He Is Here! Safe and Sound!

Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Our precious baby boy is finally here and our life has been turned upside down. LOL!
Braden Thomas Sutton was born July 28, 2009 at 10:05 am at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, TN. He weighed 7lbs 13ozs and was 19.5 inches long. Form his nose up he looks like my side of the family and from the mouth down he is just like his daddy. (He has his daddy's adorable cheeks.)
Details of his birth:
I so wanted a natural delivery. Sounds weird, I know, but I actually was looking forward to labor pains. I knew that they would be painful but after all these years I just wanted to feel every aspect of his birth. However, it was not to be.
Beginning in my 34th week of pregnancy I began to have blood pressure trouble. The Specialist wanted me to go at least 38 and a half weeks because of the diabetes. I made it exactly 37 weeks. The blood pressure was beginning to get out of control and they were concerned for both me and the baby. When I went in for my appointment on a Monday, they told me that I would be having him the next day. I was in shock! We had moved a week or two before. (Actually Bobby and some of the men from the church did it while I was in the hospital due to BP trouble.) My house was not ready for a baby.
After examining me, the doctor told me that I would need a C-section. I was so bummed! She is very respected in her field as a fetal specialist and does not recommended C-sections, but told me he was too big for me and with my blood pressure, age, and diabetes it would be much safer on both me and the baby to deliver by C-section.
She is a christian and had been very respectful of my desire to have this pregnancy as natural as possible. I trusted her opinion fully and believe that God lead me to her, so I agreed. when it comes to the welfare of my child, I don't have to be a hero.
Bobby and I got permission for me to finish shopping for the baby provided I only go to two stores and ride the motorized shopping carts. (I had been on bed rest for quite a while.)
We decided just to enjoy the last day of our freedom!LOL! He took me to Logan's, and as we ate , we looked back on our marriage and how God had lead us and blessed us throughout. We had been to several countries, lived in some wonderful places, had an awesome adventure for two years in Alaska, met some of the most wonderful people, and been foster parents to some of the most awesome children in the world. Now God was blessing us with our "Forever" child. A child that we wouldn't have to give back after taking care of for months and falling deeply in love with them.
After Logan's, Bobby took me to Target. my motorized scooter died on me in the middle of the store! Bobby got me a wheelchair and wheeled me around the store. I was so embarrassed, but my dear hubby thought it was ridiculously funny.
We then went to Walmart. (It was not much better!) Bobby kept directing traffic and generally making sure everyone knew that a very pregnant woman was driving the scooter and then the dumb thing (Scooter, not Bobby.) went dead in the middle of the store! Just my luck! I had to sit in the middle of the row and wait on my wonderful hubby to go get another scooter.
When we got home I had high hopes of doing some serious cleaning, but I just collapsed on the couch. It was very hard to sleep that night. I kept imagining what the next day would be like.
It was exciting to think that after 15 years of marriage in a matter of hours we would be holding our forever child.
Would he have blond hair like me or brown like his daddy? (I had sneaking suspicion that it would be red like his grandmother!:P) What color eyes would he have. Did I do enough to help him be healthy and strong? Would I get to see him before he was taken to NICU?
It was almost a definite that he would have to go the NICK unit because of the diabetes and his early arrival. Also we opted not to do the tests for Down's or other defects and with or older age, I was so worried for Braden.
What if he had Down's and we died, who would take care of him? Would he be loved and raised like we would have done for him? Needless to say, it was a very emotional night!
I don't even remember going to sleep, but I woke early the next morning.

(To be continued ...)

Peek A Boo!

God Knows Just What We Need!

