Here we are in June....and our baby girl is already over a week old! She is the most precious and wonderful thing that we could have ever been blessed with. She has captured our hearts for eternity.
So I am sure many would like to know how the whole L&D went....so it is easier to put it on my blog and let those who want to to know have the opportunity to.
On Tuesday night, May 31st, at 10:30 my water broke. THAT was an interesting experience...and most definitley as dramatic as what you would see in a Hollywood movie LOL. To me that was the grossest thing of the entire even.
My midwife got there close to midnight and she saw that there was meconium in the water. It was not a lot, but we decided it was best for us to go on to the hospital just in case there were any issues with Sarah.
We got to the hospital around 1ish June 1st and was admitted there. I hadn't started any contractions (shocking after my weeks of pre labor), but Sarah's heartbeat was fine. They put an IV in and told me thye would decide what to do after 8am that morning.
Eight AM came and I had only had very distant contraction, but nothing that showed signs of going into active labor. They decided that if I hadn't started anything by noon that I should be induced.
So Sam and I walked around and got some paperwork done...signed the agreement for epidural and anesthesia if needed....and nothing progressed.
At 12:30pm I was induced with a oxitocin drip, and let me guarantee you an induced labor is 10000000x harder than natural labor. I thought I was going to die. I labored "naturally" with the drip from 12:30-2:30 and they checked me and I hadn't dilated at all. The contractions were 2 minutes apart and lasting about 1 minute, but they hadn't progressed anything. They decided it was best I have a mild epidural to help me relax and so that they could increase the dose of the drip to strengthen the contractions. I conceded and got to experience the epidural. It STUNK....but better than the induced contraction pain. Within 4 minutes I was high as a kyte and slept for an hour or so.
From 2:30-7:30 I dilated from 3-7CM and by then my epidural wore off. They refused to give me anymore medication for the pain, and I had to do the rest on my own.
From 7:30-10:30 I dilated 7-9CM and got stuck. They continued to up my dosage until my contractions were so strong and frequent that I did not have a break in between them at all. Some of them double peaked, and I swear to you it was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. I begged for something to take off the edge and they refused it.
Between 10:30 and 11:30 I dilated from 9-10 and felt the urge to push. I pushed and pushed and pushed, sometimes with the attending midwife practically laying on my stomach "helping" me push, until I couldn't push anymore. I pushed from 11:30 (according to Sam) to about 1 ish. They finally told me Sarah was stuck and was not going to come out. Also, they told me she was in distress and told me to stop pushing that they were going to do a Csection to get her out.
Trying not to push was the most excruciating pain ever....they injected me with something to stop the contraction but they didn't stop for another 10 minutes.
Within minutes I was in the O.R. and they put me on the bed...strapped down my arms and legs like I was some crazy person. They injected me with more epidural stuff and it didn't take at all. I could still feel the needle on my belly. The doctor told me he was going to go ahead and cut me open, and I told him NO. So next thing I knew they had a mask on my face and I was blacked out.
I woke up being rolled into the delivery room and there was Sam holding our Sarah Rose.
I truly hate that I missed her birth....and I hate that I missed those first moments of her life...and I hate that the instant bond I so longed to experienced was hindered by drugs...but that is how it happened.
I got to nurse her immediately as they wheeled me to my room....and it was so...I instantly became a mommy.
Sarah Rose Schultz was born June 2nd at 1:27am. She weighed 4010grams and was 51cm long ( roughly converted to 8.9lbs and 20 1/2 inches long).
The next day...drug free LOL...I got to hold my baby girl. It was so surreal the feeling of holding her. I loved her immediately and knew that I would do anything for her. She instantly became my little angel and the love of my life. She is so precious...and her cry breaks my heart.
After 4 days in the hospital we were able to come home....and we are so happy here.
Sam was amazing through it all. He coached me through every contraction...he held my hand during each push. He wiped away the sweat from my forehead and the tears from my eyes. He fell in love with his little girl immediatly, and held her tightly and comforted her until I was able to nurse her. He slept in the truck so he didn't have to go home the first few days, and would bring me food and anything I needed.
