 4 days old and had your ties revised. I'm not sure if it's disposition or the fact that we had you revised so much earlier than Sawyer, but you were (and are) just such a chill baby. You're a great nurser and you packed on weight quickly.

We had a scare when you were 2 weeks old. Your brother brought home a stomach bug and everyone got it but you. I was so scared that you were going to catch it. It was an awful, awful week. But thankfully, you stayed healthy.

You had some stomach issues at first, which prompted me to give up dairy and gluten for a while. Thankfully, after a few months your symptoms went away. You loved listening to Sam Smith songs. You were content to just sit and sleep in your bouncer.

Your first month was kind of a blur, if I'm being honest. Having a toddler to care for in addition to a brand new baby is totally different than just having a baby. With Sawyer, we could try and nap when (if) he did. But we couldn't do that with you. We survived on caffeine and no sleep.
Over the next month, you started smiling and boy is it so easy to get you to smile! You were and still are such a happy, content baby. You loved looking at the lights on the Christmas tree. You started sleeping 3-4 hour stretches. You still nursed like a champ.

Around 3 months, you went through a phase of only wanting to sleep if I held you. Thankfully, that seems to be ending now. You have a stuffed black and white cow that Sawyer calls Moo Moo and you LOVE it. You love taking baths with your brother. You kick and kick your feet and just smile. You started "talking," and I forgot how much I love those little baby sounds. Around this time you decided that being in the carseat is awful if the car is not moving, so I try and time car rides for when you're ready to nap.

You're four months old now and I can't believe it is going so fast.

I continually find myself comparing you to your brother and you are just so different. Sawyer wanted to nurse all the time. You are content to nurse every 3-4 hours and won't nurse if you're not hungry. You go to bed around 8:30 and sleep until 2 or 3. That amazes me because your brother didn't do that until he was about 2! The only problem is that from 3 or 4 until 7, you just want me to hold you. So we have to work on that.

You are still such a happy, laid back baby. You smile all the time. You laughed for the first time a few weeks ago and now I'm trying like crazy to get you to do it even more! You are super ticklish, you love baths and music, you have found your hands and they are constantly in your mouth, and you are so close to rolling over. You are so much more chunky than your brother. I was so excited that you could wear all of his old things, but you are already in 6 month clothing! Sawyer was only in 0-3 at your age.

The past few months have been very hard. Sawyer is having a hard time adjusting, which is to be expected. I feel like there is always someone who needs me and someone who isn't getting the attention they need. It's a hard balance and I don't always get it right. But man oh man, are you worth it. You are such a sweet, amazing little boy and we are so lucky that you are ours!

We love you, Maddox!

Maddox Kent's Birth Story

It's times like these when I wish I was a writer. Words have never come easily for me, but for moments like these I wish they would.

The births of my babies have been, without a doubt, the best moments in my life. And I don't want to forget a single minute of them.

As happy and joyous as Sawyer's birth was, I was a little disappointed with the experience I had. I wanted a med-free birth and I wanted to labor at home before heading to the hospital. I wanted to use the shower and move around my room. And none of that happened. I felt pressured by my nurses and was afraid to speak up and even though Sawyer got here and we were both healthy, I mourned the birth that I had wanted.

With Maddox, I felt more prepared. I went to a natural birthing class. I had my birth plan, I knew my rights as a patient, I was more confident with myself and my body. I knew I could do it. I told David over and over that it wasn't about having or not having the epidural. It was about having the chance to at least try. But, our little man had other ideas.

At 35 weeks, Dr. Rone noticed that baby's heart sounded a little weird. At 36 weeks, it was still sounding off, so he had me do a non stress test to double check. We passed and thought all was well. At 37 weeks, it was there again and even more prominent. We failed the NST and after an ultrasound, the doctor there told me to head to the hospital and prepare to have my baby.

If you know me at all, you know that I don't tolerate change very well. I'm a planner, a list maker, and very much a type A personality. So add all of that on top of being scared to death for my baby and it doesn't make for a pretty picture.

I won't recap all the events of that day because I've already posted about them in an earlier post. We decided that induction was our best option and made the appointment to be induced a week later on Friday, October 13.

