I turned 35 weeks pregnant at Sutter Memorial Hospital on Sunday January 27, 2013. 10 weeks ago when complications began with threatened pre-term delivery, 35 weeks seemed like an eternity away. Praise God for another day!
AND THEN THERE WERE 4...
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Bed Rest Diaries: "Is he coming or is he ain't?"
"Is he coming or is he ain't" were the words spoken by our South American doctor on Sunday evening after going into the hospital on Saturday night. We were back in our favorite ward of the hospital after 26 days of freedom with more contractions. The story is best told my husband who's desire to document Mason's testimony before his birth and God's faithfulness and provision is provided below.
Daddy's Note
Many of you are aware that we were admitted to the hospital Saturday night under circumstances we fully expected to end with the delivery of our second SON Mason. While this journey has never ceased to amaze, stretch and surprise us...this weekend was yet another massive display of God's faithfulness.
"I am contracting" were the words uttered by a nervous Allyson on Saturday evening around 6 PM. As of late, this was the equivalent of stating that the sky was blue in light of the frequency said contractions reared their ugly head. The rule is, 6 or more in an hour, we go to the hospital for further examination at which point Allyson be shot up with a drug called terbutaline (anti contraction medication injected through the arm). Should she break through the medication...game time.
Allyson had taken her vistaril, which is used to help relax her contractions and allow her to sleep at night, by 7 pm. In spite of doubling the dosage, contractions persisted growing in severity and frequency. We waited until 8:30 pm to finally call our dear friends who rushed over to watch Colton while we raced to Sutter Memorial Hospital. Upon arrival, Allyson was hooked up to the monitor which confirmed rhythmic contractions 2 minutes apart. An exam was ordered revealing that Allyson was 4 cm dilated. This was a growth of 2.5 cm since our last visit. The nurses immediately contacted our OB for orders who asked that we be monitored and examined again in two hours. Over said 2 hour period, contractions did not let up but rather intensified further leading us to believe that this was the real deal. We were immediately rushed to a delivery room. When the two hours were up, mama had dilated 5 cm and was experiencing deeper contracions than felt to date in her pregnancy. Every nurse in the room was sure that we would be holding Mason by the end of their shift (7 am Sunday morning). She was immediately put on an IV drip of antibiotics to counter the group strep B she was diagnosed with last time we were in. These drugs were mandated to protect the baby from the streps attack; however yielded no aniti contraction assistacne.
Up until this point, we had been given drugs to keep contractions at bay. When we entered the hospital on Saturday night, said game plan was obsolete. By the grace of God, Allyson was 35 weeks prompting the medical staff to allow her body or proceed with the birthing process void of any anti contraction medication. While they would not induce, they were committed to allowing her contractions to continue thus furthering dilation and pushing the process along. With no drugs, and a room full of nurses stating imminent birth, we were back on our knees praying for God's sovereign will to take control as we were still 5 weeks shy of full term. We committed to praise him whatever the outcome as it was only by his hand that we would be carried thus far. Without the comfort of medicine, we were back in a position of having to trust him with everything...funny how that works. Allyson agreed with the nurses....this was it. Deep rhythmic contractions continued 2 minutes apart as we pushed on through the labor process.
Midnight passed and the contractions, which were the very cause of our track towards pre-term labor, were unexplainably shut off like a light switch. The very contractions that broke through double the dosage of vistaril were silenced by our Heavenly Father. The effects of said drugs had long since passed and proven to be useless. When the nurse came in escorted by our OB this morning, Allyson's uterus was calm and not contracting. Upon further examination, it was concluded that in spite of all those contractions, Allyson had not dilated any more than 5 cm (last recorded measurement) all night. My favorite part about all of this was the reaction we received from the medial staff who could not explain scientifically the events that took place last night.
