Madden's Birth Story

After 40 weeks and 2 days Madden is finally here! As you know, we had been waiting and waiting to meet our new baby boy. Madden was very comfortable in there and I thought that he would never come! After my doctors appointment Friday morning, I really thought he would be born that day. I was 5-6 cm dilated and 70% effaced. I started having contractions when I got home and they were the real deal. David called his sister, who was going to be in the delivery room with us, and told her to come on. His mom also decided to come down so she wouldn't miss the occasion.

I continued having contractions all afternoon and followed the midwife's orders to walk. So walk I did. I walked and walked and walked and after walking around 4 miles total, and having great contractions for 7 hours, my labor stopped.

The next morning I woke up so depressed because NOTHING was happening! I pretty much stayed in our bedroom all morning alternating between sitting on my exercise ball and laying down, jut trying to get Madden to drop and kick start labor. I eventually fell asleep. After I got up, I went on yet another walk and it didn't seem to help. However, around 3:30, things changed.

I began having contractions that were every 3-4 minutes apart, but they were only lasting for 20-30 seconds. I was excited, but still not convinced this was it since they weren't lasting very long. After an hour of this, I decided I needed to tell David and had him call the midwife to ask her opinion about going to the hospital. The decision was made to go on to the hospital and have Melissa, my midwife, break my water. The thought was that doing that would help Madden to drop and get him here quickly...and it did!

As we drove to the hospital, my contractions were lengthening to close to a minute and were becoming more like 2-3 minutes apart. When we finally got up to the labor and delivery room, it was shortly after 6. Melissa came in around 6:15 and broke my water soon after that. When she did, I was 7-8 cm, 90% effaced, and +1 station. As soon as my water was broken, Madden immediately dropped to -1 station. We also realized when my water was broken that Madden had had a bowel movement...so gross!! Because of this, NICU was called to the room. We were told that if he cried upon delivery that he would be fine, but if not that he would be taken to NICU.  I was so focused on getting him here that I didn't let myself get upset about the possibility that something might be wrong with him.  I knew if I did it would make the labor process that much more difficult.

I came in really wanting a drug free delivery, but didn't know how I would handle it after my water was broken. As soon as it was broken, I stood up by the bed, thinking it would be an easier position in which to labor. It was for a short few minutes...that was until I hit transition. At that point, I felt like I couldn't stand and that I was losing control of my body and I no longer was concerned about trying to keep my gown from falling (it was never tied after my monitors were put in place and ended up slipping off during transition...oops! I did have on a sports bra at least, lol!). I practically collapsed into David's arms and got in the bed, asking for and epidural. All I can remember is that my back was killing me!  The nurse was behind me looking at David shaking her head. There was no time to get one because he was coming fast.  So, like it or not, I was going to have a drug free birth.

When I got in the bed, I labored for probably 15 or so minutes. I was able to breathe through the contractions while holding onto David's hand, but my back was still killing me! Melissa told me to push when I felt the urge, but honestly I felt like I couldn't even control myself enough push at that point. I was really just concentrating on breathing and not wasting my energy on pushing until I really felt the urge. (Side note: There was also some conversation at this time from the new L&D nurse about where my gown was. Melissa told her, while trying to play it cool and not laugh, that sometimes that happens with natural deliveries, lol)

Melissa was standing at the table with all of her equipment and instruments needed for delivery as I was breathing through these contractions.  While she was preparing, the nurses broke the bed down and it was just in time to get me in position because as soon as they did I had the urge to push and he immediately started crowning...as I was saying,"Get him out!" From what I remember, it took about 3 pushes and Madden Harris Cleveland was born at 6:54 p.m. I was so excited and relieved to see my purple baby, with a full head of black hair, turn nice and peachy as he took a deep breath and let out a great cry!! David cut his cord and he was passed off to the warming bed to be checked out before I got him. We were so excited he was here and also excited that I was able to go drug free like I had wanted. Everyone in the room, especially David, kept saying,"You did it! You did it!" 

Madden weighed in at 8 lbs 19" and was the largest if our three babies. He nursed for almost 45 minutes after they gave him to me. The whole thing still seems surreal. I am extremely thankful to have not hemorrhaged after delivery this time and also for a great practice if midwives who took great care if me and Madden throughout!  This really was my easiest pregnancy and, despite the craziness, the easiest delivery on me physically.  We praise God for another miracle and feel so blessed once again by His miracle of life!

5-10-13: Update

Went to the doctor this morning for my NST. Madden stayed on the heart rate monitor with no trouble for the whole time, 20 minutes, and looked "beautiful" according to the midwife. So grateful to hear that!

Before she checked me, I spoke to her about how dilated I was on Wednesday and about stripping my membranes again. She agreed that it was a good idea to strip me again...this was the third time. So, before she stripped me, she checked me and I was 5-6 cm dilated. I was very excited!

