Amazing Together

Okay I know it has been forever since I posted last. I have been super busy!!

Teagan Michael Taylor was born on September 27, 2009 at 1:40am. He weighed 3 lbs even and was 15 1/2 inches long. He was only on the ventilator for about 8 hours and then oxygen for a few more hours after that. He has been on room air ever since. He started to get sick on my breast milk (just like London) so they switched him to Alimentum formula and he has been great ever since, no more tummy issues. He has a PDA just like London; a PDA is the valve in the heart not closing. They did not discover his until 12 days of life so he could not be on medication, the only way to fix it was to do surgery or wait and see if it closes on its own. Well we are waiting to see if it closes. He is now in an open crib instead of his incubator and he weighs 4 lbs 4 ounces. He is so dang cute. I will post pictures when I have some extra time.

I wake up and go to work for a few hours and then I head to the NICU to see Teagan. After the NICU I go home and spend time with London and try to get some things done around the house. Then back up to the NICU to see my baby, then off to bed. This is why I cant seem to get my blog updated. SORRY :)

London turned 1 on October 26th. On the 24th we had a huge party for her. We ate a light lunch and then opened presents. She doesn't get how to open the presents but she loved all the toys that she received. She then got to play in her gigantic cupcake. She was not to sure about it at first but then she really started to get into it (pictures to come shortly). She is such a cutie!!

Well thanks again for everyone's support. You are all amazing and I am so glad to have you in me and my babies lives.

Last night during my hour long monitoring session my little guys heart rate dropped below 100 for a coupld of minutes. They were concerned but will just watch to see if it happens again in the days to come. Because there is no fluid he could easily be compressing the cord. So one more thing to watch and monitor. Thank goodness for all the nurses and doctors here at McKay Dee.

Wednesday September 23rd around 1 pm my water broke. They did some tests to make sure it was amniotic fluid and all the tests were 100 percent positive. They took me to Labor and Delivery to be monitotred over night. When I arrived to L and D they did an IV and blew my vein in my hand, ouch!! Then they finally got a vein in my arm and starting pumping me full of antibiotics because the rate of infection in the amiotic sac is extremly high now that my membranes are ruptured. They also gave me a Tributaline shot and some pills to stop the contractions. Well neither of those worked, I have was having some good contractions every 3 minutes apart. So they gave me another shot and a different pill that I have been taking all along to stop the contractions. Within an hour or two of the last medication the contractions slowed down a lot. By 9 that night they were gone. They also gave me another round of steroid shots for the babies lungs so that he doesnt have to be on a respirator as long once he is born. I had to stay over night in L and D but I did not have any more contractions all night long so my doctor said that I could come back to my room in Postpardum. I was so excited. I then went to the specialist doctor and we talked about my situation for a full hour. He is great at answering all my questions. He said that as soon as I start to contract or bleed they are going to cut the cerclage stich and let my little guy come into the world. They dont want the stitch to tear because then they have to repair the cervix after. He said removing the stich can be painful if the stitch is still in tack. That should be interesting surgery to have while having contractions :) They checked my amniotic fluid and said that I dont have any at all. He said that now my water is broke 75 percent of all women have the baby within a week. My doctor Julia said that she will most likely plan on cutting the stitch within a few days of my rupture. So this little guy should be born within a week. I was terrified on Wednesday because I still had not come to terms on having him early because I was not ready for the NICU experience and the roller coaster ride that it is. But as I was laying on the table in the specialist office I said a prayer that gave me full comfort and I am now ready to have him whenever the Lord should have him come. I know that he will not give me anything that I cannot handle. No matter what happens it is for a reason. I will keep everyone updated as to what is going on. I just wanted to thank you again for all your prayers and thoughts.

So the doctor came in this morning and said she doesnt think my cervix will hold up much longer. She is hoping for 32 but isnt positive about it. I hate when I hear things like that. AHHH. I am trying to stay positive and it sucks to hear your doctor say that. I just keep trying to remember that they did not think I would make it 4 weeks when I first came in here. They said they would be surprised if I made it a week in my condition. I wanted to thank everyone for your prayers, it is one thing that is keeping me strong. I just have to remind myself that I am doing what I can and that it is in the lords hands as to what happens. I have to remind myself that I will be blessed for going through this trial.

So London came up to visit yesterday and crawled a little bit on my bed!!!! It was so cute. I cant believe she is getting so big. She will be 11 months on Saturday. She is crawling just in time for me to get home with the baby. That should be interesting. It is so much fun to watch her grow and excel in life.

