Avery's Birth Story

Avery's birth story actually started a week before she was born on Friday, March 29th- my due date. On my due date, my dad went in for an EKG because he felt a few chest pains. He had quadruple bypass surgery my senior year of college, so naturally, we were all a little worried. It turned out that he needed to have an immediate procedure that following Tuesday morning to identify what the problem was in his heart. I spent all day with my mom at Gwinnett Medical Center during the procedure on Tuesday, waiting to find out the next steps. It was pretty scary when they came back after the procedure and told us that it was bad- and that they didn't know what to do. The doctor then came back in 30 minutes later and told us there was another procedure they were going to try the next day (placing three stents using an impella device) to fix the blockage they found in one of his main arteries that the bypass wasn't able to correct. They told us it was extremely high risk, but it was our only option. There was even a chance that he could have a heart attack during it. Wow- I couldn't believe that all of this was happening...my whole family was very distraught and worried. I didn't sleep AT ALL that night and went back to the hospital at 6am on Wednesday morning before the next procedure. Jason took the day off work to be with us all at the hospital. We spent all morning praying and waiting until they were done with the procedure around 11am. THANKFULLY, it went way better then even the doctors thought. It was extremely successful and he was going to be released from the hospital the next morning (Thursday)- he could even walk out of the hospital and they expected almost no recovery time! Thank the LORD!! 

Well I was beyond exhausted- both physically and emotionally at this point. So Jason and I left the hospital around noon and went home to sleep. I laid down, having never been that tired in my life, and right away my water broke! I was in shock and disbelief. Was this really happening right now? How could I make it through labor? Wait, are we about to meet our little girl?!?! So we called my doctor and they told me to head to the hospital. I asked if I could shower because I hadn't since Tuesday morning, but they said no. I felt so nasty and did not want to start labor on that note, so I quickly showered before heading out =) We drove to the hospital and checked in at 3pm. This is when the adrenaline kicked in...and thank the Lord it did!! As much as we wanted to call our parents and tell them I was in labor, I couldn't bring myself to do it. My dad was just recovering from his heart procedure and my mom was by his side in the hospital and staying overnight. I didn't want to add the anxiousness/excitement to my dad's recovery and I didn't want my mom to feel like she needed to come be at the hospital- I wanted her to stay with my dad. So we decided to go into this ourselves and we didn't tell a soul until much much later...

My contractions hadn't started by 7pm and I wasn't dilated at all so they gave me some medicine to jump start them and expecting to give me some Pitocin a few hours later. That wasn't working very well so the medicine attempts stopped, but my contractions started around 7:45pm and never stopped...I explained to my doctor how I was running on 0 hours of sleep since Monday so she was a little concerned about me having enough energy to make it through labor. I labored through the contractions for about 2 hours until 10pm when they REALLY picked up and I asked for pain medicine. I was about 1cm dilated and had to wait until 4cm for the epidural, so they gave me morphine and an ambien to help me "sleep" until I made it to the epidural. From about 10pm to 12am I attempted to sleep in between each contraction- needless to say this wasn't very effective. The contractions were extremely intense and the intervals really picked up around 11pm. 

Finally at 12am, I was 3cm and begged for the epidural. Thankfully they agreed, and it was heavenly...at first. I couldn't feel my legs and everything was numb. It was great. The contractions totally went away for about 30 minutes- then I started feeling the contractions in my back. They hurt pretty bad, but no where close to what they were like in my stomach before the epidural. At some point, Jason said I actually fell asleep during the contractions for about thirty minutes. Jason said he got about 10 minutes of sleep during that time and that was it for the whole 20 hour labor process :( 

After this brief period of sleep, contractions continued and it was now it was around 3am and my back pain got A LOT worse...and I started feeling contractions in my stomach again. At 5am, I was about 8cm dilated. I was in so much pain again that I begged for another epidural. The epidural, a TON of ice, and Jason's constant support and encouragement was the only thing getting me through the contractions. The doctor agreed to give me another epidural as she told me the needle either fell out or moved. So in came the anesthesiologist around 5:30am with my second epidural. I didn't feel this one AT all- the needle or anything. About 15 minutes later, the contractions "went away" and I felt great again. At about 6:30am, I was 9cm dilated and the doctor told me we could potentially start pushing as soon as 30 minutes to an hour...so we decided it was time to call our parents. Thankfully my dad was being discharged! I asked him, "How do you feel about coming straight to another hospital?? =)" They were of course extremely excited and said they were heading over. 

