The story of Gabriel- Happy Birthday!

I'm still in shock that 2yrs ago today I gave birth to the chubby little person, who at the moment, is standing on a toy looking out the window in just his diaper. He refuses to put pants on, not even comfy ones and I have to chase him just to change his diaper. Where did this strong willed child come from? It's not like this is new though, he was just a stubborn 2yrs ago!!!

I figured in tribute to my little monster, I would right out his birth story for all to see. So here it goes.

Jared got back from his first deployment in November of 08. Rylan was 14 months old and we were living at Ft. Campbell KY. Around Christmas, while on leave here in WA we decided we wanted to try for another baby. It didn't happen right off so we figured with the move coming up it would be best to wait until we got settled back at Ft. Lewis. We moved in April of 09 and I waspregnant very soon after and announced to everyone I was pregnant on Mothers Day!

My pregnancy was fairly uneventful, morning sickness that lasted all day and doctors check ups. We were hoping for a girl, one of each. Jared was able to be there when we found out we were having another boy. I can't quite remember what we did with Ry.

My due date was December 31 2009, we were hoping for a new year baby though!

Then the hard Part happened. In November just after thanksgiving, jared had to deploy again. His dwell time was up and the rest of his unit had left already. There was good and bad. The good is that he would only be one for about 9m, the bad is that there was no possible way for him to be there for Gabes birth, no leave at all.

By this time Meghan had moved up with us knowing I would need help with Ry and Ayer Gabe was born. Pregnancy wise everything was going good, I was over weight when I got pregnant and was gaining "to much" according to my doctor. That much weight was just to much for my small body, breathing was very difficult.

Jared was already in Afghanistan when we finally decided on a name for him, it was the same with rylan though, it took forever! After much talk we decided on Gabriel Allen Bailie!

December 31st came and went with no sign of Gabe. I did have one appointment where my blood pressure was high but it went away, I knew it was the fact that my 190lb self had to walk from the very far end of the parking lot UP to the hospital and threw. Huffing and puffing the whole way, people looking at me afraid Gabe was going to fal right out!

So we decided on n induction date, January 10th 1010!

My mom and Myles came up the day before, and my mom had a good laugh at me trying to bend over to clean up a spill. Gabe was so low I had to Sumo squat!

The day came and at 7am we made out way to Madigan Army medical center. I got all settled in my bed awaiting my IV. With both boys I tested positive for group B strep and had to have the antibiotics, which they felt the need to put in my left wrist, most uncomfortable IV ever!

The first nurse couldn't get it and was actually hurting me so she just got up and walked away and my new nurse did it!

Then I was given the pitocin and my water was broken.

Contractions with rylan were manageable. Painful but managed by walking and breathing, I labored at home and only went in when my contractions had been going for more than hour. And I only went because I didn't want to have him at home.

Pitocin induced contractions were HORRIBLE!!! Front and back and I couldn't walk! I asked for an epi at 4cm and had it by 5cm. With Rylan I got mine when I went in at 8cm and the pain was still manageable!

Time escaped me so I don't know what time it was but at one point I sat up to tel my mom that I was going to throw up. I had done this with Rylan, while I was pushing actually. It's the contractions.

Well I only got half way threw my sentence when I asses out. Next thing I know the air mask is being put on my face and I'm turned on my side. Again this happened with rylan except I didn't actually pass out. Apparently both of our heart rates had dropped. All was good after a bit though.

Unfortunately my mom had to fly back that day to get back to work. I completely understood and was not hurt by it, she HAS to work. My doctor decided I was close enough to try a few trial pushes. 1 push was all I got before a team of other doctors and nurses come running in because Gabes heart rate had dropped dangerously low. This time it wasn't conning up as quickly. Eventually it did but had it not, I would have had a c section.

Just after that was when my mom had to leave. It was a very sad moment, she wasn't there for Rylan either since we were in KY.

So that left me completely alone since Meghan took my mom to the airport 45 min away.

My doctor decided to do bother trial push, without breaking down the bed or putting on her delivery armor.