The days leading up to Maddox's birth were full of anxiety and fear for me. I was worried about his heart, worried that I was making the wrong decision to be induced, worried that I was making the wrong decision by waiting a week, and selfishly, worried that I again wouldn't get that labor and birth I had been hoping for. I was convinced that the induction would fail and I would end up with a c-section, and that terrified me. I had an appointment on Monday and was barely 1cm, baby was still super high, and my body was clearly not ready for birth. That just added to my anxiety levels. On Thursday, I went to Baby Moon and had a labor massage in the hopes of relaxing a bit and getting my body to progress a bit on its own.

I remember feeling guilty because I wasn't excited at all. I thought a good mom should be so pumped to meet her baby, but the morning of the induction I could barely find the motivation to get dressed. I was not in a good place. I remember taking a photo with Sawyer and David; the last one as a family of 3. We drove to the hospital in silence, walked up to labor and delivery where the nurses greeted us with smiles and excitement that I couldn't return. My nurse, Natalie, walked us into our room and asked me how I was doing and I broke down. I had to get David to talk for me because I was crying so much.

I'm sure they probably thought I was overreacting, but I could not get it together. I was absolutely terrified. Natalie was so sweet and told me we didn't have to do anything until Dr. Rone got there and we could then discuss our options. Once he was there, I calmed down a bit. He again told me that we didn't have to go through with the induction, but after a week of worrying about the baby I knew that I couldn't wait any longer. We decided that he would break my water and I could move around my room and see if labor would start on its own. If it didn't, then we would start Pitocin later on. After an exam, we learned that I was 3 cm and baby had dropped a bit(thank you, labor massage!). Something about having progressed a little eased my mind a little bit. He broke my water, which didn't hurt. Once that was over, I calmed down a little. The decision was made, there was no turning back. I think my mind needed that concrete decision instead of the constant back and forth I had been dealing with for the past week.

With Maddox's heart still being weird, I had to be hooked up to monitors the whole time. That meant that I couldn't use the shower or labor tub or move very far from my bed, but it was still more freedom than I had with Sawyer's birth. I was able to bounce and rock on the birthing ball and stretch my back out. Dr. Rone had mentioned that it could take 5-6 hours after breaking my water for labor to actually start, so David and I watched Grey's Anatomy while we waited. During that time I had a few small contractions, but nothing worse than the Braxton Hicks I had been having for weeks.

It's probably important to note that even though I was hooked up to the monitors, it was almost impossible for them to get a good idea of what Maddox's heart was doing. It was dropping beats, adding beats, and generally being all over the place and the machine couldn't figure it out. At one point, the machine was reporting that his heart rate was dangerously low. The nurses came in and started suiting up for a c-section, they put an oxygen mask on me, and I started freaking out again. Later, after Maddox was born, Kendra informed me that there was a whole team of doctors and nurses outside my door ready to spring into action. But thankfully, Dr. Rone is amazing. He was seated calmly at the ultrasound machine watching baby's heart. He did say that it was impossible for them to really know what was going on with Maddox's heart, but that we were ok for now because his heart was doing what it had been doing all along. I am so, so thankful for him and his patience. I will also say that obviously, if a c-section were needed, I wouldn't have hesitated to do it. But I do also believe that sometimes patients are rushed into them when they don't need to happen. So I am grateful for a doctor who advocated for me and did his best to ensure that I was given the best chance at getting that birth that I wanted.

After that, Dr. Rone said that we could either switch to internal monitoring (basically screwing a monitor into baby's head) or go on and do Pitocin. For whatever reason, the thought of that internal monitor upset me so much and he didn't bring it up again. So we opted for Pitocin. We had to wait a bit before starting because they weren't sure how to calculate the dosage since they couldn't get an accurate reading on his heart rate. They eventually decided to start me off on the lowest dose possible (1) and if needed they could eventually up it to a 4 (for the record, the normal dosage is 8).

