Wordless Wednesday

Happiness is.....



Adler's Birth Story

I'm not even sure where to begin. 

Wednesday was my last day of work.  I had really been hoping this lil guy would make his appearance soon so that I wasn't wasting my maternity leave by taking off a few days before my due date.  He didn't disappoint!  Mom, Taylor and I had made plans to go to Gibson and eat lunch at the Bayern Stube on Thursday so that morning Taylor headed over to my house to ride with me and Asher.  When I went to the bathroom I noticed I had some of what I was pretty sure was bloody show (remember that I never went into labor with Asher!).  I just felt "different" that morning so when we were leaving for lunch I had The Sister snap a couple of pictures of Asher and me since I had a feeling that today was the day.

We went to Gibson and ate lunch.  I ate a lot.  That happens when I go there.

On the way home I felt what I thought might be contractions.  I felt kind of stupid because I had no idea if they were real or if they were just bad cramps.  By the time we were pulling into Forrest I was pretty sure thats what was going on.  It was about 12:30 on Thursday May 17th.

We went back to Mom and Dad's so Asher could take a nap there since I wasn't feeling the best.  My contractions just kept feeling stronger but I still wasn't sure this was it.  I texted Dustin to make sure he was somewhere in the area and lucked out because he was just working in McDowell.  I told him to be on standby just in case.  I tried to take a nap but it wasn't working.  At about 2:00 Mom convinced me to call down to my Dr's office and check with them so that it didn't get too late and they were closed.  I called down and talked to my favorite nurse Nela.  She told me to go lay down for an hour, try to time contractions and count kicks then call her back.  So I laid down and timed contractions on an app on my phone and they appeared to be about 7 minutes apart. 

I called Nela back an hour later to tell her what was going on.  Dr Austman was out that day but the other Dr in the office thought I had better head down to the hospital to get checked out because I was a VBAC and positive for Group B.  I called Dustin to come home and then went home to get the bags ready.  I had a REALLY hard time telling Asher bye.  I was gonna miss him and was pretty sure both our worlds were gonna change that day.

Dustin and I left town about 4:00 and as we were pulling out of the garage I got a text from Jodi.  She had just left her appt and told me she had scheduled her induction for the next morning.  I told her "ohhhh, thats funny.  We're on our way to the hospital now!"

We got to the hospital about 4:30.  I had been timing contrations on the way down and was amazed to see that they seemed to be 2-3 minutes apart.  I still didn't believe it.  When I got there they hooked me all up to check and see if they were real contractions - and they were!  Every 1-2 minutes.  I was staying!  And I think Dustin was shitting his pants at this point.  I had Dustin call Mom to tell her we were staying but it wasn't a big hurry for them to get there.  Dr Austman arrived and checked me at about 5:00 PM and said I was completely effaced and at a 1-2.  I was disappointed that I wasn't further along but she said she was happy with that since I wasn't dilated at all on Monday.

Contractions hurt.  And they were close together and sometimes right on top of one another.  Mom and Taylor arrived a little after 7 and I told Mom to go ahead and call Lynn.  I spent my time swaying back and forth and holding on to my IV for dear life.  That really seemed to help.  And time on the birthing ball.  Being stuck in the bed was awful so I was so glad when Dr Austman told them to hook me up to the wireless monitors.  Lynn arrived a little after 8:00 and Dr Austman checked me again.  1-2.  Seriously?

Lynn got to work.  She is AMAZING.  I loved her before but I love her even more after she stuck it out with me until about 1 AM.  Not only was Lynn awesome - I can't say enough about the Nurses at GAH.  During my stay I was the ONLY maternity patient.  Gotta say I loved having their undivided attention :)

We seemed to have a pattern.  I would bear through contraction after contraction - oddly swirling my feet around and back and forth was how I helped cope with the pain - weird right?  I hated that I was  going through so much pain and not getting anywhere.  About 1:00 I got sick.  My nurse was like "hey!  You told me you haven't ate since noon!"  Haha I said "yeah, but you didn't ask me how much I ate..."  Every time Dr A checked me I was still at a 1-2.  She said his head was there but she thought it was big.  My nurse called him melon head :)  at about 2:00 AM we were still 1-2 cm. 