He came home and moved our bed downstairs and made it so I would not have to climb the stairs when I got home....he gets up with me at night to change Sarah's diaper and swaddle her for her feeding. He has been so gentle and caring and I just love him so much. He is a wonderful husband and a great father. I don't know how I would have done this without him <3.
Although my dreams of homebirth and idea of those first few moments with my baby would be were completely taken away....and although everything I didn't want to have happen did.....I can honestly say I would do it again for her. She was worth the pain of labor, and the trying times of recovery.... just for her to look at me with those eyes and know I am her mom...and I am going to take care of her....to see how much she looks like me and acts like Sam....the noises she makes in her sleep....the way she instantly stops crying when I pick her up and she knows food is coming... worth it. Worth every second.
We love our little girl. God has truly blessed us beyond what we deserve with her. We love her sooo much.
Pray for us that we can train her up in the ways of the Lord as we should.
Thank you,
Sam, Amber, Baby Sarah
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
It's May Already?
Again I must start this blog in sheer amazement of how fast time is going! I am now two days from baby Sarah's due date....and I am getting anxious.
Who am I kidding? I have been anxious over the last 4 weeks haha :).
Up until about 4 weeks ago I have had a really calm pregnancy...once week 36 hit it has been CRAZY.
On Easter I started having contractions about 15 minutes apart ( I was 36 weeks + 3 days) and they quickly moved to 5 minutes apart. They were fairly intense and lasting 45 seconds. This lasted from 1pm until about 6 pm that night and they moved to 2 minutes apart lasting 60 seconds and pretty intense. My midwife came and sat with me and monitored the baby...and around the 14 hour mark we headed to the hospital since I was still considered preterm. We got to the hospital and BAM! the contractions stopped.
Two days later it happened again around 4:30pm! I didn't call my midwife as quickly, but once the contractions hit 2 minutes apart and more intense than before. This time around lasted 27 hours and then stopped.
Two days after that, again the pre labor contractions returned and this time for 36 hours.
That is a long time with no baby as the end result! But apparently my body just wasn't ready. At least I know all is great in the contraction area haha.
Then at 38 weeks Sarah's heart rate dropped fairly low and I was admitted to the hopsital to monitor her, thankfully all is well. When they did an U/S on her she had her umbilical cord in her little fist and she was very obviously playing with it. My midwife made the commentary for Sarah " Oooh what is this? *squeeze* OH I CAN'T BREATH" hehe
So now here we are 39 weeks and 5 days....Sarah has officially gotten her eviction notice :) She officially has a little over 2 weeks to be out :) Pray that I keep my sanity til she comes, and God gives me the strength (and Sam too!) to make it through delivery..as we are still going to do a home birth as long as all is well.
On another note, thank you for all of your prayers about us getting a car! The BMW we got worked out for a month in which we desperately needed a vehicle (with all the hospital trips) but finally gave up the ghost TWO DAYS after the Lord provided us a new vehicle.
New to us, but Harrell ( as we endearingly call him) is an used Ford Explorer Sports track....and he passed inspection and is good for 2 years. Praise the Lord, I will not have to worry about anything but minor maintenance until Sam is home after deployment.
Sam's parents and sister will be here in a few weeks for a visit, we look forward to it! It will be fun. Pray for travelling mercies for them... the first time flying internationally can be nerve wracking.
Next time I update hopefully I will be doing so while baby Sarah is napping and Sam is swiffering the floor for me hehe :)
We love you all!
Sam, Amber and Baby Sarah.
Who am I kidding? I have been anxious over the last 4 weeks haha :).
Up until about 4 weeks ago I have had a really calm pregnancy...once week 36 hit it has been CRAZY.
On Easter I started having contractions about 15 minutes apart ( I was 36 weeks + 3 days) and they quickly moved to 5 minutes apart. They were fairly intense and lasting 45 seconds. This lasted from 1pm until about 6 pm that night and they moved to 2 minutes apart lasting 60 seconds and pretty intense. My midwife came and sat with me and monitored the baby...and around the 14 hour mark we headed to the hospital since I was still considered preterm. We got to the hospital and BAM! the contractions stopped.
