Hayden's Birth Story

On Tuesday, December 22nd, my Mom, Chip and I arrived at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. for me to be induced. By 6:30 a.m., the pitocin drip was started and I was 90% effaced and at a 3. Our doctor informed me that she would break my water after she was done with a procedure in the OR that was set to begin at 7:30a.m. Over the next couple of hours, the pitocin was increased and contractions were starting.

The contractions started getting painful around 10 a.m. so we decided I would go ahead and get the epidural before my water broke. At 10:45, I was all set with the epidural and Chip came back in the room (they kicked him out while they got the epidural set - it took a bit as I have really tight back ligaments and small vertebrae spaces). I was so nervous about getting an epidural, but it truly was not painful. I told the nurse that I had to use the restroom before the epidural, but she told me to wait until after the epidural kicked in and the pressure on my bladder would not be as bad and they would drain my bladder. When Chip came back in the room, I told him I thought I had maybe wet myself as I felt a cold sensation in that area. He handed me tissue to check and then there was this huge gush that came out of me. I thought I was wetting the bed and couldn't stop crying and laughing because it was funny, but I was so embarrassed. I called the nurse and she came in and checked me and said that my water had broke. About a minute later the doctor came in to break my water and found it had already broken.

They checked me again and I was progressing slowly, but steadily. I was dilating by about 1 cm per hour. My Mom, Dad, Chip and I all waited around, watched TV and waited some more. At 5, the doctor came back and said I was at an 8 and she expected me to be at a 10 and to be ready to push by 7. At 7, she returned and I was still at an 8. She said they would give me until 8:30 p.m. and, if there was no change, then we would do a c section. She said it felt like my pelvis wasn't spreading enough and the baby's head might be stuck.

When she returned at 8:30, I was still at an 8. We decided that a c section would be best for the baby and me. My epidural medicine had just run out, so they gave me the medicine to numb my lower half for the c section. Chip got into his scrubs and they wheeled me to the OR. I felt tugging, pulling, a ton of pressure and then, at 9:40 p.m., we heard the sweetest noise ever, our son's first cry. We both fell instantly in love with our miracle. To see my husband holding our son was a sight that brought tears to my eyes. We were here - we have a healthy baby boy who is a miniature replica of his Daddy and our life feels complete. 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 19.5 inches of perfection. When Chip was holding him, Hayden stuck out his tongue at his Daddy and they exchanged looks of love. When I FINALLY got to hold him (an hour after he was born because they were stitching me up), he immediately went for my chest and latched on like a champ. Even the nurses were impressed at his super sucking ability.

Now - 12 days later - I am still amazed at our blessing. I am amazed at my life. I am amazed by the incredible man I married who is already such a wonderful Daddy. He's a natural. I thank God every night for our miracle, for my life, for all that He has given us. I am truly thankful.

I love you Hayden!

He's Here!

And perfect as can be...

More to come later...

Here's some pictures until then:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=135413&id=573142638&l=d594221512

Less than 72 Hours

We have three days left until we meet our son. I am getting induced on Tuesday, December 22nd. To say that we are excited would simply be an understatement. We are ready, nervous, overjoyed and overwhelmed (in a good way) that our life is about to change.

Why are we inducing? We have several reasons why this is the right decision for us.

1. Hayden tried to come when I was 33w6d, but our doctor was able to stop it so he could grow.
2. About a week and a half ago, during my annual review at work, I starting having intense contractions that were five minutes apart. I was trying to be professional and not let my bosses know what was going on. I was getting really emotional and had silent tears rolling down my face. At the end of the review, I told them that I wasn't crying at anything they had said (the review went awesome and was super positive), but I was crying because I was physically in pain. Bless them both for handling it so well! It was sweet to see two Southern men bending over backwards trying to help me get comfortable while Chip drove to come pick me up. When Chip and I got to the hospital, I was still having contractions, but they were not effective, so we got sent home after two hours of monitoring.
3. The next day, I went walking at the mall all day with my mom (she flew down as soon as she heard I was having contractions) and Jamie and had some fluid leaking from me. We decided I should call the doctor and back to the hospital I went. The fluid was from my being more dilated (I went from a 1.5 at 33 w, to 2.5 a week and a half ago to a 3 the next day) so it was a quick in/out visit.

