Details and pictures

So tomorrow Grace will be two weeks old. I can't believe how much she's changed! Damon, a good friend of ours gave us some excellent advice - he told us to video tape something at least once a week because they change so fast. We've been following his advice.

About the labor:

I had been staying with my parents while Trey was at a major trade show in Las Vegas. I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced from Friday-Tuesday and the doctor did not anticipate any changes. I was not having contractions and was not in any major pain, but was having some lower back pain. Thursday the 13th I was getting very depressed. I was tired of being on bedrest and missed Trey terribly. I slept most of the day and was still exhausted that night, so I went to bed early. I woke up around one when I felt and heard something inside of me shift. I started writing down the times I felt discomfort. I think I was trying to convince myself that the pains weren't contractions. At two, I decided it was time to wake Mom and Dad. Mom looked at my time sheet and told me to call the doctor. II told the doctor on call that my contractions were 8-10 minutes apart and she told me I could come on in if I'd feel more comfortable. I called Trey to let him know I was on the way. He was going to catch the first flight out. We left the house in Dripping Springs a little after 3AM, The ride to the hospital was an adventure. My contractions became more frequent and my the tone of my voice and the noises I was apparently making scared my mother greatly. We arrived at the hospital around 3:30AM and my water broke as I entered the delivery room. The nurse told me I was 10 cm and suddenly began shouting orders to find a doctor in the hospital because she didn't think mine would make it in time. This is where my memories get a bit blurry.

I remember looking down to see the doctor, who never said a peep by the way. The nurses were trying to give me instructions on how to push and when, and how to breathe. Because I was on bedrest, I couldn't go to the childbirth classes I had signed up for. The nurses were a great help! I remember waving at my doctor when she finally arrived and gripping the side of the bed and shaking during a few contractions, but that's about it. The rest of the labor I learned about by watching the video my mom shot and by what she told me.

Grace got stuck and her heart rate dropped. Things got pretty critical very fast. Nurses from the PICU came into the room just in case. I actually had a nurse kneeling on the bed pushing on my belly to help Grace out. Grace was born at 4:14AM. I called Trey soon after and said, "Congratulations, you're a daddy!" He was absolutely heart-broken that he had missed the delivery, and even more anxious to get to Austin. He arrived at the hospital around one that afternoon.

She's HERE!!!

Introducing Grace Christine Hertel. Grace was born on March 14, 2008 at 4:14 AM. She weighed seven pounds and one ounce. She was 19 3/4 inches long. She has BEAUTIFUL, long eyelashes, dark brown hair, and very chubby cheeks. I will describe the event later in greater detail. Trey and I feel extremely blessed.

The Waiting Game

First of all, happy birthday Dave Hertel!!

I was still 3 cm yesterday, so it looks like "Stella" listened to her daddy before he left. He told her she needed to stay where she was until the 18th or she would be grounded until she was 26. My blood pressure went down two points, I lost another pound, and my urine was clear, so the doctor said I can go back to visits once a week. GOOD NEWS! Two weeks of bedrest have done the trick.


The dogs and I have been staying with my parents since Sunday. My parents are taking such good care of me! I honestly don't know what I would do if they weren't here!

Hanging in there!

Well, I was 3 cm yesterday and 80% effaced. I'm hoping this little one can hold on for another week. Trey is leaving tomorrow for his big Las Vegas trade show. I'm trying to stay in bed as much as possible, no matter how bored I get. Trey bought me a couple of new books to read, so that should help.

WEEK ONE

I have made it through a week of bedrest. Yeah me! I have to send a huge thank you to my wonderful tech-savvy husband who fixed my laptop and saved my life. I don't think I would have made it this far without it. I've been planning lessons and sending them to my co-teacher and sub via e-mail. I've also been watching A LOT of TV. I haven't had time to do much of that since I got pregnant. Somehow sleep sounded like a much better use of my time. I spent the first three days of bedrest at my parents since Trey was out of town. Mom took great care of me. I've now been home with Trey since Friday night and I have to say, he's been great caregiver! He's really surprised me!

I went to the doctor for my follow-up on Monday and I was 1.5 cm dilated and my blood pressure was only down a hair. I also had protein in my urine. Great. I had to collect it for 24 hours and drop it off on Tuesday. I did and they checked me again because I wasn't feeling very well. 2 cm dilated. I go back again on Friday unless "Stella" decides to show up before then.

My mom's surgery went very well. The doctors were very confident that they were able to remove the entire tumor. It did not look cancerous to them, but they sent it in for a biopsy to be safe. We haven't received the results of the biopsy yet. Mom did so well they moved her from ICU after 24 hours and she only had to spend one day in a normal room. Her recovery has been a slow process. She's had some facial swelling and some problems breathing through her nose, but that is expected. She's doing great. She was a real trooper!

It's a good thing mom has recovered so fast because she has had to quickly move into "Mom" mode this week. My doctor ordered me to bedrest this last Wednesday. I have preeclampsia. My blood pressure was too high, I had a lot of swelling, was seeing spots, and the baby's head has started to drop. I'm not due until April 2, so they ordered me to stop working. That part was kind of a relief, but leaving my kids so early was the tough part. They take their TAKS test (state assessment test) this Wednesday and I really wanted to be there to see them through that. I also had planned on putting my sub plans together over Spring Break, March 10-15, so those weren't ready this week. But, the good thing is I have an AWESOME sub who has already taken over my grading and is doing a great job so far. She's even wanting to help plan lessons. God has really blessed me with her! My kids are taking this pretty hard. Each class has become a little family and I will miss them dearly. They've been e-mailing me with daily updates, which is nice. I have great students!!!