Libby is definitely coming tomorrow. How weird is that? I know exactly when my daughter will come into the world. If I don't go into natural labor (chances are slim) by the morning, Libby will be delivered via C-section at 11:30 tomorrow morning.
My resolution to not be disappointed about having a C-section has been hard to keep. I just read my friend's blog about birthing her daughter and I felt a twinge of envy. It's hard to keep reminding myself that this does not make me less of a woman. That, in my situation, this is what's best for my daughter. That I tried my absolute best to avoid the procedure, but there were other plans.
We tried pretty much everything to induce labor. Walking and swimming everyday for hours, eating spicy food, squatting, doing lunges, Chinese food, etc... Maybe I should have scrubbed the kitchen floor...
Hmmmm. Where did I put that bucket?
Today after my pre-op appointment (blood work, meeting the anesthesiologist, getting a physical and answering medical history questions) I took Harrison to get some lunch and we had a picnic at the park. It was so much fun running (yes, the picture of pregnant me running is pretty funny) around and playing with Harrison in the beautiful weather. We stayed out for a couple of hours and until it was time to go home and take a nap. On the way back to the house we discussed what was going to happen when Mommy goes to the hospital.
Harrison's eyes widened when we spoke about Libby and her arrival. His brow furrowed when I told him that I would have to stay in the hospital for a while. His mouth turned from pout to smile when I told him he would sleepover at Grandma's his first night without Mommy. After much discussion, Harrison confirmed that he was ready to be a big brother, that he would be alright while Mommy was away, and that he was excited for tomorrow to come.
Tonight at dinner, Matt commented that it was a bit sad that this was our last night as the three Combers, and it was definitely bittersweet. The end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Our family commencement.
Libby, we are so excited to meet you. Safe travels tomorrow. You are loved, and we are blessed.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Revelation
I was listening to a sermon in church today and I realized something. If I keep harping on the fact that I probably won't experience the birth the way I want, Libby's life would start out as an unmet expectation. I refuse to let my daughter's life to be met with disappointment with the situation. I'm giving it up to God, He knows my daughter better than anyone ever will, He's in full control over my daughter's life and how she will come into the world. I'm letting this go.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Harrison's Day (by MJC)
Since yesterday was Katy's due date (8-8-08), and the baby didn't come, it was her day. My mom took us out for lunch at Nudy's, we went shopping for last minute things at Babies R Us, we relaxed, and we ate dinner and watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics with my parents.
Today was Harrison's day. We started with "grilled cheese" crackers in bed (normally a definite no-no given the crumb factor), then went out to the park to play ball, play on the jungle gym, and take a walk (also a mission to induce labor). We went out to lunch at Isaac's (complete with Harrison's favorites-- from pickles to cookies). We came home and went swimming at the pool, took a nap, had dinner, and went for a walk in town and stayed out late eating ice cream. He is now sleeping as we watch the Olympics.
On the way to the park, Harrison randomly blurted out, "I like Santa better."
Katy and I looked at each other. "Better than whom, Harrison?"
"I like Santa better than God," he said.
We were shocked at this. First of all, it was very random. Second, we hoped his love for Santa really didn't outweigh a love for God. We talked about it with him, and told him why God is so much better than Santa because "God made Santa. Santa wouldn't be around if it wasn't for God." I think Harrison either understood that, or realized we didn't like his initial sentiments. After a little back-and-forth from Harrison, he finally revoked his previous statement by saying "I like God. He is my BEST friend!" Katy and I, while hoping we didn't force Harrison to say something insincere about God, hope he grows to love God more than anything else, including Santa.
All in all, both days were good family days and fun for all of us. Supposedly, tomorrow is my day. I wonder what that will involve?
Today was Harrison's day. We started with "grilled cheese" crackers in bed (normally a definite no-no given the crumb factor), then went out to the park to play ball, play on the jungle gym, and take a walk (also a mission to induce labor). We went out to lunch at Isaac's (complete with Harrison's favorites-- from pickles to cookies). We came home and went swimming at the pool, took a nap, had dinner, and went for a walk in town and stayed out late eating ice cream. He is now sleeping as we watch the Olympics.
On the way to the park, Harrison randomly blurted out, "I like Santa better."
Katy and I looked at each other. "Better than whom, Harrison?"
"I like Santa better than God," he said.
We were shocked at this. First of all, it was very random. Second, we hoped his love for Santa really didn't outweigh a love for God. We talked about it with him, and told him why God is so much better than Santa because "God made Santa. Santa wouldn't be around if it wasn't for God." I think Harrison either understood that, or realized we didn't like his initial sentiments. After a little back-and-forth from Harrison, he finally revoked his previous statement by saying "I like God. He is my BEST friend!" Katy and I, while hoping we didn't force Harrison to say something insincere about God, hope he grows to love God more than anything else, including Santa.
