Baby Abbott, your Birth Story

Dear Abbott,

You surprised us all by coming at 36 weeks. Not that we weren't expecting you to be early, we just had no idea when you would actually come! You had put mommy on bed rest for close to 14 weeks and for the most part we were expecting you to come at any point throughout the whole thing. I sometimes don't think I will ever be able to forget all of the details surrounding your entrance into the world, just like I felt with your big sister Laurelei. Everything about you and that day was perfect in every single way.

 I went into the doctor on September 19th, just like I had every week for the past few weeks. They hooked me up to the monitor and started watching your heart rate and my contractions. It was no surprise to anyone that I was having contractions still around 5 minutes apart. Most of them didn't hurt to bad, but they were strong and steady as they had been for the past few weeks. As always, you were such a champ. Your heart beat was strong and steady. I was sure the doctor would just send us home to wait patiently for another week. Dr. Slone came in to check on us and was surprised when I was making a little more progress than she had hoped, as I was already 3+ centimeters along. That news, plus a few returning symptoms of the abruption was enough to send you and me back over to the hospital for the 3rd time this month! The only difference was, Dr. Slone said I wouldn't get to leave this time without a baby! I immediately texted daddy and Gigi and we all got very excited. You would be here in 24 hours, we just couldn't believe it!

When we got to the hospital we only had a tentative plan of action. Dr. Slone was very careful throughout the whole pregnancy not to make any big decisions to quickly. She told me we would watch you and my contractions over night, beginning to help me along with some pitocin at 1:00am if I needed it. Well, you were determined to come because I kept making progress on my own and it scared her enough to wait to give me any help until the morning. Dr. Slone really wanted to be there for you and me when you were born, and I am glad she made the decisions that she did! She came back to see up at 8:30 on Tuesday morning, the 20th. It was then that my water broke and within seconds the contractions were less than a minute apart! Daddy didn't even have time to brush his teeth until the wonderful anesthesiologist came in at 10:30 to save us all! We were already up to 7 centimeters and if she hadn't been on time, I think I might have missed the epidural. I don't think any of us would have enjoyed that too terribly much. By 11:00am I was already up to 9cm and had to text your daddy who was still in the waiting room to hurry back, because we were going to have a baby very, very soon! Around 11:30 we were 9.5 and Dr. Slone was back to bring you into the world. I was so anxious and excited and beyond ready to meet you! I loved you so much already and I hadn't even seen you yet. I knew you would be perfect.

Things started to get a little scary after that. You weren't handling all the stress and swiftness of the labor so well. Around 11:00 you had started to go into distress and your heart rate dropped. By the time we were ready to deliver Dr. Slone decided it was better to take us to the OR for a C-section, but you mister were having none of that. You forced her to change her mind again when she realized we were out of time and at that very minute we had to bring you into the world. Your daddy held my hand, the nurses talked me through it, and Dr. Slone did what she had to do to make sure you came that very minute at 11:53am. The few seconds your cord was wrapped around your neck were the longest seconds of my life. I watched you and prayed for you to cry and take your first breath. When you cried out to us for the first time my heart jumped for joy. Daddy and I were over the moon.

You surprised us all again by weighing in at a healthy 6lbs 10oz! We are so thankful for Dr. Slone, who went above and beyond to bring both you and Laurelei into the world safely. She watched over you like a hawk from day one and took such good care of us. I am not sure that with anyone else in the delivery room we would have had the same outcome. I just know God put her in all of our lives.

Mommy was able to hold you for a few minutes before they whisked you away. Being early meant you had a few things they needed to check out. You had some fluid in your lungs and trouble breathing. My heart sank in the recovery room as you and daddy spent time in the nursery without me. I wanted to see you so very badly!

 You weren't able to come back to us that night until around 6:30pm. We were so excited when they wheeled you in! Daddy and I had everyone leave the room for a little while so we could have you all to ourselves. I fed you and cuddled you and everything seemed right in the world. You still whine, wheeze and grunt when you breathe right now, but we know that in time it will all work itself out. Just like your sister you are still perfect in every way.

You had many visitors that day who mostly had to see you through the nursery window. Gigi and Poppy, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Dana, Papaw and Ginger, Uncle Harry and Jackson, Aunt Kathy, Mamaw and PaPaw, Jess and Jarod, and of course your big sister Laurelei! I am probably forgetting someone as you were so well loved even before you were born!

