Can't believe you're here now...

Tiny dream come true...

Sylvia Esther Popp joined our family on October 6 at 9:26 p.m. She was 7lbs. 12oz. and 19 3/4 inches long. Her daddy and I could not be more in love with this wonderful little baby that was formed inside of me. After a long wait, and a long labor, she's here and (in my unbiased opinion) she's perfect. :)
I still find myself saying to Brian, "I can't believe she's really here.", "I can't believe she's OUR daughter.", "I can't believe she grew inside of me.", or "I can't believe she came out of me, check out the size of her head!". It's a pretty surreal experience, but definitely the most exciting and blessed thing I have ever experienced.
At 4:30 in the morning on October 6, I woke up to contractions that seemed stronger than those I had previously had. However, for anyone who read my two previous blogs (which I deleted, due to the nonsense I was spouting!), you know that I had previously had around 60 hours of contractions already that lead no where. I wasn't going to get too excited. However, at 5:30 after a trip to the bathroom and realizing that the contractions were in fact getting stronger, I woke Brian up just to give him a heads up. It was not long after that when I told Brian to go ahead and call his mom and my mom, that this was the real thing. I got up and took a shower, and by the time I got out the contractions were strong. They were consistently 4-5 minutes apart and at least 1 minute long from the very beginning. Brian called the midwife just to let them know, and to get some advice as to when to come in. She said to give it a while and to call her back. Brian coached me through contraction after contraction, and made sure I was eating as much as I could, while I could. Our friend Amber came down and got Xzavier and watched him until Brian's mom got to our house around 10:00 and took over with Xzavier, so that we could really focus on the labor. My mom ran into three accidents on her way here, so she showed up rather anxious at around 1:30. At that point the contractions were very strong, and some were even reaching 2 minutes in length. We called our midwife, and she said to go ahead and come in. We got to the birthing center (which I would recommend to ANYONE!) around 2:15 and I was 7 centimeters dialated. I used their bathtub, and their expertise on labor positions, and by 5:00 I was fully dialated. This is when the fun began.
I started pushing at 5:30, and by 7:30, had not really made much progress on her grand entrance. I was getting very discouraged, and VERY worn out. I kept pushing and pushing, changing positions and the whole deal - and while she did come down some, she wasn't even crowning by 8:30. At this point I was exhausted. Completely. I've never worked so hard in my life as I did in labor. A call had to be made, she wasn't coming down, and she couldn't stay in there forever. To the hospital we went.
Unfortunately I opted for the ambulance instead of taking our car. The EMT in the ambulance had obviously never seen a woman in labor or something, because he just sat there and stared at me. And two or three times in the middle of contractions (that I was still pushing through) he asked if he could check to "make sure I wasn't having the baby." Wow. That was not the right thing for him to ask me in the middle of third stage, un-coached contractions.
In the back of my mind, I was thinking, I'll get to the hospital, and they'll make it stop! They'll make it go away!! Now! But, to my surprise, I got to the hospital, and they told me to push. I tried to explain to them that I was done, there was no more pushing in me - this baby was coming out without my assistance at this point. They didn't listen. And I'm glad now. I ended up with an episiotomy and she needed a little help coming down, but then there she was. Perfect.
Brian imediately took off his shirt so that she could be skin on skin when they handed her to him, and he brought her to me and laid her on my chest. That was the best, most relieving moment of my entire life. They stiched me up and got me taken care of - which I didn't even notice, because I was holding my baby girl! At that point I asked what I could take for pain, since she was out, and I hadn't had any medication for the labor.
It was the best day of my life. And while I haven't forgotten the labor, as some women say you do, I would do it all over again. She's incredible. And I can't believe she's here now.


