What a miracle!

There are a lot of emotions flowing at our house currently. Some of them we don't know quite how to express yet, but we are extremely humbled by the events that took place on Friday July 17, 2009.

I had been scheduled for an induction that morning and eagerly awoke not wasting much time in calling the hospital to see what time they wanted to start. They asked that we come as soon as we were ready! A and I got dressed and arrived at the hospital shortly after 7:00 am and were escorted to room 515. Our nurse, Katie Miller greeted us and began to prepare for the expected labor process.

Labor was progressing steadily and there were no concerns when Dr. Rees checked me and broke my water shortly before 2:00pm. I had progressed to 6 cm and knew that Baby I would soon be with us!

A and I were watching a movie to help the time progress when I started to cough and couldn't seem to catch my breath. "What's the matter?" asked A.

"I can't breathe" I whispered.

A immediately pushed the button for the nurse and informed her I was having trouble breathing. Katie came quickly with two others in tow. I remember her entering my room and asking what was wrong. As I responded, I tried to grab the left bed rail for support in pulling myself up a bit.

From that point on, things get a little fuzzy. I am told that I collapsed and was not responding to stimuli. A doesn't recall how Katie called for help, but within seconds, the room was full of hospital staff frantically searching for a pulse, respiratory signs, etc. Any sign of life! Chest compressions were started and more chaos ensued.

The staff knew I was in grave danger and quick action was needed to save both the baby and myself. They rushed me from the laboring room to the OR on the floor and began preparations for an emergency C-section. When checked, however, it was discovered that Baby I had begun to crown and would be easily retrieved with suction.

Baby I was born at 2:10 pm, just before A was allowed into the operating room.

At first, A didn't talk about what he experienced as he entered that room (and there are many fuzzy details that I'm leaving out as well.), but as we've talked together, more "drama" has come to light for both of us.

I proceeded to "flat line" twice more while in the Operating Room while they were also trying to stabilize baby I. After the delivery, I continued to hemorrhage and required a total of 12 blood products and coterization of the uterine lining to stop the bleeding.

Baby I was treated by a Doctor Minton, who we now know is responsible for the start of the NICU program at our local hospital. We believe that the actions of this doctor saved the life of our little one. We will be eternally grateful for what he did!!!

Baby I was transferred to the NICU after about an hour of constant effort on the team assigned to him.

I also was transferred to the ICU after about five hours in surgery. I was very confused at this point as I only remembered not being able to focus (my eyeballs felt like they were floating seperately in their sockets.) and bright lights with lots of pain and panic.

My OB/GYN, Doctor Rees came to visit me shortly after I had been set in my ICU room (217). I am grateful for his efforts in stopping the hemorrhaging and saving my life, along with Doctor Eunice (the anesthesiologist), Doctor Knokes and so many countless others that unfortunately remain nameless.

Baby I and I were both given priesthood blessings and progressed rapidly in our recovery. We were told initially we would have an extensive hospital stay. But as the days progressed, we were quickly moved from the ICU/NICU respectively, on to the Well Baby and Mother floor to room 428.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 we were both discharged from the hospital with the best well-wishes and no expected set backs in our future.

I was diagnosed with Amniotic-Fluid Embolism and DIC. "AFE" as it is sometimes called on the internet, has a maternal mortality rate higher than 60%! We were also told that if you do survive, only 40% make it through without complications such as organ failure, brain damage, stroke, etc.

Our family and friends prayed and fasted for us and eagerly awaited any news that A or my parents/brother could bring from the hospital. I have heard the expression: "We felt the prayers offered on our behalf" and never understood how that was possible. I know now what the prayers of many feel like. What a humbling experience it is to know that so many people love us and are willing to offer prayers in our behalf.

Miracles do indeed occur today! My family experienced several this last week and I'm sure we will continue to see many more!!!

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_00e86671-ccec-5904-b806-6e3489bddc65.html

SEVEN!!!!!!!!!!!

This week Z turned seven!!! Grandma took us out to Kneaders for a special birthday lunch. As we were being served, Z announced it was her birthday. The server smiled and told her she could choose her own birthday girl pastry! She chose a silk chocolate mousse with whipcream and chocolate stick. The server directed her to her seat and then added a lit sparkler and wished her a very happy birthday.

After lunch, we returned to Grandma's house to complete the decoration of the Hello Kitty cake and prepare the rest of the party details.

It was a family party this year so we invited Tate, Amy, Kraig, Klark, Aunt Ally, Uncle Dan, Samantha and Grandma and Grandpa. Z wanted an aunthentic mexican dinner so we prepared: Tinga, Nopalitos, Frijoles, Aroz and tostadas. We also enjoyed Strawberry Swirl ice cream and cherry sprinkle white cake with vanilla frosting.

