Abigail's birth story

I know there are many people that don't live in the world of pregnancy, birth and birth stories quite like I do, and don't enjoy reading birth stories.  This is just for those that enjoy such things, and it may be a little more detailed than the casual reader.  I apologize that this will be long and boring, but there is no way around that when the labor is long and boring!

It all began on Wednesday night, Feb. 27th.  I had been feeling pretty miserable for several days, and just not feeling like the baby had been lying in a good position.  I was having trouble completely emptying my bladder, something I've never had trouble with in late pregnancy before.  At 4:00 pm, I went to the bathroom and noticed some bloody mucus.  This is usually a sign for me that labor has started, but it also usually after I have some serious contractions started.  I had a few contractions, but I just wasn't sure labor had started yet.  I took the kids to church, but I decided to come home with Mary to rest "just in case".  We went to bed at around 10:00 pm, and I probably got to sleep close to 11:00 pm.  I remember looking at the clock at 11:28 and realizing it was the third time I had been awakened by contractions.  I laid there through a few more contractions, but finally decided to get up and walking a bit.  When I went to the bathroom (yes, I do spend a lot of time in there), there was quite a bit of blood, so I knew things were "really moving" now.  I chatted with my friend Jolyn on facebook for a while (getting her all excited so that she couldn't sleep, of course) and took a shower.  The contractions were about 4-5 minutes apart for those few hours, and we had an hour drive to the hospital, so I decided it would best to wake Steve up and get going at around 2:00 am. We had been debating about taking Esther to the birth, and she won in the end, so Steve woke her up as well.  It was snowy and we stopped for some gas just up the road.  Esther went into a big story about a movie she had seen with a snowstorm in it while Steve was pumping gas . . . and I was trying to breath through a contraction and wondering if we should just take her home.  Thankfully, that was the last time I wondered that.  She did a very good job.

We got to the hospital around 3:30 am.  Wouldn't you know, as soon as I walked in the hospital, my contractions lost their intensity and regularity!  In the triage room they did an internal exam at 3:50 am and I was 4 cm that could stretch to 5 cm.  The head was still pretty high as well.  They admitted me and moved me to a birthing room.  They didn't know my GBS results, so they said they wouldn't treat me for strep.  I was happy!  The nurses had a hard time getting an IV line started (just the port for emergency situations).  I guess I should have known how this day was going to go when it took four sticks to get that right.  They said they didn't have to run fluids in the IV if I would drink water, so I was REALLY happy.  I really hate lugging an IV pole around while walking.  Once I was settled in they said I could walk for 45 min and go on the monitors for 15 min. 

So, Esther settled in on the couch while Steve and I walked, and walked and walked.  At around 8:00 am the nurses called the OB office and found out that I was strep positive, and they needed to start penicillin.  They forced it in rapidly though, so it only took 30 min or so.  Dr. Leone came in at 8:00 as well to do an internal exam.  I was 5 cm that could stretch to 6 cm, 90% effaced and the head was still -2 station.  Depressing.  Four hours for one cm!!  So, we began our walking again.  Thankfully, there were only 2 of us int he labor ward at this point (patients, that is . . . there were plenty of staff to watch us circle the halls), so Steve and I pretty much had the halls to ourselves.  The nurses even offered to let us wear their pedometers while we walked. 

At 11:30 am the resident Dr. came to check me, and I was 6 cm.  So, we walked some more.  Now, I was allowed to walk 30 min then went on the monitors for 30 min.  My contractions were pretty good while I walked, but when I would get back in the bed, they would fizzle out.  At one pint the nurse came in to adjust the monitor because "it wasn't picking up the contractions" and I almost laughed . . . or cried.

At around 12:15 pm I started my second dose of penicillin (every 4 hrs.) and wondered just how many doses it was going to take!  While I was doing that, Steve took Esther to the cafeteria for lunch. While Steve was gone, Dr. Leone came in and said he would like to break my water if the head was low enough.  Those of you that know Mary's birth story will understand that we had already made our wishes quite clear that we really didn't want to do that if we didn't have to.  The nurse offered to go down and get Steve while I went to the bathroom.

