Mother's Day 2013

The best part of Mother's Day was that we were all home together!

 

We tried to take a few pictures before we left for Church, but the first picture is how Jackson felt about that.

 Sweet boy, so blessed to be his Mommy!

 We ran a few errands after Church because there was NO food in the house, did laundry, and then we laid low hanging out together.

We are so thankful for our moms and the love and time they have invested in our lives. 

Held In God's Hands

It all started like a normal Thursday night. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and went to the bathroom one last time hoping it will help me last until after midnight. I crawled in bed next to Brian. He prayed, and we gave each other a kiss goodnight. I woke up at 1 am, excited to make it until then. But, nothing after that was expected...

 

Brian woke up at 2am with what he thought was heartburn, put it proceeded that he needed to throw up, and after that he was not comfortable with his heart rate or rhythm. (Just fyi: I was trying to be a good wife by bringing him Tums, Pepto Bismol, and Sprite Zero and he wouldn't take any of it.)

He had me feel his heart, but really I am no help when it comes to anything medical. Shots scare me!

 

Brian decided it was necessary for me to take him somewhere. I threw on some sweatpants, sweatshirt, and rain boots- not the best foot gear for a hospital stay. Our neighbor came over quickly to stay with Jackson so we wouldn't have to wake him. We started driving towards Brian's hospital. Not even 4 blocks from our house Brian informs me he feels dizzy and may pass out. There was a fire station right on the corner,and I pulled in. I jumped out of the car and started banging on the doors and windows. After what seemed likes minutes, but was probably just 30 seconds, someone answered the door. I told them what was going on and people started running around. They got Brian in the ambulance and told me to follow them to the hospital. The driver said she wasn't going to use her lights but just drive fast. As soon as she hit the street, the lights came on. I think this was the only time I actually panicked because all I could imagine was them doing chest compression or shocking him in the back of the ambulance. On the short drive to the hospital I was praying for good doctors and wisdom for them to know what to do. (We weren't able to go down to Brian's hospital because they just needed to get him somewhere close.)

 

In the ambulance his heart went into SVT with his heart rate was sustaining over 200 beats a minute. Brian was still talking and seemed ok when they wheeled him into the emergency room. They gave him some medicine to stop to his heart and try and bring his heart rate down. The first dose didn't work and they gave him a higher dose. I did not watch this as I didn't want to see the monitor flat line. They ended up giving him a different medicine that seemed to control his heart rate a bit more. But, as it would go up he would have trouble breathing and his hold body felt like it was being squeezed by a blood pressure cuff. Then the ER nurse would come in and give him another dose of the medicine. This happened 2-3 times. The ER doctor was trying to get a hold of his cardiologist before determining his next step. Brian's heart was in afib rhythm and both the ER doctor and his cardiologist decided they needed to try to shock him back into a normal sinus rhythm. Again, I could not watch this procedure. The shock was successful and put him back into a sinus rhythm the doctor was happy with.

 

From there we waited to be transported to a room on the cardiac ICU floor. Brian felt way better and continued to improve through the day with more sleep and food. They kept him overnight for observation and to make sure his heart stayed in sinus rhythm.

We were surrounded with prayers, support, and love of our neighbors, friends, and family. I didn't have to worry about breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Visitors helped pass the time of sitting in the hospital. Jackson spent the night with my uncle and aunt, so thankful for how much they love him (us).

God had his hand in every part of this scary situation. For one, I was calm and felt peace the entire time Brian was in the ER and dealing with SVT and afib. Following the ambulance I prayed for good doctors and nursers and wisdom for them. One of the guys on the ambulance knew me from school, one of the ER nurses was a mom of a girl from Jackson's preschool, and another ER nurse was the wife of one of Brian's coworkers. God placed people in our path who were somewhat connected to us.

Everyone was worried about me going into labor. Happy to report I haven't yet! I knew I needed to eat and take care of myself for Brian and Lincoln.

We are waiting for Brian to be discharged. He will stay on some medicine that helps keep your heart from going back into afib and will follow up with his cardiologist and EP doctor in a month before he has another heart procedure. Please pray that his heart will stay in normal sinus rhythm.

Thank you to everyone who prayed and showered our family with love and support. Praise be to God for his provisions and protection over Brian!

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save you." Zephaniah 3:17

"So do not fear, 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

From the Mouth of Jackson

Every day conversations with this little guy keep you on your toes. Here a few more quotes from him I don't want to forget.

 

*He came running into the bathroom one morning, "Mom, you mad" I asked what did you do. Jackson replies, "Cut something but Dad can fix it."

*One night laying in bed with him, he looked at me and said "Jesus died on the cross because he didn't want to use his superpowers."

 

*"You're going to give me sugar before bed?" He questioned me when I asked if he wanted a piece of toast with cinnamon and sugar.

*In the car with Daddy, "Dad, turn up the radio so we can rock out!"

 

*"Well, what do you want me to have?" When he asks for snack #30 for the night.

 

*"If mom was here she wouldn't have let us forget. We need her." When Dad and him forgot his Awana vest.

*"Mom is the best mom. She even cooks us good meals some nights."

 

*"I just need to give Lincoln a good morning kiss." Before he kisses my belly

 

*"Gotcha" My favorite response when I ask him to do something.

 

*"Puzzles don't have erections just games." Of course he meant directions.

*Grandma said this sunshine is the best. Jackson responded, "Grandma, didn't you know that Jesus is the bestest?"

36 Weeks

Cravings: Fruit, cold water

 

Sleep: Hard to get comfortable, using bathroom 2-3 times a night

 

Symptoms: Crazy dreams, get full after half a meal, very tired

Movement: Lots and lots, feel lots of little feet in my ribs
 

Maternity clothes: Yes

 

Size of baby: Over 18 1/2 inches long, size of a crenshaw melon (whatever that might be:)

Gender: Boy; Lincoln Wayne

What I miss: Sleeping through the night, having energy

Best part of the week: Lincoln's room is complete

Looking forward to: Meeting Lincoln, so curious to know when he will come into the world

I am 3cm dilated and 50% thinned as of today!

 

Comparison picture

 

These flowers also brought a smile to my face today. Thankful for parents who appreciate all we do as teachers.

"Be still and know I am God." Psalm 46:10

Maternity Photos

This weekend we had my cousin's husband take some maternity/family photos for us. I love how a bunch of them turned out and was a bit disappointed that none of Jackson and me did. Oh, well!

 



LOVE, LOVE these ones of Brian and Jackson!

Thanks Jonathan for capturing life at 36 weeks pregnant. I know I will look back and smile at these often. 

More Fishing

Sunday morning we headed to Church together and enjoyed Newk's for lunch.

 We couldn't make up our minds for after but decided on some more fishing. Jackson was still set on catching a fish he could keep and eat. We tried a different park today.

It was a beautiful day! I took in every minute of the sun and watching Jackson fish. 

Jackson and Papa caught two small sunfish. We weren't able to keep them, but we did feed one to a big white Herring. Jackson thought that was just as cool!

Brian hooked a catfish and let Jackson help reel it in. 

We caught one we could keep!!

Jackson was completely entertained with casting, helping reel in the fish, and playing on the big rocks. 

Good thing I like fishing because I know we will be doing this a lot as our boys grow up!



Memorizing Scripture V2:9

Philippians 1:27a, "Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."

 

This is my daily prayer, that NO MATTER WHAT happens others would see Christ in me. I also want to model for Jackson how a Christ follower acts in different situations. I sometimes react before taking the situation to the Lord. This may be very humbling for me and I may need to ask forgiveness numerous times.