Happy 9th Birthday!

Nine years.  That's how old Gogurt is today!  Well, tonight at 7:21 p.m. he will officially be 9 years old.  One more year until the double digits.....

You know how when you are pregnant everyone wants to tell you their "story?"  Well, I heard plenty of stories, good and bad while I was pregnant but, of course, my story ended up being my very own, not like anyone else's. 

A word of warning - if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you may want to skip right to the pictures. 

I would like to share my story with you, and I'm gonna try not to exaggerate one bit. 

Nine years ago on the night of November 30th I started having contractions.  I was excited, scared, and doubtful all at the same time.  I had an appointment for the next Tuesday to be induced, but I was beginning to think I wasn't going to make it.  And I didn't.  Around midnight Brad took me to St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA.  Since I was Group B Strep positive, I was immediately placed on an IV and placed in a room. 

I never had the goal of a drug-free birth, so I immediately began expecting drugs, of any kind, to stop my pain.  I was given Demerol and boy does that stuff work!  Later the epidural came and that was even better.  But then it would wear off and they would have to refill. 

Hours and hours and hours went by.  Family from Alabama and Mississippi had made it to the hospital expecting to show up in the nick of time but instead ended up having to wait for hours.  All total I think I was in labor about 17 hours.  Not fun. 

But the fun was just beginning!  I will never forget the moment it really got busy.  I was about to start pushing, the room emptied of family and filled with nurses.  I clearly remember rolling my tired head over to the right and seeing the little crib with the heat lamp finally on because there was about to be a baby lying in there.  I couldn't wait.  After all this time, I was about to meet my baby. 

So I started pushing, and of course it did not go smoothly.  I certainly won't go into much detail here, but why on earth that doctor did not do a C-section is beyond me.  But, he didn't, and FINALLY we had our bouncing baby boy. 

We did not find out ahead of time the sex of our baby.  It was a delivery room surprise.  And when it was announced "boy," I saw a little tear in Brad's eye. 

Whew.  It's over.  Relax.  Enjoy your baby.  Bond. 

Wrong. 

Around midnight, it was time for me to arise from my bed and go to the bathroom.  Ahhh, the big bathroom test.  I failed.  I was in the bathroom, the shower was running nice and hot, and I was about to jump in.  Well, not really jump, but gingerly step in.  I knew I was feeling weird but I thought it must be normal.  Sounds began echoing and I got really sleepy. 

Darkness. 

Woke up with Brad and nurses surrounding me.  I had passed out in the bathroom.  Okay, no biggie the nurse said.  Occasionally happens with the loss of blood from a delivery.  Just rest in bed for the night and we will try again in the morning. 

Morning came.  We tried again.  This time I made it to the bathroom and almost back to bed before passing out.  Fortunately I had nurses surrounding me (in case this happened) and I never reached the floor.  I didn't stay out for long this time, but when I woke up, the atmosphere had changed.  Something was wrong. 

The next day I was given a blood transfusion, 2 pints I believe.  The next day I was sent home.  And I wasn't ready.  At all. 

I was so weak I couldn't stand up and hold Gogurt at the same time.  My dear mother and mother-in-law took turns basically living with me so I could recuperate.  And it took a long, long time. 

Add to that the fact that Gogurt was not an easy baby, and you had a perfect prescription for postpartum.  I don't really think I ever clinically had postpartum depression, but I think I was close. 

Time went on and things got better and better mentally and physically.  We moved from Louisiana back to Mississippi when Gogurt was 8 months old.  We bought this house when Gogurt was 11 months old and we have been here ever since.  I never woulda thought it. 
***
So today makes 9 years.  It's gone by fast.  Too fast. 

Gogurt is in 3rd grade now and is a wonderful, smart boy.  He loves to play army and knows more about history than I do.  He also loves to read.  Hank the Cowdog is his current series of choice.  He, of course, loves to play video games and has been doing so since around 18 months of age.  He is not the perfect child, (surprise!) but I do see a very kind spirit inside of him.  (Except of course if he is dealing with his little sister but whatever). 

But apart from all that, I'm most proud of his decision last summer to ask Jesus into his heart.  He was saved at a Vacation Bible School and baptized a couple weeks later.  He is slowly growing in his faith, and as parents, that is the best reward in this world. 

I love you Gogurt.