First Winter

This I our first real snow here in North Bend. These are pics of our backyard. About 3 inches of soft snow. Very beautiful here when it snows. 

Then the sun came out. This is the back yard of a sisters house that we went to for hospitality. 

3 more weeks left!

MATERNITY PICTURES!

We are so excited and can't wait to meet our baby boy Jeriah!  

Below are some pics of my growing belly and the joy we share together.

(Note: We have all the rights to these pics since we bought the CD)

BABY SHOWER II

This past Sunday, our small congregation in Washington gave us a baby shower.  We are so appreciative of all the love, food and gifts.  Even though we are far from our family and friends in Texas, we feel brotherly affection and warmth.  It's a home away from home.

Below are some of the "reusable" decor

This baby was stuffed with diapers

Table Centerpiece:

Washcloth, diaper, and baby sock as a hat

Here is the whole gang all together

Peas in a pod:

Washcloths

Cake with bow ties 

Chocolate cake with raspberry filling

("Welcome Baby Jeriah")

NAME REVEAL: Jeriah Ben

Opening up gifts

The baby looks just like his dad!

Here I am at the doctors office:

36 weeks

4 more weeks left!

Crisis Averted!

(This is going to be VERY long so brace yourself)

So Andy and I have been attending birth classes and doctors appointments at the hospital closest to us (like 20 mins from home) that we felt was the best choice for us.  The midwives there are awesome and we were excited to have them deliver our baby boy.  They have been setting up "group appointments" (different from Birth Prep classes as seen on previous post) which helped us get to know other first time parents and share questions on what to expect and so on.  One thing mentioned was to prepare a Birth Plan to give to your provider (my midwives in this case) so they know what your wishes are for your labor and delivery choices.  For example: You would make note on the Birth Plan if you would like the father to cut the cord or not; or you would like skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth with the baby, and that you would like to breastfeed as soon as possible afterwards or the opposite, to bottle feed and use pacifiers.  Also other postpartum choices like if we choose to circumcise the boy there at the hospital or not... So of course I also wanted to add our stance of NO BLOOD in any case of an emergency or surgery.  So I added it to our Birth Plan as well as a copy of my DPA attached to it.  (Mind you this would have not been the first time I mentioned my stance.  From day one when I first started attending this hospital I filled out a paper that asked if I accepted blood or not and what religion I was.  Also, when seen by the nurse for the first time, she asked me again in person and recorded it in the computer.)  I was going to hand the Birth Plan over to them on the next appointment.

This past Tuesday, we had another "group appointment" with our midwife and they wanted to go over the hospital admittance forms with us.  (Especially since most in the group are getting close to their due date.  Ours is December 21st).  On that form it asked again if we accepted blood transfusions or not.  When they got to that part of the form my midwife said to the group, "If you mark 'no blood transfusion' then I can not deliver your baby". I was in shock.  I told her that I was told that this hospital was known to have bloodless procedures. She said that it's true that the "name" of the hospital is known to in other locations but not this particular hospital.  She said we would have to go to another hospital (same "name") but in Seattle (which is 40-45 mins away from us without traffic).  There is where bloodless procedures are done.  At this time we didn't know what else to say at the moment since we were in a group and didn't want to start anything.  So we waited until after the appointment to talk to her again.  

We followed her to her office, and on the way up in the elevator I had to speak up again because I just couldn't wait anymore.  "I don't understand, I mentioned this in the beginning when I first started attending here that I do not accept blood.  Why am I just hearing this now?"  She apologized for the confusion. Then asked, "What concerns do you have about it?"  I told her that first off there are so many risks and problems that could happen with the transfusion, even the form we were to fill out listed them all! But also it's a religious matter and that I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  She quickly looked at me and said, "Your a Jehovah's Witness?"  She said it more in a shocking tone then a derogatory way. Then we got off the elevator and entered her office.  (It's after hours now in the hospital, and no one is in the offices except us.)  We sat and talked more about it.  She explained that it's not just her but mainly that the hospital itself does not accept patients that do not want blood since they are not equipped to do so.  I told her that I can't believe that this "new, cutting edge" hospital is still stuck on blood transfusions which is so outdated.  There are so many new things out there now that can be used instead.  She said she didn't know what it will take to make that hospital "bloodless" ready.  In the meantime, we had to start a new plan on what to do next.  So she helped us with info on different doctors that might suit our needs and will deliver our baby at the other hospital. We thanked her for her understanding and hugged her.  We've gotten so close and comfortable with her that it was sad to leave and get a new doctor. 

