Keely Star Kline

Okay . . . I finally broke away for a second to update everyone. After my doctor's appt. Tuesday morning, I was hopsitalized due to high blood pressure and other signs indicating pre-eclampsia. I had to be monitored all day Tuesday. Sweet Carl slept on the most uncomfortable couch in the room. We really didn't sleep at all that night. On Wednesday, they checked again to see if I had dilated any more, which I hadn't, so my OB gave the go ahead to start the induction process with Cervadil that night. Still being monitored like crazy. They had to draw blood, start an IV, check my vitals, and do Non-Stress-Tests periodically. After completion of the 24 hr. urine test, I was officially diagnosed with pre-e. Blah. Fortunately, my OB did not see this as an immediate need for a Cesarean. She told me she would probably have me take blood pressure meds after delivery and depending on how my blood pressure looked prior to starting the Cervadil, she would decide whether or not I needed to be on magnesium sulfate during or after the induction. She decided in the end that I didn't need it but did need the meds after delivery. More monitoring all day. Around 8, they wheeled us up to Labor and Delivery to start the Cervadil. They gave me some Ambien so I would sleep, and it helped a ton! I woke up at 6:15 Thurday AM when my water broke. It felt really weird, if I may say so. I woke Carl up and called for the nurse. She checked me and verified that it had broken but I had not dilated any more. Contractions started around 8 that morning, and they began Pitocin. They asked if I wanted an epidural, and I said no. More contractions. They increased and lengthened by 10. I thought I was dying. Another check. Cervix dilated to a 4, which was why I was feeling the contractions more. Carl was helping me remember my breathing techniques, which weren't helping me feel less. I was given Stadol, which made me sleepy but didn't relieve much of the pain. Carl's phone rang. My older sister told him to encourage me to get the epidural if he really thought I needed it. He thought I did. In my state of sleepiness, I told him to call the nurse and ask for an epidural. I gave in, but I didn't care. Those contractions hurt! The epidural didn't hurt, though. The nurse and anestesiologist teased me when I told them I had a fear of needles because they saw all of my tattoos. I fell asleep after that and didn't wake up until an hour and a half later. I was feeling pain on the right side of my body. Pain like the epidural didn't work on that side. More breathing. Nurse got worried because I thought I was dying again. I know . . . I'm dramatic. She called the anesthesiologist who put more meds in my IV. They also upped the dosage I was getting from my epidural. Still didn't help. By now, I was dilated to an 8. Another call to the anesthesiologist. Same thing. Upped dosage and gave more meds in my IV. Told me that if it didn't work this time, I was too far along to do anything about it. Fortunately, it worked. Dilated to a 10 within the hr. Started pushing at that point. I only had to push for about 30-45 minutes. Keely was born at 3:32 pm. She was hollering and hollering, but it was the sweetest sound I'd ever heard in my life. I was bawling as I held that little girl. I didn't want them to take her away to clean her up. Delivering the placenta sucked because my OB was pushing my stomach over and over to get it out. It was not a long process, though. Keely was still hollering. The second they handed her to Carl, though, she stopped. She knew her daddy. I told him all throughout my pregnancy that if he would talk to her, she would know him at birth. He did, and she did. Delivery went according to plan, aside from getting the epidural. Oh, and I had to have an episiotomy. They removed the catheter shortly after that, because I sort of lied and told them I could walk to the bathroom on my own. I mean, I could, but I was pretty wobbly. That catheter was so uncomfortable! I was monitored all through the night and next morning, but we got to go home Friday. Our first night home was tough because Keely was fussing all night. I don't regret losing sleep, though, because I got to bring my baby girl home. She's beautiful and healthy. We go to the pediatrician Monday at 8:30 for a weight and color check. I have to take blood pressure meds and can't drive for about 2 weeks. Other than that, I'm doing great, considering what I experienced. Carl and I are completely in love with Keely. Breastfeeding is hard, but I'm trying to hang in there. Oh, and Keely is so little that she has to wear preemie clothes. They are even a little big on her! It's absolutely adorable. Can you tell we're in love?