All in all, both days were good family days and fun for all of us. Supposedly, tomorrow is my day. I wonder what that will involve?
Friday, August 8, 2008
The gift of time
My doctor gave me more time to go into labor! I'm excited about the opportunity and the extra time to have the experience, but I was kind of attached to the idea of meeting lil Libby today. So it might be today, might be tomorrow, but if not, they will schedule my C-section for Tuesday.
I need a nap!
I need a nap!
Kicked out of bed...
Libby has been pretty routine. I know when she'll be the most active, especially at night. For the past two weeks she starts to wake me up between 4:00 and 4:30. She wakes me up at other times too, but when I get up at 4:30 to stretch and use the bathroom it is difficult for me to go back to sleep.
Last night Harrison crawled into bed with us in the middle of the night. He must know that something is up because Harrison is usually a pretty sound sleeper. When I got up, I walked around a bit and looked at the bed. There he was, sprawled out in a position similar to when he slept with us as a newborn. Hands over head, snoring lightly, knees out and feet together. He's much bigger now so I had to move him in order to get back in bed, and for half an hour, just as I did when he was new, I watch his eyelids flutter as he dreamed, listened to his breathing, and felt his heartbeat close to mine. He is my first born. He is my heart. And his little world is about to be rocked.
Libby must have felt me paying attention to her brother b/c she began kicking like no other. The spell broke and I remembered the little things I need to get done before my doctor's appointment today, so I got out of bed, did some laundry and decided that this moment needed to be documented. At 8:30 today, my doctor will tell me my options. Will this be the day my little one makes her debut?
Last night Harrison crawled into bed with us in the middle of the night. He must know that something is up because Harrison is usually a pretty sound sleeper. When I got up, I walked around a bit and looked at the bed. There he was, sprawled out in a position similar to when he slept with us as a newborn. Hands over head, snoring lightly, knees out and feet together. He's much bigger now so I had to move him in order to get back in bed, and for half an hour, just as I did when he was new, I watch his eyelids flutter as he dreamed, listened to his breathing, and felt his heartbeat close to mine. He is my first born. He is my heart. And his little world is about to be rocked.
Libby must have felt me paying attention to her brother b/c she began kicking like no other. The spell broke and I remembered the little things I need to get done before my doctor's appointment today, so I got out of bed, did some laundry and decided that this moment needed to be documented. At 8:30 today, my doctor will tell me my options. Will this be the day my little one makes her debut?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Waiting...
Well, I had my ultrasound yesterday. Libby grew from being in the 45th percentile to the 75th percentile in one month's time! Her head measured 41 weeks large while her body measured approx. 39 weeks and 6 days. She's already 8 pounds 9 ounces, and I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that my chances of a V-BAC are slim.
Harrison was 9 pounds 1 ounce and he was too big for me to deliver, so with Libby so close to her brother's weight already, I'm thinking that I need to start praying for either a miracle birth or just a safe delivery via C-section. Either way, all I really want is a healthy child.
With everyone praying for me and encouraging me, I feel so supported. However, I can't help but think that I would be letting other people down or some of my friends and family members wouldn't understand my decision if I opt for going for the C-section instead of attempting a risky V-BAC with the high chance of needing a "C" during labor and delivery.
My hope is that the decision will become clear when the time is right.
Gotta go; I have a LOT of thinking and praying to do.
Love,
Katy
Harrison was 9 pounds 1 ounce and he was too big for me to deliver, so with Libby so close to her brother's weight already, I'm thinking that I need to start praying for either a miracle birth or just a safe delivery via C-section. Either way, all I really want is a healthy child.
With everyone praying for me and encouraging me, I feel so supported. However, I can't help but think that I would be letting other people down or some of my friends and family members wouldn't understand my decision if I opt for going for the C-section instead of attempting a risky V-BAC with the high chance of needing a "C" during labor and delivery.
My hope is that the decision will become clear when the time is right.
Gotta go; I have a LOT of thinking and praying to do.
Love,
Katy
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Food Critic (by MJC)
Harrison could be so many things when he grows up, and we discussed this today with him, and he told us that he is going to play baseball. When we asked him what Libby will do when she grows up, he said that she is going to watch him play baseball. Well, I can honestly see that he already has a natural pitching arm and the tall lanky build that lends to being a major league pitcher. And he has a love for the game. I saw that when he stayed out and played whiffle ball with my brothers and me for nearly a full hour without losing interest. And he was our batting practice pitcher. Not bad for a 3 year old.
But as I think about it, it is amazing how much potential this little guy has and I wonder what his future holds for him every day. He could be a doctor, and has shown that he loves to make us all feel better playing doctor and checking our hearts and temperatures and blood pressure and giving us shots. He even told us with great certainty that Libby is coming Thursday after giving Mommy and Libby a check-up. He could be a writer with his wild imagination and amazing love of story telling. Not to mention the crazy dreams he has, which must be a hereditary gift from his mother.
