Benjamin Maddox is here!

Benjamin Maddox was born on November 1st at 11:03 am and weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. We are so happy he is finally here!

The birth story:

At 9:30 on Saturday morning, we got a visit from the doctor who had a change in plans. She informed us that my blood work came back with a very low platelet count, and it was unfortunately too low for me to receive an epidural or a spinal for pain relief. Unfortunately, I was still considered unfavorable for induction, but because pain relief was no longer an option, a 2-3 day labor did not seem like an option anymore. She further informed that even if she induced, I only had a 50% chance of delivering. She presented the option of an emergency Cesarean section that would have to be performed under general anesthesia meaning I would not be awake for the birth and Jacob would not be allowed in the operating room. We opted for this because it seemed like the safest route to get our Peanut out in a healthy manner. At 10:30 am I was cathed, prepped, and wheeled down to the operating room for surgery. At 11:03, our son was born. He required positive pressure to get him breathing, as he did not get the hang of it on his own, but was otherwise very healthy. It was later said that when the incision was made, his ear was the first thing the doctor saw, so he was in no way engaged or ready for his birth. We were lucky that the doctors acted quickly to ensure that both he and I were safe.

Benjamin was taken to a room for vitals to be checked and to be cleaned up, and Jacob got to meet him at that time. He was also able to provide skin-to-skin contact for Benjamin in his first minutes of life since I was being sewn up and wheeled to recovery. I got to meet him about 2.5 hours later in our hospital room, and we've been inseparable ever since. His first day was met with lots of hugs and kisses from family members, and he did fantastically with all of the excitement. I struggled a bit more, as I was coming out of the anesthesia for most of the day and do not remember most of what was said or done during that time. I do, however, remember this:

It isn't a very good picture, but it's the moment that I met my baby Benjamin. I remember thinking that he is perfect, and he continues to be that way.

Parenthood has gone really well so far. We had the help of Jacob's family for the first week, which was fantastic, and my family has helped a lot in the first week and now that Jacob's family is back at home. Without that, the transition into parenthood would have been much harder - even with a perfect baby. He is a very laid back little guy who only cries when he needs something, and is easy to soothe once he's been satisfied. We struggled with breast feeding in the first few days but have the hang of it now. He's been to the doctor for his first check-up and is still healthy and gaining the weight back that he lost initially and is just doing very well. We are so thankful to have him - poopy diapers and all!

I've continued to heal after the c-section and am almost back to normal. My pre-eclampsia, diabetes, hypertension and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) have gone away and I've lost close to 30 pounds in 10 days. I feel great and continue to get stronger and can't wait to have my old self back! It's been a long 40 weeks since that chart started in February and I am so glad it's over, but would do it again in a heartbeat. Benjamin is such a blessing and we're so lucky to have him here :)

Twas the Night Before Induction..

So as of today, I am 38 weeks, 2 days pregnant with Peanut Turner. It's been a long, bumpy road but it seems that it's about to come to an end as we prepare to meet our little guy. Because of several health issues affecting Mama (Peanut is still looking great), we have planned to start an induction in the morning. This means that our little guy will be in our arms as early as this upcoming weekend. We are exhausted from all of the hospital visits, observations, and admissions but are equally as excited to count Peanut's fingers and toes, and marvel at his long-awaited chunky baby legs. Hopefully our next post will be introducing the little guy.

Over the last week, Mom's health has rapidly declined. Up until now, I've kept most health-related updates to a minimum but throughout this pregnancy, I've been labeled "high-risk". It began because we were blessed with Peanut on the heels of a miscarriage but as the weeks wore on, different issues arose. We dealt with food poisoning at 19-20 weeks, a gestational diabetes diagnosis at 26 weeks, and a pregnancy-induced hypertension diagnosis at 36 weeks. The hypertension was classified as severe this afternoon, and paired with a low platelet count and severe swelling, we are headed down the pre-eclampsia road to boot. I am truly exhausted by all of it. I had hopes of an uneventful, boring pregnancy where my biggest issue would be maintaining a reasonable weight gain, and things have gotten so far from that, I only learned today what my total weight gain has been (and hell no, I am not sharing). Through the weeks and months, I've gotten more and more sedentary as bed rest requires, and have watched my tiny stretch marks and vericose veins grow into red, blue and purple zig-zags that cover my belly, breasts, sides and now legs. I was very sad about seeing them for the first time, but now I look at them as a badge of honor and a reminder of the difficulties we endured through the last 9 months. Honestly, I hope they fade, but if they don't, they will be my little reminders of our adventure with Peanut in 2008. It's hard to believe that I began the year running 30 miles per week and feeling fantastic, and here I sit in a hospital bed, with multiple diagnoses and a big round belly full of baby human.