After the wind picked up and started blow us out of the park and our guests had gone home, we returned to our house to give Z her gifts. I'm afraid this year she got more practical (things she needed) gifts. She opened new green sheets, a custom made watermelon pillowcase, mattress topper and a new swimsuit. She also got several pairs of pierced earings.

I tried to keep the two younger ones away from the gifts while Z opened them, to no avail. In the end, everyone got to help open Z's gifts. (Thanks Z for being so willing to keep the peace!)

Happy birthday! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

OH BOY!!!

Happy Easter 2009Say, "Easter Bunny!"

I thought the last time I had blogged was around Halloween. Imagine my delightful surprise when I discovered it had only been since February!! Ah ha ha ha. So get ready for a splurge of pictures mostly and a few details.

Walk-A-Thon 2009

Most of the month of April was spent in preparation for Z's school Walk-A-Thon. This year S and B rode in the stroller while I pushed and looked for Z as there had been a miscommunication as to what time they would let her start walking. One of the highlights of the morning was that Daddy took his lunch break and walked/ran with Z! Thanks Daddy! After the walk, everyone was able to cool down with a popsicle! Can't beat that!


Checkin' out the new "HOG"!

In our attempts to cut costs during this rough economy, we purchased a used scooter which helps get A to and from work. The kids have had fun asking daddy to take them zooming around the church parking lot and surrounding neighborhood. Okay, I'll admit. I've even taken it to work and to "escape" a few times. What a fun way to get around! Although you do get a few peculiar looks while riding if you happen to be 7 months pregnant!

New ducks on BYU campus: Spring 2009

During the early part of May I had an unusual Saturday off. We took the opportunity to spend some time together as a family adventuring. First we went to feed the ducks on campus.

Wolf cry
Then after taking a much needed pitstop we went to the Bean Museum. A had never been and was really impressed with all the exhibits available. Z had just finished "Animal Week" in her first grade class and had done her report on the Grey Wolf. The above photo shows Z and S doing their best wolf cry in front of a Grey Wolf.

B on the other hand, wasn't so sure about sitting next to something like that!

The lions were another story, however.

Crawling like wild animals

Discovering the tunnels where Mom used to go "Tunnel Singing"

A tired group heading down the "snake bridge"

Splashing in the fountains before heading home

We had a great day and wore eachother completely out! But what a treat to be together on a Saturday! Hope we get to do it again soon!

What a difference!

What a difference a year makes! As I sat in my hallway looking at our family pictures thinking it was time to take new ones, I noticed how much my children had grown. Z will register for second grade soon and we hope to get her in a spanish immersion program so she can maintain her spanish and start learning how to spell in spanish too. S is in preschool and will register for the upcoming year. I'm trying to decide whether to enroll him in the Kindergarten-prep class or let him enjoy one more year of refusing to write his own name! B had her first haircut on January 25th this year just to trim it up a little. It didn't need as much as Z or S on their first haircuts, but she enjoyed being fussed over.
I'm grateful for my children and am looking forward to the day we add our fourth bundle of joy to the mix. This has been a rough pregnancy; not being able to breathe well, uncomfortable infections, etc. Did I mention how much I'm looking forward to welcoming home number four?









Z: 5yrs S:2yrs R: 10mnths?










R: 2yrs S: 3yrs Z:6yrs

User error....

I've wanted to upload some of our pics to show you what our family has been up to in the last few months, but it appears there is a user-error somewhere along the line. Don't know where that might be, do you? Ah, well. We'll try again later. In the meantime, know that we're still kickin!

I might as well update you on a few things until pictures are available..... A few days before Thanksgiving, we found out that a new little one will be joining our family in the latter parts of July 2009. It took us a little off guard, but not by surprise. In March we should find out whether its a boy or a girl, but we have our suspicions about it being a boy. We announced the news on Christmas day to everyone; even our other children didn't know we would get another baby at our house until Grandma J unwrapped the gift.


More details and pictures to follow. Stay tuned!!!

"Swingy"

Yesterday as we were getting ready for church, we had some excitement at our house! As the story goes, A was putting S's shoes on near our ironing board. S got up to get his tie and hair combed and bumped the ironing board which sent a can of spray starch tumbling right on top of S's head. One wouldn't think much damage could come from such a can, but one would be wrong!

A trip to the nearest emergency room, four staples and a little plush toy named Swingy later, everything had slowed down a bit. I felt so bad for S though. He knew he didn't want stitches and the doctors all told him he wouldn't have to get them. (S wasn't aware that the doctors were telling Mom and Dad he would have to have something similar though. :*( ) The Doctor and nurse held S's head like he was going to have a blessing and then the "snapping up", as S calls it, started.

Good thing he had his little Swingy to squeeze and Mom's hand.

We go back in six days to remove the staples. The staff tells us it won't be as bad as putting them in. I hope not! I usually don't cry when my children have "owies", but this one sure brought me close.

