An Unexpected Surprise

We welcomed Evelyn Joy into our arms on October 2, at 9:31am. She was 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 20.75 inches long.

Even though I haven't done this before, I feel like I should record her birth story. It was amazing and strange all at the same time. 

Tuesday was a busy day as usual. We ran errands in the morning, going to the bank, the BMV, the post office. I was on a mission to get all the loose ends tied up from the move before my planned induction on October 14. The Hubby was slowly making his way from Pennsylvania to North Dakota for work. It was a typical day.

Around 2pm, I started feeling really strange, sick, weird. I don't know how to describe it. My right leg was killing me. I could hardly walk. It was similar to sciatic pain except it never went away. I started getting hot flashes. And my stomach and mid back felt like they were on fire. I tried laying down, snacking a little, nothing worked. I picked up tacos and nachos for dinner because I thought that maybe I was just starving. 

By 7:30pm, I was totally miserable. I wasn't having any noticeable contractions, but I called my doctor's office anyway. The on-call doctor told me I should go to the hospital to be checked out. 

After a quick shower, my dad took me up to labor and delivery. They got me all hooked up. Evie's heartbeat was stable, and they weren't picking up any contractions either. Then, they checked me. I was 4cm dilated, 75% effaced and her head was at a 0 station. Obviously something was happening! The nurses were totally shocked. I think I overheard one of them saying, "Well, that changes things!" Ha.

So, I called Michael and told him he needed to get home ASAP. Fortunately, I caught him while he was still in Minnesota. But, unfortunately, there weren't any flights back to Chicago until 6am on Wednesday. He wanted to just drive back, but I couldn't let him do that. So, we kind of resigned ourselves to the possibility that he wouldn't make it in time. :(

Eventually, the nurses got the bands positioned properly and I was having contractions. They were about 9 minutes apart. Because I was just barely over 37 weeks, the on-call doctor basically said, "we'll just wait and see what happens." Over the next couple of hours, my contractions continued to be pretty far apart. Slowly but surely, I made some progress. My sister showed up around 2am and my dad left to go stay at my house with my other two sisters and the kids.

Around 4am, I got to 5/6 cm, 90% effaced. She had slipped back up so she was at a -2 station. I had gotten an epidural and was laying down trying to sleep til that point. Obviously this was not helping. So, I sat up to try to get something going. I could still move my legs pretty well so I scooted around and sat Indian style, hit some pressure points on my toes. I tried everything I could think of doing.

I was at 6.5cm by 5:30am. Transition is always weird for me. I won't make any more progress until my water breaks. So, around 6:30am, my doctor showed up, broke my water and started pitocin before he was off to do a c-section. 

Michael made his flight and landed in Chicago just after 7am. His taxi was very late picking him up. I was still at 6.5cm when he finally got on the road at 7:45am. 

By this point, I wasn't sure what was going on. I was anxious, and tired, and just wanted the whole labor process to be over. I had been at the hospital for 12 hours and it didn't feel like I had come very far. I was discouraged. But all I could do was sit and wait.

A little over an hour later, I started feeling strange again.  Michael was getting close to the hospital. So, I asked the nurses to check again. I was at 9.5cm dilated! I texted Michael and he had just gotten off the toll road. He was minutes away. The nurse called for my doctor and started prepping the room. 

At 9:15am, Michael walked in the room. He gave me the biggest hug and I started crying. I couldn't believe it. He made it! My sister left to go feed her baby at this point. My contractions were really strong now. I had to fight the urge to push. After my doctor got there (which felt like an eternity, but probably was only a few minutes in real time), we were ready to go. My next contraction hit, and out she came! I pulled her up right into my arms. 

Everything after this moment is kind of a blur. (I was sort of distracted because the placenta wasn't detaching. Not fun.) I do very clearly remember the moment they weighed her though. When the nurse called it out, I was dumbfounded. I'm not sure what I said exactly, but I'll bet it had some profanity. She was half a pound bigger than Logan, and she was two and a half weeks early!