At 12:45 pm the Dr. did the exam and I was very pleased to hear I was now 8cm, and that the head was still -2 station and could be pushed out of place pretty easily, so the doctor didn't want to take the chance of breaking my water!!  Praise the Lord for a wise doctor that cared about my situation, even though it wasn't going to work out well for him!  Unfortunately, the doctor also had a woman with a breech baby that needed a c-section, and he knew everything was going to happen at once. 

We walked a few more times before the doctor come back to check me one more time at 3:00 pm.  I was now finally 9 cm, but the head was still high, so the doctor had to leave to do the c-section.

We set out to walk again (only 15 min at a time at this point) - and wondered if it would finally be our last walk.  I was having a regular pattern of strong contractions by now and had to stop and breath through the contractions.

When we got back from walking I went to the restroom.  I had a contraction and felt a little "pushy" at the end.  I wasn't certain it was the real thing, but I told my nurses anyway.  The nurse checked me, but she wasn't confident about what was going on, and they were all trying to be careful to not break my water, so she called the resident doctor to check me.  She checked, but I still had a little lip left on the cervix, but the head was finally engaged.  With the next contraction I became certain that I was ready to push, so they called the overseeing doctor and started breaking down the bed and getting ready for the birth.  It was really a bit funny because my contractions were only coming every 8 minutes or so and here I was with Esther, Steve, 2 doctors, a nursing student and 2 nurses just waiting for me.  I tried to provide entertainment, but failed.  :)

I ended up pushing through 3 contraction, which is WAY long for me.  The water finally broke with the second contraction (I was hoping to see a baby born in the cull, but not this time), and the doctor said it was full of meconium.  Four more NICU staff joined up because of this.  At 4:00 pm, Abigail Glory Gollner arrived!  He poor little face was completely bruised, and the blood vessels in her eyes burst.  They say the bruising came from a quick birth, but my gut says maybe she didn't have her chin tucked or was in another weird position causing the extra effort to push her out and the bruising.

So, although I was beginning to doubt whether a long, drawn out, irregular pattern of contractions could really produce a baby, I found out that it could, it just takes a lot of patience.  I felt very blessed to have doctors and staff that were concerned about my concerns and patient through it all.  God's design for birth has always fascinated me, and I'm so glad to have another birth story to add to my collection.

Longsuffering . . . that is the word I've been reflecting on for a few days.  I guess it is the word of the day for the next few weeks.  This surprises some people, but I'm not one of those people that enjoys pregnancy.  Especially the last month of pregnancy.  But, as the Lord continues His work in my life, I've gained a better attitude about the whole thing over the years.  But it is still hard!  Feet in the ribs, heartburn, muscle cramps in unusual places, hourly trips to the bathroom through the night, crazy hormones, backache, inability to sleep . . . it still amazes me that some people say they do enjoy pregnancy!  :)

A friend of mine sang a song at church yesterday that got me to thinking about how crucial longsuffering is in the Christian life.  We need to keep doing what God has called us to in every area . . . ministry, evangelism, and yes, pregnancy.  I just consider it my way of proving exactly how strongly I believe in the value of children. 

I do have this problem with the kids . . . okay, Steve too . . . getting on my nerves at this point.  I'm sure a lot of it has to do with exhaustion, but that explains it - never excuses it.  I've taken up about a dozen crochet projects in an attempt at relaxation.  So, patience is certainly something my faithful praying friends can bring before the Lord for me.

Now, other things going on at home:  We have been debating the value of braces in our home.  Nathan inherited a genetic condition from my side of the family and is missing two of his teeth.  If we don't do anything, he will have large gaps between all four of his front teeth (like my dad had until not too long ago).  So, did you know braces cost around $5000?  It isn't hard to see that Steve and I don't spend a lot of time, energy or money on outward appearance.  Now we have to decide if we want to make that kind of investment in a smile, knowing that some of our other children could have the same condition.

