3 weeks and 2 days ago!

Kenna Christine Cox arrived in our arms Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 2:18pm.  And it was quite an entrance!  

For those who may not know, we had planned to have Kenna delivered at home with our midwife, who had taken care of all our prenatal appointments.  We had made this decision for several reasons including safety, being able to make our own decisions for our baby, and for financial reasons due to our insurance coverage.  So here is the story!

Thursday, September 23:  

I began to feel the heavy cramping I had been told to expect before contractions on Thursday night between 8-9pm.  Caleb was gone to any activity for work, so I was home with Dad and Cindy, who had arrived to help on Sept. 17th.  I didn't alert them to anything and waited for Caleb to get home.  We watched TV for a while, but I soon headed to bed to try to get as much rest as possible.  I woke up about 2am to definite contractions that I began to time.  Around 4:30, I woke up Caleb and told him I wanted to get in the shower because my back was hurting so bad.  Caleb jumped up and began to get some things ready for me to be comfortable.  I then sat in the rocking chair in Kenna's nursery and just worked through each contraction.  The contractions began to subside around 7am.  They never progressed to closer than about 8 mins apart, never up to 1 minute long.  We decided they must have been false labor and we continued about our day.  

Friday, September 24: 

I don't remember having any contractions during the day at all.  So, I sent Caleb off to his softball game and hung out at the house with Dad and Cindy again for the evening.  I didn't say much when I began feeling contractions. (Can you tell I didn't want them to go into a frenzy!?)  Caleb got home around 10pm and I told him things had started up again.  We prepared to be up possibly all night and settled in on the couch to watch movies and see how things would progress.  As we learned in our birth classes, it was likely my first set of contractions would be false labor and/or a long time of irregular contractions before it was "the real thing."  Even if this was thing real thing this time, the first stage of labor could last 12-24 hours.  The closest I got to calling our midwife that night because of the timing of the contractions was about 6 mins apart, averaging 45 secs long.  Again, no reason to panic!  That night we did get some things ready like the bed and the birthing pool, which we were going to use during transition.  I spend all night on the rocking chair, just trying to get comfortable between contractions.  It is definitely true what they say, lying down on your back, or for me on my side as well, is the most painful position to be in while having contractions.  

Saturday, September 25:

Again, at approximately 6:30am, the contractions subsided to basically nothing.  I called our midwife around 8am and she decided it was time to come over and check things out.  She came to check if I was dialated, the baby's heart rate, and her position.  Upon arrival, the midwife discovered the baby's heartbeat was strong, I was about 3 cm, but was shocked to discover she was in a breach position.  She quickly called the other midwife who was going to assist her with my birth to come verify.  We talked and prayed about what we would do if that was truly the case and what our options would be.  This was really difficult as I really was afraid of facing things within the American medical model that we were not comfortable with and did not want to put our newborn through.  The possibility of a C-section was also unnerving!  Of course, I was also just really disappointed that our plan may not go the way we had wanted it to, within the comforts of home.  When the second midwife arrived, she did the exam and thought the baby had flipped to the proper position, head down.  Praise God!!

Because we had hardly slept, our midwife recommended we take a long nap, then left us with some homeopathic meds to help speed things up.

She left around 11am, and I laid down to take a nap.  Just as I drifted off to sleep, I had a very strong contraction, and my water broke!  That was about 12:30pm Saturday afternoon.  Therefore, no more sleep for me!!  I was ready to go!  I called the midwife to give her the update and started taking the homeopathics, along with the other vitamins I had been taking to assist in a healthy birth.  Well, the natural induction meds definitely helped!!  We got comfortable, watched some good old college football, and I continued to labor through the afternoon.  Things still did not progress as fast as the midwives had assumed, so by 5pm, she sent us out for some fresh air, a drive and just a change of scenery!  We sure needed that!