Her birth was an awesome, amazing experience. It was like she was waiting for Michael to arrive. Once all the pieces were in place, BOOM! She was here! It really felt like a little miracle to me. 

She will be a week old tomorrow and it's already hard to imagine our family without her. The kids love her so much.

Today, I feel so very blessed. Thank you Lord for these precious gifts you have entrusted to Michael and I. They fill my heart with pure joy every single day.

Halfway There!

20 WEEKS! (As of last Sunday...)

I can hardly believe we're already halfway through this pregnancy. Other times, I look back over the last 5 months and wonder how it has only been 5 months. It's a funny thing, this concept of time. But, I digress...

This new little lady is an active one these days. I'm already feeling her moving around about 5 times a day. Of course, I don't know what I would expect since I first felt her moving at about 8 weeks... And, of course, she is her father's daughter. Those Herbert genes are strong little boogers. 

Chloe is so excited for her "big" sister. (No matter how many times I try to explain that SHE is the big sister, she still says it this way). She bangs on my belly to say hello, and puts her ear up close to my belly button to try to hear her. Sometimes, she tells me that the baby is crying. 

Logan doesn't really act all that interested yet. He usually just follows whatever Chloe is doing. I know he'll be great once she's born. He thinks he is Mister Independent :)

I'm at peace about whatever God is bringing our way with our littlest girl. I've talked to numerous friends that have had similar findings on their ultrasounds, and delivered perfectly healthy little babies. I can't say I'm not worrying. But, I'm not scared anymore; it isn't consuming me. 

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Prayers Please

So, I haven't had much time to think, or to fully process a lot of what has happened over the last few months. I'm just going to make a list of our prayer requests, and I can tell you more about them if you want to know.

Baby Girl.

We had our level II ultrasound yesterday. Everything looked great, totally normal and healthy. BUT, they did find an Echogenic Intracardiac Focus (EIF). Basically, baby girl has a small white spot on her heart that is thought to indicate small deposits of calcium. It has no impact on health or heart function. In fact, it normally disappears by the third trimester. But, it is a "soft indicator" of a possible chromosome problem like Down's Syndrome.

It is highly unlikely because there were no other abnormalities or indicators (on this, or any other ultrasound) and because I'm very young. Everything else that would indicate a potential problem was growing normally, even ahead of the standard size of babies at this gestational age. But, I can't help but worry.

[Side note: I really think that if the chances of there being something wrong are so slim, it is absolutely cruel to even mention it to a pregnant woman. In fact, there is a debate currently about whether it should be mentioned at all when there are no other indicators. But, alas, here I am.]

I could have the Quad 4 blood screening done, but I think that would make me worry more, honestly. All this test would do is give me a number as to how likely it is that the baby will have problems. I'd have to have more extensive and invasive tests done to confirm the initial screening, and I will not do those tests.

And, even beyond that, it isn't as though we would do anything differently with this pregnancy if we could know for sure if something was wrong. God has given us this baby for a reason. We are merely witnesses to His goodness. Whatever His will is, let it be done.

So... all of that to say, I don't know if I will get the screening done. I have to decide in the next week or so because it'll be too late after that. 

Either way, keep praying for a healthy baby!!

  

My Health.

After having heavy, unexplained bleeding for 3+ weeks (end of April-May), my doctor was only able to tell me inflammation and/or irritation are the cause. He believes it is unrelated to the baby. All of my tests have come back negative for any types of infections or diseases; but, my white blood cell count was high. He put me on a few different antibiotics. I finished those last Friday. But, I immediately started having the pain again.

This pain has come and gone over the last three years (at least). The best way I can describe it is, it's similar to the pain/pressure a 9 month pregnant woman would feel after walking around a store for an hour. Sometimes it isn't that bad, but it can also easily be debilitating. This pain happens when I'm pregnant, and when I'm not. And, it is now severely interfering with my ability to take care of my kids and myself.