My older reader has finished (I can easily double task while he is reading).  I've moved on to Josh's Kindergarten work which takes a LOT of attention, so I'll sign of for now. 

A Year of Change

 

Most of these changes have involved time commitments, so things are even busier than usual around here.

 

1)      Steve took up running this year.  Not that he enjoys it (just wanted to clarify that), but he has been faithfully working out several times a week (often with a few of the kids).  He’s lost some weight and brought down his blood pressure.

2)      Hannah and Sarah entered high school and began taking video classes from A Beka Academy (via videos at home).  They are taking six solid (“hard” according to the girls) classes as well as completing hours for gym and fine arts credits.

3)      In October Steve started working for the Kokomo Rescue Mission for about 30 hours a week.

 

2012 Vacation   We had a wonderful time touring out West this summer.  After spending one night camping just north of Chicago and swimming in Lake Michigan, we headed for Minnesota to spend a couple days visiting our friends the Ensmingers.  Next, we headed to South Dakota where we saw the Badlands, Mount Rushmore and Jewel Cave.  Our next stop was Colorado where we camped at three different state parks.  Highlights included visiting and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, visiting Focus on the Family, seeing the US Air Force Academy, eating at Casa Bonita in Denver, camping near Pike’s Peak and spending an afternoon at the Royal Gorge.  On the way home we went up in the St. Louis Arch.

                Despite our usually hectic schedule, we are thanking God for His wonderful provision and blessing throughout this year.  We have been blessed with eight precious children, family members who don’t mind helping to bus our kids around, a loving church family, and all our needs are more than met.  We are honored that God chose us to raise a ninth child.  We know it isn't the politically correct thing to do, but we do believe our children are a gift from God.

 

The Year in Review

 

Winter

·         In January, Hannah, Sarah and Nathan competed in the National Geographic Geography Bee.

·         Sarah participated in our Homeschool Drama Camp in March.

·         Hannah and Sarah competed in the Word of Life Teens Involved talent competition. 

 

Spring

·         We started watching two little Bowers boys until the end of the school year (their daddy, Andrew, was Angie’s friend in high school).

·         Our family participated in a Couch to 5K running program led by Patty Weitzel.

 

Summer

·         Angie, Nathan, and Hannah ran the Trojan Trot 5K together.

·         Hannah and Esther competed in the Kokomo Kids Try-athlon.

·         Steve was the camp pastor for a week at Twin Lakes Camp - and the whole family got to tag along for some outdoor fun and awesome chapel messages.

·         Angie's Cedarville roomie, Jolyn, and family visited from New Hampshire.

·         The family vacationed out West

·         The oldest five kids participated in the National Bible Bee which included daily inductive study of 2 Timothy and memorizing 25 passages of Scripture

 

Fall

·         Hannah, Sarah and Esther played volleyball with the homeschool group.

·         Hannah and Sarah took part in a calcium study at Purdue.

·         Steve and Angie ran the Raptor Run 5K at the Creation Museum (along with Walt Januszkiewicz).

·         Nathan began his second year of basketball with the homeschool group.

·         Steve, Hannah, Nathan and Esther competed in a 5K on Thanksgiving morning at Highland Park.

·         We hosted missionaries Mark & Becky Sterken and learned of their ministry in the Caribbean.