I was getting really tired.  Dr Austman said that if I wanted to continue she could give me a very small dose of pitocin and see where I was in a couple of hours.  She had told me the risks of pitocin with a VBAC since the beginning.  I asked if she thought I would still be 1-2 in a couple of hours and she said she was pretty sure I would be but wanted to give me every chance to have my VBAC.  After 13 hours of labor and absolutely NO progression I made the decision for a c-section about 2:30 AM on Friday May 18th. 

At the time I didn't have time to worry about the fact that I wasn't getting the birth that I wanted.  I was tired and in pain.  I just wanted it to be over.  So shortly after the decision was made I walked down to the OR and they sat me on the side of the table to get my spinal.  At this point I don't think I was even coherent.  I was soooo tired and was still contracting every 1-2 minutes.  I started shaking and crying and was totally out of it.  I waited over 30 minutes for the Dr who was assisting to get there so they could start my spinal.  I think that was one of the longest 30 minutes of my life.  I was in so much pain and knew that at anytime they would give me the spinal and the pain would be gone.  Thank God for my Nurse Deb who took over and put her hands on my shoulder and reminded me to breathe and look at her.  The nurses there are awesome. 

Once I got my spinal things moved pretty quickly.  Adler Weber Popejoy was born at 3:41 AM on Friday May 18th.  He weighed 8 lbs 11 oz and was 21 inches long.  He came out screaming and pooping and instantly made his Mama an emotional mess.  I hate being stuck on the table and missing everything that was going on.  My Nurse Deb yelled over the curtain that I had just given birth to Andre The Giant and that she was pretty sure he was going to wear a size 16 shoe.

They cleaned him up and gave me a peek before they headed off to the nursery.    I got back to my room at about 5:00 AM.  They brought me Adler and I was amazed that he looked EXACTLY like Asher.  He nursed for a good hour and then we cuddled until he had to go get his first bath.  I was too keyed up to sleep so I watched TV and waited for them to bring him back! 

Dr Austman came into my room and told me that there was no way he was going to come out and that I made the right decision.  She said that since his head was big it was just stuck and wouldn't come down far enough to cause me to dilate.  Poor lil guy had a huge cone head and both of his ears were completely folded down from being stuck down there.  Thankfully they've pretty much come out of it now :)  I hate that I had to make that decision but felt better about it after Dr A and the nurses all told me that a c-section was necessary.

It was a VERY long day/night but my Little Big Bubby was there safe :)

PS - My Nephew Kaden Ryan Popejoy was born later that day.  We have us a set of Birthday Boys :)

I'm Alive

But Barely.  I promise I'll sit down and tell you what happened with Adler's birth as soon as I can but I'll just tell you that I ended up with a c-section and can still barely move so the thought of spending time on the computer is just something I'm not ready for yet.  I felt bad for not posting anything so I just uploaded some photos to Facebook quick so that you can see my new little man HERE.  I'll be back as soon as I can.  Oh, and by the way..... my new little nephew Kaden Ryan was also born on Friday - we've got a couple of birthday boys and I can't wait to meet him :)

He's here!

Adler Weber Popejoy
May 18, 2012 @ 3:41 AM
8 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches

More to come when we get home!

Them Boys

Today is RJ and Tanner's Graduation parties - Stevie's is next week. I can't believe these boys are old enough to be done with school! I've always loved this song and think it kind of sums them up :)

The Sister's B-Day & Righter Mother's Day

Last Friday night Mom and Dad had a little party for The Sister's 22nd Birthday.  For some reason I totally forgot to get my camera out until it was almost time to go home.

But Sister didn't wanna have her picture taken anyway.

Asher did sing her Happy Birthday though.  He was in love with Aunt Sandy's puppy :)

On Saturday the ladies on my Mom's side met up in Bloomington for some Pre-Baby/Mother's Day pedis!  Then it was back to Towanda to have dinner at my Aunt Kristi's.