I have a hunch it is somehow related to Celiac Disease. But, I haven't been able to confirm anything, or find any research that supports my hypothesis yet. My OB basically told me that my idea sounds plausible but he has no suggestions for me. I'm speechless, honestly.

I'm so entirely fed up with having unexplainable health problems, it's just inexplicable. I've spent my entire life fighting mystery health battles and I'm tired of it. Please pray we can find an answer!

Our House.

We have had a couple of showings. But, not a whole lot of traffic yet. I'm having a very hard time being patient. We, meaning mostly me, really need this stress to be gone. Please pray that God brings the right person through very soon. (Turns out, we have another showing today from 1:30-2:30pm!)

Meanwhile, there are still weird things that happen when I am at the house by myself. Like, candles will be out of place; or doors that are always left open will be shut; or many other little things that just make the hair on my arms stand on end. Thanks to my father-in-law, I have realized these things are probably orchestrated by the devil to raise my anxiety, to make me doubt. It doesn't mean that I feel safe, or ever will feel safe there. But, I do feel a little stronger through this realization.

Moving.

Along those lines, I'm not sure whether we will be moving sooner or later. I'm not happy with the health care quality I am receiving here. I really feel like I would get more answers being in Indiana, where I could be referred to Celiac specialists, if need be.

Additionally, I feel like I would be able to find more peace about our entire situation up there, as opposed to staying here. I could relax.

Ultimately, I know we want to live in God's peace, and follow His plan for us. I have no idea how to decipher that line, when my plan becomes primary and God's becomes secondary. I have no idea what it means to merge those two. But, I'm trying.

Trust. 

If there is anything I have gathered from the last few months, it's that God is teaching me trust. I feel like Job most days, battling a force much greater than myself. I am being tested. Every day, I am faced with situations or events where I must answer the question: "Do you trust me?" 

I don't know when enough will be enough. I don't know what part of my life or my attitude needs to change. But, I'm searching. I know that perseverance will pay off.

This is from today's Gospel reading. It spoke to me about much of our situation right now.

          Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have 

          mercy on me!”

          Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

          So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his 

          cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

          "What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

          The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

          "Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed 

          Jesus along the road.

           Mark 10: 48-52

We're calling and praying for healing -- physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally. We are faced with so many life-changing decisions and so many things that are completely out of our control right now... all we can do is pray.

God our Father, divine healer and protector, please send your Holy Spirit upon us now. If it is Your will, heal our precious unborn baby of any health problems. Bring us the strength to make it through the next twenty weeks of this pregnancy joyfully, come whatever may. Please heal my own body, Lord, from all that hurts and weakens it. Show us where we must go to find the answers we so desperately need to all of my health problems.

St. Joseph, foster-father of Jesus, I know you have heard my prayers about our house. I believe that together with Jesus, you are working to bring the right person through so that we may move on. Please give me the patience I need to not become frustrated in the process. Let me learn from your example how to trust in God. 

St. John Vianney, please watch over us and protect us. You know how terrifying these spiritual battles can be. Let me learn through your example how to confront these demons in strength, with Jesus and His angels behind me. 

"So do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Amen.

 

Nostalgia? Really?

Well, the work aspect of our house project journey is finally over. I feel strange, honestly. We've spent so long preparing for this moment, it's unbelievable that it's finally here.

I've chronicled much of this journey on my Facebook page, under the album The House Project. But, I wanted to take this moment to show the before and after pictures for each room. I recently read a book called The Year of Fog, by Michelle Richmond. The book is about the search for a little girl named Emma, as told through her soon-to-be step-mother's eyes. Abby, the step-mom, is a photographer by trade, and her reflections on the medium of photography and its capacity for truth really stuck with me. Here is one of my favorite lines:

Maybe that's one reason I'm drawn to the medium of photography. Unless a photo has been doctored, if something appears in a photo, it was really there. It's a version of history you can trust, even if it's just history as seen through one person's eyes. Despite the inevitable element of distortion, despite the difference between what the eye sees and what the camera records, a photograph is still evidence, a historical record, a frozen moment whose physical veracity is more accurate than memory.