So the dietician wants me to gain 1 pound a week because I am so little she needs me to get weight on for the baby. Well she came in today and said that I have only gained 2 pounds in the past month and that is not what she wants to see. It is crazy because I eat all meals and sit and do nothing. If anyone has any ideas on how to gain weight that would be great!!

So I failed my first flucose test, BUMMER!! So I had to do "the big test". To start the test I could not eat for 12 hours. So this morning around 8am the phlebotomist came up and drew my blood. The level had to be less than 110 and mine was 74, so three lab workers stood and stared at me while I drank the nasty orange warm drink in 5 mins. Wow that stuff is nasty!! Anyways, then they came up and drew my blood every hour for four hours. The entire test I could not eat or drink. My second blood score had to be less than 180 and it was 140, my third had to be less than 155 and it was 148, my last blood draw had to be less than 140 and it was 110. My doctor called and told me that I did not have gestational diabetes. YEAH!!! I dont need anything else adding to this pregnancy :)

So on September 14th I started having contractions. They werent to bad during the day but around 8 at night I got really sick. Then all of a sudden I was having contractions every 5 mins. They were getting really stong, I did not know what a contraction felt like until today because with London it was back labor the entire time. Well now I know and it was not fun. Finally at 11 pm they called the doctor because the contractions were getting worse. The doctor said to give me two tributaline shots. They are the shots that make your heart race. By 11:45pm the contractions were gone and I was feeling good (except for the insane shaking that the shot causes). That night made me realize that I am not ready to give birth again and go through the NICU process. The past few days since I have really put my mind in the right place and prepared myself for the delivery and NICU if that is what happens.

Then....

September 15th I started contracting again about every 10 mins and then they got better and were every 20 mins. I keep wondering if it is the low weather pressure that came in. Lets just hope for good weather that does not bring this little guy.

So my new goal is 32 and 1/2 weeks. That is when the baby is developmentally like a full term baby. But I decided that every week I make it I am going to treat myself to something (baby stuff, craft stuff, etc.) It is nice to look forward to something, I think it helps the time go by faster. (Of course it will be on my bed rest budget..haha I guess I will have to spend my $3 wisely)

YEAH!! Today the social workers here at McKay Dee are throwing me a pizza party because I have made it to 28 weeks. I love all the people here, they are so sweet.

YEAH!! I made it to 28 weeks. I have been in the hospital for about 4 weeks now. I have had a few scares with contractions and bleeding but that is normal in my situation I think. I would love to make it as far along as possible but I know that it is in the lords hands. He will always watch over me and this baby boy. Sometimes it is hard to keep that mind set but my support system is amazing to keep my head in the right place.

I went to the specialist this morning..thought I did not have an appointment until the 17th but they came and got me so I went. Anyways, they measured the baby and the fluid. I have 11 ounces i think of fluid which is good for this time in pregnancy and they measured my little guys abdomen and thigh (his head is way to low to measure) to see how big he is.....he is about 2 pounds 4 ounces!! He is getting bigger every single day.

Thanks again to my amazing friends and family that keep me in your prayers. I know that it is helping me get through this. I love you guys!!

So I told you I would post pictures. Well I did, many of you know how much I LOVE pictures and I think this proves it. Have fun viewing how much fun me and London had this summer!!

Okay so things are going good. Last night I had braxton hicks contractions that woke me up from my Ambien induced comma, they lasted all night long. As soon as I woke up they went away. The doctor said it is really normal to have them and to track.

I love all my friends and family for coming up and visiting me. You guys are my life savers. I do have to say though my favorite visitor is a beautiful little girl, she is the love of my life. You guessed....its London!!! When I know she is coming up I cant stop looking at the clock. Mom called yesterday as the left and said they were on their way and it felt like hours before she got here, even though I am sure it was only 20 mins or so.

I am going to post a bunch of pictures as soon as I can. I have to rely on my amazing family to get a lot of things done for me and getting pics on a disc is one the list of things to do.

When the doctor came in this morning he said that when I was admitted to the hospital at 24 weeks the chances of my baby being handicapped was 80%. Once I reach 28 weeks the chance goes down to 5%. If I make it to 32 weeks they consider that full term as far as chances of handicap (which is basically 0%). So keep me and the baby in your prayers that we will make it to 28 weeks at least. Right now I am 26 weeks and 3 days.

