I have tried to write this post several times now and no words, I feel, can get my full point across. I have never considered myself to be a great writer, let alone someone who can get their point across easily a lot of times, but I am going to try my best. There have been several middle of the night feedings, when I have thought about things I have wanted to say about our second little miracle, my pregnancy with him, and how it's no short of a miracle story but have yet to write any of those things down. Therefore, this may be an ongoing, added on post for a while.
Many people know my pregnancy and delivery story with Shaw. It was not easy AT ALL and ended up putting both of our lives in severe danger. I truly believe if it wasn't for God's will that my life be spared, along with my very knowledgeable doctor, I would not be here right now. My pregnancy ended with a very severe, acute form of HELLP syndrome. I got to the hospital and my liver was in failure...yes, it was failing me. So, our sweet Shaw Michael was born in the wee morning hours by emergency c-section. Now, if you are wondering, the c-section part of it wasn't a true surprise to us. I have some health issues which are controlled by a cervical spinal shunt and I have been told my whole life if I was ever blessed to have babies a c-section would be the only safe route for me. My doctor and I discussed this at the beginning of my pregnancy with Shaw, she did her research, and came back to tell me a vaginal delivery was absolutely out of the question. Was I upset? Yes. Was I mad? Yes. But, just like she said a healthy baby and momma were her number one goals as a doctor and we agreed. Once I got over being severely sick and Shaw spent his 17 days in the NICU for being born at 34 weeks we were able to enjoy having a healthy, happy baby boy. The stress and fear of how my pregnancy ended with him, along with some other life decisions we made, led us to the decision to not have any more kids for a few years. My doctor never told me how long to wait but she gave me a few guidelines to go by in order to get my body in the best shape possible for when the time came to have another baby. No, she never told us to not have any more, even though several family members thought Shaw should be an only child.
To our surprise (and yes it does happen...especially if you are breastfeeding) I got pregnant again when Shaw was 10 months old. My body was not prepared, we were not prepared, and we were TERRIFIED! I cried for several days and Josh may have shed a few tear, too. Now, don't interpret that wrong. We were not upset in the fact that we didn't want this second baby, but in the fact that we were just plain scared and stressed. We had moved 4 hours away from all our family and friends just 7 months prior, and we knew it just wasn't going to work being away. Plus, my doctor had saved my life....and she couldn't care for me and my baby 4 hours away. So, we prayed and prayed some more, God open door after door, and we decided to move back home. I called my Dr.'s office and told them what was going on. My doctor called me herself, on her cell phone, and told me of another OB to see until we decided exactly what to do.
Now, back to the HELLP syndrome. My doctor in NWA told me I had a 20% chance of it happening again, all research said I had a 20-30% chance, and my past and current doctor, along with the high risk OB I see, wouldn't put a number on it. So, the only thing I knew to do was to pray and pray really hard. For one of the first times in my life I truly, 110% gave a specific event in my life to The Lord. I began praying that no matter what his will was that he would be seen in a miraculous way. I told Him whatever that will be, whether it be another premature baby or a full term pregnancy, that people would see that He is still in the miracle making business. Throughout my entire pregnancy I saw this prayer answered over and over again. During my first pregnancy I barely gained enough weight, this time I was right at average. The first pregnancy I had more than one syncopal seizure, this time I had none. This pregnancy I had a lot less stress and was able to work a few days a week to give myself rest, and last but not least I had a full term, healthy delivery and baby. From 3 lbs to 8 lbs...boy, what a difference. When we found out that we were going to have two babies 19 months a part no one could have told me just how much it was going to be a part of our testimonies as a married couple, parents, and individuals. God truly answered my prayer, the prayer I prayed for 9 months, and I told him that whatever His will was for my second pregnancy that I would give Him all the glory.