We decided to go to Chik-fil-a for some sweet tea!  As we were getting there, I thought of our chiropractor, Dr. Joe, who I worked for the first year we were on this side of Denver.  All week he had said, "Call when you are in labor if you need anything!"  He lives about 4 miles from where we were, so I called him up.  The timing couldn't be more perfect, as he answered the phone, I saw his car drive by.  He quickly pulled over and we met up in the parking lot of the shopping center.  I think that will be the only time Caleb and I are adjusted outside, in the middle of the parking lot!

So we headed back home to continue the homeopathic regiment and call the midwife.  She decided to come over about 8pm and help work towards a delivery.  By 11:30, my contractions progressed to 3 minutes apart, but where barely hitting more than 45-60 seconds.

Sunday, September 26:

Around midnight, the midwife called her assistant to come, as I had also reached 6 cm.  From midnight to 6:00am, we tried everything to move the baby further down.  Again, by 6am the contractions had slowed and were barely hitting 30 seconds.  At that point, we were beginning to be concerned that it was getting to long since my water had broken.  Health regulations allow for about 24 hours.  We decided by 7am to go ahead and go to the hospital because something was just holding things up from progressing.  By this day, I was also 11 days over due.  So, I showered and grabbed a few things and headed to the hospital with Caleb in our car and the midwives in theirs.  

Upon arrival, I was admitted under the conclusion of maternal exhaustion and lack of progression complicated by my water being broken the day before.  I was hyper sensitive to the things I knew weren't good for me or the hospital staff was going to restrict me from doing.  For example, I had to go to the bathroom as soon as we got there (Obviously!) and they wouldn't let me!!  I had to fill out the paperwork (no, Caleb could not do it for me!) and walk all the way to my room before I could go!  Then I was hooked up to the monitors and IVs right away, causing me to be in a lounging position on the bed, making contractions far more painful than they needed to be.  Every time I tried to sit up more to be in a better position, I bumped the monitor which messed up the print out of the baby's heart beat.

We saw the doctor shortly before noon.  She checked everything out and decided that there was still a water sac between the cervix and the baby's head, keeping her from dropping.  So.... she grabbed this plastic instrument (similar to a crochet needle I assume) and tried to break my water!  When that didn't work..... she decided it was time to get an ultrasound machine.  (This is something I thought they would have done first!)  The ultrasound revealed...... BREACH!  There was no water sack, the doctor was poking my baby's bum!  

Within one hour, I was in the OR being prepped for a C-section!  It was a whirl wind trip!  The surgery began at about 2:15 and Kenna Christine was born at 2:18pm!  As soon as she was out, one of the nurses told Caleb he could look.  He stood up and snapped a picture and I could just see in his face that he lit up!  He was a Daddy!  Kenna was crying and screaming right away and I saw them carry her to the nursery basket and begin to clean her up.  I could tell she was full and rolly!!!  When Caleb brought her over for me to see, she had blue eyes and tons of dark hair!  Caleb soon wheeled her out to the nursery to announce her arrival and help clean her up on the nursery.  I was very pleased that not once did they take her away from either of us.  Caleb was able to stay with her the whole time! It still took them about 45 mins to close me up.  I remember lying on the table trying so hard to not fall asleep.  I'm pretty sure I did though because it seemed to only take 10 mins.  Most of the rest of the day was a blur.  I hadn't slept in three days, it took a long time to get the feeling back down to my toes.  I still felt weak in the arms when I held Kenna on our hospital room for a few hours.  We had guests come and go most of the night and before I knew it, the three of us were alone for the night.  

Due to the surgery, we were in the hospital until Wednesday afternoon.  For my first experience ever staying in a hospital, especially in the US, it was a great experience!  The staff were so helpful and I left with a ton of information!  It was great to have the additional care and food.  My mom had also arrived on Sunday, a few hours after Kenna was born, so it was great to have her there for the dirty work ;)  

I think we have adjusted well to being at home together.  One week from Thursday, we are flying to Texas to see Caleb's family!!  We are so excited!!  There are so many other details and things that have just changed us over these last few weeks!  But this is long enough.....  I will share more at a later time :)

Over the next few months, I hope to introduce all of you to our precious girl as we travel between Texas and Saskatchewan!

39 weeks!