I had told her before that it only took about 5 pushes with Rylan, but I don't think she beloved me.

So while one nurse held one leg and I held my other, I pushed.

I was instantly told to STOP, Don't even LAUGH or he will fall out! I see all the nurses running around trying to set stuff up and my doctor putting on her stuff.

There was no time to break the bed down, 3 more pushes, one for his head, one for his shoulders and 1 to help the rest along!

That was it! He was set right on my chest and I helped clean him off. His checks were so huge and he was so big!

At 5:55pm I welcomed my 9lb 12oz oinker into the world! Everyone was in shock at how big he was. Everything was perfect health wise and I convinced my doctor to let me go 24hrs PP with the promise of a check up the next day.

Meghan and rylan returned to the hospital about 20min after I had him and my mom was actually still at the Seattle airport waiting to board her plane!

I was able to talk to jared threw out the day, his superiors knew I was having him and would let jared call periodically. We actually talked just before and just after Gabe was born!

The last 2yrs have been crazy. He is such a funny child. Much more stubborn, strong willed and independent than Rylan. He borders on difficult sometimes but then he does a dance for you and your heart melts!

So here is a big happy Birthday to my little GAbiegoober!

The New Year

I figured I shouldn't just ignore the fact that it's a whole new year!

The fact is I'm a little scatter brained as to what to write. I had such big visions for moving back here and starting the new year, but it's been much harder than I thought. I'm lazy and I'm a procrastinator.

I still have not heard back from the dialysis clinc about the job which has me pretty discouraged. I applied at a hospital about half hour from here, for an entry level office job(patient admitting stuff) and have not heard back either. My next step is to go to the temp agency and see how they can help me. I think my lack of work experience in general is hurting me, the fact that the one place I did work is now out of business probably does not help either.

I also wanted to do lots of volunteer work, and still hope to. I'm finding though that unless I'm "working" finding a sitter is not as easy( I.e family).

2012 is not starting out how I had hoped and it's only 2 days in!!

I have so much to get done and I just find it so hard to get out of the house, on a few different levels. One, because Gabe is very hard for me to handle. If I'm out to do any sort of shopping I CAN NOT take him with. He's screaming bloody murder with in 5 min. While trying to fix Gabe, rylan takes that opportunity to start asking me for everything under the sun and the falls in to histerics when I tell him no. Then I feel the eyes. All the eyes on me trying to deal whit my children. It doesn't help that I look like a 17yr old single mom, I can tell what they think from the way they stare. Just remember when you see a mom trying to handle a child like that in the store, a smile of kindness and nod of understanding, can mean the world.

Two, because it's just hard being here without Jared. It feels like we are just here visiting and he is just out visiting some other friends and will be back later tonight.

I feel like I'm moving without him to a place that we should both be together at. It's just hard.

I am also very nervouse about this coming year. The change from military to civilian life scares the crap out of me. All we have know is military life, we were only together about 5 months before he left for basic. Neither of its know the reall struggles of life as adults out side of the military.

On the flipside of that major worry, is the happiness that Jared won't ever have to deploy again. We can plan a family vacation without wondering he will be "allowed" to go. It will be a big weight off Jared's chest after 6 years.

I'm excited because Gabe is turning 2 in 8 days! My huge squishy baby is getting bigger :( !

I'm excited because Rylan will be going to pre school soon and I know he will LOVE it! And then in late summer he will get to start kindergarten which Jared will be home for!!!

Is it weird that Jared and I are both super excited to help him pick out his first backpack and lunch box???

I think my biggest excitement/dread is buying a house.

I am so scared we will eventually end up like thousands of other, and not being able to pay our mortgage. We both have the sense to not buy a house out of our means, or even what we may be approved for. We would like to see our house paid of before we die!! We see our future house as something to pass on to our kids. I'm a natural worry wort and pessimist. The sinaro in my head is our income decreasing and not being able pay or support ourselves.

Sometimes you have to just take a chance and jump in!

I how I can make 2012 as memorable as possible when and wear I can!