After these three events (and three different trips to the hospital), we talked with the doctor and she said that Hayden is definitely ready and strong enough to come so an induction would be a good option for us - especially considering how dilated and effaced I am (3 and 80-90%) already. We scheduled the induction for Monday originally, but moved it to Tuesday so I would officially be 39w. To say that having a plan has lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders is an understatement. I am a huge planner and, while I was doing the right thing by calling the doctor and going to the hospital, I felt foolish for troubling them for "nothing." God knows how I am and I know that He is the one in control. He provided a way for me not to stress by allowing me to be induced and I am very thankful to have a Father who loves me and wants me not to stress myself or our sweet son.

Hayden will be here in time for Christmas and the doctor who I like best at the practice will be the one delivering him! It's amazing to think that this time last year, I was about to have surgery for endometriosis and now - we're having our miracle baby. What a crazy, wonderful year!

Right Where I Need to Be (Blessings #39)

I am right where I need to be. I am right where God wants me. I have so much to be thankful this Holiday season and am so very grateful in all the ways that God has and continues to provide for us. He has provided us with some awesome friends - who live all over the United States. Our family is incredible - they are so supportive and loving.

Thank you - I am have so much to be thankful for. I hope you enjoy the pictures of just a few things I am grateful for.

I am grateful for my nephew, Nathan Chadwick, and his sweet new brother, Oliver Clark.

He calls me LuLu and it makes my heart melt.

He prefers to talk to Chip rather than me now when he calls us and that breaks my heart a little and also makes me so very happy.

I am grateful for a mother in law who can rock "Dancing Queen" at her son's wedding.

I am grateful for being with the love of my life for almost six years - with many more to come.
I am grateful to be expecting our first son in less than five weeks.

I am grateful for my brother in law and new sister in law.

Congratulations Kristy and Jake!

I am grateful for our friends and their precious kids.

It makes me fall in love with Chip even more to see how awesome he is with kids.

He is going to be the best Daddy to our sweet Hayden.

I am grateful for our home.

I am grateful for my Mom who flew to PA to help us organize our new home.

Happy Thanksgiving! May you day be full of blessings!

Blessings

1. A healthy pregnancy
2. Amazing family and friends
3. Being able to make my Grandma's cornbread dressing - I am so thankful that I spent so many years making it with her.
4. Honey do's being almost done - thank you, Chip!
5. Our little life
   
   
   

Hayden Bump (Blessings #38)

I finally feel pregnant enough to post pictures of the Hayden bump. These pictures were taken on Halloween as we waited for trick or treaters (we were sadly disappointed - our street intersects with a busy street that kids won't cross). Since then, the bump has dropped a bit.
Enjoy!

Addison wanted to sneak in and say hi!

I love this shirt - my Mom got it for me right after we found out we were pregnant. :)

The last month has flown by, starting Monday, we go every week. WOW! Only 6 and a half more weeks (or less) until our sweet baby boy arrives. We are beyond excited and have so much to be thankful for this Holiday season.

Blessings:

1. Going to get my H1N1 vaccine today - it will give me peace of mind to have it and will protect Hayden
2. Having Hayden's room almost done
3. Girl's Night to Garden Ridge and PF Chang's this past Monday
4. Feeling incredibly blessed to be right here, right now - 6 weeks away from having a healthy baby
5. Having incredible friends and family that I miss so incredibly much - I am blessed to have such amazing people in my life
   

Four Years Together - Many More To Go

Chip's and my four year wedding anniversary was this past Thursday. We kept it very low key due to the busy (and fun!) wedding weekend we had in Iowa for Jake & Kristi. Chip sent me a bouquet of pink roses (the flower we used in our wedding) - it was a complete surprise and so sweet! It definitely lifted my spirits as this week was end of the month craziness at work. Our anniversary also marked the two months away from meeting Hayden mark. It has gone by so fast!

