Ummm...I think my water just broke?!?!?

***I have decided to write about our adventure bringing Poppi into the world simply to clarify the details of that time for all of our family and friends worldwide.  The following narrative is an account of those days.***  

(Yes, I feel like I just gave the intro to an episode of Law & Order...Dah-Dum)

After coming home from an amazing night watching a fundraising concert at Cornerstone Baptist Church, I was exhausted and headed quickly to bed.  I was looking forward to a good night of sleep because I had a lot of laundry and house cleaning to do Sunday before we headed to our church service.  However, my body had other plans!  Around 3:30 Sunday morning, I woke up to reposition myself (a common  occurrence at that time of night while I was pregnant), and in the middle of my right-to-left-side flip, I felt my water break.  I was filled with a sense of excitement, and a terrible sense of fear...I was only 36 weeks!  I still had so many things that I wanted to do before Poppi came into the world!

During a moment of shear panic straight from the movies, Boaz looked at me with a huge smile on his face, and said, "Hey, wouldn't it be great if he came on my birthday?"

My reaction was slightly sarcastic because all I could think was, "It is Sunday...your birthday is not until Tuesday!  What do you want me to endure over the next few days!?!?!"

Boaz finally got himself together and called the midwife, while I just sat with my mind racing waiting for instructions.  His phone call ended and we were told that if contractions followed we should call her when they reached three in a ten minute span of time.  If that didn't happen, we were to meet up with her at the hospital at 1pm Sunday afternoon.  Once off the phone, I had Boaz sort my clothes out of the laundry and put them in the washing machine (if I was going to the hospital I needed clothes to take with me!).  I proceeded to position myself on the edge of the bathtub to shave my legs...it's the important things right?  Boaz spent some time rereading the material we had gotten from our ante-natal classes on the stages of labor, and somehow, in the midst of very mild and sporadic contractions I was able to force myself to fall back asleep.

Sunday morning was spent relaxing on the couches, doing laundry, and packing hospital bags.  We packed up the car and headed to the hospital to meet our midwife.  Once we arrived, we were escorted into an assessment room, and I was hooked up to the heart rate/contraction monitors.  After an hour or so of monitoring and meeting with the doctor on staff, we were sent home and told to return at 7am the next morning to be induced if the contractions still did not increase to the steady three in ten minute mark.

We found ourselves waking up early Monday morning as ready as we could be to once again make the trek to the hospital.  We were put in a large room on the assessment side of the ward, and I was once again hooked up to the heart rate/contraction machine.  It was determined that I had "The Worst Veins in the World" by the second midwife brought in to try to hook me up to an IV line.  After 5 tries and several swollen bruises, the two midwives decided to have the doctor try instead.  It took her two tries, but at least I finally had my IV line in!  (Side note...I've never had a problem getting an IV line put in before...either pregnancy really messed with my body or some people need more practice putting in lines!)  It was then determined that my body was not in labour.  The doctor literally had to move my cervix in order to administer the Prostaglandin gel that would allow my body to "ripen" and labour to begin.  I believe this was around 10am on Monday...I spent the next few hours having regular contractions, laying mostly on my back hooked up to monitors.

At approximately 3pm I was moved into the Labour Ward down the hall, and they began me on a Pitocin drip (after my midwife changed the IV line that was put in...it only took her one try to get it right!).  I was feeling contractions, and doing well simply breathing through them while singing worship songs over and over in my head.  This is when everything gets a little foggy for me...

Basically, I dilated to 2 cm at some point in time, and was still there sometime close to midnight.  My midwife recommended that if things didn't change by the next check that I consider an epidural to help me sleep through the night in order to conserve my energy for later.  Well, at that next check I was still at 2cm (even though my contractions were happening 4 in 10 minutes) so we went with the epidural.  Unfortunately, around 2am, I started to feel more and more pressure.  I couldn't help but cry out with pain every minute or so as the pressure increased.  I couldn't understand how I could be feeling this much pressure with an epidural!  My sister-in-law had told me before she left the hospital that I would have instant relief and be able to sleep with no problem!

After nearly 2 hours of intense pain, the anesthesiologist came back up and determined that my epidural line had shifted and would need to be replaced.  However, he had an emergency downstairs in the operating suite that he had to see to.  So, he removed my epidural and left me to suck on gas continuously for 10-15 minutes until he was able to come back and fix it.  Thirty minutes later (5am), I was finally pain free once again, and Boaz and I were able to get some much needed sleep.