Can’t believe you’re here now
Tiny dream come true
The answer to a prayer now
I’m so in love with you
Couldn’t wait to meet you
Hope you like your name
I get the funny feeling
Life will never be the same

Safe and sound
You’re here with me now
Like I hoped you’d be
Safe and sound
You’re here with me now
And that’s all I’ll ever need

The world’s a scary place here
But baby it’s alright
I’ll make sure the coast is clear
So you can just sleep tight
But if you’re afraid of monsters
Like everybody is
I’ll be right beside you
Closer than a kiss

Safe and sound
I’m here with you now
And you will always be
Safe and sound
I’m here with you now
And that’s all you’ll ever need

Someday I’m gonna teach you
The reason why we pray
So that heaven’s love may reach you
Every single day
So, baby close your eyes now
And say a prayer with me
Lord, I lay me down to sleep now
But I know I will be

Safe and sound
You’re here with us now
And we will always be
Safe and sound You’re here with us now
And that’s all we’ll ever, all we’ll ever need
You’re all we’ll ever need

-Matthew West

38 weeks, and the little old man

Just a quick update...  as promised we've got a belly pic from 38 weeks, and - as a bonus - a video of our little old man sleeping.

Long...sorry!

Ahhhh....where to start? Blogging has been few and far between because things have been so crazy, and we're gearing up for them to get even crazier!
Our sweet boy came to stay with us on September 3, and we've been kept on our toes ever since. I won't use his name in the blog due to some safety issues in this case - don't want anyone to be able to search out our blog! Anyway, he is so, so sweet and God has given us such an abundance of love for him. And God is absolutely blessing him to heal and grow! He came into the state's custody just three weeks ago, and at that time they placed him at a 4 month developmental level. (He's 15 months old) He had never rolled over, sat up, or interacted very much with any other people, and he weighed about 12 pounds. After three weeks of devoted love and attention, he is now 17 pounds 10 ounces, and I am watching him cruise around our coffee table! He has had a complete change in nutrition, but also I think that having love, attention, touch, and nurturing has aided his growth even more so.
Right now my head is spinning from all the appointments. Between meetings about the case, physical therapy, occupational therapy, weekly doctor's appointments, and the dentist we are on the run! (Secretly hoping the baby doesn't come until we get through all these initial evaluations!)
He has come so far, but also has so far to go. Physically he is catching up at an alarming rate. However, cognitively it is going to take more time. Overall I'd put him at about 7 months or so. He's not yet making distinct sounds, or playing with toys the way that most babies his age do - but we're hoping in time to get him more caught up in those areas too. Right now he has a ridiculous aversion to anything going into his mouth but his thumb or a bottle nipple. He's not ever had food before, and it's going to be a long road to get him to eat anything but Pediasure.
I know that in time, God is going to get him squared away. What a blessing it is that he was moved when he was - God surely has big plans for this little guy. It has been such a joy to be his parents, whatever God has in store, and to see him growing and changing so quickly!

Speaking of growing and changing quickly... enter ginormous belly. At my last appointment my midwife let us know that the baby has dropped, and is in perfect position for her soon to be grand entrance. I'm 38 weeks now...so any time! A belly picture will be soon to follow.

I have a few prayer requests, and we so appreciate any prayers - what a blessing they have been in our journey so far!
- Our baby boy's continued growth and development and wisdom to know how to help him.
- Wisdom and discernment for the workers on his case.
- God's peace, endurance, and strength as we enter into having two very small babies.
- And for our baby girl's introduction to this world!

Crazy

As some of you may already know, we accepted another foster placement this week.  To be honest, neither of us were really confident about it at first.  But all of the reasons that we would say "no" were of the comfort and convenience kind.  So here we are with a 15-month old boy... and he is precious!  It's been a great reminder that when God asks you to follow him, he doesn't expect (or desire) you to use your own strength.  Thank you to all of you have kept us in your prayers, it has been a great blessing.

                                                                                     

fun times.

On Saturday Mena, Cassandra, Jose, and Alondra came to visit and we had so much fun! Mena is getting so big, and has broadened her vocabulary - although half of it is in Spanish, so I can't tell when she is really talking.... They all seem to be doing well. I think that their relatives are pretty overwhelmed, and I know that they appreciate knowing they can call us. I feel so blessed that they are as receptive of us as they are. We were worn out by the end of the day. Mena wanted to be held the entire day, primarily by me, and at 36 weeks pregnant, I was exhausted! Anyway, I thought I'd post some pictures of the weekend!


Cassandra is VERY excited for the baby to come...36 weeks, not too long now!




Cassandra and Lauren at Kaleidescope

So Big!



Chutes and Ladders