 

Quotable Quotes   Hannah:  "Mom, when you are nine months           pregnant, will you weigh as much as daddy?"   Angie:  "What did you say that was funny this year? Sarah: “I don't know . . . I said a lot of things! "   Nathan: I'm really excited about Christmas, but not for the presents.  I can't wait to get my coupons from mom for "choose a meal", "do a chore", and "make favorite snack."   Esther: "Hannah and Sarah, when you move out I get both of your blankets." Hannah and Sarah  (at the same time):  "We are taking our blankets with us!"   Noah (about Mary):  "I don't know what she is saying, but I know it is funny."    Joshua:  "When I was a baby, was daddy a daddy yet?"   Joshua  (on the road to Mt. Rushmore when he first saw the monument):  “That looks like South Dakota.”   Joshua (at Badlands):  “That’s the biggest mountain!  It is dad’s age.”   Joshua:  “I want to marry baby Mary someday.” Angie:  “She is your sister.  You can’t marry your sister.” Josh:  “Then I will marry Ruth.” Angie:  “She is your sister too.  You can’t marry her.” Josh:  “Then I’ll marry Esther.” Angie (realizing this could go on a lot longer, just gives up!)   Ruth (while looking at Sarah's dedication picture - Hannah was 14 months):  "Look mom, you had two babies."

Kid Highlights

 

Hannah is only a few months away from turning 15 (and very much looking forward to that).  Some accomplishments from this year include:  running two 5K's, getting first place in her age category in the Try-athlon, receiving blue on her cake and shooting sports, reserve champion on her wheat bread and grand champion on her garden project and weather at the county fair as well as a merit award on her garden at the state fair.  She continues to play flute and piano and qualified for regionals at Teens Involved.

 

Sarah became a teenager this year and is playing the part well.  She continues to sing with the Kokomo Children's Choir and play piano and flute.  In 4-H she received the following:  blue on weather, shooting sports and her cake, honor on her tea ring and reading.  She placed first in the local National Geographic Bee and qualified for regional Teens Involved in her voice solo, flute, and piano.  She placed second in her division at the Bible Bee.  She received the best server award for her junior high volleyball team.

 

Nathan really got into running this year.  He isn't super-fast but he did beat the other family members who ran on Thanksgiving.  In 4-H he won red on electric, blue on woodworking, honor on his muffins, grand champion on garden, reserve champion on entomology, and blue on weather.  He continues to play the piano and is slowly learning the game of basketball.  He completed gold level in Olympians for the fourth year in a row.

 

Esther continues to have many interests and skills.  She received the MVP for her volleyball team this year, and we finally allowed her (after much asking) to run a 5K on Thanksgiving.  She finished second in the Try-athlon and completed gold level in Olympians.  She placed second in her level at the Bible Bee.  In 4-H she received blue in sewing, honor on cookies, honor in bike, blue in weather, blue in shooting sports, grand champion in crocheting, and blue in garden.  She continues to play the piano and just started learning to play the clarinet this year.  But according to Angie, Esther’s greatest skill is giving back rubs to mommy.

 

Noah is in 2^nd grade and is as active as always.  He just started Upwards basketball—we are hoping he runs off some of his energy.  He is a smart little guy and especially enjoys doing multiplication like his older siblings.  He also completed gold level in Olympians and did a fantastic job learning his passages for the Bible Bee.

 

Joshua started school this year.  He would rather be playing, of course, but he is starting to

read.  He took his first swim lessons this year and seems to be a little fish like his sister Hannah.

 

Ruth is mommy's little helper.  She loves to help change diapers and cook with mommy. 

Although she didn't officially participate in the Bible Bee, she memorized a lot of Scripture.

 

Mary has really grown up this year.  She is starting to say a lot of words, and we have big plans to potty train her over Christmas break.

 

Abigail is due to arrive Feb. 28th, but daddy's birthday on March 4th is a real possibility.

2013

Well, here it is New Year's Day, and I haven't really thought of a lot I want to work on this year other than the same old, same old.  I guess I'm just worn out trying to accomplish what I do accomplish, so adding more just might put me over the edge.  :)  There are a few things I've been pondering, but I haven't put a lot of thought into them quite yet.  Maybe I'll work on that this week . . .

1.  Our family joined the Roadrunners this year, so I would like to run a few races with the family once I get back in shape.  I've once again gained a lot of weight with this pregnancy (probably 60 pounds by the end), so it will take a while to get things "running" smoothly again.  I'd like to run a race under 27 min, but I'm not sure if that is realistic for this year. 

