Infertility reflections, 2 years later

As I sat and watched LSU beat the Florida gators Saturday night I couldn't help but think back to this match up two short years ago.  The outcome of the game was certainly different this time around, but that was the farthest thing from my mind.

At the end of the game, Mr and his dad were yelling and cheering for the win, it was intense.  And I sat with them, holding my son, cheering for us.  Not for the Tiger, but for us.  We did it! Two years later, we are exactly where I want to be, a family of 3.  There were days that I wondered if I'd ever be able to say that.

If you're family, or my parents, please stop reading now.  Okay, I warned you;)

I'm sure y'all are wondering where I'm going with this post and what in the world a football game has to do with our journey to a family of 3.  Well, it has everything to do with it!

The last time LSU played at Florida, two years ago, Mr. was supposed to go to the game.  However, when my cycle started and we got our schedule from our RE, he had to sell his tickets to the Swamp.  As timing would have it, Mr. needed to stay home to make Jackson with me!

And as I held my sleeping 16-month-old baby at the end of the game all the shots, the bloating, the hormones and the stress all seemed to fade away. 

Nothing good is ever easy, and nothing easy is ever good... getting here wasn't easy, but there's no place I'd rather be!

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PreTerm Labor

Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
Flashback to one year ago today, when I almost met my baby way too soon.

I should have known that Jackson was going to be a very busy baby when he tried to come into the world 7 weeks early. I also should have paid closer attention to my body and realized the signs of preterm labor.

I was swelling pretty bad even on my restricted, no sodium diet. My doctor warned me to slow down and take it easy, but I did not listen. I pressured myself to finish the nursery in time to host Mother's Day brunch. I put on a craw fish boil for our entire neighborhood. I worked full-time. I ironed every. piece. of. clothing. in my Mr.'s closet. If you know me, all types of red lights would have been flashing. I'm all about the dry cleaner and never iron!

I hadn't felt right all week. I was going to the doctor on Thursday and planned to let him know. I was 33 weeks and 3 days pregnant. I went to work. I got my hair done. I went home and decided that Mr. and I should walk. Walking made me sleep better, helped with the swelling - and that night, made my cramps and backache better.

During my pregnancy we walked two laps around the block, one mile, each night. But, I convinced Mr. that we needed to walk more. We walked four laps when Mr. made me quit. My stomach and back was cramping so bad. I went inside and took a bath to help, I thought I was having back spasms or something. The thought that I was in labor never crossed my mind.

I was up all night. Moaning, tossing, turning, using the bathroom too many times to count. Again, the signs were all there. I just kept telling myself it was nothing. But, I felt an incredible amount of pressure. Thank goodness I had a doctor's appointment the next day. I told the nurse about the pressure I was feeling and how terrible my night was. She asked my doctor to check me just to make sure nothing was going on.

I'll never forget the look on my doctor's face. I was 3cm dialed and 50% effaced, what?!?. He sat me up and started talking to me about premature babies, the NICU, bed rest and steroid shots that would help Jackson's lung develop.

I was sent home on strict bed rest and had an appointment the next morning. By that morning, I was 4cm dilated and 80% effaced. I spent the weekend in the hospital so they could find monitor me and the baby. I got the shots to help Jackson's lungs and would spend the next two weeks on Procardia every four hours. The contractions never stopped, but they we're strong enough to make me progress.

The weeks ahead of us were intense, trying to cook my baby boy as long as my body would let me. At 35 weeks my placenta was aging and ready to evict Jackson from my uterus. I stopped taking the contraction medication and went back to work. That week was the longest week. To be continued...

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Brummett Visit

(continuation from previous post...)

Mr. re-packed the car Friday morning and we continued on our way to Dallas. It was bizarre to see the ground covered in so much snow. It reminded me of my college days driving home from Des Moines, but instead we were driving from Louisiana to Texas!