Two days later it happened again around 4:30pm! I didn't call my midwife as quickly, but once the contractions hit 2 minutes apart and more intense than before. This time around lasted 27 hours and then stopped.
Two days after that, again the pre labor contractions returned and this time for 36 hours.
That is a long time with no baby as the end result! But apparently my body just wasn't ready. At least I know all is great in the contraction area haha.
Then at 38 weeks Sarah's heart rate dropped fairly low and I was admitted to the hopsital to monitor her, thankfully all is well. When they did an U/S on her she had her umbilical cord in her little fist and she was very obviously playing with it. My midwife made the commentary for Sarah " Oooh what is this? *squeeze* OH I CAN'T BREATH" hehe
So now here we are 39 weeks and 5 days....Sarah has officially gotten her eviction notice :) She officially has a little over 2 weeks to be out :) Pray that I keep my sanity til she comes, and God gives me the strength (and Sam too!) to make it through delivery..as we are still going to do a home birth as long as all is well.
On another note, thank you for all of your prayers about us getting a car! The BMW we got worked out for a month in which we desperately needed a vehicle (with all the hospital trips) but finally gave up the ghost TWO DAYS after the Lord provided us a new vehicle.
New to us, but Harrell ( as we endearingly call him) is an used Ford Explorer Sports track....and he passed inspection and is good for 2 years. Praise the Lord, I will not have to worry about anything but minor maintenance until Sam is home after deployment.
Sam's parents and sister will be here in a few weeks for a visit, we look forward to it! It will be fun. Pray for travelling mercies for them... the first time flying internationally can be nerve wracking.
Next time I update hopefully I will be doing so while baby Sarah is napping and Sam is swiffering the floor for me hehe :)
We love you all!
Sam, Amber and Baby Sarah.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Before you know it...
....life tends to sneak up on you doesn't it? My last blog was in January...and look, we are in the end of March. AMAZING!
The year has flown, much to my mixed emotions, and will continue to do so. Each day takes us closer to our beautiful baby Sarah to arrive, and each day also takes us a day closer to the impending deployment. My, my what a bittersweet year!
Today marks my 32nd week being pregnant, and let me tell you---I am starting to feel it. I am aching in places I didn't even know I had. Eight weeks left til her due date, and if she decides to go late (like MOST first babies) then it will be around 10 weeks. Interestingly enough, if she is born 2 weeks and 5 days late it will be my birthday...but trust me I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT THAT LONG! lol :)
We are praying that as long as she is healthy that she comes between 37 and 40 weeks. I really want Sam to be able to spend as much time with her as possible, and that will happen if she comes slightly early or right around her due date.
Granted, we know that the Lord knows best and that He knows when the best time to send her out into the world.
I am getting more and more excited about doing a natural homebirth. The more I read and research, the more and more ... empowered (I guess you can say) I feel. Childbirth is such a natural part of life, and not something that needs to be going into fearful. I know the pain will be excruciating and push me to my limits, but the outcome is going to be amazing.
It did not work out that my mom could come...which makes both of us very sad. She was going to play a large supportive role in the L&D, but the circumstances keeping her in MT are important and understandable. Sometimes even God's will is hard to understand, but her place is in His will as much as it is mine...so I totally understand.
So, I shall have my wonderful husband (whom I have sworn to maim severely if he passes out :) ), my great midwife, and a doula.
I tease Sam to no end, but I know in the end he will be there for me as he always is...and wonderful, supporting husband he is :).
My 'nesting' is getting increasingly worse, and it makes it hard to do much the larger I am getting LOL...so I am taking one corner of the house at a time. No heavy lifting or moving involved :)
the Lord has opened up the door for Sam and I to start attending Hohenfels Baptist Church...and it has been a huge blessing and encouragement. The Lord opened up the door for me to start serving immediately with playing the piano for the services, as well as being over doing the bulletin boards. I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve again.
