The End

Man, I am behind on this blog!  Things have been so crazy and hectic, and, now, we're finally here at the end.  I wanted to update this blog so I wouldn't forget any details before we start the next chapter!  :)

36 Weeks, 3 Days at the Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw Concert in Charlotte, NC

 So, at my 36 week appointment, the doctor informed me that they would take Bristol by c-section on my due date, July 19th, if she hadn't already come on her own.  If I went into labor before July 19th, then I could try the VBAC.  This was upsetting news because I didn't feel like we were giving baby girl enough time to come on her own.  I wanted to wait until at least 41 weeks before we did a c-section.  The doctors did not want to induce me, though, due to an increased chance of uterine rupture.  

37 Weeks

When I went to my 37 week appointment, I was all prepared to argue and fight with the doctors about taking Bristol by c-section on my due date.  I was ready to fight tooth and nail to wait until 41 weeks.  However, I got the bad news that stopped the debate before it could even  really start.  The doctors finally received my records from Alaska.  My previous c-section surgery was done with a single suture versus a double suture.  The hospital I will be delivering Bristol at will not let a patient with this type of suture have a VBAC due to an increased chance of uterine rupture.  In addition to this policy, there is not an anesthesiologist on duty at all times since this is a smaller hospital.  It would take about 30 minutes for this specialist to arrive at the hospital if he/she was needed.  Since there is an increased chance of uterine rupture with VBACs, the lack of an on-duty anesthesiologists is risky. 

 I was devastated when I heard this news.  All I wanted to do was cry.  I can't believe I went 37 weeks believing that I would be able to try a vaginal delivery.  When I went home and did my own Google research, it seemed that the chances of uterine rupture were only a slight bit higher with the single suture.  It seemed that the suture argument was just an excuse for some doctors and hospitals to use so they do not have to do a VBAC.  This research only made this news harder to take...probably why you shouldn't Google anything medical!  I also kept thinking about the anesthesiologist thing.  If I would have stayed in California to have this baby, I probably could have had my VBAC due to being in a much larger hospital.  However, I certainly would not have had the amount of help that I have here.  Ahhhh, trade-offs! 

I am still having a really hard time with this news, but it is what it is.  I was seriously pissed off about this and did not want to hear any of the good reasons why having a c-section wasn't so bad.  However, one of the good reasons that does make me (and Michael) smile is that I will have the prettiest and most pristine vagina in the world since no babies will have ever barreled out of it!!!  Hahaha!  This is something good since my husband will be home from a long deployment relatively shortly after having this baby.  I have a friend that I had to wait several months before she was good to go down there after her vaginal delivery. On this note, I will be discussing birth control with the doctor ASAP!  No Irish twins here, please!  

38 Weeks

At my last appointment, 38 weeks, I found out that I will definitely be having my baby on July 12th.  Since this will be a scheduled c-section, they do not want me to go into labor naturally.  This will cause stress on baby and me.  My doctors do planned surgeries on Thursdays, which, coincidentally falls exactly on the day I turn 39 weeks.  39 weeks is also an optimal time to take the baby out of the mother because the baby is supposedly fully developed, not too big, and ready to go.

For four days prior to my appointment, I had been having very severe menstrual-like cramps.  These were so bad that I almost called the doctor to find out if I needed to go to the hospital!  When the doctor checked my cervix, the baby's head was right there!!  My cervix had not opened or dilated at all, though.  The doctor said that we would still go with the c-section on the 12th, or if I went into labor before then and was really far along, like 8 or 9 cm dilated, we would proceed with a VBAC (if my uterus was going to rupture, it would have already ruptured by then).  If I was only 1 or 2 cm dilated, we would do a c-section.  The doc said that the reason I was cramping so badly was due to the baby getting settled into my pelvis. 

K. Family Reunion

One of the reasons Joey and I were so excited to be at my parent's house for the summer was because they were hosting a family reunion at their house!  I love the K. reunions.  My family has spread out all over the country and the world.  3/4 of my family has served in the military.  Every single branch is represented by my family.  Unfortunately, we never have every single K. at these reunions due to deployments, along with other things.  Therefore, it's nice to go to the reunions because you never know who you'll see and when you may see them again.  

We had 60 people, yes, 60, at my parent's house for 5 days!  Most of the family actually camped on the property.  This was also when North Carolina was breaking some heat records.  Oh, did I mention that my parent's A/C is going out, aka. doesn't really work that well?  Yeah, fun times.   

This heat did not bring us down, especially not Joey.  He had a blast!  So many new people to play with!   

Every morning, Joey woke up and yelled for "Kids, kids!".  He was in kid heaven!  I think he lived in a swimsuit during this week.   

We had two birthdays to celebrate during the reunion...one of them NOT being Joeys.  However, he did not want to hear any of that nonsense.  Notice how he is helping out his second cousin blow out her candles.  I'm thinking that we will only have one celebration for birthday number 3.  

It was a great reunion and so good to see a lot of our family.  It was really cool to see all the young kids bond up like I did with my cousins when I was their age.  *Insert the 'Circle of Life' song here*  Wow.  I watch way too many kid movies now.  

36, 37

Grandpa

Joey's other B.F.F. is his Grandpa or "Papa" as Joey refers to him.  Since my Dad is retired, he gets to spend all day, most days with Joey.     

We have a huge family reunion coming up, so my Dad has been super busy getting the house in tip top shape.  This has exposed Joey to several new activities!

We all know what a little copycat Joey is, so he loves to follow my Dad around!   

Whether it's helping with chores, or jamming out to some classic rock! 

Joey has had some serious separation anxiety with me, but now he has been having it with my Dad, too!  I'm not sure what Joey (or my Dad) is going to do when he has to go back to California.

But as Grandpa puts it "I'm not going to think about it yet, and just enjoy the time I am getting to spend with Joey now."  

Dog Days

Joey has a new best friend.  Her name is Lola and she is a black ball of fur!  My parents are keeping my sister's black lab while she is finishing school.

Joey is in L.O.V.E. with Lola.  He hugs her! 

He feeds her...lots!  I think Lola has gained 10 pounds since we got here.  However, all of these extra treats are probably part of the reason Lola puts up with Joey's harassment!  

One of Joey's (and Lola's) favorite part of the day is rock/stick throwing at the pond.  Joey loves to throw things into the water and Lola loves to swim and retrieve!  A perfect pair!  

Since we don't have our pooches anymore, I am glad that Joey is having this time with a four-legged friend.

Thanks, Tia, for letting your nephew spoil your little girl rotten!  :)