So now it hits us on our ride back home.  "We are going to a new hospital we do not know... that's now farther away.  And with doctors we haven't met yet.  Would our insurance cover this too?  Do we have enough time to switch and get everything ready before I deliver?"  It's an overwhelming feeling that comes over us and all we can do now is pray and leave it in Jehovah's hands...   

The next morning I knew what I was doing that day...  Researching, making phone calls and appointments.  I wanted to look for another midwife first (then an OB if that didn't pan out) that delivered at the Seattle hospital.  After praying to Jehovah, I started calling from a list on that Seattle hospital website.  What I didn't notice is that these midwives/OB doctors are not directly affiliated with the hospital so they can choose to accept your insurance or not; be bloodless or not, regardless of what the hospital allows.  So it made it more difficult.  I would ask first if they accepted my insurance, and try to make an appointment to meet the midwife or doctor. But I was getting turned down each time since my insurance is government issued and not all accept it.  Then finally I called another group (or clinic) that DID accept my insurance! So I scheduled a time to meet with the OB. Shortly after, they called back and asked why exactly I am transferring so late in the pregnancy.  So I explained honestly about the blood issue.  She then said that her clinic of OBs does not do bloodless procedures.  WELL GREAT.  

By now I feel like we've hit a wall.  Then Andy called one of our elders to get the number of the Hospital Liaison Committee.  SOMEONE must know where to go or which doctor to use that does bloodless surgeries.  We can't be the only Witnesses in Washington that have had a baby.  The brother said he actually knew a sister that worked at that Seattle hospital and she happens to be a Blood Management Specialist that helps patients who prefer bloodless procedures.  She recommended a team of doctors that are in the bloodless program!  So immediately we called her and made arrangements to meet.  She then explained to us that the previous hospital DID have a bloodless program BUT not for pregnancy/delivery.  They are not equipped for this kind of situation.  

We made an appointment with one of the OBs at the Seattle hospital that not only does bloodless procedures but also accepts our insurance!  We also got to tour the birth center in that hospital to familiarize ourselves with it.  All set up after ONE day!  Only Jehovah can make things move so quickly and he gives the best.  

Below are some pics of me at 34 weeks. 

Preparing for Baby

Childbirth Prep Class

Andy and I have been attending "baby classes" every Monday evening for 3 hours the past 6 weeks. It has been a great help for us new timers.  It has covered all subjects that can help us feel confident with the pregnancy/birth process.  Subjects included:  Nutrition, Signs of Labor, Stages of Labor, Hospital procedures, Coping techniques, Variations of Labor, Emergency situations, Breastfeeding, Postpartum etc.  There were about 10 couples in the class, that are all new timers as well.  In our last day, we noticed a couple missing which was strange since it was the last class.  Then half way through class the husband of that couple walked in with a hospital wrist band!  He said that his wife gave birth to a baby girl just a couple hours before the class started!  (It really was a 14 hour labor, 2 weeks early from her due date)  So of course that gave us all anticipation for when it was our turn.

In our last class, we were taught how to use various types of baby carriers.  

Below the teacher is demonstrating how to use the Moby Wrap with Andy as the model.  

Oh did I mention that we got our new car seat that our insurance provided us?

We tested it out on SuperBear!

Below are some pics of other ways I've been preparing for baby. The past weeks we've been taking care of one 5 year old in the mornings and taking her to school.  Then one full day with another couple of kids, one 7 month old baby girl and 3 year old boy.  

Below is a picture of me with baby girl getting water from the fridge.  This picture was taken by the 3 year old boy that took my phone without me knowing and was taking pictures of everything! I had pictures of the floor, walls, furniture... all the way to the kitchen where I was.  (The last pic is of him.)  

Taking care of kids (that are not yours) is one thing, but doing it while 8 months pregnant is another story.  OH SO TIRED!  (This Monday was the last day of babysitting, pheww)

SPOILER ALERT!  

Next Blog post:  BABY ROOM!