THIS is why I have spent so much time taking pictures, cataloging our every step in this grand journey. It is so easy to forget where it all started, and all of the little steps in between. Because we did (almost) all of the work ourselves, it has been a slow process. We have lived step by step, piece by piece, watching our hard work come together.

But, I know that if I hadn't taken all of these photographs, I would have easily forgotten how far we have come. We have lived with so many of these changes for so long that it just seems like they have always been there. It is so easy to forget.

Anyway, I hope you get a kick out of these. I sure am just looking back through them.

The House Renovation: Master Suite

Here are the before and after pictures of our Master Suite. Starting with....

 

BATHROOM: BEFORE

 

 

Carpet... Eww...

Love Hubby's beer bottle sitting there.

 

This type of light fixture was in every bathroom. And, they almost started a fire. The decorative part around each bulb was actually made of plastic. So, almost all of them were melted in different spots.

 

BATHROOM: AFTER

 

 

Of course, this picture doesn't tell the whole story of how this shower came to be...Let's just say, it was broken two years ago. And, hubby was able to rip it apart, down to the studs, and rebuild it in just five days. Bursting hot water lines and all!

 

Cool decorative tile.

 

 

Finished! I love that shower curtain.

 

And... now for the Master Bedroom. Oh, this was a piece of work. And, it was the first thing we decided to tackle when we moved in. 

 

BEDROOM: BEFORE

 

Yes. That is teal wallpaper, with lime green carpet.

 

Close up!

 

The grand view.

BEDROOM: AFTER 

 

We replaced that nasty carpet with bamboo wood floors, which I love. And, I love the color of the baseboards.

And, I guess I didn't get a before picture of the nursery/closet room. It really just wasn't interesting. It was just white, except for the orange multi-colored carpet. Apparently, the lady before us had used it as a painting room.

 

 

We have used it as a nursery room/little play room. I remember painting those stripes on the wall when I was 5 months pregnant with Chloe. Crazy pregnancy hormones.

 

And, that's it for the Master Suite! 



The House Renovation: Kitchen

Ooohhh... the kitchen. This room was a piece of work. And it took me a few tries to finally settle on what I wanted to do with it. The inbetween pictures are on my facebook album, The House Project, if you're interested.

KITCHEN: BEFORE

 

 

 

It's hard to tell in these pictures, but that ceramic tile is actually a yellowish color. The cabinets are a teal color. And, those door pulls... I don't even know what to say about them.

 

I think taking that upper hutch down was the next project we took on after the Master Suite.

 

The dishwasher didn't work. So, that became our garbage spot for about 6 months until Hubby could put the new dishwasher in. I was the happiest pregnant lady EVER.

 

I was so excited!

 

KITCHEN: AFTER

 

 

Hutch is gone, new bar top and lights. I LOVE this.

 

Bar top! My Hubby has serious skills.

 New stove, microwave, sink, dishwasher, AND cabinet doors! My Dad made all of them for us. Amazing.

BLUE!


 

And, of course, the new TILE! We had white subway tile put in through the rest of the kitchen. And, highlighted this section with the cool gray/silver glass tiles.

 

 

Honestly, I think this is the room I am most proud of. It could be that the newness still hasn't worn off (the majority of it was finished right around Christmas). But, I think it has even more to do with all of the blood, sweat and tears I have poured into this room trying to figure out what would work best in here.

 

The transformation is just huge.





The House Renovation: The Game Room

Here is the finished Game Room! Even though this is one of our last projects to complete, it's one I really, really love. The outcome is just perfect, I think.

GAME ROOM: BEFORE

 

We loved the old wooden floor and the ceiling beams that were in this room. At one point, we believe this was actually the garage and one of the previous owners converted it into a livable space.

 

These beams are a beautiful, dark cherry color.