2.  I want to teach the kids a passage of scripture between now and the start of the Bible Bee memorization in June.  I'll have to think more on which passage to work on.

3.  I want to pick up a Kay Arthur inductive Bible study for myself.  Anyone want to join me (and make sure I do it for myself)?

4.  Hannah has expressed an interest in sewing again, but I haven't taken the time to work with her.  This year I need to either take time to sew with her, or get her hooked up with someone to sew with her.  I also want Hannah and Sarah both to be able to cook four or five meals on their own before March.  Oh, wow!  That is 8 weeks from now . . . hummm, I think that will start this week!  :)

5.  I do have a lot of things I would like to happen for this birth, but I fully realize they are often out of my hands!  I REALLY don't want to labor at the hospital for hours on end!  However, I also don't really want to have the baby on the way to the hospital, so I'm praying for wisdom about when to leave for the hospital. 

Well, things are demanding my attention around the house.  I'm thankful for another year the Lord has given me to serve Him!

Feeling way behind today

I'm sitting at the computer just waiting, and waiting, and waiting . . . for a certain little boy to finish yesterday's math.  Uggg!!  Quite honestly, we are all more than a little bit worn out with this school year!  Because we didn't start until late August and are trying to finish the semester before Christmas break, we are really cramming in the work.  This would have worked wonderfully on me as a child, since I'm the conquer the challenge type of person, but it seems to be less than successful for my family.  :(  The high school girls are also lagging way behind.  They have about three tests to take today before they can even start the day's work.  But, I'm just seeing it as a chance to teach long suffering to the kids!  :)  And mommy too! 
We bought six subjects for Hannah and Sarah, which in retrospect, was a big mistake (with their gym and fine arts, they *may* have 8 credits for this semester).  But sometimes we just have to buckle down and get through things in life.  I'm hoping they learn that lesson, and that it doesn't take a forfeit of some of Christmas break to learn. 
Things have been really, really crazy since Steve started working a second job.  I came across this quote the other day, and it seemed so fitting. 
"Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave." - Martin Luther
I truly am sorry to see my sweetheart leave the house.  I have been reflecting a lot on the sacrifice of military wives that give up their husbands for months at a time.  In comparison, my situation is a piece of cake, but it is an adjustment for me. 

This is the letter Steve wrote to the church about his job.

Pastor Steve Answers Your Questions
About his part-time job at the Kokomo Rescue Mission
Why have you taken a part-time job?
I think everyone is aware that our church offerings have not kept pace with our budget this year. Perhaps that's putting it a bit too mildly ... We've been receiving about $220 a week less than out 2012 budget anticipates - yikes!  There really is no other way to bring our finances back into balance.  Even eliminating our entire Christian Education and Missions budgets would not have made up this shortfall.
Whose idea was it for you to take a second job?
It was definitely my idea.  In fact I really had to work really hard to get Walt & Denver (our Overseers) to warm to the concept.
Why the Kokomo Rescue Mission?
Short answer ... God.  He opened up this position for a second tie this year (I gave it serious consideration back in the Spring, but our Overseers were not in favor of it then).  The day-time hours are great (no nights or weekends), the pay is very good for a part-time job ($12 an hour) and KRM is willing to work around any special scheduling needs I might have.
Won't your ministry here at church suffer?
I hope not, but there's no question it will certainly change.  I'm doing my best to make sure my pastoral responsibilities are my highest priority - preaching, counseling, discipleship.  However some of my other duties will need to be curtailed - at least until I adjust better to this new routine.  I appreciate those who have jumped in to help out with setting up our building after services for our next event.
Think about this:  for our brothers in Christ in Central & South America, Africa and Asia bi-vocational ministry is the norm.  And even her in the US, there are lots of godly men serving in secular jobs while leading a small church.  I'd encourage you to embrace this change rather than dwell on the few negatives that might be involved.
Do you think this will be a permanent change?
I don't think so.  It is certainly my hope that in a year or two we'll grow enough to allow me to five u secular employment, but I don't want this to become an all-consuming goal.  Our goal should not be to have "a full-time pastor."  Our goal should be to evangelize, edify and equip others while exalting the Lord Jesus.
How can we help you during this transition time?
I'm so glad you asked!  Please keep my family in your prayers.  The cold-hard truth is that this change really impacts them more than it does me.  And as far as our church is concerned, my prayer is that you'll resist the temptation to fall into a maintenance mode.  I've heard more than one of you bring up the possibility of cutting back on our Missions or children's ministry budgets.  Please don't.  (I know I'm being bold here, but please understand the spirit in which I share my opinion.)  Our missionaries are doing a wonderful work.. Most - if not all - are seeing much more fruit from their ministries than we are.  Let's support them more not less.  I took this part-time job so that we wouldn't have to make cuts to the rest of our church budget.  A church can have one of two mindsets (1) let's take care of ourselves first and help others with what's leftover or (2) let's determine what and where God is blessing and join Him - trusting the Lord to take care of us.  Let's choose the latter.