So, today marks one week.  I am home tonight to study for my Junior test at work.  Friday morning to will take a test which will constitute a promotion and raise when I get back from maternity leave.  This will be nice to recover from several weeks off with no pay, although..... I don't know.... God will provide!  He always does!
So for the update:

Some Braxton- Hicks
No real contractions
Baby K's head is very low but she still needs to line up front and center
No pain other than some ligament stuff
No really changes...........

That's all okay with me.  I will be praying for labor to begin on the 16th/17th.  Please pray for a safe and healthy delivery, healthy baby and confident parents!  :)

Back to studying.......

10 days and counting.... REALLY!?!

So I have decided it is time to resurrect the good ol' BLOG! I'm still not convinced very many people will read it, but I guess I'll have to have some faith in that and just waiting and see. I guess at this point, at least I will have some grandparents and relatives who will tune in for some updates on "Baby K" when she arrives and begins to grow before our eyes (instead of in my belly)!
I have to admit: I read so many great blogs, some too good (A.Mc.), that I have been a little intimidated to return to this attempt at being whitty, insightful and entertaining. At this point, I know that most of the entertainment in our lives is going to come from our precious baby girl, so it really doesn't matter what I think :)
Yes, it's true! Baby K is suppose to make her big entrance in 10 days. Although I know it's unlikely it will be within that 24 hour period, I am ready for her whenever she is!! There is a lot to prepare but some days I feel like the most important preparation is mental. It's just so hard to imagine what it will be like when she is here and we get to take care of her every day! Caleb and I are excited about the adventure God has in store for us, but I know it will also be one of the most difficult things we will ever do together.
Despite the embarrassment, here is a little peek at just how much I have changed in this process. This is a picture of my mother and sister-in laws sharing the day at the Baby Shower the church hosted for me here in Boulder.

It's Official!

So I think it's slightly ironic that on July 3rd I received my permanent resident card! Just in time for everyone to probably give me a hard time about that on "America's the best country in the world!" Day! (Please know me well enough to know that was completely sarcastic.) These last 11 months this process has been on my mind. The paperwork was terrible, the wait was horrible, the interview was really no biggie at all, and now I have the card. I don't feel any different of course. The card is so intricate that I now understand why it cost $1400!! Maybe if half that cost didn't go towards the printing of that piece of plastic, it would be more affordable for all us illegal immigrants to become legal!!!

Now, I wait..... AGAIN! Wait til we get on our feet enough to think about going back to Canada for a visit. I have missed Regina and all it's fine people, the few special ones that live in Winnipeg and just plain Saskatchewan spring and summer a lot lately! A few weddings and anniversaries have past already this summer..... making me realize YOU PEOPLE SHOULD ALL HAVE FACEBOOK! I've tried to call a few.... TIM, YOUR PHONE NUMBER DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE! It's weird how much the realization that life has gone on without me is more than that.... life will continue to go on without me. So instead of crying and saulking about this (which I do on occasion), I have challenged myself to be a better friend! I am going to have to perfect this character flaw or time will only separate me more.

For those of you who have known me most of my life, you know how much this pains me. To JO, TK. DE, CE, LA, TR, JS, TB and all your spouses and parents, if/as I continue to fail at this attempt, please forgive me. I love you all and miss you terribly. My failed attempt to remain a dear friend has cost me this last year. (Strangely, probably the second hardest year I have ever experienced.) The past 29 years (almost) will always mark your deep importance and role in my life and time will never lessen that! I hope to same is true for you!

So as I look ahead to the life God has brought me, it does bring mixed emotions, honestly. I am so blessed by my husband, his family, and those who have impacted my life already in the last 11 months. He is my best friend, my partner in ministry, the one I dream with. I believe I have the best of both worlds here in Colorado; the weather and the relative distance to SK and TX. But I will always long for the simple life of Canada! I think this is evident in what I did this morning when I woke up to this 4th of July! I MADE PUFFED WHEAT CAKE AND NANAIMO BARS! HAHAHA

As I wait

I am sitting in a random church parking lot, waiting for my husband with nothing but my iPhone to keep me occupied. If you have seen an iPhone before, u will know this is not hard. I am waiting for him because our car overheated on the way home from work. Our car overheated bc the secondary fan is not working. The fan is not working bc we hit a very large dog last night. Like 100 lbs. This being our second injured or dead animal accident in three months. It was slightly numerous listening to the insurance claims lady go over the process of taking our car in and getting a rental after going through five rental cars in the two months it took to get the deer accident fixed. Alas, my prince is here. Off for now!