Waiting for Thursday

So, my induction is set for this Thursday, meaning that I will be a new mommy in three days or less. I'm still holding out for Keely to make her appearance on her own, but I'm not really thinking it will happen. Carl said he thinks we're going to have to force her out. We've been cleaning and organizing the house like crazy the past two weeks. It's really coming along. We got our carpet steam cleaned Friday, and we've been working on the rest of the house steadily since before that. I just want to bring Keely home to a nice, clean house. Not to mention, who knows when Carl and I will have time to thoroughly clean it again after her birth. We also spent some time cleaning out our cars, so they are ready for our baby girl, too. Not everything is done. We still need to clean the kitchen floor, sweep, mop, and organize the utility room--our biggest challenge--and mow our backyard. But, I think both of us would be fine if Keely came before we get those things done. Carrie came over this morning to help me finish the nursery. I wanted to move some of the things hanging on Keely's walls and needed an outside perspective. So, as of about 11 this morning, Keely's nursery is completely done. Well, I guess we technically have 4 things to hang, but we know exactly where they are going. I'm just waiting on Carl to take a break from his alternate World of Warcraft universe so he can put them up. For those of you who didn't know, I am married to a computer nerd who plays World of Warcraft like it's the best thing ever invented. I actually don't mind so much. I just like to tease him because it's funny. Anyway, I'll have to post pics of the finished product, soon to be the room of our little girl, once they are taken. I'll get around to it eventually. Maybe tomorrow. For now, I thought ya'll might enjoy more pics from the Carrie Tungate Collection--pics that will likely be the last maternity photos taken before my daughter gets here.







For those of you who are praying people, please send one up to the big man on our behalf Thursday. Look for pics of Baby Keely Star Kline sometime in the very near future.

Pics

The last pic turned out a little dark, but I like it. I think it's a good picture.

I've Been Meaning To . . .

Update! It's been a while, and we've been crazy busy since school is coming to it's long-awaited close. First, some pics . . .









Okay, so here's the latest. The pregnancy pic is from 3 weeks ago, when I was at 33 weeks. Today, I am at 36, which is the start of the 9th month. They say the average pregnancy lasts 9.5 lunar months. That means if things go according to the average, Keely would be here in 14 days, or 2 weeks. Wow. Ironically, Keely doesn't have much more than that before our induction date on June 11. 5 days more than that precisely. Our last ultrasound revealed that she weighs in the vicinity of 5 lbs 11 oz, with an expected weight gain of 1 lb per 2 weeks. That ultrasound was done on May 11. Keely is getting big! How we are built to give birth to 7 or 8 lb babies is beyond me. As labor and delivery approaches, I find myself getting more excited and nervous. I am not nervous about being a mom. Really, I am not. I love the idea. I know that I will be a great mom. I trust that God has had his beautiful hands in this for a long time. And, He'll take care of us. I am nervous about labor and delivery, though. I used to tell myself and others that mind is more powerful than body. Because of that belief, I find that I am able to talk myself out of being sick, something my dad can do, too. I've been that way for a long time. I feel a cold coming on, and I just don't allow myself to get the cold or for the cold to last long. I am wondering if the same concept can apply to labor and delivery. Carl and I took childbirth classes this past month. The classes were more informative than I'd anticipated. I am glad we took them, though. Every week focused on a different aspect of pregnancy and post-partum. They showed videos of live births and way too many boobs for my personal pleasure (breastfeeding). When it came to the video about epidurals, I thought I was going to throw up. It was horrible! I was cringing. They combined that video with the one over cesarean, and again, I thought I was going to be sick. Cesarean didn't even show anything other than CG imaging. I told Carl that I did not want an epidural or cesarean. He's so good about telling me that I am strong enough to do without those if I really want to. My mom tells me to focus on breathing and relaxation in order to have a natural birth. Carrie did it with Ella. I guess what it boils down to is that I know I am strong. I have the ability to relieve stress or physical pain by picturing myself somewhere else or by squeezing something as hard as I can. I just don't like physical pain. So, we'll see how labor and delivery go. At this point, I am not planning on getting an epidural. I am planning on getting valid reasons if I am told I need to have a cesarean. I don't want a cesarean to be a matter of convenience. I'm not really planning a natural birth--I am being induced if Keely doesn't come on her own before June 11--but I am planning to limit pain meds. Encouragement would be nice for those of you that read this episode of our lives.
As for the other pics, they are from my baby shower. Carrie emailed me this cool slideshow that contained many more pics, most of which Carl and I were in. I can't figure out how to upload it, though. I just need to play around with it more. We're getting maternity pics made tomorrow. Carrie wants to go into professional photography, and she's building her portfolio. Anyone who needs pics taken should look her up. She's pretty good and has access to professional-grade equipment. I'm sure she'd be flexible about location and everything. Anyway, I will post those once they are finished and in my hands. School is coming to an end, and I couldn't be happier about that. This year has not been bad or anything. It's hard teaching and dealing with end-of-school-rowdiness when you're 9 months pregnant. The kids are probably as ready for school to end as the teachers. We got our TAKS test scores in this week, and the results were less than satisfying. My kids did wonderfully! I am so proud of them, honestly. Overall, however, the school's scores were not up to par, due to low scores in the area of science. I hate the way Texas rates schools! It is so completely unfair. I don't mind the TAKS test. I mean, I hate it, but I can deal with it. I just don't think it is fair for a school to be given a low rank when most of the scores in most areas were high (or average even) but one area was below state standard. Does that seem fair to you? It is completely biased. They are forcing special education kids to take a test that is not built for them. No Child Left Behind causes children to be left behind. They are forced to integrate into classrooms that teach on a level that is too high for them. They are forced to take a test that adheres to the higher level. Don't get me wrong . . . I fully believe that special education students are entitled to a fair education. They deserve the same chances that other kids get. I just don't think the system is just. My kids and co-workers work extremely hard all year. Not one teacher at my school neglects his or her responsibilities to the students. Even though there are many kids at my school that could care less about TAKS and their futures, a majority of the kids work hard. Self-confidence is lacking amongst the kids who do not try to rise above their circumstances. How could it not when they are being told by the media that only people who look a certain way or come from certain backgrounds have a shot at success? I hate the media for conveying such things to the youth. It is tough to be a kid these days. But, enough of my rant. I'll end on a happy note.
Yesterday, my niece, Ally, turned 5 years old. It is so hard to believe she is that old! In some ways, it is harder to believe she is 5 than it is to believe my oldest niece is almost 9. When Carl and I were experiencing all of our fertility problems, I found comfort in knowing that no matter what I will always be a big part of the lives of my nieces and nephews. They are what made everything okay. Watching them grow and learn, playing hide-and-seek with them, going to their birthday parties, and asking them how school is going are some of my favorite memories. I couldn't be prouder of them. I can scarcely imagine a greater feeling than being an aunt. That's why I am so excited to be a mom. Because I know that will feel even better. Carl and I are really looking forward to making such happy memories with our own daughter. Only 2 weeks and 5 days to go!