Upon seeing her contractions subside, our doctor asked that we be moved from our delivery room to the pre-term high risk pregnancy ward down the hall. Due to the 5 cm dilation, we were to be monitored for the next 4 days in case labor kicked back in. It was at 5 cm that Allyson took off in her delivery with Colton further pointing to divine intervention. Amazingly, Allyson's contractions were minor Sunday morning and by the afternoon, had pretty much subsided all together. The ace kicker was the readings we received last night after 1 hr on the monitor....no contractions.
Dr Knight walked in the room last night right on schedule with eyes as big as saucers. This veteran OB could not figure out what happened Saturday night. His opening line was "I went Home and went to bed early last night as I fully expected, based on the evidence and my 30 plus years of medical experience, that I would be delivering your baby before 7 am this morning" (Sunday morning). He followed that up with amazement in how little Allyson had been contracting throughout the day and rewrote his orders. Should the contractions stay off the radar, we would get to go home Monday as opposed to Wednesday.
So on January 30, 2013 I lay back in bed at home and wait, wait for God's perfect timing and my opportunity to meet and fall in love with his beloved child, Mason Joel Lynn.
Daddy's Note
Many of you are aware that we were admitted to the hospital Saturday night under circumstances we fully expected to end with the delivery of our second SON Mason. While this journey has never ceased to amaze, stretch and surprise us...this weekend was yet another massive display of God's faithfulness.
"I am contracting" were the words uttered by a nervous Allyson on Saturday evening around 6 PM. As of late, this was the equivalent of stating that the sky was blue in light of the frequency said contractions reared their ugly head. The rule is, 6 or more in an hour, we go to the hospital for further examination at which point Allyson be shot up with a drug called terbutaline (anti contraction medication injected through the arm). Should she break through the medication...game time.
Allyson had taken her vistaril, which is used to help relax her contractions and allow her to sleep at night, by 7 pm. In spite of doubling the dosage, contractions persisted growing in severity and frequency. We waited until 8:30 pm to finally call our dear friends who rushed over to watch Colton while we raced to Sutter Memorial Hospital. Upon arrival, Allyson was hooked up to the monitor which confirmed rhythmic contractions 2 minutes apart. An exam was ordered revealing that Allyson was 4 cm dilated. This was a growth of 2.5 cm since our last visit. The nurses immediately contacted our OB for orders who asked that we be monitored and examined again in two hours. Over said 2 hour period, contractions did not let up but rather intensified further leading us to believe that this was the real deal. We were immediately rushed to a delivery room. When the two hours were up, mama had dilated 5 cm and was experiencing deeper contracions than felt to date in her pregnancy. Every nurse in the room was sure that we would be holding Mason by the end of their shift (7 am Sunday morning). She was immediately put on an IV drip of antibiotics to counter the group strep B she was diagnosed with last time we were in. These drugs were mandated to protect the baby from the streps attack; however yielded no aniti contraction assistacne.
Up until this point, we had been given drugs to keep contractions at bay. When we entered the hospital on Saturday night, said game plan was obsolete. By the grace of God, Allyson was 35 weeks prompting the medical staff to allow her body or proceed with the birthing process void of any anti contraction medication. While they would not induce, they were committed to allowing her contractions to continue thus furthering dilation and pushing the process along. With no drugs, and a room full of nurses stating imminent birth, we were back on our knees praying for God's sovereign will to take control as we were still 5 weeks shy of full term. We committed to praise him whatever the outcome as it was only by his hand that we would be carried thus far. Without the comfort of medicine, we were back in a position of having to trust him with everything...funny how that works. Allyson agreed with the nurses....this was it. Deep rhythmic contractions continued 2 minutes apart as we pushed on through the labor process.
Midnight passed and the contractions, which were the very cause of our track towards pre-term labor, were unexplainably shut off like a light switch. The very contractions that broke through double the dosage of vistaril were silenced by our Heavenly Father. The effects of said drugs had long since passed and proven to be useless. When the nurse came in escorted by our OB this morning, Allyson's uterus was calm and not contracting. Upon further examination, it was concluded that in spite of all those contractions, Allyson had not dilated any more than 5 cm (last recorded measurement) all night. My favorite part about all of this was the reaction we received from the medial staff who could not explain scientifically the events that took place last night.