I hope that as you grow you never forget how much we love you. As much as we loved you the day you were born we will love you more and more every single day of your life. Daddy and I are so blessed to have you and Laurelei. Our family is complete. I am forever grateful.

Love,
Mommy

her baby Abbott

Laurelei took one look at Abbott and claimed him as hers.

 

 She had to unwrap him and check out every tiny feature. She counted all of his fingers and all of his toes. She kissed and hugged him over and over again.

When we finally got home she just stared at him for awhile. 

When she was ready to hold him again she sang him all the songs she could think of. Including her ABC's over and over again. 

When I feed him she wants to be right next to me. When he cries, her first response is always "Mommy, I think hims needs me."

She has camped her stool out next to his changing table, seeing as how

she must help with every single diaper change.

Laurelei has learned where we keep all of Abbott's toys already. She loves to get out his toys and his play mat and help him 'play.' She gets a little frustrated sometimes when he won't hold the toys, which you can imagine happens quite a bit.

There has definitely been some adjusting to our new life around here. Laurelei has struggled a little bit with sleeping through the night this week. Luckily, she can't quite put her finger on what has changed, and she loves 'her baby Abbott' so very much. She holds him every night before bed and first thing in the morning when she wakes up.

She is the perfect big sister. 

Blessed

 

I've been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but honestly searched over and over again in my mind for just the right words. Maybe it is hormones or just the enormity of the blessing we have been given, but I have been overwhelmed with emotion lately for our new addition. Most of you probably remember my post back in June when we discovered a problem with our little one. Since that day I, along with many friends, family and many of you, have been praying constantly and earnestly for Abbott. After 36 weeks, 21 doctors appointments, 14 ultrasounds, 3 hospital stays in 4 different rooms and countless prayers, we finally welcomed baby Abbott into the world. The reality of how God has provided for us overwhelms me. He is perfect in every way.

I remember this worship song from a few years ago by Matt Redman, 'Blessed be Your Name.'

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful,
Where Your streams of abundance flow,
Blessed be Your name.

Blessed be Your name,
When I'm found in the desert place,
Though I walk through the wilderness,
Blessed be Your name.

Every blessing You pour out on, turn back to praise.
And, when the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say,

Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be Your glorious name.

Blessed be Your name,
When the suns shining down on me,
When the world's all as it should be,
Blessed be Your name.

Blessed be Your name,
On the road marked with suffering,
Lord, there's pain in the offering,
Blessed be Your name.

Every blessing You pour out on, turn back to praise.
When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say,

Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, 

Blessed be Your glorious name.

 

Throughout this pregnancy I kept this song in my heart, unable to share this prayer/ praise with anyone. I think I was secretly scared early on that we could lose this baby I had already named and loved and didn't want to admit that fear to anyone. Still, I so desperately wanted to thank God for the gift of this pregnancy, in the good and bad. There were definite high and low days, many tears, and plenty of petitions. I feel blessed beyond measure for what we have been given, a second beautiful miracle baby.

He's here!

 Abbott Matthew Burlew

September 20, 2011/ 11:53am

6lbs, 10oz- 19.5inches

Abbott Matthew Burlew made his debut Tuesday morning at 36 weeks. We are overjoyed to have our sweet little one with us! There are so any details I simply cannot wait to share, from the story of his birth to the way Laurelei loves her little brother, but for now I am just soaking up every little second of cuddling I can. I am sure I will be back soon with a little more energy and a story or two.

Tomorrow is the big day!

I am over the moon people! Tomorrow we will finally get to meet little Abbott and figure out once and for all how he is doing! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for all of the attention to be off my body and well being and be solely on his. I am ready to welcome him and face whatever it is that delivery brings, although I feel so certain it will bring a 100% healthy baby this go around. While I am making a little progress on my own, I've been told they will intervene around 1am to help us along if we need it. Say a little prayer if you think about it!

 I can't quite figure out how big I think he is going to be. He was right on track growth size at our last ultrasound, but that was a couple of weeks ago.  That would make him right around 6 lbs now. Comparing him to L throws me for a loop though, as she was born around 38 weeks and was still only 5lb 14oz. Maybe he will surprise us all and be bigger than expected! Who knows? All I know is that I am praying I get to hold him right away and feel for myself, no waiting this time.  :)

{The last belly pic, whew!}

When I got L ready for school this morning I had mixed emotions. I had a feeling that this morning was different, though I didn't know we'd be going into the hospital today. I hugged her a little more, gave her lots of kisses.