We arrived safely at the lovely Brummett home just before dinner. I say lovely because that is what their home truly is. You can feel the love and happiness as soon as you walk through the door. Four kids and two dogs would have me totally frazzled. It totally completes and becomes them. However, no matter how many times we played "house" and "babies" growing up, I don't think we imagined things to play out so well in real life.

Friday night we ate a great dinner and watched our babies play together Jackson roll around trying to eat all of the girls toys. As the night progressed we watched Jackson fall head over heals in love. Landrie was Jackson's first kiss when he was just weeks old. I'm serious when I tell you that this girl makes his eyes twinkle and his heart pitter patter. He lights up when he gets her attention!
Landrie and Jackson's first kiss

Jackson's twinkle


Saturday morning we loaded the kids in the Brummett baby hauler and kissed our Mr.'s good-bye for the day. Like all good friends, Stephanie let me indulge in my California Pizza Kitchen salad. And as always, it was amazing! We spent the rest of the day shopping and changing Jackson's blow outs. I went through 3 outfits before the day was over!

We met back up with our hubbies for dinner at a great Mexican restaurant. After a day of shopping with three kids under 2, we were ready for some Corona's and chips & salsa! A friend of mine from college also lives in Dallas now, so she came and met us too. We had a nice visit and of course, our kids kept us on our toes!
Michelle meets Jackson

Landrie dancing with half of her dinner on her face:)

Sweet Ella watching her sister dance dance

The definition of a toddler Hot Mess

Ladies Landrie's Man

The trip went by way to fast, we can't wait to see the Brummett bunch again! Jackson was so worn out from the trip that he slept the whole six hours home. Young love:)

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11 weeks

Jackson is getting so big!

Now


Then

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Changes

Last night we went to Artwalk downtown and then out to dinner with some friends of ours. Brian and Carrie had a little boy 12 days before we had Jackson. As Carrie and I sat at dinner and nursed our sons and the guys helps us burp and get situated with our "hooter hiders" we all laughed at how life has changed.

People are always warning you that children change your life, they change your sleep habits, social life and preach that life will never be the same. Well, they are right life will never be the same... but I wouldn't go back to life before Jackson for anything! Sometimes change is a really good thing.

Jackson fussing because he wanted sushi too


Dads and their sons

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The Story of Us

I was looking back through some pictures this morning and can't believe Mr. Wilson and I are so close to becoming parents. We met five years ago this August at a little place called La Fonda. I had temporary moved to Louisiana after college graduation. The night Mr. Wilson and I met started out with a girlfriend and I going out for a drink... okay, the truth was that I was stood up for date and needed to drink away my sorrows... that is when I met my prince charming. It was a Thursday night, college football had just started, and I happened to be sitting under a TV. Little did I know that the guy I was falling in love with wasn't in fact checking me out, he was watching the game. A few margaritas into the night, I finally asked Mr. Wilson to come and talk to me. The rest is pretty much history:) I had him when I said I needed a date for the upcoming LSU at Auburn game. Yes, there were some bets that he would be gone after the game... but 5 years later, here we are about to be mommy and daddy.

SEC Championship in Atlanta


Alligator Hunting


Stephanie's Wedding


Disney Cruise with the Family


Our Engagement - December 8, 2006


Our First House


Engagement Party


Luau Shower




Bachelorette Party


Rehearsal Dinner


Wedding - July 14, 2007






Honeymoon


LSU


Our baby making trip (it only took 7 more months)


Last 4th of July




Our 1st wedding anniversary - New Orleans


Stephanie and I after my trigger shot:)



First picture of soon to be mommy and daddy - New Orleans, October 2008


There hasn't been too many pictures taken of Mr. Wilson and I lately, but I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about us. Thank you for the trip down memory lane:)

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Happy Anniversary!

Exactly one year ago today I started this blog, Mr. Wilson and I were about to start our first medicated cycle on our TTC journey. I can't believe that one year later, I am sitting at my computer feeling my busy little boy bounce all around in my belly. Thank you for your support and words of wisdom. It's been a great year and I can't wait to share the experience of motherhood with you all in this next year!

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