I am so thankful for my "Peaceful" Thursday!
God knew that I would need it.
Friday I had to wake up early for an appointment at the Health Department.
I was having trouble breathing, my vision was very blurred, and I felt swollen.
When the nurse weighed me I had gained 8 lbs since my Specialist appointment a week before.
So I asked her to check my blood pressure. (They can't treat me, only check for me.)
It was much higher than usual.
I decided to pray about it and let it go, but things got worse during the day so I called my doctor just to see if it was something to be concerned about. She told me to come as soon as I could.
Bobby made the 50 minute trip in 35 minutes! LOL!
We had to wait when we got there. So after an hour they brought me back for an ultra sound. (I forgot say that Braden was not moving.)
The tech told me that because I had been unable to eat that she was sure he would fail the test, but not to be too worried they'd try to get something down me and try again.
She is one that has been with us through the beginning of this pregnancy and knew about our struggles.
I held my breath. This is a high risk place and anytime I have an ultrasound it is not for fun, but to make sure Braden is doing ok.
He looked like he was spazzing. I was concerned. She laughed. He had the hiccups! LOL!
She smiled real big and said she could already tell he was gonna pass the Bio-Phi test with flying colors!
Then the little stinker put his hand over his eyes as if to say, "Hey, who turned the lights on!" It was so cute and she got a picture of that.
Afterward the lady just started opening up to us about some things she had seen and we were just in astonishment. I think she was having a hectic day and needed a shoulder. Us being ministers we are morally and legally bound to keep confidence. We left that room feeling so much better than when we came.
I had to wait after the for the nurse to weigh me and do my BP again. While waiting, Bobby realized I had miscalculated my weight gain from the health department. Instead of 8lbs I had gained 6lbs in a week, still not good.
When the nurse weighed me we found out that the HD scales and the DR scales where off by 2lbs. So I only gained 4 lbs that week. Which is not great but not too far off for what I am going through. (The weight concern is for fluid retention, a sign of preclampsia)
My BP was still high, but I had people praying.
By the time I finally got to see the NP, we had gotten to know a couple of new people and when she checked my BP, it had went down a good bit.
The NP thinks that I am under too much stress and prescribed rest and relaxation. I can deal with that!
So today I am still having some of the same symptoms, but I feel better knowing that Braden is doing well.
Things could have been so different. I am so glad that God knew what I needed before I did.
Please keep praying that my BP will go back down. It is way too early for Braden to come now!

Just A Nice Day

Today Bro. Sutton needed to spend the whole day in Nashville. He won't be home until after 10 to night. It was one of those days when he didn't "need" me with him.
So I decided to go yard selling and see some friends.
It started raining at the first yard sale so I just went to see some friends.
I had a wonderful time!
Braden was kicking and we were laughing that he was like his daddy and wanted to be included in the conversation. LOL!
I enjoyed the rain. It was so peaceful. The temp. was in the 60's. Just a nice day.
I have felt such peace today.

PS. The poll was Bobby's idea! LOL!

Week At A Glance!

Why anyone would care, I do not know! LOL!

Monday - Went to Pelham Valley's Fundraiser for camp.
Walked in on someone while they were in the bathroom. (Please just don't ask.)
My belly fell into my BBQ and sauce got on my blouse.
A fly flew in my food and died.
We left!

Tuesday - Hit my 3rd Trimester!
Went to breastfeeding class by myself because Bobby refused to go! Ha!
I was the smallest one there! ( Everyone was about a month ahead of me!LOL!)

Wednesday - Sick, Sick, Sick! Some kind of baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad virus!

Thursday - Doctor's Appointment. Braden is now 3 lbs. A little big for 6 months, but they aren't
concerned.
Need to relieve stress. (Yeah right!)

Friday - Can't remember.

Saturday - I washed all bedding in hot, hot water! Cleaned and sanitized everything I could to
get rid of the virus!

Sunday - My feet have officially swollen past my shoe size. I now have blisters on my feet and I
am so exhausted! Today I feel very pregnant and Brady is stomping on my bladder.
"Calgon, take me away!"

Monday - We'll see ...............

Breastfeeding

Pumps -- Suggestions?
Is used ones of craigslist sanitary?

Psalm 91

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.