Upon seeing her contractions subside, our doctor asked that we be moved from our delivery room to the pre-term high risk pregnancy ward down the hall. Due to the 5 cm dilation, we were to be monitored for the next 4 days in case labor kicked back in. It was at 5 cm that Allyson took off in her delivery with Colton further pointing to divine intervention. Amazingly, Allyson's contractions were minor Sunday morning and by the afternoon, had pretty much subsided all together. The ace kicker was the readings we received last night after 1 hr on the monitor....no contractions.
Dr Knight walked in the room last night right on schedule with eyes as big as saucers. This veteran OB could not figure out what happened Saturday night. His opening line was "I went Home and went to bed early last night as I fully expected, based on the evidence and my 30 plus years of medical experience, that I would be delivering your baby before 7 am this morning" (Sunday morning). He followed that up with amazement in how little Allyson had been contracting throughout the day and rewrote his orders. Should the contractions stay off the radar, we would get to go home Monday as opposed to Wednesday.
In waking up this morning (Monday A.M.) we were met with more contractions. They are roughly 3-6 minutes apart. This is not consistant with yesterday or last night. Not sure what today will bring, but we trust that it is all in God's perfect plan. Allyson got a good nights sleep which was a huge gift!
I can not help but think of Daniel and the lion's den or Jesus' calming of the sea. In both instances, men were called to put their faith in God rather than the sensical "seen world". We rejoice in yet another day in the womb for our baby boy. It is purely by God's grace that we can celebrate this fact tonight. From 25 weeks to 35 weeks today, our Lord's tender mercies have carried us to less than one week from a term baby. Allyson and I are overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, love, support, meals and shoulders to cry on throughout this process. We are so tankful to be the parents of such a little fighter who we can not wait to meet. God is gracious in trusting us with this responsibility; however, be encouraged as we are in our Lords faithfulness. He has diligently answered the spoken and unspoken prayers of his people thorough which we have been deeply comforted. Mason will know the testimony of his journey before he entered this world and the power of prayer to sustain us before we even know we need it. He will be loved by his loving 2 year old big brother who prays for him nightly...no exaggeration, God has huge things in store for this precious one...I can't wait to meet him!
I can not help but think of Daniel and the lion's den or Jesus' calming of the sea. In both instances, men were called to put their faith in God rather than the sensical "seen world". We rejoice in yet another day in the womb for our baby boy. It is purely by God's grace that we can celebrate this fact tonight. From 25 weeks to 35 weeks today, our Lord's tender mercies have carried us to less than one week from a term baby. Allyson and I are overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, love, support, meals and shoulders to cry on throughout this process. We are so tankful to be the parents of such a little fighter who we can not wait to meet. God is gracious in trusting us with this responsibility; however, be encouraged as we are in our Lords faithfulness. He has diligently answered the spoken and unspoken prayers of his people thorough which we have been deeply comforted. Mason will know the testimony of his journey before he entered this world and the power of prayer to sustain us before we even know we need it. He will be loved by his loving 2 year old big brother who prays for him nightly...no exaggeration, God has huge things in store for this precious one...I can't wait to meet him!
So on January 30, 2013 I lay back in bed at home and wait, wait for God's perfect timing and my opportunity to meet and fall in love with his beloved child, Mason Joel Lynn.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Bed Rest Diaries: 5 Year Anniversary
January 19, 2013 marked our 5 year marriage anniversary. As I look back on our relationship, I can't believe how blessed I have been to have such a wonderful husband and best friend. From September 2002 to now, we have spent 11 years loving, challenging, encouraging, and supporting one another. I could not have chosen a better husband for myself and father for my children. Thank you Michael James Lynn for being you and encouraging me each and every day to be better.
