Wesley's Birth Story

Just for the record, my sister and sis-in-law have recently posted their kiddo's birth stories to each of their blogs, I'm not really doing this because I thought it was the cool thing to do, more so because I'm afraid I'm beginning to forget details to what was the best day of my life to date. So therefore I'm going to post this now, because my writing things are in boxes somewhere in Virginia, so that I have it for the future. And also, some who may read this may not know or understand all of the craziness of Wesley's birth week.

Ah, and another disclaimer, I'm the worst story teller EVER! :) ENJOY!

It was a cool, dark night...

Okay, no, really:

I'll start from the beginning.

Not THAT beginning, but the part when things started going awry.

Towards the beginning of my third trimester, when I was going to the OB every 2 weeks, I noticed a significant gain of around 20 lbs in just 2 weeks time. I new I hadn't changed my diet, but when my Dr. didn't mention anything I thought nothing of it really...just felt really crappy about my lack of self control when it came to the sweets! A couple of visits later the midwife in my Dr's office noticed that my blood pressure was creeping up at each visit. At that point I had been doing some research on preeclampsia and noticed that there were many signs pointing to that being the problem, so I asked her what her thoughts were. I remember her saying "Well, Dr. D noticed a significant weight gain at your last appointment so we're watching it, but no protein has showed up in any of your samples". So that's what we were waiting on...protein in my samples. (I choose the word sample because anything more gives me the willies! :) I think you all know WHAT samples I'm referencing!)

At that point they were telling me that I needed to stay off of my feet and take it as easy as possible. Do everything I could to keep my blood pressure down...but what I couldn't talk about at the time was the stress put on me by the possibility that Derek would be leaving mere days before Wesley was born! I'm sure that you've seen the posts of all of my struggles during that time. Struggles with trusting God and patience, and contentment with whatever was to happen. So needless to say, my blood pressure stayed high throughout the rest of my pregnancy. So much so that at times that were genuinely concerned about my health.

The Sunday prior to delivery I was in the hospital for monitoring and the Dr. on call, Dr. Kang, told me that if I was his patient he would probably have tried to induce me that day! But God wasn't finished testing my patience yet!! Over that weekend I had a few tests done, including a 24 hour sample. When the results came back we were told that I was far away from preeclampsia, but my platelet count was low, therefore, if I did go into labor my chances of bleeding to death were higher because I wouldn't be able to clot. Naturally when I told Derek of the situation it scared him.

We spent the rest of that day on pins and needles while waiting to hear from his superiors on the boat whether or not they were able to allow him to stay behind, because the boat was scheduled to leave the next day. Finally that evening we found out that they were going to let him stay because my health was so at risk. Well, the next morning came and I went in to my Dr. for more monitoring and while I was there I found out that the results that we got the day before were all wrong!!! My platelets weren't low, they were right where they should be, and although I was still not considered preeclamptic, I was borderline. At that point we had found out that the boat was not going to leave that day, so Derek had to call in and let them know that things weren't as dire as we were led to believe. (Just for the record, we were misinformed and believe that it was no fault of Dr. Kang's. I don't want to make him sound like he's clueless. I'm pretty certain HE was misinformed himself)

After that phone call I spent much of that day in tears, staying as close to Derek as I could because I just knew that this was God's answer. Derek was leaving the next day and there was nothing we could do about it. But there was one thing I left out of the equation. A Christian captain with a heart for family and a passion for legacy. Captain Roger Isom. He gets NO credit for working things out, but he gets so much thanks for allowing God to use him in a HUGE way. That night Derek was asked to call Capt. Isom to discuss what we were going to do. The boat was DEFINITELY leaving the next day, with or without him, that was up to Capt. Derek talked for a while, very respectfully and very honestly. He let the Capt. know that yes, there were other options. My mom could be there in a matter of hours and stay with me for a while, and we had close friends that would look out for me, but he felt like as a scared husband, almost father, he needed to be there with me. I'm not sure when he decided it, but at some point the Captain informed Derek that he respected his decision and that he would see him in 3 days. That was the time period we were given, whether Wesley was born in that time or not, we had 3 days!!

Now it's almost 1 so I have to finish this tomorrow. I know the suspense is killing you already!

Fourth Of July and the days since....