I will have to go out of commission for a few weeks once Sarah comes, but I will look forward to jumping right back in once I am ready for the hour trip down there. They are going to be a great support system while Sam is gone....it is such an encouragement to be around other believers after going so long without it!
We do finally have a car! JUST...can't drive yet. There are a lot of details I will spare, but long story short we had to have the C/O sign a paper stating we can get temp tags...so we are just waiting on that to be done...and we will be able to actually drive to get food! What things we take for granted when we have them so easily...something as simple as going to get toilet paper now takes me a good 30-45 minutes to walk to the store and get what I need and come back. Longer if I am not feeling up to it that day.
I will try to do better and post more often.... until next time :)
The year has flown, much to my mixed emotions, and will continue to do so. Each day takes us closer to our beautiful baby Sarah to arrive, and each day also takes us a day closer to the impending deployment. My, my what a bittersweet year!
Today marks my 32nd week being pregnant, and let me tell you---I am starting to feel it. I am aching in places I didn't even know I had. Eight weeks left til her due date, and if she decides to go late (like MOST first babies) then it will be around 10 weeks. Interestingly enough, if she is born 2 weeks and 5 days late it will be my birthday...but trust me I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT THAT LONG! lol :)
We are praying that as long as she is healthy that she comes between 37 and 40 weeks. I really want Sam to be able to spend as much time with her as possible, and that will happen if she comes slightly early or right around her due date.
Granted, we know that the Lord knows best and that He knows when the best time to send her out into the world.
I am getting more and more excited about doing a natural homebirth. The more I read and research, the more and more ... empowered (I guess you can say) I feel. Childbirth is such a natural part of life, and not something that needs to be going into fearful. I know the pain will be excruciating and push me to my limits, but the outcome is going to be amazing.
It did not work out that my mom could come...which makes both of us very sad. She was going to play a large supportive role in the L&D, but the circumstances keeping her in MT are important and understandable. Sometimes even God's will is hard to understand, but her place is in His will as much as it is mine...so I totally understand.
So, I shall have my wonderful husband (whom I have sworn to maim severely if he passes out :) ), my great midwife, and a doula.
I tease Sam to no end, but I know in the end he will be there for me as he always is...and wonderful, supporting husband he is :).
My 'nesting' is getting increasingly worse, and it makes it hard to do much the larger I am getting LOL...so I am taking one corner of the house at a time. No heavy lifting or moving involved :)
the Lord has opened up the door for Sam and I to start attending Hohenfels Baptist Church...and it has been a huge blessing and encouragement. The Lord opened up the door for me to start serving immediately with playing the piano for the services, as well as being over doing the bulletin boards. I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve again.
I will have to go out of commission for a few weeks once Sarah comes, but I will look forward to jumping right back in once I am ready for the hour trip down there. They are going to be a great support system while Sam is gone....it is such an encouragement to be around other believers after going so long without it!
We do finally have a car! JUST...can't drive yet. There are a lot of details I will spare, but long story short we had to have the C/O sign a paper stating we can get temp tags...so we are just waiting on that to be done...and we will be able to actually drive to get food! What things we take for granted when we have them so easily...something as simple as going to get toilet paper now takes me a good 30-45 minutes to walk to the store and get what I need and come back. Longer if I am not feeling up to it that day.
I will try to do better and post more often.... until next time :)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
When life gives you lemons....
...trust that God is in control and enjoy some lemonade..
We are almost done with January! Can you believe how fast the year is already going? By the end of this month I will be starting my 6th month in my pregnancy. Sam and I are so excited about the life that God has so graciously given us, and cannot wait until she gets here.
Sam and I have opted to do a homebirth, and it is something we are very much looking forward to. After much research and prayer (and talking with our midwife ^_^) we have been given much peace about having our first baby in our home...bar there are no issues and I am not a high risk.
We are praying and leaving it in God's hands.
The car we bought turned out to be a lemon. The mechanic told us that it is not worth fixing, so we were pretty disgruntled at the beginning of the week. Thankfully our God is in control and has provided us an even better car....just minor, inexpensive things need to be fixed. It is a manual...and it has been YEARS since I have driven one, so it will be fun to get the hang of it again :). Once I get comfortable with it I will be teaching Sam how to drive it :)
I am getting involved with the local FRG here in our company...and I am excited about getting involved. I look forward to having responsibility and being apart of something that helps people.
