Graham's Birth Story

     It has been a whirlwind of three days filled with so many emotional ups and down but through it all we finally have everything we hoped for, Graham Edward.

     So as we entered last week I was ready , uncomfortable, and incredibly anxious to have this baby.  I hadn't slept well most nights but especially Saturday going into Sunday.  So Sunday morning we were having Tea at the Townsend to celebrate my Mom's birthday and a belated Mother's day.  I woke up with a headache and a lot of contractions.  However, I still went on hoping that by going to tea the day would pass quickly.  By days end I was at Botsford hospital because my blood pressure was very elevated. While I didn't think I was in labor I knew there was a chance that they could keep me because of my blood pressure.  Truth be told,  I was hoping that this would happen, as we were ready to finally meet this baby.  Well,  they sent me home.
     Monday came and I went to my regular weekly visit with Dr. Speier.  I again was hopefully for progress or at least an end date in sight.  Needless to say I left there in tears because all she told me was "you are my best OB patient right now".  My blood pressure was back to normal, my weight gain minimal, and my sugars were also great.  She told she was going out of town on Thursday July 26 and wouldn't be back until Aug. 4.  Because I was doing great she had no reason to schedule a c section prior to 39 weeks which was the day she was heading out of town.  So, the only option it left me was to an anmnio test on Monday July 23 in hopes that the baby's lungs would be mature and Dr. Spier could section me.  However,  it also left the possibility that would not be the case and then I would have to go into labor on my own and be delivered by another doctor.  So,  disappointment was an understatement.  While I know that the baby's health is my #1 priority it has been a very long road and quite honestly I was ready to have a baby in my arms.
     So fast forward to Thursday... I had a non stress test scheduled for 10 am because of the high bp.  She ordered up blood work and when she was leaving after another BP check said to me "if you leave today".  Panic began setting in, I was dying to reach Gregg.  At this point it it me I am sitting in labor and delivery completely alone and we have a problem, little did I know.  So someone comes in to draw my blood and within minutes the heart rate monitor is completely quiet.  In walks the nurse and asks me to roll on my side, still nothing but she is reassuring me things are okay.  A few minutes later two doctors walk in.  High blood pressure, panic, those are understatements.  I knew in my heart that the baby's heart rate stopped for what felt like forever.  But within a few minutes the baby's heart beat picked back up and was back to sounding great.  So the two doctors informed me they were going to call Speier and see what she wanted to do.  Someone got me a phone and I was able to call Gregg.  All I could get out to him was that he needed to get to the hospital immediately.
     Throughout this whole pregnancy Baby Matthews has been a fighter.  There have never been any issues with the baby, it has all been about my body and capacity.  Yet to think that now the baby was having an issue my heart was racing.
       Before I knew it IV's were being put in, I was admitted within minutes, I was swallowing down who knows what kinds of meds, compression socks were being put on, I was being fully prepped "just in case".  All I keep saying was I hope Gregg is going to make it.  With all we had been through in 38 weeks he has been the one to remain strong and pull me through, I needed him more than ever and I couldn't even reach him.  I was able to pull myself together enough to ask with a giggle "I don't even know what the date is today?"  Dr. Kaplan responded with " Its a great day to have a baby!"  This was it, everything we had been waiting for.  All the years and struggles to expand our family and here it was  Thursday July 19.  Right around 11:15 am I walked myself back to the OR and sat on the edge of the table waiting for a spinal to be administered but still no Gregg.  One of the nurses had my cell phone for pictures just in case.  Everyone in labor and delivery assured me he would be there and they would have him back with me immediately.  One of the doctors stood by my side the entire time, I hugged her while my spinal was administered, she wiped my mascara as I cried and she was constantly reassuring me that I was definitely not alone.  While I was so incredibly grateful for their love and support what I really wanted was my husband.
     As the prep for Baby Matthews continued I heard someone holler that "he is here", within a minute person after person came in and told me your husband is here.  OMG to grab his hand and have him lean down to give me a kiss , I knew at that moment everything was going to be okay, this is what we have been waiting for, now let's finally meet this baby.
     Within maybe ten to fifteen minutes after a lot of tugging, Dr. Speier told us we have a head, then " ITS A BOY!"  Gregg and I both instantly started crying and shared that amazing moment.  Gregg looked at me and said "Graham" "he looks just like Reece".  It wasn't long after that that I was able to look behind me and see our son.  He had so much hair.  Graham weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.  To say he is perfect doesn't quite fit.  Graham is everything I had spent the last months dreaming about, thinking about, and wishing for.  He is a perfect combination or Gregg, Reece, myself and his own little man!  After his birth my OB informed us that not only did Graham have the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck but more dangerous was that he had a knot in his cord.  Clearly God was watching over us and Graham!  He truly is a blessing !!!