First let me say how amazing my husband is in that for the second year in a row he made sure that I was in Moncks Corner for the 4th!!! He knows how much I love Moncks Corner festivities over that weekend and does what he can to work it out so I don't miss it, and this year was no disappointment! So here are some pictures from that weekend:


We got to see Amy, Mike and Walter! Unfortunately I have no pictures of Amy! :(


Cute picture of Walter and Wesley! :)


We played cards (spoons) while waiting for the fireworks. It's what we do, and I love it! Really, Craig sucks at that game! :) (I say that because he barely beat me, but he only won by stealing the spoons from my hand!)


Rita got a hold of my camera


Also I took funny pictures of Rita! :)

The next day Derek, Wesley, and I packed up to head to Norfolk. We stayed with Derek's past and future XO (not to be called XO in the future, but boss none the less)and his wife, Jessica. When we got there, there was a Gymboree box on the bed with a gift for our little man. 3 shirts, one pair of shorts, and what has quickly become Wesley's favorite new toy...his "lovey" "taggy" or "towel" whatever we feel like calling it on any given day.






Such a sweet boy!!! I LOVE HIM!

After we successfully found a house to rent when we move to Norfolk (Viginia Beach)

(more on that later)
We headed up to Chantilly to visit our long lost and much missed friends Jon and Jill and their wonderful kiddos (when Miles isn't kicking Wesley in the head! lol only kidding Jill) Kaitlyn and Miles.


Jill finally got to get her hands on Wesley! and I could barely pry them off! :)


I just think this picture is TOO sweet!


this one too!

We also made our regular trip to Chuck E. Cheese while we were there..."for the kids" or so said Jon and Derek...Mainly, the dads wanted to play! But regaurdless, Wesley got to ride the merry go round for the first time!!!


After a short stay with them we headed back to Moncks Corner as a rest stop on our way home. Wesley gave his grandaddy a snuggle for his birthday present.

Doesn't my daddy have beautiful eyes?! :)

And now here we are, back at home and resting before our next big trip, on Saturday! We're very excited to be flying out before dawn on Saturday to go visit with Derek's family for a little under a week! I'm looking forward to spending time with all of his family and extended family, and I can't wait to hear Gram sing her Tony Tiger song to little Wesley. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I'll blog about that soon!

Also something I'm looking forward to...my second nephew is going to be born VERY soon!! See you soon little Nathan! :) And shortly after that, neice-y Iva comes!! I love family, and the fact that it's growing by leaps and bounds on all sides!

Bathtime Cutie

Penguins and Bumbos

Wesley's Uncle Roy gave him a toy penguin and we played with it for the first time yesterday. He LOVED it!





And today was his first time sitting in his bumbo seat. What a big boy!





Also, welcome to storytime with Wesley:

Welcome home Daddy!!

Wesley wearing Derek's outfit from when he was a baby.



Getting my laughs out now since I'll have to punish him one day for this...but for now it just makes me giggle.


Talking to the clothes in his closet


DADDY! (Please note the HUGE smile on my husband's face!)








We went to go pick up the car and it had a flat:

So we sat in the car and Derek held Wesley for the first time in 2 months in the deployed parking lot!

and they both loved it!


And daddy read him a book before bed


and he loved that too


There is no doubt that Wesley completely remembered his daddy's voice. Last night we sat on the couch, Wesley in my lap, Derek next to us. And every time that Derek would look at Wesley he would just laugh and talk and talk to him. It was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. I never doubted that Wesley would remember him. We made sure that he would with a cd of Derek reading "Tiny Bear's Bible" that I played for him often. But I never expected such a sweet response from Wesley. He missed his daddy and is SO glad that he's home again, to stay this time! (and so am I!)

You will not be missed...

Of course I'm not talking of anything but this submarine!



I can actually honestly say that I have enjoyed being a part of the Wyoming Gold Crew Wardroom Wives for the past almost 2 years. The women have been a huge part of my life and sometimes the only way that I could make it through each patrol.



But Wyoming, as good as you've been, you will not be missed. Because for the next 2+ years Derek and I will spend the most time together that we have EVER had, and I can't WAIT!



So here's a fond farewell to you SSBN 742, the USS Wyoming!

Believe it or not, Derek is somewhere in this picture with Wesley and I. He was driving the boat, I think, at least he was on the bridge anyhow. So here's the first picture of the 3 of us. Tomorrow we'll get one more up close with Daddy in there too!



(and here's a video that Kristy made with my camera)

2 month check up

Well, my baby is definitely getting BIG quick! Today we went to the dr. and he's up from 9lbs 10oz to 12lbs. and up from 21 inches to 24.5! Crazy, right?