I was so scared of those Pitocin contractions. I've heard so many horror stories about how bad Pitocin contractions hurt and that you basically go from 0-60 with no warm up contractions. I knew how badly the contractions sucked with Sawyer, and those were without Pitocin. I didn't have much faith in myself that I would be able to make it without an epidural. When the first one hit, it was pretty awful, but I was able to work through it. It was hard for me to find a position that was comfortable. Sitting on the ball made them unbearable, hands and knees was awful. Eventually I ended up basically leaning on David and swaying back and forth, while he held me up and grabbing onto Kendra's (my sister) hands. They were both amazing at reminding me to breathe and relax and I'm thankful for that. Eventually, they upped my dose to a 2. I'm a lightweight when it comes to medicine (sinus meds make me loopy), so I guess my body responded pretty well to the Pitocin. Before I knew it, those contractions were coming one right after the other, with no break in between.

You know those birth stories where the women are so calm and just breathe and their baby comes flying out with a bunch of rainbows and butterflies? Yeah, that was not me. I'm pretty sure I was mooing like a cow at one point. Who knows. I remember saying, "No no no no" any time another contraction started. I was pretty whiny. There was a moment when I was on the floor with my head on the bed and Dr. Rone came in and was way too cheerful and I told him that I didn't want him, I wanted the anesthesiologist. He told me it was too late for that. At that point, another contraction hit and baby felt like he was coming out. That's when everything got real. I somehow got into the bed for Dr. Rone to check me. The rest is kind of a blur.

In my head, it was not time for the baby to come. Sawyer's birth lasted 13.5 hours with 3 hours of pushing. It had only been about an hour and a half since we started the Pitocin. I couldn't catch my breath and then all of a sudden everyone was telling me to push. Random voices stood out- I heard Kendra telling me to push and that I could do it. I heard Dr. Rone telling me he could see his head and I told him no, that it was poop (what can I say- labor is not glamorous). I remember holding David's hand while he and someone else held me up, because I was in some weird half squat position.

And then holy cow- the pushing. I've read stories and they all talk about the ring of fire. They were right. I felt like I was outside of my body. It was so surreal. The whole room of doctors and nurses were cheering me on and for the first time, I felt excitement. It was time to meet my baby. The little baby that I had been talking to for 9 months was about to be earthside and in my arms.

That first push to get baby's head out was so intense, the shoulders were even worse. And then, it was over and he was here. 2 hours of active labor and 3 pushes. It happened so fast that they didn't even get the bed ready. Dr. Rone gave him to me right away while we waited to cut his cord. I remember saying "That hurt so bad!" To which David replied, "It's over. He's here, he's reaching for you."

I already knew that I wouldn't get the immediate skin to skin time that I had with Sawyer. I knew that they would have to take him away to check out his heart. But man, when it's actually happening and they're taking your new baby from you...It sucks. They took him into the adjoining room and David went with him. They checked out his heart and it was still being crazy, so they prepped him to take him up to the NICU. That was when my amazing nurse spoke up and said that mama should get to see him again first. So I got another quick snuggle and they and David went up to the NICU.

The next hour and a half was the longest time of my life. Maddox was born at 6:38 and shift change in the NICU was at 7, so from 7-8 no one was allowed in. Once 8pm came around, Kendra wheeled me upstairs and after a mishap at the hand-washing sink, I finally, finally got to hold and nurse my baby boy.

He ended up only needing to stay in the NICU for about 4 hours and the sweet nurse let me stay up there with him the whole time. Let me tell you, the NICU gives you all kinds of perspective. Here I was, complaining about Maddox being there for 4 hours. My healthy, full-term baby who was too big for most of the NICU equipment. And all around me were sick babies who were there for weeks and months. It's eyeopening and makes you count your blessings.

Overall, after such an anxiety-filled week leading up to his birth, I'm confident that I made the right decision. This was reaffirmed when Dr. Rone showed us Maddox's umbilical cord. It had what's called a "true knot" in it, though his wasn't super tight. I made the mistake of googling it. Dr. Rone says they may see about 15 of them a year. If the knot is a true knot and is tightened all the way, the baby can have brain damage, cerebral palsy, or die the last few weeks in utero. All the what ifs ran through my mind and even though he's here and healthy, I still find myself thinking, "What if I had waited another week and the cord tightened and he died?" It's terrifying. I am so, so thankful that Maddox came when he did and that he's healthy.