When I think of the last four years, I am reminded of all of the fun times and adventures that Chip and I have had together. I am extremely blessed to be married to such a patient and loving man who will be an amazing father and is a great provider for our family. Thanks go to my in laws, Skip and Judy, for raising such a fine son. I hope our future daughter in law will feel the same about us as I do for them.

Our adventures in the last four years:
2006 - bought our first house and dog (Izzie) in February
2007 - bought our second dog (Addison) in August
2008 - moved to Pennsylvania in September
2009 - got pregnant in March with a precious baby boy who is due in December

It has been a fun and crazy time - I never thought we would move out of Texas, and yet, as much as I miss my friends and family, I am so thankful we had the opportunity to do so. We have grown so much together as a couple and truly became a family! I look forward to the many more adventures that we will have together.

I could go on and on about the many virtues of my awesome husband - but I have to get to his football tournament. I love you Chip - with all of my heart - and am so thankful for each and every day that we have together. I look forward to many, many more anniversaries together!

Week 26/27 (Blessings #37)

Well - I am officially in the third trimester. This means we are getting closer and closer to baby Hayden being here - it also means I REALLY need to find my camera charger and cord so I can upload pictures... Next weekend we will start really putting the nursery together so it can be ready for the big day.

Everything so far has been great! Hayden is growing and is perfect. We have our next appointment tomorrow (Monday) and then we start going every other week after that. I also get to have my dress altered for Jake & Kristi's wedding next week. It will definitely be a fun time and will be the official debut of the Hayden bump for the Frohling family.

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In other news, Chip and I have toured four day cares. We have decided that I will go back to work (or at least try). This decision has been hard for me - I know Hayden will be fine wherever we put him - it is me being able to be away from him and dealing with the responsibilities of being a working mom that is hard. God will provide me with the strength to handle this - I need to let it go. I am in awe of everything He has provided for us so far and the strength He has given us through everything. The journey to be here - to be 27 (almost 28) weeks pregnant is nothing short of a miracle and it is one that we are so grateful for. We are supposed to be parents to this baby - our Hayden - and every heartbreak and set back has lead us to this place. A place of peace. A place of awe. A place where I hope we can use our story to help and encourage others. We received a wooden sign at one of the showers that says "Thank Heaven for Little Boys," - thank heaven indeed. We also received a picture frame with a quote on it that I think was lifted from our hearts - it says, "We loved you before we knew you, even when there was just the hope of you - we loved you." This quote makes me tear up every time I read it - it is so true. We have loved Hayden for a very long time - he has been the hope in our hearts that we knew God would one day bless us with. We are beyond blessed and so very thankful.

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My last remaining grandparent, my dad's mom - JoAnn, passed away this week while my parents were on vacation. She had Alzheimer's and was in very poor health. It is hard to see my parents lose their parent as it makes me think of the day when that will happen to Chip and me (in a very very long time from now). I wasn't close to her - she was not what you would call a typicla grandmother type person. However, she did raise my dad and he is an amazing man. The best dad anyone could ever have. Someone who sacrificed so much for our family and overcame so much to be the person he is - I have an enormous amount of respect for him. I hope and pray that she is in heaven with Jesus and that she is no longer in pain. My heart aches for my dad at the sadness of losing his mom.

This happening to her also makes me realize how INCREDIBLY blessed Hayden is (and us). I wish I could have had the type of relationship with my dad's mom that I did with my dad's dad and my mom's parents- JoAnn just wasn't like that and that's okay - she was who she was. My parents and my in laws are not like JoAnn at all. All four grandparents are like my mom's parents and my dad's dad - loving, kind, generous, supportive, fun - the exact type of grandparents you would want. I know that they will be cheering on Hayden at all of his events (whether they are physically there or not). They will be there when we call and will be so excited over every milestone in his life. They will spoil him with love (and other things I am sure - which is 100% their job - to do the fun things with him that Chip & I say no to - ice cream for dinner, late bedtimes, candy, etc.). God has blessed us in this area of our lives so much for which I am on my knees in thankfulness for.

Blessings:

1. Consignment stores with adorable little boy things I cannot resist.
2. The internet for keeping in touch with friends.
3. Perfect fall weather.
4. Jake & Kristi's wedding - it will be so much fun!
5. My family - every single one of them.