 

From the day we were moving in. At some point, we removed the doors closing this room off. It may or may not have had anything to do with the fact that they were broken during a party at our house... :)

 

GAME ROOM: AFTER

 

The wallpaper in this room was actually a type of grasscloth, which, after my experience in the dining room, I did NOT want to tear down again. 

 

It was actually in really good condition. So, I googled ways to paint over it, and found out that if you prime wallpaper with an oil based primer, you will seal it from the effects of moisture. So, that is exactly what we did!

I'm actually not a fan of wainscoating, especially when it is a wood color. So, we painted that white, and the walls this really pretty French Grey color. It really makes those ceiling beams pop!

Looking into the Kitchen and Dining rooms. I think the result is a perfect hang out room that can be kept as a game room, or used as a den.

 

We also had the floor sanded down and refinished to get a solid color throughout. It is beautiful now!

The House Renovation: Main Floor Bathrooms

Unlike the Master bathroom upstairs, the downstairs bathrooms were in pretty good shape. They mainly just needed a facelift. So, here is what we did!

 

HALL BATH: BEFORE

I really thought I had taken more pictures of some of these rooms. If I find any more later, I'll definitely add them.

 

This bathroom not only had carpet, but, a really ugly decorative gold wallpaper. It was pretty hideous.

 

HALL BATH: AFTER

 

We ripped the wallpaper down. And, I hand-textured and painted the walls a light brown color. We replaced the light fixtures, and the cabinet hardware.

 

Even though you can't tell from these pictures, we did tile the floor in a tile that is similar to the Master bath. All in all, it's a very neutral, inviting bathroom that works perfectly.

 

BACK BATH: BEFORE



Ha, again... I really thought I'd taken more pictures than this. But, the tile in this bathroom is actually a speckled blue tile. It had the same wallpaper as the Back Bedroom in here. And, a REALLY ugly mauve toilet. So...

 

 

BACK BATH: AFTER

 

We torn down the wallpaper, hand-textured the walls and painted them a really pretty lavender/silver color.

 

We also replaced the light fixture. Nothing fancy. But, at least it isn't a fire hazard anymore ;)

The House Renovation: Living & Dining Room

Honestly, these renovations were the most difficult ones we accomplished. They did take a while to do. But, I'm happy with the results.

DINING ROOM: BEFORE

 Looking into the Dining Room from the Kitchen area. Nasty carpet (it smelled like cat), dark green and blue grasscloth wallpaper, light pink wainscoating, and very interesting window treatments.

 

Close up of the wallpaper and window treatments. Pretty sure there were chickens or birds on the valances. It was strange. And, by strange, I really mean, it was a disaster.

 

 

Looking into the Kitchen from the Dining Room.

 

DINING ROOM: AFTER

 

New, simple window treatments, the grasscloth is gone. The wainscoating is white! We tore down that upper hutch, and it completely opened the room up. There is now a lot of light, and the space just feels huge. I love it.

Looking back toward the Kitchen and Game Room. It's almost like a Great Room, but they are still three distinct rooms.

 

 

LIVING ROOM: BEFORE

 

 

Dirty, blue fireplace, same nasty cat smelling carpet, ridiculous window treatments just like the Dining Room. It was a mess.

 

 

This built-in bookcase was a tough one to figure out what to do with it. Other than that, this room was pretty straightforward. There was only a small, although very ugly, border around it. So...

 

LIVING ROOM: AFTER

 

 

 

We painted the fireplace a normal color, like red; added a mantel (that my Dad also made); and, replaced the carpet with real bamboo wood floors. I figured out that the best way to deal with those funky shelves was to create a background that would distract from their oddness.

 

I just realized recently that I was painting these stripes when I was about 4 months pregnant with Logan. :)

 

New window treatments and some small bookcases made this a cozy little nook.

 

Because this room was so big, we decided to divide it up into an entertainment space and a seating space. So, this is the entertainment area.

 

Grand view.