Job Searching

For myself, I continued to look for an Admissions job. Due to being restricted by my visa, this is the only option for me at this point. I had an interview at Missouri Baptist University, then just a few weeks ago, another one at LU near my house. After the Director called me back from MBU and told me they had hired someone internal, Caleb and I just had to believe that God was not sending a job my way because we were not going to be staying in St. Louis.
Caleb's job search was accelerated early in January when Southeast CofC in Aurora, CO called to schedule a phone interview. Before the end of January, we had plane tickets in hand for the two of us to fly out there for a weekend long interview. I will skip all the details of the LLLOOONNNGGG interview process but we can back from CO Feb. 11th just waiting to see what God was going to bring because we really had no idea.
Within the last few days of February, Caleb and I made our decision. The job at Southeast was offered to him and we decided to accepted. We needed it to be then so I could give sufficient notice to my landlady and hope to not incur more cost that we couldn't afford. With many tears and sadness, we told DPcC that we would be leaving at the end of March for a new ministry opportunity.
We are excited and so grateful for what God is providing through this opportunity. It's going to be a hard few weeks. I ask for prayers from anyone who might read this as we prepare to leave teens and families that have been impacted greatly by Caleb's work over the last 15 months. There will be new challenges and frustrations as they learn to continue to grow and become who God wants them to be without the direct care or guidance from a youth minister. Maybe I will share some of their stories later, but for now I need to get upstairs to see how "my kids" are doing with their schoolwork :) I'll leave you with this picture. (click on title of this blog) We are so thankful to God for these moments that we have been able to share with teens these last few weeks. There is a peace that our work here is truly fruitful and finished.

January's GIANT leap of faith

I hit up work at SBC for a few more days after we got back from Texas. We had to head back to Oklahoma for New Years weekend for Evan and Laura's wedding, so it was a quick turn around. To put it mildly, it was to worse week of employment I have ever had in my life (yes, worse than working at Roots!). That weekend to almost got to the point that I had a panic attack on Sunday at church, just at the thought of going back there on Wednesday. Caleb and I talked about it al the way to Mark and Darci's in OKC that day. He was an amazing support! I could not have asked for a better fiance who understood me and the situation. So, I called SBC on New Years Eve and told them I would be quitting and coming to pick up my stuff when I got back into town. And that's how it worked. I walked in, packed up my desk and was escorted out. 10 of the most uncomfortable minutes of my life!
We had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew I could no longer function working there. It was affecting my sleep, appetite, and joy for life!
Caleb was gone to NCYM that week, so I woke up every morning searching craigslist and wracking my brain as to how I was going to make some money. That week a couple answered my ad on craigslist and purchased my car. I cancelled all other unnecessary expenses and just prayed that God would take care of us! It sure was an interesting time.
Late one night, I answered an ad on Craigslist for a family who was looking for a "mother's assistant." I didn't really think much of it because there are several of those, but when I emailed the lady, I just really felt like I needed to be open and honest with her about my situation. She had expressed in the ad that she was looking for someone who feared God, loved children, and was flexible. I thought, "Sure!" So the next morning, she emailed me back and we connected immediately. Caleb and I went to first meet the Biermann's one Tuesday night and it's been a close and meaningful relationship ever since. Tom and Kristi have four kids at home. Three of them are adopted from Belarus where they were born and living in an orphanage 50 miles from the site of the Chernobyl blast. Kristi homeschools the kids at this point, but was struggling because she suffers from fibromyalgia. This family's need was a Godsend for me because it has basically allowed me to cover my bills and expenses for these last two months.