The doctors were apparently wrong about me being able to start pushing so soon. I was able to fall asleep from 8am-9am...and when I woke up, I was 10cm dilated!! Around 9:30am I started to push! The pushing was not bad at all to me...maybe because of the second epidural. I had so much energy and excitement that I made it through the pushing smooth sailing (even cracking a few jokes!) =) After 20 hours of labor, our little precious Avery arrived at 11:06am!! She was 7lbs 2oz, 20 inches long...and just perfect. 

God's perfect timing continuously amazes me. The week before I was SO impatient for her to come, but I am so thankful she waited until after my dad's heart procedures when we knew everything was okay and that he was now healthy again. I couldn't even imagine if my water had broken the previous day at 3pm when we were so uncertain and upset waiting at the hospital with him. I definitely would not have had the strength to make it through labor. THANK THE LORD everything worked out as it did, in HIS perfect timing. My dad was the first one to hold Avery after Jason and I =)

We are so blessed and love this little angel so much.

Avery Reagan is Here!!!

SHE IS HERE- she is finally here!! :) Avery is a week old today... and I still stare at her in disbelief that she is actually here! I am trying to catch up on blog posts since the last week has been an amazing whirlwind. I plan on posting her one week picture as well as her birth story later today!

I really can't think of any other word to describe her except for incredible. And beautiful. And happy. And amazing. And perfect. What a blessing from God!! We are just so in love- she is the perfect piece to complete our little family of three.

40 Week Update

40 weeks!!! We made it full term Avery :) You are now DEFINITELY ready to come meet the world! We welcome you with open arms any day you decide you are ready our sweet little girl!! I keep thinking it will be any night now, so I hope I am right one of these days! Regardless, we can't wait to meet you very very soon and hold you in our arms...and probably never let you go :)

How far along: 40 weeks!! We have officially made it to my due date- March 29th!

Total weight gain: Right around 32lbs...I hope it will come off fast =)

Maternity clothes: Usually all I am wearing right now (because I am already on maternity leave) are my comfy workout pants and sweatshirts =) ...I learned a valuable lesson that although they say to get your maternity jeans in the same size you normally are pre-pregnancy, that a size 26 is NOT going to fit me at 40 weeks pregnant!! Note to self for my next pregnancy.

Stretch marks: No...so thankful!! I still love my belly, but I will love it too when I can get some abs back =)

Sleep: I can't really complain...I still get up a lot to go to the bathroom but other than that I sleep pretty well! I have been trying to sleep in since I don't have to get up for work, but apparently my body isn't feeling that. Oh well!!

Best moment of this week: Our last ultrasound...finding out that Avery is now in the 58th percentile at an estimated 7lbs 6oz. So proud of her!! Also, the glimpses we have been getting of the amazing Spring weather was another highlight. I am so glad Avery is arriving with the Spring so we can enjoy A LOT of time outside in the sun and fresh air!

Miss anything: Still running and being my normal size...especially seeing these adorable new Spring clothing lines come out!

Movement: All the time! She loves to move her feet a lot on my right side...I think that is the only space she really has left. Sometimes I will feel her hands punch and arms move, but it's definitely her feet that I feel most of the time. She doesn't even have the room to turn sides anymore...her feet are always in the same place and have been for the last two weeks. The Dr. did tell us that her face is facing up ("sunny side up") and I think this can cause for some bad back labor...but hopefully, (and knowing Avery), she will turn around before labor!

Food cravings: I have really wanted chicken fingers lately...but that is nothing new since I was about 3 =)

Anything making you queasy or sick: No, I feel really good!