 I even packed a bag for her before I left for my doctors appointment, just in case. As I wait for her to come visit me in the hospital right now my throat is a little tight. I love that little girl so much and am going to miss her like crazy this week. Her life is about to change in such a drastic way and there is no way for any of us to really prepare for it now.

 My prayer for her is that having another family member in the house only makes her feel more love. I can't wait for her to meet Abbott tomorrow. I kind of feel like she has spent 36 weeks thinking I am crazy when I talk about having a baby in my belly, I wonder what she will really do when she sees the real baby in my arms.

Goodness I wish I had just one more night at home with her, though I am pretty sure that no matter when this happened I feel that exact same way!

Guess I will be back sometime soon with an update on our newest little one. My heart is so full tonight!

Poor Little L

Poor little Laurelei has been through some rough patches lately. Her ear explosion a couple of weeks ago, a bad virus, being shipped from one house to the other during various hospital stays. And of course just Friday I was talking about how the new baby was going to impact her life here at home and how worried I was about that too. Well, our weekend all about L and the three of us really became all about L fairly early in the evening on Friday.

Things started out perfect. The weather was cool, but not to cool. We made Cincinnati chili, a family favorite, and drove L to a nearby playground for some quality time with mommy and daddy.

She climbed and ran around. Spent a little time on the swings. 

She went up and down the slide, in all sorts of ways...

She was just having the best time until...

She wasn't anymore.

 

Wouldn't you know poor little L fell and might have broken her nose. Of course it immediately started bleeding, and we knew something was up when she begged us to leave, she never wants to leave. She cried the whole way home and then some. 

The evening was full of a lot of daddy cuddling...

And the weekend has since been full of a lot of swelling too!

We checked with our good friend Dr. Joe who told us there is really nothing you can do for a broken nose, unless it is really deformed. Besides the swelling and the black eyes, it's not too bad. To Matt and I she looks like a completely different person at the moment though. There is absolutely no bridge in her nose at the moment, and it almost looks cartoonish! Everytime I look at her I feel terrible, knowing she must be so uncomfortable!

As always she has taken it like a champ. She didn't complain once yesterday. She did wake up a little more swollen today, and her eyes are now sort of purple and bruised. It completely broke my heart on the way home from church today when we were listening to what she has coined her happy song, "If You're Happy and You know it..." She told us, "My face is not happy mommy." When I asked why she said, "Because my eyes is hurting. They have big boo-boos. No touch them, ok?" Poor, poor thing!
I am hoping she feels better soon. For now, we are just going to spoil her a little extra today with love, hugs and attention (and maybe some ice-cream and shopping too... :)

The three of us

This week has been another crazy one. I went in for a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and was very surprised when I ended back up in the hospital. Apparently those contractions I had been having weren't quite as routine as I thought as they were progressing things slightly in the way of actual labor. My doctor was less than thrilled that I was dilating and felt my appearance on the non-stress test warranted an overnight monitoring stay in the hospital. Blah.

The problem with all of this is timing. I was barely 36 weeks, so the doctor couldn't justify helping labor along at all. On the other hand, the abruption is making her really nervous. She hates the idea that I am laboring at home unmonitored. Apparently there is still some concern that going into full labor could cause complications with the abruption. It's all so confusing and quite frankly extremely draining. I mean, I have been having contractions for nearly 16 weeks now and sort of just sitting around waiting for the other shoe to drop. I feel so blessed that we have made it this far, and I cannot take for granted how God has simply provided for our family throughout it all. Still in some ways, the closer we get to the end the harder the waiting and what-ifs seem to get. I go back in on Monday for a follow up and then if not before, we'll be planning to meet our little Abbott around the 26th of September!

Speaking of the 26th, that is a little more than a week away! Having a sort of timeline makes the reality of this major change in our lives seem so imminent. Matt will likely be out of town next weekend celebrating my cousins wedding in SC, which means this could be our last weekend as a family of three. That is hard to wrap my mind around. We have spent the better part of the last three years focusing completely on Laurelei and our little family, it makes it hard to believe there will be one more of us so soon. When I first got pregnant this time around my mom told me about how much things changed when she had me (I am the second child.) She told me that the night before she went in to be induced she stopped by the bed my sister was sleeping in and just watched her sleep. She told me her heart was heavy thinking how Lindsey's life was about to changer forever, and yet Lindsey had no idea.