He could be a pilot, a teacher, a mechanic, a journalist, the president of the US, a chef....anything really. That just amazes me-- how much I long for the day he finds out what he wants to be. I'm still figuring that out. I am sure my parents didn't watch me playing in the house developing insurance exams. But when I was young I don't know if I ever believed I could do great things. I think Harrison does. And I believe he can.
But the latest of his talents was revealed today at the dinner table. Food Critic. Tonight must have been a blue moon, as I made dinner. And it wasn't breakfast for dinner. I wanted to make the breast of chicken that I had bought a few nights back. The thought of grilled marinated chicken sounded amazing to me. So I came up with a marinade out of the little ingredients we had available. Soy sauce, garlic, a splash of A-1 sauce, and fresh pineapple. I have to say I feel that I executed it well, and Katy did a great job with the frozen chicken fried rice and the fresh broccoli, and I knew we were in for a treat. I just hoped that Harrison liked the marinade. As he grabbed the pineapple slices off the serving plate and put them in his mouth still hot, I figured he would probably like the flavor of the pineapple.
He ate a few pineapple pieces, and then took a bite of the chicken before Katy and I had a chance to sit down or serve ourselves. And out came a very enthusiastic comment. "Daddy, you are the best cooker I ever saw!" I never felt so proud. A 3 year old food critic loved my meal. My ego swelled and I thought that maybe I should even go into business with my brother Shane, a chef at a little place in New Hope, Esca. And then I came back to the real world.
We ate and the meal was good. Harrison shared the same sentiment to his mother for making the broccoli and fried rice. "Mommy, your the best cooker, too!" He said, and Katy and I agreed that sharing that title wasn't a bad thing when you are the parents of a 3 year old. But it just goes to show you that Harrison has so much more real good food to experience to have! As he does, maybe his talent will make him a great food critic. For now, I'll take my one good review and quit while I'm ahead for a little while.
*disclaimer- I wrote this blog in the dark at 10:30 at night, exhausted, and without my glasses. Please forgive any misspellings, poor grammar, or typos. But let this be a tribute to my dedication to this blog and capturing the great moments my family shares.
But as I think about it, it is amazing how much potential this little guy has and I wonder what his future holds for him every day. He could be a doctor, and has shown that he loves to make us all feel better playing doctor and checking our hearts and temperatures and blood pressure and giving us shots. He even told us with great certainty that Libby is coming Thursday after giving Mommy and Libby a check-up. He could be a writer with his wild imagination and amazing love of story telling. Not to mention the crazy dreams he has, which must be a hereditary gift from his mother.
He could be a pilot, a teacher, a mechanic, a journalist, the president of the US, a chef....anything really. That just amazes me-- how much I long for the day he finds out what he wants to be. I'm still figuring that out. I am sure my parents didn't watch me playing in the house developing insurance exams. But when I was young I don't know if I ever believed I could do great things. I think Harrison does. And I believe he can.
But the latest of his talents was revealed today at the dinner table. Food Critic. Tonight must have been a blue moon, as I made dinner. And it wasn't breakfast for dinner. I wanted to make the breast of chicken that I had bought a few nights back. The thought of grilled marinated chicken sounded amazing to me. So I came up with a marinade out of the little ingredients we had available. Soy sauce, garlic, a splash of A-1 sauce, and fresh pineapple. I have to say I feel that I executed it well, and Katy did a great job with the frozen chicken fried rice and the fresh broccoli, and I knew we were in for a treat. I just hoped that Harrison liked the marinade. As he grabbed the pineapple slices off the serving plate and put them in his mouth still hot, I figured he would probably like the flavor of the pineapple.
He ate a few pineapple pieces, and then took a bite of the chicken before Katy and I had a chance to sit down or serve ourselves. And out came a very enthusiastic comment. "Daddy, you are the best cooker I ever saw!" I never felt so proud. A 3 year old food critic loved my meal. My ego swelled and I thought that maybe I should even go into business with my brother Shane, a chef at a little place in New Hope, Esca. And then I came back to the real world.
We ate and the meal was good. Harrison shared the same sentiment to his mother for making the broccoli and fried rice. "Mommy, your the best cooker, too!" He said, and Katy and I agreed that sharing that title wasn't a bad thing when you are the parents of a 3 year old. But it just goes to show you that Harrison has so much more real good food to experience to have! As he does, maybe his talent will make him a great food critic. For now, I'll take my one good review and quit while I'm ahead for a little while.
*disclaimer- I wrote this blog in the dark at 10:30 at night, exhausted, and without my glasses. Please forgive any misspellings, poor grammar, or typos. But let this be a tribute to my dedication to this blog and capturing the great moments my family shares.
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