That being said, I would do it all again for Peanut. I already love him more than the sun, moon and stars, and about as much as I love Lilly Bean. I think about him all day, every day and wonder who he will look like, which blanket will be his favorite, what kind of personality will he have. The wonder and excitement that has consumed this 40 week countdown is all coming to a head this weekend and that really hit home when the doctor proclaimed - "You are not leaving here without a newborn in your arms".

We started this journey with a conversation in late October 2007 about starting a family. When it was first brought up, Dad needed to process what he was hearing because it was such a shock and nothing we'd ever discussed before. Mom pitched the idea and let him get used to it for awhile before he agreed to give it a shot. The bottom line was, November was the first month we actively tried to bring Peanut to life. Now here we are, on November 1st, waiting to meet the son we've wanted for over a year. We have been so lucky to bring this idea to life in a little 8 pound boy in a year's time. And with everything we've been through during that year, his arrival will just be that much sweeter. So it's official - the Turners are going to become parents this weekend if all goes as planned, and we are exhausted, nervous, queasy, elated, and incredibly anxious to hold this little creature and kiss 10 baby fingers and 10 baby toes. It's been 40 weeks and counting since we knew you, Peanut, but we've loved you long before that. Can't wait to tell you face-to-smooshy baby face.

3rd Trimester - A summary

OK so I haven't been fantastic at updating this thing, I admit, but I'll try to summarize the last 12 weeks now.  

The end of the 2nd trimester was uneventful, as I wrapped up working in late August and started my "Gestation Vacation", as my friend, Brian puts it.  Peanut and I began a several-week stint of catching up on soaps and crocheting a series of blankets for various purposes.  In early September, at just over 30 weeks, Mi-mi and Poo-Poo (the Turner Grandparents) and Auntie Madison came for a visit and got to see Peanut on film at a 3D/4D ultrasound.  We got over 60 shots of him, as well as a movie and the whole experience was really cool.  Here is a sample of our movie star fetus:

He is pretty cute.

The next few weeks were pretty uneventful for Team Turner, but while Peanut was cooking, his two friends were born - Levi Christopher on September 14th and Jack Oliver on September 27th!  Both boys are incredible and have made Mom pretty impatient about meeting her own little man.

Everything has continued to go really well at doctor's visits.  Peanut was in a breech position until about 34 weeks, where he turned to head-down, and we're hoping he is still in that position today.  A checkup/ultrasound (yes, our 12th ultrasound) will confirm his position and measure him to see if it will be possible for him to be born the old-fashioned way.  This past Monday, our doctor guesstimated Peanut's weight to be around 6 pounds, which will make him quite manageable for a normal delivery.  We'll see how accurate she is next week!  He is still measuring two weeks ahead because of Mom's diabetes most likely, but no complications have come up as a result.  We're still healthy, happy, and ready for delivery!  Technically, our due date is still in mid-November, but Peanut is considered full term tomorrow.  This means if labor starts between now and November 16th, the doctors will let it progress.  With mom's size, this is great news - it's getting harder and harder to carry this little (big) guy around. Check out THIS belly progression:

Yes, I'm sure it's not twins, yes, he still has 3 more weeks to grow, and yes, I HAVE been eating healthy (thanks, diabetes diet).  I've spared you of the full-sized version of these shots for obvious reasons.  Needless to say, I can't wait to see my feet again!