Though this isn't really part of Maddox's birth story, I do want to remember it so I'm adding it here. No one really prepares you for the moment your first baby meets your second baby. Since Maddox was born in the evening and didn't get out of the NICU until late, Sawyer didn't get to meet him until the next day. He walked in and my tears started. How someone's heart is capable of loving two little people so much is beyond me, but man...My heart felt like it was going to burst. Sawyer climbed up in the bed with us and snuggled in and checked out baby Twix. He gave him the stuffed fox that he picked out for him. I'm still not sure what he thought and it's definitely been a rough adjustment for him at home, but I just know these two are going to best friends.

When all is said and done, I'm just so lucky to have had the doctor that I did. I can't sing his praises enough. I know without a doubt that if he hadn't been there, I would have had a completely different birth experience. I am proud of myself for sticking it out and pushing through, even when I thought I couldn't. I'm thankful for my husband and sister for cheering me on and supporting me and for telling me over and over again that I could do it.

And I am so, so thankful for my sweet Sawyer Penn and Maddox Kent. I am the luckiest.

Maddox Kent Crossen, named after my grandfather, Kenneth, my great-granny Kenney, and my sister, Kendra. 10/13/17. 6:28pm. 8lbs, 4 oz. 20.5 inches long.

A Letter to My First Baby

Dear Sawyer- This time 3 years ago, I was gearing up to meet you. As a first time mom, I had all of these plans and expectations and I just knew how being a parent was going to be. I was so completely wrong though, but in the best possible way.

I knew I was going to love you; I loved you before I even met you. But I was not prepared for the moment they gave you to me. Time stopped, everyone disappeared, and it was just you and me. And oh my goodness, how I loved you. Only a mother can understand that feeling-your heart is so full it feels like it's going to explode and you know then and there why you were put on this earth. It's all encompassing. I knew I would move mountains for you, Sawyer Penn.

So much about your birth and early days are a blur to me, but one thing stands out. I remember holding you in the hospital and rubbing my cheek on the top of your head; Your hair was so soft and you were just so new. I couldn't stop breathing you in. I hope I never forget that feeling because it is probably the best moment I've had in my entire life.

I've learned so much from you these past three years. How it feels to put someone completely before myself. How to keep trucking on when I'm sick or tired, because I know you need me. I've learned to find enjoyment and laughter in the simple things- a bubble beard in the bath, a new train, a caterpillar on our flowers.

I call you a sour patch kid and you really are. You are the sweetest, kindest little boy. You love so fiercely and I hope you never lose that. You also have opinions and a temper, but what almost 3 year old doesn't? You are quick to let me know if you don't like something and you are a master negotiator. You are so freaking smart and you're the most hilarious person I've ever met. Your laugh just explodes out of you and I love it so much.

You love Thomas the Train and Paw Patrol. You love reading books and hearing "Sawyer Stories" at bedtime. You are obsessed with excavators, dump trucks, diggers, etc. You know what each one is and you'll correct me in a second if I'm wrong. You love when I sing "Constellations" and "Wagon Wheel" at bedtime, though you call it "Land of the Pies." Your favorite song for daddy to sing at bedtime is "Hey Jude." Your bunny goes everywhere you go. You love Blake Shelton, building train tracks with your daddy, swimming in the pool, and helping to cook. Your best buddies are Jonah and Des and you love them so much!

I have no idea how these past 3 years have gone by so fast. It feels like no time at all, but it also feels like you've been in our lives forever.

Now that we are gearing up to meet your little brother, I worry. I worry about dividing my time between the two of you. You have taken up my whole heart for the past 3 years and while I know that I have more than enough room for another baby, it will be weird at first. I hope you never for a second think that we love you less. I just know this little baby is going to love you so much. And you are going to be such an amazing big brother. You'll teach him all the important things, like the names of all the Thomas trains and how to sweet talk mommy into reading more books. He's going to look up to you, and I can't imagine a better big brother for him.

I'm not a perfect mama, but you love and trust me anyway. Some days I might be short on patience or too tired, and goodness knows I make mistakes. But you never hold it against me. I can't promise to get everything right once your brother is here either, but I'll try my hardest. Just know that I love you both so SO much.

Lately when I've asked you how you got so big or if you are my big boy, you've been telling me, "No, I'm your baby." And you're right. No matter how many babies we have or whether you're 3 or 30, you will always be my baby. My FIRST baby. The one who made me a mama. The one who taught me that my heart could exist outside my body. The one who gave me purpose. I am forever grateful for that.