Brody kept himself entertained with a plastic tub.

While Asher played with Uncle Bob's vintage trucks and tractors!

I love that Asher gets to play with his cousins :)

Dad assumed his normal position on the couch.  However, this time he didn't even make it all the way through his piece of pie before he was out.

Mudda's Day

Asher made me this for "Mudda's Day"

And this at his sitter this week. 

 The boys took me out for breakfast Sunday morning then we did some work around the house.

 Dustin mowed the yard.

 And we finally trimmed the tree in the back - it was waaaay overdue.

So of course Asher had to get out his chainsaw and help too!

 My other sweet boy hung out in the yard.

 Asher rode his tricycle the wrong way.

 Then finally sat down and peddled all over the driveway.  I can't believe how big he's getting!

 The boys went and got the boat and cleaned it....again.

 While I admired the flowers that my Grandma Jane put together for me :)

 We went to Mom and Dad's to give Mom her gift.  Asher found that he was handy with a leaf blower.

 Then we took a swim.  This Mama felt sooooo good being weightless in the water!

He wouldn't get off of the step until Papa just picked him up and took him out with him.  Then he was all smiles!

And we tried to get a Mother's Day picture.  But this is how Asher felt about it.

This week in the blade under the "20 Years Ago - May 6, 1992" They had something that I had written in Kindergarden about my Mom that was published that day.

Tess Weber, Daughter of Randy and Lori Weber, said, "My Mom picks up all my toys and cleans the house.  If I had a lot of money, I would buy Mom some flowers because she already has a golf cart."

I guess not much has changed :)

39 Week Appointment

Weight Gain This Appointment: Lost 1 pound

Total so Far: 37 pounds

Belly Measurement: She didn't take it since I was "full term"

Brudder's Heart Rate: 140's
Progress:  I was almost completely thinned out but not dilated at all :(

What's Next:  I was for sure disappointed when she said I wasn't dilated but she said I was almost completely thinned out.  I asked her what that meant and she said that when I do dilate it will be "amazing."  Still not sure what that means.  She was also able to feel his head when she checked me so at least I know his head is down!  She said if nothing has happened by Friday to come down to the Gibson office and she'll check me again.  Then she said what are we gonna do if you're still pregnant next Monday (my due date).  I just stared at her and she said we didn't have to talk about it yet.  I know she was asking if I wanted to set a c-section date but I just can't do that yet.  Sooooo we'll just see what happens!

39 Weeks

How far along?: 39 Weeks


How big is baby?: Baby Center says about 7 lbs and 20 inches


Weight gain/loss?: 38 pounds at last appt - I go back to the Dr today to see what the damage is.


Stretch marks?: Nope


Maternity clothes?:  Every shirt  I have is too short.  I'm glad we only have a week or less to go.  I Hope.


Sleep?: It isn't all that bad.  I guess my bladder is just getting me ready for a lil one that will be up a few times a night!


Food cravings?:  No cravings really.  My eating has slowed down a lot.  Thank God.


Gender?: Another Brudder!


Movement?:  Still squirming around in there - although I wonder how he has the room!


Belly button?: You mean my third nipple? Yes, its out.


Friday I had some major cramps and lower back pain.  I thought for sure something was going to happen!  But after some sleep it was much better the next day.  I'm going to make sure she checks me today to see if anything is going on because this weekend is the first time I've really had a lot of Braxton Hicks and cramps.  And I'm pretty sure his head must be down now - I feel like I've got a bowling ball settled down in there! 

An "Oh Shit" Moment

On Sunday I took something into Brudder's room and just stood there.

I thought "Oh Shit" there is going to be a new person in this room in less than a week (I hope).

 Maybe it was the itty bitty diapers that fit in the palm of my hand.

 Or all those tiny shoes.

 Maybe it was seeing all of Asher's clothes hanging in the closet.

 But I think what hit me the hardest was taking Asher's name off of the wall.  It made me so sad that this wasn't his room anymore but I'm sure all of that sadness will disappear when his brother arrives.



And gets to come home.