Have you started to show yet: Umm- yes.

Gender: Our little baby GIRL of course!!

Labor signs: I really don't know...I know some promising things that the doctor has told me, but really no contractions yet. Some back pain and maybe a few braxton hicks (but even then, I'm not really sure if it is Braxton Hicks or just her moving!) I am thinking that it will come out of the blue. I am hoping I won't have to be induced, but if I do, then at least we will get to pick the date and our doctor =) If Avery decides she wants to stay in till next Thursday then we will talk to the doctor about a date for the following week. 

Belly button in or out: Still in!

Wedding rings on or off: On, still no swelling anywhere!

Happy or moody most of the time: Very happy, but anxious!! Also, I am pretty bored during the day since I started my maternity leave on Wednesday. I am trying to enjoy this time of having little to nothing to do, but it's super hard when I just want her to be here!

Looking forward to: Going into labor...and of course- finally having Avery here and seeing her sweet little face!!

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing...

Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying, planning and dreaming....

...Which is why I am writing this blog post! Still no Avery!! I know her due date is still 3 days away AND most first babies are born the week following their due date or even the next, but I am still as impatient as ever. This time has definitely been the hardest part of my pregnancy...but I think that is for a reason. I feel amazing, but anyone that knows me well, knows that I have always been quite an impatient person in many aspects of life.

I strongly feel that this time is God's way of teaching me just a little bit more about patience and trust before I embark upon motherhood. After all, if pregnancy isn't one of the greatest examples of HIS timing- I don't know what is!! During these past 9-10 months, I have had to graciously learn how to relinquish all control. And that has NOT been easy for me. Throughout pregnancy, I felt that the only things I was able to have any control over were my health and my daily eating habits. Knowing that there is a little tiny person growing inside my body over which I had little control, was a hard concept for me grasp that I struggled with a lot. But through all of this, I have realized that this is the true miracle of pregnancy!

Everyday Jason and I are constantly in awe of the grand Designer. It is truly an unfathomable thought how He can take a few tiny little molecules and in 10 months, execute everything flawlessly according to His plan, to design the most perfect little person. Pregnancy has by far been the biggest event in my life to date- and I think it is awesome how I have had to totally trust and rely upon God to execute his perfect plan with almost all of it out of my control. It has been an amazing lesson in trust and sole reliance on Christ. It is incomprehensible to me how a woman can go through pregnancy and still not believe in God. Pregnancy is truly an unexplainable miracle that only God can make possible through His amazing and perfect design.

I am having to consistently remind myself that this time of waiting for her arrival is just the same. It is not my timing, but His. He knows exactly when she will be ready to come- and that time will be perfect. No matter what I do to try to speed things up- going for nightly walks, eating pineapple, bouncing on my yoga ball, eating eggplant parm, making labor cake, etc- it is STILL not up to me =) Yes, I am guilty of doing all of these things and more, but in the end I am learning an invaluable lesson of patience and trust in God's perfect timing.

Avery will be here when she is good and ready, but even more so when He is good and ready. And who can argue with His perfect timing?? Regardless of when and how she comes, Jason and I could not be more ready to meet her and welcome her into this world with so much love and happiness!! Thank you all so much for your prayers and thoughts during this time- keep them coming =) We can't wait to let everyone know when little Avery Reagan makes her grand entrance into this world in perfect timing!

"Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead!" (I Peter 1:6)

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." (Psalm 91:2)

"Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God." (Job 37:14)

"I will give you peace and quietness." (I Chronicles 16:11)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

"Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act." (Psalm 37: 5,7)

38 Week Update

38 weeks!!! The perfect time for Avery to come =) I am really not uncomfortable at all, but rather impatient and anxious! I hate not knowing the actual day she will make her appearance (or if I will have to be induced) because I wish I just knew how much longer I had to wait...typical me! Regardless, the time is going by very fast and we are super excited no matter when she comes! It is crazy to try to think about how much our life is about to change in a few days as we go from a family of 2 (only for about 11 months) to a family of 3! Come soon Avery Reagan Porche- we can't wait to meet you!!

