"Birth Story"

Just after spring break, Miss LVB had her last follow up with the peri where we got the all clear. At that sonogram she had turned from transverse to breech. From then on I don't recall her ever being in a different position. Each visit the doctor would say that she still had time to flip and room to flip. We wouldn't worry until about 37 weeks.

Toward the end of school I knew we were running out of time (and room). Nick knows a family of chiropractors, and I knew the mom did lots of prenatal work. I had researched online and found that there was a chiropractic technique (the Webster method) that was supposed to be very successful in helping babies to turn. Luckily, she told us that she could help.

We waited until school was out, and got to work early the next week. Sweet Dr. Pam had us come over to her home. She adjusted me and sent us home with moxa. Moxa is an herb stick that you light and burn by your little toe. The stimulation is supposed to help baby to want to turn. This began our "birth story". For the next three weeks we went to Dr. Pam's many days. Most nights we sat out on the back porch and Nick "moxaed" my toes as we called it. We would listen to music and laugh and talk. Looking back it was such a special time for the two of us to have together focused on our new little life.

In addition to the moxa and the adjustments we tried everything else we could find on google. I did handstands in the pool (37 1/2 weeks pregnant, thank you), took baths almost nightly, applied cold packs up high and heat down low on my belly, did breech tilts, I only sat on the yoga ball, played music on my belly, spoks in a commanding voice saying to turn, etc.

Somewhere on this journey I came to grips with the fact that it might be God's plan for her to be breech and that His plan was greater than mine. Still, each doctor's appointment we were so hopeful, and the doctor would put the sonogram wand on my belly and there would be a head. I was so so sad. As my 38 week appointment approached we knew we were really running out of time.

Dr. Pam asked her chiropractor husband to help me as well. He helped to adjust me and then... I got accupuncture. I had already decided that I would ask him to do accupuncture on me if the doctor scheduled me for an induction. I did not want pitocin, so I thought if we could do accupuncture to stimulate labor maybe i could avoid it. At this point I knew we were scheduling a c-section in two days if she didn't turn. I was so surprised how unafraid I was of those needles. After all of that i knew something was different. I felt kicks under my ribs, which had never happened before.

I was hopeful once again. We went to the doctor that Wednesday and when he began the sonogram there was her head. Her feet had moved next to her face in the "frank breech" position. All our efforts did get her to move, but not to flip. Also, my fluid was decreasing and my placenta was showing age. The doctor said he would like to schedule a c-section for later in the week or early the next. It was already Wednesday! He said he would check the surgery schedule and we would make a plan. I was still so naive I thought he would call us later. Nope, he said that he was going to check while I got dressed.

He came back in and said that it looked like it would be Saturday. Surgery was very full on Friday, and he didn't feel comfortable with me going through the weekend. I lost it. I don't think I had ever cried in front of the doctor (after we left yes, but not in the office) he calmly handed me tissues and told me I would be fine and it was out of my control. Nick had reminded me several times that I could not leave that office with tears in my eyes because people leave there with real reasons to cry. So, I tried my hardest to dry it up before leaving.

As we left I didn't stop to make another appointment-instead I cancelled the one I had for the next week. I don't think the receptionist knew what to say, so she offered me formula. We got it in the car and I sobbed the entire way home. I did NOT want a c-section. I couldn't even call my mom or sister to tell them right away. When we got home we got right to work wrapping up our loose ends in order to be ready for Saturday!

We had done several errands and things on Monday, but there were still a lot of little things I hoped to accomplish. Thursday was spent doing more of the same. Of course one priority was a last snow cone date with the R's. Mom took care of some returns for me and a

Amy was going to do some last minute bow shopping. We continued to see Dr. Pam of course. On Friday I went and got a pedicure, Kristen came by and then mom came over. I was working on cradle bedding and Nick was working on his list as well. I had fallen a couple of weeks before and I realized that my arm was a lot more sore from than I thought, but I was able to get it done. Mom helped us finish up laundry and finish straightening her room and getting ready.

Nick and I went to Dr. Pam's one last time. She adjusted me and then asked how I was feeling about all of it. I started crying. She gave me a talk and told me the words that got me through-"your birth may not be perfect but your baby will be perfect." She told us to moxa one last time. To pray over and talk to the baby that night. She also gave us accutaks to put in my toes to try to help my body progress. She also prayed over us and told me if I wanted to try for a vbac in the future she would be there for me.

We got one last snowcone on our way home. We met Amy and Allen and the R's for dinner in Southlake. Amy, Raigen, and Rylan all took turns commanding this baby to turn. My favorite was Rylan saying turn Wydia. When Nick and I got home we kept on working. We made the door hanging for the hospital, decorated a clipboard for her nursing log, and finished packing our bags. Finally, it was time for one last moxa, one last bath, and bed. It was nearly two a.m. at that point. I was feeling so unsure of myself. I was so fearful I wouldn't know what to do with a baby. What if I didn't love her at first sight. Scared scared scared of the c-section. It was crazy intense, but none of that mattered because the next day I would be a momma.


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Sweet Showers!

We were so lucky to have friends and family who threw more showers for Miss L.

Nick's first group of alumnae basketball players, who were finishing up their sophomore year of college, hosted a shower in Westlake. It was so fun to get to visit and catch up with these families. I have spent many hours in the stands with all of these parents. The Flowers family opened up their beautiful home, and the theme was a book shower-Lydia got a great start to her library!


Senior class and state champions of 2010. Bailey, Kali, Brooke, and Olivia.



Baby food game. Nick tried and failed miserably at this one. I chose not to even try.



Diaper change game. Nick and I were a team, and had a great time. I until we were blown away by these two.



Something was apparently quite funny. Couldn't ask for sweeter cousins for Lydia than these two girls.



I had to include this picture. Love them both!

Once school was out we had another big shower. This one was hosted by Kristen, Amy, Kasi, and Mandi at Kristen's home. They included so many sweet and special details. We had friends and family travel from three states to be there. It meant so much to be surrounded by special people from all stages of my life as we prepared for the next big step.



Beautiful food table. This picture doesn't do the tablecloth justice. It was tulle with lights inside.



Mimosa bar-including "mockmosas" for the little momma. A pregnancy favorite of mine.



Beautiful mantle with fresh flowers and pennants.



My Raigen!



Ridglea and Rylan entertained as always.



Kam and Ridglea meet at last. Kam was born first, but Ridg was due first. These two have always had lots of similarities, and are about the same size even. Rylan loved playing with these two!



Nick's Muzzy, mom, and me.



All of Nick's family at the shower. Aunt Nikki, Grandma Muzzy, Mom Jodi, Aunt Twanda, 2nd cousin Alyssa, aunt Kasi, Rylan (no, he doesn't belong in this picture but he wanted to join in), cousin Briley, cousin Jade, and aunt Elaine. They traveled from near and far to be a part of this special day.

Although I have no pictures, the next Tuesday my life group threw a shower for myself and Deanna who is expecting a little boy a couple of weeks after our due date. It was a sweet evening focused on our new little lives that will be joining our families. After everyone's generosity we were more than prepared for Lydia to join us. Pretty sure she will be the best dressed baby around!