 One very proud Dad

Meeting Graham for the first time, up close

Graham Edward Matthews

July 19, 2012 born at 12:15 pm

Graham Edward Matthews

While yesterday was nothing that we expected, Graham is everything we could have hoped for!  We are completely in love with this little guy and excited to introduce him to everyone!

Dear Baby Matthews

Dear Baby Matthews,
      It is hard to believe that any day we will be meeting you for the first time.  I feel like I know you so well already.  I have felt every movement, know when you kick me with a leg or an elbow, or roll over, or even when you get the hiccups.  We have formed quite a bond and despite not knowing if you are a boy or a girl, what color your hair or eyes are, or who you will look like I am already completely in love with you!
       It definitely has been a difficult journey to get to this point and as we had our first false alarm on your arrival earlier this week, Daddy and I spoke about how four months ago we didn't even know if you would make it.  You have shown us that you are such a fighter already.  We hope you will know every day how badly we have fought to have you in our lives and how much we love you.  There are so many people who already love you and cannot wait to meet you.
      We have so much to look forward to and Reece has big plans for you, like our family soccer teams, going for bike rides, taking you for your first boat ride, introducing you to Pressley, and learning about the boys club ( which he says you will of course be a part of even if you are a girl, because you are HIS sister!)  He told me a few days ago " I have had to wait for 6 years to be a big brother!"

      Mostly we look forward to seeing who you are and who you will become - what makes you laugh, what makes you sad, your dreams.   Who will be your favorite baseball team?  Will you be a skier or a snowboarder?  Will you love to be cuddled and rocked or want your own space?  Will you have your Daddy and Reece's pointed fingers and toes? Will you have a lot of hair just like your brother did?
      While everyday seems like an eternity until we are able to meet you, we know that you are growing stronger and healthier each day!  Excited is an understatement  and while your nursery is ready, diapers are waiting, onesies and bottles are washed we know that when you decide to make your debut our family will be complete!  We cannot wait to finally meet you,  hopefully it will be VERY SOON!

We Love you,

Mommy , Daddy and Reece

Becoming a Big Brother

The first question people ask Reece is if he is ready to be a Big Brother?  Then they look to Gregg and I and ask if Reece is excited?
So I find myself reflecting...
It has been an extremely hot summer which has taken a huge toll on Gregg and I.  Let's be honest we are ready to sit and lie on the couch every night by 3 pm easy!  Gregg is out in the heat at the golf course starting at 6 am and well I am nine months pregnant and just plan exhausted.  I have been nervous since probably April as to how summer would go once Reece was out of school, Gregg working long hours, and I spent and very pregnant.  Well it has only been six weeks since school got out and while I have had my share of losing patience and needing quiet time on the couch come 3 pm, I must say the time with Reece has been amazing!   
I have really tried to make a conscience effort most days to try and do something special him and I.  We have played putt putt, we have been to the movies, we spent the day at the wave pool,  we all went to the county fair, and today we went to an indoor play scape just to name a few things.  When I am exhausted and want to sit down I force myself to get up and play a few games of "one shot" soccer, or catch.  While I don't know if Reece really comprehends how his life is going to change, I know that these special moments we have shared are something that he will remember forever.
While these have been such fun times, some of the moments I have treasured the most are when Reece comes into bed in the morning, cuddles up with me and we talk about all the things we want to do that day, when he comes up and hugs my belly and doesn't want to let go, or when we sit at lunch and talk about if we could be any animal in the world who would we want to be or what he wants to do when he grows up.   
Reece is such a busy kid, he has big plans for his brother or sister, but one of the greatest things I love about him is when I can get him to slow down and talk to me about the world big and small, he astonishes me.
So is he ready? while I certainly hope so but how does one really know.  He told me the other morning "I have had to wait for 6 years to be a big brother!'  I definitely think he is excited. 
One thing I know for certain about Reece is he will take on his new role head on and ensure that he "is doing the best (he) can"!  