She gave me the option if going to the hospital and having my water broken to try to start up labor. She said she doesn't think I would need pitocin. Because I am worried about stalling out even after my water is broken, I opted to try and wait it out. She told me that she thought I would have him either today or tomorrow. Well, today is over. I am praying that he really does come tomorrow! This is extremely slow and frustrating. As thankful as I am that he is healthy, I am just ready for him to be here. Especially since we now have family in town just waiting. Madden, you are OVERDUE...it's time!

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The Plan...

Well, today is May 9th, my due date. I never thought I would make it this far, especially when I started dilating at 36 weeks. Madden, you seem too comfortable in there and, like your daddy, you have zero sense of urgency.

This pregnancy has been my best yet. I had very little sickness in the beginning, have not swollen like I have in the past, have had great blood pressure the whole time, and been able to exercise fairly consistently throughout. All in all, I can't complain. However, this whole waiting on baby thing is frustrating, particularly when at this point I had an 8 day old and a 7 day old with my past pregnancies.

I have an appointment scheduled for 9:15 in the morning if I haven't gone into labor, which is not looking like it will happen. I will have a nonstress test (nst) done and will asked to be checked again. I was 3 1/2 cm dilated and 70% effaced yesterday. I am praying that all of that real, not Braxton Hicks, labor I had yesterday will have helped me progress further before tomorrow morning. The plan is to induce on Monday if I have not gone into labor...which is what I am desperately trying to avoid! I had to be induced with Mary Kate and did not like it one bit.

Madden, everyone is ready to meet you. We are all praying that happens not just soon, but today!


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Baby Cleveland #3

Yes, you heard right.  We're having another baby!  We are excited to announce that God has blessed us with another precious miracle that is due on May 9, 2013.  We have kept quiet about this one for quite a while and are finally ready to make it public knowledge, for those who haven't seen me in person!

Our reason for waiting so long to share this news this time is a result of recent history for our family.  In March 2012, we learned I was pregnant with then baby #3.  After seeing that baby during an ultrasound on April 2nd, he/she did not grow any further and we lost him/her on April 16th at 9 1/2 weeks gestation.  I was heartbroken!  However, as sad and emotional as it has been, we do take comfort in knowing that God is merciful and protected our precious baby from further suffering here on earth.  We also know that we will get to meet him or her one day in heaven and that he or she is always looking down on us.  Fortunately, God got us through this and has allowed me to have no further complications.

When we found out we were expecting again, we were both overjoyed and nervous, especially me!  After our first ultrasound in October, where we saw a healthy baby who measured right on track and was moving all around, we breathed a sigh of relief and continued to pray that things would go well, and they have.  We were under the impression that I would not receive an ultrasound at this doctor's office until 26 weeks, and were therefore surprised to find out that we would get on at the normal 20 week mark.  When we found out this info, we kept it to ourselves knowing that the ultrasound would happen just before Christmas.

At our most recent appoint, December 19th, we had our 20 week ultrasound and were able to find out what we are having...It's a Boy! The great news is that the baby received an excellent report from the ultrasound.  Everything was normal or negative, which is exactly how it was supposed to be, and we got to watch him move all over and even yawn, so cute! One thing that made me smile was to see him laying transverse, exactly how his big brother Mills laid for so long!  We thank God daily for this baby boy!

Revealing the sex has been even more exciting this time than the past two, given our recent experience.  I came up with an idea that was a fun way to reveal the sex of this baby to our families.  I modified a gender reveal I had seen recently with balloons and made it my own.  I chose to get a helium balloon with the message, "It's a Boy!," and have it boxed up.  The idea was that as our families opened it, they would see the color and message and the balloon would tell them what we were having.  It seemed to be a big hit with everyone and added an extra level of excitement since they knew that what was in the box would reveal the gender.  I took a video of the this and posted it below.

Choosing a name for this baby boy has proved challenging.  For both of our other two children, we either had a definitive name chosen before the ultrasound or chose one on the way home from the ultrasound.  This time it has taken a bit longer to nail something down, but we do now have a name.  We have chosen the name Madden Harris Cleveland for our precious baby boy.  Madden is a name and David and I both like and Harris is my paternal grandmother's maiden name.  With this name, all of our children now have family names as part of their name, as well as an "M" name for either their first or middle name.

Little Madden is quite the active baby.  David got to feel him move for the first time at 21 week and Mary Kate and Mills got to feel him move just last night.  I also was able to see him moving while watching my belly last night.  He is definitely active, and I am nothing but thankful for that.  It gives me a sense of security feeling him move and kick about.  We ask that everyone continue to keep us in your prayers for a healthy baby, pregnancy, and delivery.  We are forever grateful!
 

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Gross But True...