I am settling in quite well, and am really starting to be content here. It has helped a lot just getting OUR stuff in and being able to sleep in OUR own bed.
It has been a month of UPS and downs, but God has definitely made the UPS amazing and has really shown His hand in the downs.
So although we have had a few lemons this month, God has definitely been in control and we have enjoy the blessings of His mercy.
Once we get the car we should be able to visit a local church here....I look forward to it. I really miss church.
Keep us in your prayers as you think of us,
Sam, Amber, and (soon coming) Sarah Rose
We are almost done with January! Can you believe how fast the year is already going? By the end of this month I will be starting my 6th month in my pregnancy. Sam and I are so excited about the life that God has so graciously given us, and cannot wait until she gets here.
Sam and I have opted to do a homebirth, and it is something we are very much looking forward to. After much research and prayer (and talking with our midwife ^_^) we have been given much peace about having our first baby in our home...bar there are no issues and I am not a high risk.
We are praying and leaving it in God's hands.
The car we bought turned out to be a lemon. The mechanic told us that it is not worth fixing, so we were pretty disgruntled at the beginning of the week. Thankfully our God is in control and has provided us an even better car....just minor, inexpensive things need to be fixed. It is a manual...and it has been YEARS since I have driven one, so it will be fun to get the hang of it again :). Once I get comfortable with it I will be teaching Sam how to drive it :)
I am getting involved with the local FRG here in our company...and I am excited about getting involved. I look forward to having responsibility and being apart of something that helps people.
I am settling in quite well, and am really starting to be content here. It has helped a lot just getting OUR stuff in and being able to sleep in OUR own bed.
It has been a month of UPS and downs, but God has definitely made the UPS amazing and has really shown His hand in the downs.
So although we have had a few lemons this month, God has definitely been in control and we have enjoy the blessings of His mercy.
Once we get the car we should be able to visit a local church here....I look forward to it. I really miss church.
Keep us in your prayers as you think of us,
Sam, Amber, and (soon coming) Sarah Rose
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year...New Hopes
So 2010 has come and gone in a blink of an eye. In a year there is 365 days ( exception leap year 366)....sometimes 365 days don't sound too long, and sometimes it is hard to imagine that so much can happen in such a short amount of time.
What happened our life in just 365 days? So many highs and lows that are too many to count...but many more highs than lows. God has been good to us in the last 365 days...so I want to do a highlighted recap of all that happened last year:
January - Sam and I were still working at GMAC. I really enjoyed my job as a supervisor, but I felt like there was something more that I was supposed to do...and so did Sam. We started talking and praying about the Army. Sam talked to a recruiter.
February- We were told that our branch was going to be closed down and we were all going to be laid off.
Sam swore in with the Army at the end of the month. He was to leave the 2nd week of April.
March- Finalizing everything with the Army. My first nephew Wesley Briar was born on March 14th.
My brother Wes leaves for OSUT.
April-We were laid off. Sam was told he couldn't go into the military because he had a medical issue. That was solved and God had him leave on May 10th...I was thankful for the extra time with my hubby.
I was told that I would have an EXTREMELY hard time getting pregnant because of a medical condition...but we prayed and left it in God's hands.
May-My youngest brother graduated from OSUT at FT. Benning. Sam left for OSUT (One Stop Unit Training) at Ft. Benning on May 10th.... That was a hard day. Thank the Lord for my best friend Sarah who took me out that day. Also, I had the BEST vacation EVER with Sarah to Myrtle Beach, SC. UH-MAZING.
June- I was able to go to MT and see my parents. It was a great trip. I love my parents very much.
July-I drove down surprised Sam on the 3rd of July. Sam also had his 36hr pass, it was so great to see him after such a long time! By the end of July I had lost 30lbs, and also had a miscarriage.