By 6am, I had dilated to 4 cm, and that was where I was to remain even after many more hours of the Pitocin drip (the amount was increased a few times), and a few top ups of the epidural.  A doctor came in around 11 am and told us that they would give me until 2pm before they made a decision regarding the next step if nothing changed.  I spent the majority of the day with my eyes closed trying my best to conserve the little energy I had left.  At 2pm, they decided that I would be going downstairs to the operating "Theatre" (as they call it here) for an emergency c-section.

At this point in time, I honestly believe I was the most calm person in the room.  I knew that I had to get the baby out, I knew that the doctor's had my best interest in mind, and I knew that ultimately God was in control.  Boaz's family gathered around my bed after the doctor gave me the "pre-surgery" complications talk, and spent a moment in prayer before the room went into complete chaos. I was prepped and taken down to surgery within 15 minutes of signing the consent form.

My epidural was taken out, and I was given a spinal before the surgery began.  Boaz was sitting next to my head on the right side, and we were having a conversation when we realized they had already started the surgery! I couldn't feel a thing!  Approximately 20-30 minutes later, we heard a cry and Cayden Fa'aletaua Moala was held over the curtain for us to see.  Boaz followed the midwife to the opposite corner of the room to watch the baby get his first check up and my eyes filled with tears as I heard him saying to Cayden, "Hi Son...hi son..."  Cayden was soon brought over to say hi to me and was placed on my chest for a few minutes before they handed him back to Boaz.  Knowing that Boaz had him safely, I looked up at the doctor by my head and simply said, "Can I sleep now?"  I literally slept for the remainder of my surgery and the next thing I knew they were moving me off the operating table.

So, there it is...In the end, Cayden was born on Boaz's 32nd birthday (February 19), and he couldn't be more proud.  Cayden and I were then moved to our new home for the next four days Room 19.

My Poor Closet!

Since arriving in New Zealand, I continued my quest for weight loss and really started to enjoy going to the gym!  And, then...I got pregnant!  So, my closet has definitely done some stretching and shrinking over the past year or so!

 From May 2011 to June 2012, I was really able to see some big changes in my body.  I had muscles in my arms that I hadn't seen in so long!  We had just finished a 12 week challenge when this picture was taken and I was at my lowest weight (and smallest jeans) in MANY years!

This is one of the main reasons I waited so long before posting "belly pics" that were being requested by so many.  When I looked at pictures, I really felt like I just looked like I did before I left the States.  In the past few weeks, this baby of ours has grown tremendously!  I will try my best to post more comparison pictures as the weeks pass until our little guy is here!

20 Weeks                                                   34 Weeks

So Blessed by So Many...

Recently, my Mom and sister decided to put together an "online baby shower" for our family and friends around the world.  They had me searching NZ for a baby store that provided a gift registry that could be accessed using the Internet.  Now, this is something that is part of everyday life in the USA for just about any wedding, wedding shower, or baby shower where you find that you are invited.  However, in NZ I have only found two stores that actually offer a gift registry, and they are both online registries (you are unable to access the registry in the store), which is again something that I know most Americans find so hard to believe!  

Boaz and I have been completely blown away with the "showering" of love and support that we have received in just days of the invitations going out!  We are so thankful for our family and friends all over the world, and we decided that we wanted to be able to share all of the cute little items we receive with all of you!  So, I will be randomly posting pictures of the gifts that Poppi is being "showered" with.  I will also be sure to include any pictures from the "showering" Poppi will be receiving here in NZ over the next few weeks!  He is already one very loved little guy!

Thank you so much for each of you that have been praying with and for us during our pregnancy!  Also, thank you so much for each of you who have sent us cards and letters full of well-wishes!  We are so thankful and blessed to have you in our lives!

Top Left: Giraffe Teething Toy, Swaddle Blankets
Top Right: Safety Gate, Lion Rattle, Giraffe Blanket, Sage Crib/Cot Sheet, Crib/Cot Protector
Bottom Left: Lamp (not pictured wallpaper border)
Bottom Right: Boppy Pillow, Sand Moby Wrap & matching cap, Moby Swaddle & matching cap, monkey & elephant fleece blanket, and baby monitor

Top Left: Nappy/Diaper Bag, Tummy Time Play Mat, Musical Mobile
Top Right: Advent Starter kit, Giraffe Rattle Stuffed Toy, Pacifiers, Advent bottles & nipples, Floor Play Blanket/Mat, Dishwasher basket
Bottom Right: Portacot/Pac'n Play (Ready to be used downstairs...Poppi's room is upstairs)
Bottom Left: Bath Seat, Bear Blanket, Hooded Bath Towels, Health Care Kit, Bib Set, Face Cloths

Poppi's Bed!  We were so excited when we found a matching rug!  We really think they only had them in the stores for the window displays, and we just happened to be in the right place at the right time!