It seems like the last two months my life have revolved around Mills going to the potty. The first month after potty training, Mills was doing fantastic. Unfortunately, at some point in month two, he just lost interest. He started peeing in his underwear and not telling me when he needed to go and would not even try to poop in the potty. Instead, he would wait until he a a pull-up on at nap time and poop then. Needless to say, I feel worn out from it all!
About a month ago, we decided to try to give Mills some extra incentive to poop in the potty. We told him we would take away one of his trucks, his favorite toys, every time he pooped in his underwear (or pull-up). Even though he loved these trucks, it did not bother him that they were gone. So, needless to say, I have been at a loss as to what to do.
Well, this morning, we were outside playing and something hilarious happened. Mills has been tee teeing in the yard lately, every man's right as David says. So Mills says he needs to poop, which usually means pee, so I did not think anything about it as he pulled down his pants. I was going to help him pull his pants up, when next thing I know I saw something fall and hit the ground. He had pooped on the ground...like a dog! I died laughing, but had to praise him for not going in his underwear. He got a cookie, skittles, and one of his trucks back that had been taken away for popping in his pants. An improvement I guess...we'll take it!
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Swimming Lessons for Mary Kate

Last summer, Mary Kate loved the pool and we decided that she was old enough to take her first set of swimming lessons.  We signed her up for the Pike class at the YMCA.  This class was made up of beginning swimmers from ages 3-5.  Mary Kate was the youngest in her class of five students.  Their class met monday, wednesday, and friday for two consecutive weeks.  We signed Mary Kate up to take the middle two weeks of June.

When we first told her that she was going to take lessons, she was excited, but that all changed when we got there the first day.  The first day was very cool and rainy and Mary Kate was cold and fussy!  She did not want to sit with her class because she wanted to be wrapped up in a towel to keep warm...I couldn't blame her!  I really thought that her tears had to do mostly with the weather and expected them to go away on Wednesday, but I was wrong.  Wednesday was beautiful and not too hot that it was miserable.  Mary Kate still wanted to sit with me and be wrapped in a towel, even though the weather was not bad.  She would fuss every time it was her turn to swim with her teacher Mr. Robby.

After this lesson, I got her talking and realized that she was afraid of Mr. Robby, because she didn't know him, and more importantly afraid that he would drop her.  David and I both talked to her and tried to reassure her that everything was fine, that I was there, and that Mr. Robby would not let her fall. Even after our talk, Friday was still bad and we even discussed not taking her back for week two, but I really wanted her to get past her fear.  This is what we were dealing with...

Monday was a totally different experience.  Mary Kate did fuss, but only when it was time for her to swim.  When it was her turn, she would get in with Mr. Robby and do what he asked her to do, but would cry the whole time.  As soon as she was out of the water she would stop crying.  Wednesday was like a totally different child was there.  She sat on the side of the pool with her classmates the entire time and didn't cry at all.  Friday was even better.  We were very proud of her by the end of the week.  She came a long way!

This experience seemed to be traumatic for Mary Kate, and that is not what we intended, but in the end she was fine and grew in her swimming abilities.  We plan to try again next summer, as well as continue to work with her on our own.  I think she just might be able to swim on her own next summer!

Beach Trip 2012

With David still in his first year of a new job, and very little days to take off, we decided that a trip to the beach of Labor Day weekend would be doable.  The kids and I loaded up on Thursday afternoon and headed down to pick up David in Palmetto at his office.  We drove from there to Panama City Beach.  The ride went well overall, but we were all glad to get there and get settled down.

The kids loved the beach!  Mary Kate jumped up and down on Friday morning when we first went down to the water saying, "The beach, the ocean!" over and over again.  It was so fun to see them so excited.  They really enjoyed building sand castles with daddy, but mostly loved being in the water.  Mills especially loved going as far out as possible, and even tried to talk to and play with some older boys in the water.  His favorite part was when David took him out pretty far and jumped the waves with him.  Mills kept saying, "Here comes a big one!"

On Friday afternoon, we took the kids to the outdoor mall at PCB called Pier Park.  It was hot and miserable!  We went out on the pier and the kids loved watching the people surf and the men on the pier fish.   They particularly enjoyed looking at some fish one man had caught.  When we were leaving the pier with very fussy children, David and I decided it would be best to head on and eat an early dinner at Boondocks.  This place sits on the bay with a pretty view of the water.  The food is great and the kids ate up their dinner.

The other thing the kids really liked was playing the in the pool.  There is one pool at this complex that is 5 ft and under. This made it easy for me to stand and let Mills jump, while Mary Kate was jumping to and swimming with David.  After we left this pool, the kids would run around in the grassy area and playground right beside the pool.

 Mary Kate and Mills enjoyed "relaxing" in our chairs.  They are too cute!  The chairs ended up here because it was much easier for us to chase them in and out of the water with our chairs in the water.  Plus, it was refreshing too!

 When David was playing in the sand with the kids, at the edge of the water, Mary Kate felt something wash up on her back.  David scooped it up and realized it was a catfish.  The kids thought this was so cool!

 On the our last night there, David wanted to take the kids out to feed the birds.  It took a while for them to realize what we were throwing, but when they did they flocked to us and the kids had a blast feeding them!
                                 
                                     


                                      

                                     

                                     

This was our first trip with just us.  We had a great time and enjoyed being together and building memories that we will always cherish.  I can't wait for next year's trip!!!