Here is just a glimpse of some of the highlights:

The Girlie

As the days get closer to our family growing it seems only natural to spend some time reflecting and ensuring we are as ready as possible to welcome Baby Matthews.  Our hospital bags are packaged ( well at least all piled together simply needing to be placed in a bag), the nursery is ready, presents for the Big Brother are purchased, meals are being prepared for our first few weeks at home, and until today I have hardly noticed my shadow.
Less than five months ago Pressley went to work everyday with Gregg.  She was a staple on the golf course and it really seemed that she would want it no other way.  Then I was hospitalized and everything changed.  Gregg couldn't get her to raise her head each morning to go to work.  By no means was she going to work, she was staying home with me!  From that point on she has hardly left my side.  She rides with me to drop Reece off to school, and now to camp, she trots along on our regular walks each week, she follows me into the bathroom, she welcomes me at the door when I have to rarely leave her.  
Today I realized that literally she now does not leave my side.  When I got off the boat and went out for a swim this evening, yep here comes Pres.  
We had always spoke about what an amazing dog we have but now to watch her I realize how truly remarkable she is.  
I have almost everything prepared for Baby Matthews but have spent little time thinking about her, she will no longer be my co captain in the car, as she will have to move to the third row.  Similar to when Reece was born I am sure she will be by my side at every cry, squirm , and middle of the night feeding.  Yet in typical Pressley form I am certain she will hardly skip a beat  showing us her smile just to be a part of our family.  How lucky we are to have her, our girlie!!!

9 MONTHS!!

How far along:  37 weeks plus 2 days

About the baby: Baby Matthews is now considered  FULL TERM, WOW!!   He or she is still growing gaining about a half a pound a week

Maternity Clothes?: My clothing options are very limited and I mostly find myself living in sundresses and bathing suits.

Sleep: Sleep is not great lets be honest.  A good night sleep only includes waking up once or twice but most nights include several bathroom trips, then insomnia, followed by leg cramps!  If we are lucky there will be no thunderstorms or fireworks to also bring Presley trembling into bed just to add to the lack of sleep.

Best Moment of the week:  I am struggling to say a best moment not because there haven't been any but mostly because I am highly emotional, exhausted and quite honestly just down right over all of this!  I have been able to find moments of peace by sitting in the nursery and just trying to take it all in.  We had great day on Friday which started with a great few mile walk at the gym, then lunch, and shopping for Baby Matthews.  I even had enough energy afterward to clean the house and enjoy an evening on the boat.

Miss anything?: I miss just about everything these days including a big bowl of pasta or a burger with french fries, my memory, being able to wear my wedding rings, and just comfort in general.   

Movement: Movement has slowed down a lot so the movement I am feeling is different.  Baby Matthews has been getting the hiccups quite regularly which Reece loves feeling:)!

Food cravings: chili cheese fries, dessert, anything with sugar or carbs which I cannot eat 

Anything make you sick: not really anything except eggs 

Labor Signs:  I never experienced any labor symptoms with Reece so I am not sure if I am experiencing labor signs or if it just the joys of 9 months of pregnancy.  With that said I having been having a lot of cramping and what I think are contractions.

Happy or Moody:  Honestly I am an emotional mess and can admit I've had more shining moments.  I am sure a week of 100 degree heat certainly doesn't help.  Yet I  have come to realize that I am just going to cry everyday which I am now okay with.  I cry when I am happy and when I am sad, overwhelmed, or just exhausted.   Today as temperatures only reach the mid 80's I found myself much happier and slightly less emotional.  

Looking forward to:  Meeting this baby!  We are getting very excited as we have waited such a long time for this and to now have the time almost here it is rather overwhelming.  We are definitely ready for Baby Matthews to join our family!!

Happy 4'th of July!

 A wonderful celebration of America's birthday!!!  

We certainly enjoyed our day filled with 99 degree weather, lots of sun, the lake, volleyball, sparklers, burgers, watermelon, a few beers to be had the N/A flavor by myself , and yes even HAIL!!  As amazing as our day was we cannot leave out the highlight that I'm sure Reece will be talking about for months to come "the BIG storm on the boat"- out of nowhere popped a severe storm which included quarter size hail, powerful winds, even "fireworks"as we told Reece ( YEP thunder and lightning) which we hunkered through on the pontoon boat.  While it was awfully scary we made it through and even ventured back out at dark to enjoy the fireworks and the beautiful moon rise.  

What a fantastic day!