 

How far along: 38 weeks!

Total weight gain: More than I wanted, but I'm not really too concerned about it right now since I'm so close to the end!! I think around 29 or 30 pounds.

Maternity clothes: Of course...Although, I still wear some non-maternity shirts since my stomach isn't too big, so I do enjoy that!

Stretch marks: No...so thankful!!

Sleep: My sleeping patterns have been pretty constant throughout my whole pregnancy. I sleep really well, but I still have to get up a lot to go to the bathroom. It is my own fault because I chug water 24/7 and haven't learned to stop before bedtime =) I do have a problem though where I seem to stay up and wait for her to move and get adjusted before I fall back asleep...so this is causing for some rough mornings! Next week is my last week of work before my maternity leave so I am looking forward to maybe a little sleeping in if Avery still hasn't made her grand entrance!

Best moment of this week: Jason's Birthday!!! Avery is his birthday present from me this year...so I feel bad that he has to wait a little, but I think it will be worth it =)

Miss anything: Running and being my normal size!! Soon enough!

Movement: She doesn't kick as much these days with the room running low in there, but she moves random arms, knees and legs constantly...which I think are more forceful than kicks since she is SO big now. The doctor estimates she is around 6lbs 10oz as of Wednesday (still right at the 50th percentile). She moves her feet a ton on my right side...sometimes its a little uncomfortable, but I still love every single movement!

Food cravings: Still sweets...I eat way too many. This will all change very soon as I will attempt to cut them out of my diet after she comes! For now, I am letting myself savor them =)

Anything making you queasy or sick: No, not at all! I have been blessed with feeling great every day of my pregnancy. Aside from some tiredness and the weight gain, I really haven't felt pregnant at all in the last 9 months.

Have you started to show yet: Yes!! But when I tell people I only have 14 days till my due date, everyone says they don't believe me. Apparently my belly is measuring 35-36 weeks right now at the doctor, so that's only 2 weeks behind- catching up!!

Gender: Our little baby GIRL of course!!

Labor signs: None yet, but we do know that she is very low!! However, my doctor always reminds me that labor can often start out of the blue with no signs, so this is what I am hoping for!! And soon...and fast...

Belly button in or out: Still in!

Wedding rings on or off: On, still no swelling anywhere!

Happy or moody most of the time: Very happy!! I can't believe we are going to get to meet little miss Avey Rae in a few days!! I do get tired sometimes, but other days I will have a ton of energy...overall I really can't complain about anything.

Looking forward to: Seeing Avery's little face and holding her in our arms!!!

Happy 27th Birthday to my Husband

Wow, this is your first Birthday since we have been married and your last without a baby!! :) I know you are so glad you are turning 27 before Avery comes...so you will seem older! haha I also know we aren't doing much this year by means of celebrating...but I am working on your present as I type this! She will be here sooner than you know :) 

I love you so much and I am so thankful that God put you on this earth for me. You are truly my soul mate and best friend. Thank you for constantly reminding and showing me how much you love me. Thank you for all the support you give me in every single aspect of life. Thank you for being such an amazing leader in our marriage and embodying Christ everyday. Thank you for being the father of our daughter...I truly believe she is one of the luckiest little girl's in the entire world to get to call you Dad. I cannot wait to see you with her- as I know the love that you already possess and display for Christ, me, family, friends and life will only be multiplied in your relationship with her. I love you so much and I am so glad you were born! Happy 27th Birthday JP!

 

37 Weeks- Ready to Pop!!

37 Weeks?!? Holy Cow...Avery is Full Term!! Which means she is ready to make her debut now any time she chooses :) I am hoping for 38-39 weeks, but we'll see what Avery has in mind! I thank the Lord everyday for the amazing pregnancy he has granted me with. We are feeling so blessed and ready to meet our precious little girl!! 

Jason and I decided to do a fun shoot tonight to commemorate this last big milestone...well before her birth of course ;) I must say, he did a pretty good job playing photographer and taking my directions!