Ultra Sound Pictures

Ok, so I've been such a slacker with keeping people updated with our blog!  I'm hoping that I am able to get better about posting in the next few weeks/months as we get ready to welcome our little boy (who we have been calling Poppi...pronounced Baw-bee) into the world!

 The top two pictures are of baby's profile, the bottom left corner shows his little arm waving at us, and the bottom right corner shows the detailing of his spine and the back of his neck.

The pictures shown above were one of the happiest days in Boaz's life!  The top left picture shows different views of Poppi's feet and the bottom left picture is another profile picture.  However, the long picture on the right is all the proof that was needed to show Poppi's long legs and "manhood".  He was pretty confident of himself that day!  Boaz made sure to ask multiple times if Poppi was indeed a boy...LOL  The ultrasound tech looked at me and while rolling her eyes replied, "Yes, I'm sure"  He is so proud to have a little boy to take fishing.

We have another scan scheduled sometime in the next two weeks, and I will be sure to post those pictures once I get home!  Hopefully, we'll be able to get a couple of good shots :-)

In Sickness and in Health...

I was just laying in bed on a rainy Sunday morning when I realized that it's been six months since the gorgeous day that we were married up in Michigan and I haven't updated the blog in FOREVER!  So, here I sit watching the sky drizzle rain, wondering how long the boys will last if the 4:30am-1pm  fishing adventure is getting rained on.

First, let me explain exactly why I had to put my blog updates on hold so quickly after starting them.  Once we arrived in New Zealand, we left a few weeks later for our honeymoon in Samoa!  We had an amazing time, and I found another country that I would visit anytime!  I will definitely have to post a special "honeymoon" blog soon, which was my initial intention upon our return to New Zealand.  However, God had other plans, and I definitely was not prepared for what occurred during the next three months of our marriage!

A few days after returning home from Samoa, Boaz and I went out to a local shopping mall to do some window shopping.  I wasn't sure I wanted to go because I just "didn't feel right" but he insisted to get me out of the house.  Once we arrived at the mall and started walking around, I quickly noticed that I couldn't read the store signs.  I felt like I was wearing those "drunk simulation" goggles they used for our Don't Drink and Drive seminars in college.  The next morning, we set off into Auckland to find the US Embassy and begin the process of changing my name in my passport.  As we walked along the ports, my vision was slowly getting worse and worse.  We found ourselves in a doctor's office later that afternoon, and the months of learning the New Zealand medical system began.

After consulting his medical books and running many tests, our general practitioner made a few phone calls and sent us immediately to the eye specialists.  The next few weeks are somewhat of a blur for me as I slept for most of it, but my very own episode of "House" began.  I had many possible diagnosis like Bell's Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Cranial Pressure and one of my favorites-an extremely bad sinus infection.  I was put on a few different medications to rule out symptoms, had many blood tests, and two MRI's.  There was even a week or two  when the specialist thought he knew what it was and wanted me to have a spinal tap just to confirm.  I questioned that one and since I was told that it wouldn't give me a diagnosis, I decided not to put myself through that one.

I was finally sent to a neurologist near the end of December.  She confirmed the specialist's assumption of Miller Fisher Syndrome, and ruled out his worry of intra-cranial pressure.  She basically said I was lucky because my body didn't react as badly as it could have, and I didn't loose the mobility of my arms and legs while I was sick.  She said I was on the mend, and all I had to do at that point in time was stick it out.  She took me off all the medications that I was on, and told me that I only had to take over-the-counter pain killers as needed.  I most likely contracted a virus of some sort when we were in Samoa, and in fighting it off, my body starting attacking the nerves in my head and around my eyes.

Finally, the peak of the "House" episode was presented to us.  She asked if I would be willing to be the case presented to the medical students at the hospital that week.  Unfortunately, they already had a case ready for the students to investigate, but lucky for me, I was on downward slope.

It took until just about the end of January/beginning of February for my eye sight to slowly return to normal.  Did I mention I was sporting a very fashionable eye patch over my glasses this entire time?  Yep, that was me...the girl that everyone stared at in the grocery store!

Boaz and I didn't realize that we would be living out our marital vows in full so quickly, but I definitely realized how blessed I am to have him with me during that time.  I know I wasn't the most pleasant person to be around some days, and I battled with understanding why God would allow me to go through such a trial right after moving around the world and getting married.  But, Boaz was there every step of the way and our relationship is stronger because of it.