S insisted on going to church with us and went to our 7 year old primary class. He stuck pretty close until he figured the other kids could be just as silly as he could. It was good to see him running and laughing.

We then went to trick-or-treat in the hall at Grandma's house and were met by a special guest!

My brother who lives in Las Vegas came with his wife and dressed up as the big bad wolf. Both Z and S didn't mind the beast so much, but it sure scared B!

I'm grateful we live close enough to several hospitals, have insurance, and have family nearby. I think these are a few things that keep me sane.

Bad Toupee?

We finally convinced Daddy that Z needed a good haircut! It wasn't as short as I wanted to go, but with Halloween in a few days and an updo in order, I figured it was good enough for now. (We can always go shorter when Daddy's not looking!)
So here are a few pics of the before and after, as well as a bad toupee on our front porch. Enjoy!

Communication, sumunicashun!

Tonight I learned about the importance of communication. I won't go in to details, but what a difference it makes when one truly communicates.

I had talked with a family member earlier about a few things that are troubling me as of late and thought they understood I wanted something to come of our conversation. As I waited a few days to see what actions would be taken, I realized this family member hadn't understood that I wanted anything else other than to talk.

It was frustrating, to say the least, but I'm glad we were able to communicate with eachother tonight with both of us understanding what actions were expected to come next.

UNDEROOS anyone???!!!!!

While Z was at school today, I tried to entertain R and S who had been sick early this morning. What did we do all morning long while S decided he felt better? Watched TV until all the cartoons were boring, and then....... ran all over the house with Seth's big-boy Spiderman pants on. Yep! Beca too! Flinging webs and hopping up and down the stairs while eating quesadillas!

Reminds me of the underoos we used to wear as kids. The best was when my Uncles would come over and "try to guess" which heroes we were that day. Of course, they'd NEVER guess, so we'd have to flash them our under-roos and then show them our best moves ever as that particular hero! They were good sports.

Thanks R and S for making my morning brighter!

LOVE YOU!

Time Keeps on tickin'

I've been putting off posting anything new, just because it takes so darn long to translate everything I want to say! So I've decided that I'll keep posting new pics and things, but only blog in english.
And how come nobody told me my blog was SOOOOO DRY!!!!!!
So more to come... with more entertainment!

Thanksgiving Point

We went with cousins to Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah and wore the kids out!! S didn't want to get off the horse and rode two times around the circle while the others were content to move on to other things.

Thanks Auntie Nina!

Fuimos a Thanksgiving Point com uns primos e agora as criancas estao com sonho!!!! S nao queria baixar-se do cavalho e continuo dois vezes no circulo enquanto os outros foram felizes a ver outras coisas.

Muito obrigada Tia Nina!

Fuemos a Thanksgiving Point com unos primos e ahora los ninos tienen sueno!! S no queria bajarse del cavallo y continuo dos veses en el circulo mientras los otros ninos fureran felizes de ver otras cosas.

Muchas gracias Tia Nina!

MEXICO!!

The day after the 4th of July, we traveled to Chihuahua Mexico to visit A's family. We had a great time seeing everyone again. We hadn't seen everyone for at least 4 years. There were some new additions and lots of fun to be had. Here are a few pics. Enjoy!

Um dia depois o 4o de julho, viajamos a Chihuahua Mexico para visitar a familia do A. Disfrutamos a compania de todos novamente. Nao tivemos o oportunidade de ver todos pelo menos 4 anos. Inclusive vimos as criancas mais novas da familia, algumas pelo primeira vez. Divertimos muito! Aqui ha algumas fotos. Disfrutem!

Despois del dia de independencia fuemos a Chihuahua Mexico para visitar a familia de A. Disfrutamos la compania de todos novamente. No tuvemos el oportunidad de ver todos por lo menos de 4 anos. Inclusivamente, vemos todos los ninos de la familia. Algunos por primera ves. Divertimos mucho! Aqui ha algunas fotos. Disfruten!

The Challenge!!!

I've finally jumped on the bandwagon like so many others. I fought the bug for so long, but was challenged to keep the family/friends up-to-date in three languages! Ha! Want to see if that actually happens? Me too. That's why I let the bug BITE!
So enjoy the posts to come.

Finalmente, chegei!! Como tantos outros... Lutei contra este blog por tanto tempo, mas acceptei um desafio de uma amiga minha quem diz, "tem que manter a familia actualizada.... toda a familia. Mesmo que seja em tres idiomas! Rrrrssss. Quer ver o que accontece? Eu tambem! Por isso estou escrevendo e criando este blog.
Entao, disfruta os post que vem!

Finalmente, llege!! Como tantos otros... Luche contra este blog por tanto tiempo, pero accepte un disafio de una amiga mia que dije, "tienes que mantener la familia actualizada, pero TODA la familia. Aunque sea en tres idiomas! JA JA JA! Queres ver que va passar? Yo tambien!
Entonces, disfruten los post que ven!