Other notable happenings in the last 12 weeks:  We traveled to Atlanta in September for my oldest friend, Danielle's baby shower and it was a very nice visit.  Peanut definitely enjoyed all the food and activity - and behaved himself during the 6 hours we spent in the car.  We got some fantastic pictures that are scrapbook-worthy for sure.  I'm hoping to dig up a picture of Danielle and I from when we were 5, and place it next to the picture of us, 8 and 9 months pregnant.  In a few years, It'll be fun to add to that with a picture of Jack and Peanut at 5 years old.

Peanut and I also voted again.  We voted in the primaries in May, and have been keeping on top of this political season pretty closely (we watch MSNBC during commercial breaks from ABC soaps).  We voted again on the first day of early voting (October 16th) and waited in line for about 30 minutes.  After our submission, the polling volunteer gave me two "I voted" stickers - one for me and one for Peanut.  I'm keeping it with the two Obama stickers we got at the Apple Festival, and the two Hillary stickers we got when we visited her in Hendersonville.  More scrapbook material!  Peanut got to participate in the voting process for the first time.  Next opportunity: 2026!

We finished up Peanut's nursery and have all necessary items (except diapers, oddly enough) so we're ready to go there.  I'll post a separate entry about that whole process.  We also have had two more baby showers where we got a TON more Peanut stuff, all set up and ready for use.  Last weekend, we secured his car seat in the back of the Xterra and got it checked out with the fire department, and Mom FINALLY packed her hospital bag for the big stay!  All that's left to do now is Peanut's birth - let's hope it happens sooner, rather than later!

Entering the home stretch

My feet: let me show you them - 25 weeks

Making kissy faces for Mom - 25 weeks

Peanut has had a busy month with lots to report! His room is finally done and looking beautiful, thanks to Mom and Dad. Somehow we pulled off the lattice pattern on the accent wall and got all the furniture set up. Peanut got a comfy armchair glider from his grandparents and his crib, dresser and changing table (which we've come to refer to as the poop station) from Mom and Dad. Sometime later I'll have to post the construction pictures and go into more detail about that fiasco, but onto more interesting things for now!

Peanut went to his first Bele Chere and behaved well for the festivities. He enjoys music and crowds and kicks a lot when he's around either one - so he was pretty excited all weekend. He enjoyed several lemonades and couldn't seem to get enough of it. We walked around a lot which proved to be difficult on the feet. Carrying around a big belly in the July heat isn't all it's cracked up to be, but we had fun nonetheless.

Last week, the 'nut and his folks traveled 6 hours to the coast to enjoy a week on Ocean Isle Beach. We had a detour initially, as Peanut's great-grandfather passed away, and this was stressful and difficult on everyone. We had hoped to visit him during our vacation and show off larval Peanut but unfortunately the circumstances were a lot different. Peanut agreed that the funeral service was beautiful - he danced every time music played. He brought comfort to Mom and Dad during a sad time with his dance by reminding us of the good things to come.

The beach was fantastic. Peanut loves swimming in the pool, but not so much in the ocean. A man after my own heart. We were a bit nervous when the waves crashed over us, and unfortunately with my new shape, I got knocked over more than once. I'm a little more "front-heavy" than I used to be I guess. We did a lot of sunbathing and laying around and got to spend time with lots of family. Peanut kicked his grandmother, great aunts, aunts, and cousins and made everyone laugh with his Peanut antics. During our stay, the Turners got a SURPRISE baby shower that was completely unexpected and lots of fun. He got several items he needed and everything was beautiful. Somehow we got it all in the car and set it up last weekend. We are almost completely stocked up on baby items!

We are entering the 3rd and final trimester this week (if you don't count the 4th tri!) and are getting to be huge. I got my first "Are you expecting twins?" comment over the weekend and felt sad about it. I can't believe this belly has 13 more weeks of growing to do - I don't see how it could get any bigger. Last night I realized that I have stretch marks under my belly and I got very upset about this. When I showed Jacob he told me they've been there for weeks and he hoped I wouldn't notice. I guess cocoa butter isn't the answer after all. Peanut's kicks are getting stronger and can be seen from across the room now. He stretches from my lower belly to just underneath my ribcage and will sometimes kick and punch at the same time, allowing me to map out his whereabouts. He is still head down but will flip from the left side to the right about once a day, which is the weirdest feeling ever. So the official countdown is on - 94 days and counting...