{Laurelei, 12/16/08}

It breaks my heart just a little to think that Laurelei won't be the center of our universe anymore. She probably wasn't ever supposed to be, but she was. Does she know that life is about to change? I know she will do just fine, I only hope I will too.

So this weekend we are going to spend a little time just the three of us. Matt doesn't know it yet, but we are going to do all of our favorite things. Eat breakfast at Alfalfa's, take Laurelei to the park. Watch movies on a palette in the living room, bake cookies, go for ice-cream.

We are going to let Laurelei be the center of our universe for just a few more days and soak in all the memories of just the three of us.

the abc's

Laurelei has her own way of singing the abc's as I am sure all children do at one point or the other. We have been lucky enough to hear this song on repeat, about 50 times a day, since L learned it at school a couple of weeks ago. My mom told me I should write it down and keep it somewhere, so I used Word and did just that. It goes a little something like this...

 

I think I might have to print it off and frame it for her room or something. It is just too sweet, and makes me smile when I think of it. How I wish I could capture this time in her life and just bottle it up!

We have a great video of her singing it on our camcorder, but haven't been able to download it yet, so here is one from my phone taken right after she learned it. Her lyrics have changed just a little since this video, but it is sweet none the less!

Weekend Moments

one. Friday was awesome. I spent the evening with great co-workers and friends celebrating baby Abbott. They were beyond generous and we got to laugh for literally hours. It was so refreshing. I miss them so, so much!

two. Saturday morning I took an outing with my mom to Carters. L has been in desperate need of some new fall clothes seeing as how the cooler weather seems to have drifted in a little earlier than expected. We had a great time. Unfortunately though, we have realized that L will only wear pink things at the moment, meaning our shopping options were kind of limited. There were so many cute things that, alas, weren't pink. Does it make me a bad mom that I have decided this is just one battle I don't want to fight? I mean if I know I have to get her ready in the morning and that she will inevitably throw a fit over wearing a blue shirt, it just doesn't make since to buy that blue shirt in the first place right now. Matt and I sort of disagree on this. What's your opinion?

{little miss pinky-pinkerson...}

three. Saturday afternoon we got Abbott's room put back together, finally, after the bathroom reno. He is stationed right across the hall from the construction zone, so it was a little bit of a mess. I am almost done getting all of the baby things out and ready again, yay! It makes me smile to see things like this laying around the house again...

 {I love bassinets and little baby baskets!}

 four. I completed a few projects for Lemon Tree that I can't wait to share. I will have to wait and show them and all their little details on there over the next few weeks, but here is a little sneak peek of what is making me smile around the house!

five. Remember that scene in the movie "The Santa Claus" with Tim Allen where he wakes up, looks in the mirror and realizes for the first time that his average size frame is now just utterly huge? And no matter how many times he shaves his beard grows right back, and when he gets on the scale he weighs like a million pounds? (Or am I the only one who has life moments that mimic ridiculous Christmas movies?) Well, I had my very own Santa Claus moment last night. Our Sunday was particularly long and I swear when I looked in the mirror after changing into my pj's I just looked...huge. It was shocking.

 

Happy Monday!

35 Weeks and a Sweet 16!

Today we have two things to celebrate!

one. First, my little brother turned 16 yesterday! I cannot believe that he have his permit and will be driving soon. Both brothers are now 16 and officially permitted to drive. It is crazy how fast they have grown up. We had a good time last night at my mom's eating pizza and celebrating Harrison.

 (These are just the sweetest grandparents of all time! It was so nice to see them too!)

Laurelei was also well loved on and entertained by the family there. She loves her uncles! Poor Jackson spent a good amount of time wrangling her and learning just how difficult it is to put shoes on a 2 year old.

And of course Laurelei gave her Gigi some loving too.

(I love this picture of the two of them, it might be my new favorite! 

Isn't my mom gorgeous? I want to look just like her when I am a Gigi, okay?)

A good time was had by all!

two. And the second thing to celebrate? We are 35 weeks today. I never thought I would make it this far. (Be prepared for me to say that every week from now on I think...) I am feeling okay, just extremely heavy these days. My contractions haven't slowed down as much as I'd like, but they are also not putting me into active labor yet. I am stuck somewhere in between a fairly uncomfortable pregnancy and a new baby. Blah! Of course we are still feeling extremely blessed that Abbott has been doing so well, and we'll give him all the time he needs in there to grow.

Happy Friday!