2008: Year One Highlights: After 6 years of dating we were married on January 19, 2008
2009: Year Two Highlights: upgrading from a one-bedroom apartment to a two bedroom apartment, a new job for Michael as a Field Sales Manager for QSP, and me going back to school at Fresno state to achieve my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
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| Barn Dancing up in Yosemite National Park July 2009 |
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| Being goofy: essential part of our relationship 2010: Year Three Highlights: Discovering in April of 2010 that we were going to be expecting our first child. Upgrading from our two bedroom apartment to a three bedroom house. Michael being promoted and asked to take over a larger territory as a Field Sales Manager in Sacramento, California. Me graduating from Fresno State with my teaching credential December 8, 2010 and welcoming our first son Colton James Lynn into our family December 16, 2010. |
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| Taking our last vacation to Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park before Colton was born. |
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| November 2010 |
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| Colton James Lynn |
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| And then there were 3... |
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| Easter in San Diego |
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| We have a 1 year old! |
2012: Year Five Highlights: Loving our new home in Sacramento and the lifelong friends we have found here. Enjoyed watching Colton begin to walk and officially enter into the toddler stage in January of 2012. Indulged in taking a wonderful second honeymoon to Atlantis in the the Bahamas in June where we also discovered we were going to be expecting our second child.
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| March 2012 |
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| The goofiness continues... |
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| Atlantis Trip June 2012 |
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| Our last night in the Bahamas before we discovered.... |
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| we were pregnant again! |
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| Going home with quite the souvenir! |
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| Our last picture but excited to get home and share the news! |
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| Gold Rush Days September 2012 |
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| Our Sacramento Family! |
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| December 2012 |
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| And now there will be 4.... |
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Bed Rest Diaries: Daddy's Week
After Christmas ended this year and the grandparents headed home, it was just the three of us to ring in the new year! And ring it in we did! Since Michael is fortunate to get two weeks off every Christmas, Daddy and Colton's adventure week began. They started the week by getting the nursery crib ready.
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| Such a good helper. Can't wait to see him be a big brother. |
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| A man and his cowboy boots |
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| Standing on the recycling tractor. |
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I had been anticipating the arrival of this week ever since discovering we were pregnant. I knew it would provide the perfect opportunity for us to not only assemble all of the new major baby stuff, prepare the nursery, but also to go out and run all and every errand needed to make sure we were ready for our new addition. So from bed I made our errand list and Michael and Colton fulfilled the duty. Their next trip was to Babies R Us.
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| Riding the Burt and Ernie Fire Truck |
On the list was also a much needed trip to CVS pharmacy for a refill on my gestational diabetes monitoring supplies. Here they are spending 45 minutes waiting for mommy's supplies to be filled. Michael was so brave to conquer this task with a very active 2 year old.
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| Colton so excited that their 45 minute trip to the CVS pharmacy had come to an end. |
The next adventure during the week was a much needed boy's trip to Lowe's.
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| Watching Daddy try out the mobile lawn mower |
 
Move over Daddy...I'll take it from here!
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| Needed to show off the John Deere boots and tractor . |
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| Our favorite cart: The car cart (One thing I am grateful that bed rest has alleviated me from having to push) |
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| Pilot and Co-Pilot. |
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| Rebels!
During this week Colton also got to experience a multitude of new things that mommy had not exposed him to like the infamous weinersnischel. And so began his undying love for corn dogs.
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| Drive-thru eating |
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| Bath time in our tub!
I am beginning to see the fruits of this bed resting. It has provided me with a bird's eye view into the dynamic relationship that exists between a father and his son. It is a much more physical contact world unlike the nurturing relationship that exists between Colton and I. But is a world that Colton loves and is so strongly influenced by. Michael is so insightful of Colton and what sparks his interests and makes sure to carve out the time to allow exploration to take place. They are one in the same and I am so blessed to get the time now to see how Colton will be shaped by his father and the amazing qualities that he possesses.
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