More Pics For Your Enjoyment

Carl's mom finished making the bumper pads and bedskirt. We hung up the mobile the other day. We bought new cordless shades for the nursery. It's really coming along. We have to finish the other dresser, which we're working on today, and get some shelves for Keely's bunny collection. Other than that, we're just waiting on the rest of the decorations Tonya is making and the changing pad cover and valances my mom is going to make. Our shower is on May 9th. TAKS is this coming week on Tuesday and Wednesday. School is over in just 4 weeks. Our induction date is in a little over a month and a half. And, time is ticking, just as it always does.

Update

I don't really have much to update on, but I did think I should share the newest update. We've set a tentative induction date for June 11!!! That means that our sweet Keely Star should arrive in just 56 days! Wow! We're planning to induce for selfish reasons, really. My father is leaving town for a big ASHRAE meeting that was set up some five years ago. Prior to my getting pregnant, my mother was going to go. Carl and I were even thinking we might try to go. It's in Kentucky, and I have never been to Kentucky. I love going places I've never been. I set the goal when I was 15 to see as much of America and travel to as many states as I could by the time I was 25. Now, I have seen most of the east and west coasts and some of the middle. In all, I've been to 28 states and Canada twice. Not bad, huh? Well, we're not going to Kentucky, and my mother isn't either. We're getting to spend time with our brand new daughter, instead. I won't ever regret missing the opportunity to add a state to my repertoire. I'm not even thinking twice about it. But, my father is leaving on my actual due date. I don't want him to miss meeting my first born. He means the world to me. There are some things that a girl just needs her daddy to be present for. This is one of them. So, we set an induction date and are hoping Keely decides to come on her own before then. She might, she might not. It doesn't matter. We'll get to see her soon, no matter what. So, for those of you that are praying folk, please keep us in your prayers as we go nuts preparing for our little girl's entrance into the world. God bless!

Keely

We had another sono today. Keely is measuring right on cue, and she weighs 2.2 pounds. She was being shy and hiding her face with her hands and feet. You can see it in the last pic. We managed to get a couple of good face shots, however, and she is really, really cute, if I may say so. Anyway, we're excited and working hard to prepare for her. We lack two big things, one of the dressers and the bedding, in the nursery. Other than that, we are practically done. I've been cleaning and getting rid of some of the stuff we have. We're having a garage sale Friday and Saturday. I think it is true when they say that some of the tiredness returns during third trimester, because I am feeling it lately! Even as I am typing, Keely is kicking. I just can't wait until June!!!