Sawyer, you and your brother are the good in this world. I hope that your daddy and I are able to give you the confidence you need to be whoever you are meant to be. I have so many wishes for the two of you, but the most important is that you know are you loved, absolutely no matter what.

Thank you for trusting me and loving me, Little Man. I love you- all my heart, rest of my life, and even more than that.

Growing Baby 2- 37 Weeks!

I haven't done an actual update in a long time. It's been a combination of life and a toddler and not really having much to say. Last week, however, Little Man decided to throw us for a loop.

A few weeks ago, my OB noticed that baby's heart was adding an extra beat. He had me do a non-stress test and they decided that he was fine. Last week, October 5 (37 weeks exactly), I went in for my weekly check up and Dr. Rone noticed that his heart was still adding the beat and it was a little more prominent. He sent me over for another NST and that doctor immediately unhooked me from the monitors and had me do an ultrasound.

The next few minutes were a blur. She was throwing around words like "emergency c-section," "ambulance," "hospital," and "You're having this baby right now, call your husband." I was terrified. I didn't know what was going on with the baby. I called David and had to give the phone to the doctor because I couldn't get any words out.

Thankfully, Dr. Rone came in about that time and told everyone to chill out, more or less. I did not need an ambulance and my baby was not dying. He asked me if I would like David to drive me to the hospital and told me that he would be over to check on me soon.

Once we were at the hospital, I got settled in a room and was told again that we were having a baby that day. I still didn't know if that meant induction or c-section. I still didn't really know what was going on with little man. Finally, the head of high risk came in and explained that his heart was adding an extra beat (which we already knew) and that I would be meeting with a fetal cardiologist to determine how severe things were. I had a 30 minute long ultrasound with the cardiologist and he determined that M's heart has no abnormalities but he was having premature atrial contractions. Every third beat, his heart would add in an extra. But he said that the ventricles and the rest of his heart were dealing with it as they should. He said that most people have these episodes at some point in their lives. From his standpoint, he said that baby was fine and would not need to come that day but I had to meet with high risk for the ultimate decision.

Fast forward a few hours later, and the high risk doctor came in to talk about our options. We got Dr. Rone on the phone and ultimately decided that I was too overwhelmed to make any kind of decision that day. I went home, was up all night worrying, and then met with Dr. Rone the next day.

Let me just say that I am so, so lucky to have the doctor that I do. He listens, he advocates for me, and I have complete trust in him. I know that there are many women who do not have that luxury. He sat with me for almost 45 minutes and did his best to calm me down and answer my questions.

At that point, our options were:

*Do nothing and let him come when he's ready, but go in two or three times a week for ultrasounds to make sure his heart is still ok. I haven't been able to eat or sleep since Thursday, so I don't think putting myself through 3 more weeks of worry is the best thing for me or baby.
*Get induced right away.
*Or, what we ultimately decided, wait a week, have two ultrasounds this week, and then get my membranes swept Thursday and get induced Friday.

That option worked best for me for a number of reasons. I felt better giving him that extra week. We'll be 38 weeks and a day when I'm induced. Dr. Rone is on call next weekend and will be the doctor delivering. With such a special circumstance, the increased risk of c-section, and my pregnancy anxiety, I needed him to be the one delivering this baby.

I'm a nervous wreck. I know that birth plans are just plans and they change. But I was really hoping for a healing birth this time. To get the chance to labor at home and shoot for that natural birth I wanted. So I'm mourning that a bit. I'm also terrified of being induced and dealing with the Pitocin contractions. I also know that being induced doubles my chances for a c-section, not to mention the fact that the likelihood of a c-section was already increased because of little man's heart. I have never had surgery in my life, so the idea of a c-section scares me to death. C-section mamas are so brave and strong, and I don't really know if I can do it without completely losing it. I worry about the pain of recovery and not being the first to hold him. I worry about being alone in recovery. I worry about not getting to nurse him right away. So much anxiety and fear right now, but I'm trying to work through it.

So yeah. That's where we are right now. As of this moment, I'll have an ultrasound Monday and Thursday and then go in Friday to get induced and meet this baby.

Little man, you definitely threw us for a loop this week. Mama and daddy are a little scared and nervous, but we can't wait to meet you!