The only thing I really did during the time that my eyes were messed up, was go into Glen Innes (where our church is) work on our Christmas display, and attend our regular church events.  We have been studying the book of John during our Sunday services and near the middle of my "eye episode" we were spending time in Chapter 11.  After my own daily devotional of chapter 11, I discovered that Jesus told his friends Mary and Martha exactly the words that I needed to hear to fully understand what was happening to me.  When Jesus heard from the sisters that his friend Lazarus was sick, he simply replied, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."

Now, Lazarus was dead at this point in time and Jesus was able to use his death as a way to show the glory of God when he called to Lazarus in the tomb where he was buried.  Lazarus responded to the call of Jesus, arose and walked out of the tomb to live the rest of his days.  After reading this, I made the decision that I was going to use my illness to the best of my ability to make a seemingly bad situation into a way to bring glory to God.  I tried to stay positive, and Boaz helped tremendously with that.

Finally, I was able to see when I woke up in the morning.  At first it would only last for a few minutes, but it gradually increased to a few hours.  After about a week or two, I was able to see from morning to night.  I had an eye doctor visit at the end of February and he was amazed to tell us that my eye sight was completely back to normal and that I no longer had any swelling in the back of my eyes.  I think he was seriously thinking that he would be scheduling surgery for me when he scheduled that appointment a few months prior.

It has taken a few weeks longer for me to fully start to feel like myself.  I didn't realize just how much this illness took out of me.  I started working out again a few weeks ago, and I had a hard time simply walking a mile.  However, I have been working out for a few weeks now, and I'm starting to get my pre-wedding stamina back.  I have also been cleared to start driving again, so I'm slowly taking on the New Zealand roads! I think I may even take my first solo drive later this morning, and head to the mall while the boys are fishing...

Wow...I just wrote a lot more about my eyes then I had originally planned, so I think I might need to change the title of this blog from "Six Months Already!?!" and try to write an 6 month update later this week. So keep an eye out (no pun intended)...it's coming!  I'll be sure to include some pictures too!

October in NZ

As I type this post, the All Blacks (New Zealand's Rugby team) is winning the quarter final match against Argentina in the Rugby World Cup.  We've enjoyed all the hype around town since the World Cup tournament has been going on since we returned from the States.  New Zealand is this year's host and we were able to go downtown and enjoy "the Cloud."

Queen's Wharf World Cup "Party Central"

Angela has been exploring all the different stores and products available in New Zealand over the past few weeks.  It's a good thing that she knows how to "walk a store" after all the shopping trips to random competition grocery stores with her dad and uncle over the years!  However, we were able to find a grocery store chain that smells just like American stores (called Nosh) and we also found Martha's Backyard!  A small "American Store" that carries a random assortment of American products.  They even have Bath and Body Works lotions and shower gels!  However, we bought a box of Fruity Pebbles (Angela's favorite vacation cereal), a bottle of Ranch dressing and a 6-pack of IBC Root Beer (Boaz's favorite).    We decided that we are only allowed to visit this store once a month!

The entrance to Martha's Backyard

Lastly, we have been spending some time in Glenn Innes (GI as it is commonly known) at the Sanctuary, which is our church home.  Today, Boaz was able to preach from John 9 before the church family shared a monthly meal together.  We were just about to leave for the night when three boys came in off the street, and Boaz went over to chat with them for a bit.  The next thing we knew, they had a guitar, Boaz's drum kit, and some mics!  About 30 minutes later their jam session ended.

The "Jam Session"

We are so excited to continue our work in GI when we return from our honeymoon (we leave tomorrow!).  We know that God has great things in store for the area, and we are confident that GI is the place that God has put on our hearts to serve and spread His message.  Please continue to pray for us, Sanctuary Church, and the people of Glenn Innes as our church family strives to share Christ's love with those around us.

Tomorrow morning we will be leaving on our honeymoon in Samoa for two weeks!  We will be sure to post some pictures once we get home...

The week after the wedding...

After we said "I do" we spent about four more days in Michigan with Angela's family in northern Michigan.  We're pretty sure that Angela's Grandma won that poker game...

we left Michigan four days later, and did what every couple does after getting married!

We went to DISNEY LAND!

Actually, Disney Land was only part of what we did before leaving the USA.  The eleven of us (Boaz's family that came over for the wedding) headed to San Diego to spend four days with Boaz's uncle and his family, as well as another cousin and his family.

Finally, it was time for us to leave the USA and fly over to New Zealand to begin our married life together!  As sad as it was to say good-bye to all of our family and friends, we were very excited to finally be able to be together without a computer screen between us for longer than a few weeks!