August- Sam graduated and came home for a wonderful 16 days. :)
My brother Wes also graduates from basic.
September- Sam left for Germany. A week later I found out we were pregnant :)
October- Delay in my paperwork getting done, but Sam and I were able to talk everyday. I went to a Braves game with Kim and Mom and Dad Schultz.
November- I left for MT again to spend the last month there with my parents and Thanksgiving too. The paperwork went through for me to leave, just waiting on housing.
December- God provided the money for my ticket to Germany. I arrived in Germany two weeks before Christmas, and have gotten to spend so many wonderful moments with my husband. We also found out we are having a baby girl...our little Sarah Rose due May 19th.
( there was going to be pictures for every month but my computer stopped wanting to upload pictures :( )
Many things have happened this year, but God has been more than faithful to us. We have had some pretty mighty lows, but God used it to prepare us for what is to come this year.
So as January 1st dawned at 12:00am...I first had a feeling of dread... What is this year going to be like...bittersweet? In many ways yes, but in many ways I know that God will bless us...and give us something that each month we can look back and say---this was a good thing.
So I look forward to 2011. I look forward to holding our precious Sarah Rose in my arms for the first time. I look forward to what all God has in store.
Happy New Year.
Love,
Amber, Sam, and soon coming Sarah Rose
What happened our life in just 365 days? So many highs and lows that are too many to count...but many more highs than lows. God has been good to us in the last 365 days...so I want to do a highlighted recap of all that happened last year:
January - Sam and I were still working at GMAC. I really enjoyed my job as a supervisor, but I felt like there was something more that I was supposed to do...and so did Sam. We started talking and praying about the Army. Sam talked to a recruiter.
February- We were told that our branch was going to be closed down and we were all going to be laid off.
Sam swore in with the Army at the end of the month. He was to leave the 2nd week of April.
March- Finalizing everything with the Army. My first nephew Wesley Briar was born on March 14th.
My brother Wes leaves for OSUT.
April-We were laid off. Sam was told he couldn't go into the military because he had a medical issue. That was solved and God had him leave on May 10th...I was thankful for the extra time with my hubby.
I was told that I would have an EXTREMELY hard time getting pregnant because of a medical condition...but we prayed and left it in God's hands.
May-My youngest brother graduated from OSUT at FT. Benning. Sam left for OSUT (One Stop Unit Training) at Ft. Benning on May 10th.... That was a hard day. Thank the Lord for my best friend Sarah who took me out that day. Also, I had the BEST vacation EVER with Sarah to Myrtle Beach, SC. UH-MAZING.
June- I was able to go to MT and see my parents. It was a great trip. I love my parents very much.
July-I drove down surprised Sam on the 3rd of July. Sam also had his 36hr pass, it was so great to see him after such a long time! By the end of July I had lost 30lbs, and also had a miscarriage.
August- Sam graduated and came home for a wonderful 16 days. :)
My brother Wes also graduates from basic.
September- Sam left for Germany. A week later I found out we were pregnant :)
October- Delay in my paperwork getting done, but Sam and I were able to talk everyday. I went to a Braves game with Kim and Mom and Dad Schultz.
November- I left for MT again to spend the last month there with my parents and Thanksgiving too. The paperwork went through for me to leave, just waiting on housing.
December- God provided the money for my ticket to Germany. I arrived in Germany two weeks before Christmas, and have gotten to spend so many wonderful moments with my husband. We also found out we are having a baby girl...our little Sarah Rose due May 19th.
( there was going to be pictures for every month but my computer stopped wanting to upload pictures :( )
Many things have happened this year, but God has been more than faithful to us. We have had some pretty mighty lows, but God used it to prepare us for what is to come this year.
So as January 1st dawned at 12:00am...I first had a feeling of dread... What is this year going to be like...bittersweet? In many ways yes, but in many ways I know that God will bless us...and give us something that each month we can look back and say---this was a good thing.
So I look forward to 2011. I look forward to holding our precious Sarah Rose in my arms for the first time. I look forward to what all God has in store.
Happy New Year.
Love,
Amber, Sam, and soon coming Sarah Rose
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