Cheers to January and to the beginning of a new year! This month we're celebrating the birth of our third child and soon-to-be four-year-old son, Weston.
Just the other day, I was retelling the story of how I found out I was expecting again. At the time, I had a hunch I was pregnant, but like many women, I decided to wait a few more days to confirm my suspicions.
Fathers' Day brought exciting news for our family after I finally took an at-home pregnancy test that morning. Soon, I was plugging in dates on my What to Expect When You're Expecting pregnancy app, calculating my baby's due date.
Exciting as it was to be celebrating a new pregnancy, I was feeling uneasy about the possibility that my baby's due date could land on or very near our first child's birthday in February. My daughter, Hannah, was born on
the 21st, the same day she passed away from a genetic chromosomal disorder.
Sure enough, early indications pointed toward a due date in mid-February for our little guy. Too close for comfort in my eyes.
The date of any loss can be triggering, no matter how many years have gone by. And, if I had to choose it, I would prefer that my children's birthdays be well-spaced apart, so we can celebrate each of them individually.
Fast forward to my 20-week appointment and I was in for some unexpected news: my baby boy would need to be delivered by c-section.
C-sections happen all the time, of course, just not to me (or so I thought). Both my girls came naturally, so I was already busy making the same plans for my baby boy.
But it was not meant to be. My ultrasound results showed that I had complete placenta previa -- a pregnancy condition that occurs when the placenta completely covers the opening of the uterus, making it impossible for baby to be delivered through natural means.
I was immediately ordered to avoid standing for long periods of time and told not to lift anything over 10 pounds (including my daughter and toddler at the time, Joanna).
At risk for bleeding before, during, and after delivery, I needed to be extra careful not to put any unnecessary stress on my body.
As luck would have it, getting a c-section would be my saving grace. For me, it meant that our handsome hero would likely arrive in late January instead of February.
(Playing my friend's drums and hoping it's not too loud for baby boy's developing mini ears!)
Instead of continuing my pregnancy for the full 40 weeks, doctor's orders stated that our little guy would be delivered no later than 37 weeks, putting Weston's new due date at January 29. If further complications were to arise, he'd get his exit notice even sooner. So long February!
Around 26 weeks or so, I began seeing the ultrasound technician every week. They would check for growth, track his movements and make sure my amniotic fluid was staying at a healthy level. Lucky for me, with each passing week, he continued to provide us with picture-perfect performances.
Like many couples, we debated boy names for quite some time before we landed on a winner. My husband came across the name Weston in an old encyclopedia-style book during a visit at my parents' home. We both liked it right away, so we quickly added it to our growing list of baby names.
In spite of it all, my pregnancy with Weston moved along quite smoothly and he was delivered by c-section around 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday January 29, 2019.
The procedure was pretty tough on me for a variety of reasons and air temperatures hovered around minus 30 during Minnesota's polar vortex that year, hampering hospital visits from family members.
Eventually, we all made it home safe and sound.
Cute as can be in his little jammies here, this tough guy still loves all things dinosaur 🦖.
Throw in a few spiders, some dirt, a couple of diggers, and a ball or two and know that he's ready to play, play, play...
(This photo of Weston was taken by a family friend. She entered it in a photo contest at the Sibley County Fair and won a second place ribbon for it!)
As much as we all love this handsome little dude, is it any surprise that big sister, Joanna, claims it is SHE who loves him the MOST??
(Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater, Minnesota)
Oh, to be surrounded by so much love and joy....won't you join us in wishing him the happiest of birthdays?
☀️Wilderness & Wildflower Wisdom:
Life is made up of many wild and wonderful moments, don't let them pass you by...
Photo credit: Tracy Walsh Photography (photos 1, 2, 3, 4, & 6)
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