Many people know my pregnancy and delivery story with Shaw. It was not easy AT ALL and ended up putting both of our lives in severe danger. I truly believe if it wasn't for God's will that my life be spared, along with my very knowledgeable doctor, I would not be here right now. My pregnancy ended with a very severe, acute form of HELLP syndrome. I got to the hospital and my liver was in failure...yes, it was failing me. So, our sweet Shaw Michael was born in the wee morning hours by emergency c-section. Now, if you are wondering, the c-section part of it wasn't a true surprise to us. I have some health issues which are controlled by a cervical spinal shunt and I have been told my whole life if I was ever blessed to have babies a c-section would be the only safe route for me. My doctor and I discussed this at the beginning of my pregnancy with Shaw, she did her research, and came back to tell me a vaginal delivery was absolutely out of the question. Was I upset? Yes. Was I mad? Yes. But, just like she said a healthy baby and momma were her number one goals as a doctor and we agreed. Once I got over being severely sick and Shaw spent his 17 days in the NICU for being born at 34 weeks we were able to enjoy having a healthy, happy baby boy. The stress and fear of how my pregnancy ended with him, along with some other life decisions we made, led us to the decision to not have any more kids for a few years. My doctor never told me how long to wait but she gave me a few guidelines to go by in order to get my body in the best shape possible for when the time came to have another baby. No, she never told us to not have any more, even though several family members thought Shaw should be an only child.
To our surprise (and yes it does happen...especially if you are breastfeeding) I got pregnant again when Shaw was 10 months old. My body was not prepared, we were not prepared, and we were TERRIFIED! I cried for several days and Josh may have shed a few tear, too. Now, don't interpret that wrong. We were not upset in the fact that we didn't want this second baby, but in the fact that we were just plain scared and stressed. We had moved 4 hours away from all our family and friends just 7 months prior, and we knew it just wasn't going to work being away. Plus, my doctor had saved my life....and she couldn't care for me and my baby 4 hours away. So, we prayed and prayed some more, God open door after door, and we decided to move back home. I called my Dr.'s office and told them what was going on. My doctor called me herself, on her cell phone, and told me of another OB to see until we decided exactly what to do.
Now, back to the HELLP syndrome. My doctor in NWA told me I had a 20% chance of it happening again, all research said I had a 20-30% chance, and my past and current doctor, along with the high risk OB I see, wouldn't put a number on it. So, the only thing I knew to do was to pray and pray really hard. For one of the first times in my life I truly, 110% gave a specific event in my life to The Lord. I began praying that no matter what his will was that he would be seen in a miraculous way. I told Him whatever that will be, whether it be another premature baby or a full term pregnancy, that people would see that He is still in the miracle making business. Throughout my entire pregnancy I saw this prayer answered over and over again. During my first pregnancy I barely gained enough weight, this time I was right at average. The first pregnancy I had more than one syncopal seizure, this time I had none. This pregnancy I had a lot less stress and was able to work a few days a week to give myself rest, and last but not least I had a full term, healthy delivery and baby. From 3 lbs to 8 lbs...boy, what a difference. When we found out that we were going to have two babies 19 months a part no one could have told me just how much it was going to be a part of our testimonies as a married couple, parents, and individuals. God truly answered my prayer, the prayer I prayed for 9 months, and I told him that whatever His will was for my second pregnancy that I would give Him all the glory.
By His will, Sutton McCrae Hendricks was born on February 28, 2013 at 12:07pm with no complications. I believe my body went into labor that morning as I showed a few signs at home and was having regular, strong contractions when we got to the hospital at our scheduled time. Due to him being a bigger baby it was not the easiest process but for the most part it was complication free. He came out kicking, screaming, and absolutely perfect. Everyone thought he looked just like his brother, even Dr. W said that as soon as he arrived. He came out with red hair, blue eyes, his daddy's feet, and his mommy's ears and lips. I am so thankful that we were blessed enough to experience what so many people take for granted. We had a healthy baby, we were able to enjoy that healthy baby right after he was born by holding and loving on him, our family and friends were able to love on him right after he was born, and we were able to take him home with us! Thank you God for all your many, many blessings!
Waiting to be parents of two!
Sweet, sweet baby boy.
Love at first sight all over again.
She is the best!
Love!
After we had some skin to skin and bonding time for over an hour. It was pure bliss!
Big boy. 8 lbs. even.
Getting to show him off to family!
We actually got footprints this time. I am still so sad we never got them with Shaw.
Getting his first bath.
All clean.
Red hair.
20 inches..and long, skinny feet!
Big brother getting to meet little brother for the first time.
Sutton gave Shaw a big brother gift :)
A few details.
Some of our visitors
Going home...and he got to go with us!
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Avery, I love this! Thank you so much for sharing. Your boys are both beautiful (of course they have a beautiful momma).
ReplyDeleteSo touching Mox! Very proud of the beautiful, wonderful, mommy you've become
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Yes, you are a writer with a story to tell - you just need to keep telling it! I'll be following you and your boys as you share them through your words.
ReplyDelete