Today is another day in the hospital. The baby is doing good; super active. He hates to be monitored. Whenever they put the monitor on he kicks them and moves all over the place. I have to hold the paddle and push it on my belly to keep his heart beat on the monitor. He is already stubborn. Him and London take after their mother :) He is still really, really low and will be for the rest of the pregnancy. I am 26 weeks and 2 days today. I need to get to at least 28 weeks because that is when the critical stage for his development is over. At 28 weeks his brain is all developed. London is doing good with Grandma and Grandpa, getting spoiled rotten :) London loves her grandparents. I love my mom and dad for taking care of London and bringing her up here to see me. I love seeing the smile on her face when she walks in the door. It is amazing how much love I have for my babies. I feel that they are a piece of my heart living outside of my body. It is such an amazing feeling.

This is a quote that a lady in the hospital research sent me:
"I know that God will not give me anything that I cant handle. I just wish he did not trust me so much."
I really like this because it puts my head in the right spot. I know that Heavenly Father is by my side through this entire process and that I am able to handle it otherwise he would not let me go through this. I just hae to keep thinking that the blessings that i am going to receive from these trials are going to be amazing. I know that my sweet baby is being taken care of in Heaven by my grandma and grandpa Sampson. They are taking care of him until he is ready to come to earth and live with me and London. I am so thankful that heavenly father trusts me with my little angels. I am so happy to be a mother.

Thanks again to all my friends and family who are there to support me on a daily basis. Thanks for getting me through the hard times and of course for being there for me through the good.

Sorry it has been so long since I posted anything. Work has been super crazy and then when I get home from work all I want to do is be with London. She is growing up so fast. She is hopefully going to crawl soon. She tries but cant quite get the hang of it yet. Me and the baby are doing good. We are in the hospital on bed rest until he is born because my cervix is super short again even with the cerclage so they are watching me really close. I am so thankful for all my family and friends and the support you have given me and my little family through everything. I also dont know what I would do if I did not have the church in my life. Knowing that me and my babies are being blessed and watched over every second of every day by the lord is so comforting to me. I have received so many blessings through my trials. I know that that heavenly father will not give me any trials that I cannot handle. I know that me and my babies will receive 10 times the blessings for every trial we go through. I should be able to update this more now that I have the extra time :)

We went 4 wheeling in Salina. I rode in the ranger with Scott and Pam. After a few hours and the fact that we kept getting stuck in between trees and whipped with brush we realized that only small 4 wheelers were supposed to be on the trail. OOPS!! It was a lot of fun though.

Sorry it has been forever since i have posted anything. It is hard to keep up with the blog being a single mommy. All my free time is spent with London. I will try my best to get some pics on here this weekend. Hope everyone is doing well.

http://www.kosy.com/pages/baby_idol/vote.html

Vote for number 139!! London is so cute don’t you think? Thanks everyone!!!

12 weeks...













11 weeks...












10 weeks....

London and Grandpa are best buds. He loves to pick her up from her crib if she is crying. London even spit up on him a few times and grandpa didnt even get sick that proves that he loves her!









London and Jayden love to hold hands and stare at each other. When they are older they are going to be inseparable.









London loves her grandma. Grandma has been a huge help with me and London. If it wasnt for grandma I don't know where I would be. We love you!

London was the only thing that got me through the day of my surgery. I was in a lot of pain but after the surgery but all I wanted was to get home and see London. She laid on the couch and made me smile the pain away. She is the perfect medicine ever.

On Memorial Day me, London, Grandma, Heather and Jayden went to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. It was sad to see all the people that gave their lives for us in battle. I am so thankful for my freedom. Thanks to all of those who fight for our freedom.

The two funnest girls in the world!!

This was London's first experience with food. She was not sure what to think about it. It took her a few days to get the eating down. She wanted to suck the food like it was a bottle. She loves to eat her food now. She always talks and makes noises when she gets a bite of food.

This year was my first Mothers Day. I never knew how amazing it would feel to be a mother. I am so blessed to have London in my life. She keeps me going every day. She is my angel from heaven. It is exciting to be pregnant again with another angel to bless my life even more. I love being a mother and cant wait to share every minute with my precious babies.

Ready for church!!













Sitting in her Bumbo seat.










Playing on her mat eating all of her toys.










Mothers Day Sunday!










Bath time!!!













Posing! She is going to be like her mommy....very photogenic.










Love this!!!