The good news at church is that the addition is just about finished!  The carpet is all in now, and we just have a bit of woodwork to finish (which is NOT one of my "called on skills", so I'm free - for now).  There are two small walls to finish in the basement, but they are covered with construction "stuff" and probably won't be ready to finish for quite a while (after my maternity leave, I'm sure).

Well, my student is reading to me now, and we are about to break for lunch.  Maybe they will all get lots of "school energy" at lunchtime.  I don't recall that ever happening before, but anything is possible with the Lord, right!  :) 

 

We have been having a group of about seven or eight neighborhood kids that come to our house almost as soon as their school is out . . . everyday.  It has been somewhat of a struggle for our family that, quite honestly, has a lot of work to accomplish, but wants to minister to our friends in need.  Yesterday, Hannah opened the door and was so very gracious with the kids.  She told them her siblings couldn't play but expressed interest in some aspect of their lives.  I was really pleased.  The thought occurred to me, and not that it was a new thought, just added to this idea, but she would already run a home marvelously!  I'm so grateful to have my girls maturing and showing responsibility. 

It occurred to me the other day that it is almost the end of the year, and I can't remember what my goals for this year have been.  Oops!  I looked them up.

1. Memorize chapters 3-5 of Ephesians.
Okay, I feel like I have a fairly good excuse for failure on this.  :)  Once we hit the Bible Bee this summer, all other memorization work ceased.  I didn't even think about starting it back up. 

2. Take pictures with my friends. In 2010 I lost two friends, and I realized I didn't have any pictures of myself alone with either of them. I decided last year I would try to get pictures of myself with my friends, but I didn't get a single picture last year, so it's going down as an official goal this year.
Ummm, I don't know why this is so hard!  I did get a pic with my college roomie when she was here this summer.


3. Start running again. The last day I ran was October 31st, so I'm sure it will be like starting all over again! :( I'd like to run a 5K in the 27-28 min range.
Hey, finally one I accomplished!  :)  I ran a 5K in June in 27 something.  I ran a few weeks ago, quite a bit more slowly, and I'm going to take a break for a few months. 

4. Start preschool with Joshua.
Josh is an official Kindergartner this year!

5. Do more individual discipleship with Nathan and Noah.
We are doing an inductive study on Genesis 3-5.

6. Do more personal Bible study - possibly make a study book for the kids on the book of Ephesians.
I'm still struggling in this area. 

Well, I just got a call that we are watching a few kids for the night.  Always on call around here!  :)  And there is a diaper that needs changed, and dishes washed. 

We  have about five neighbor kids here this afternoon, so the afternoon nap isn't happening today.  :)  Steve is watching Hannah and Sarah's Abeka History lessons.  Yeah, not my favorite pastime.  They are really good videos, but I'm very happy to be done with school!!

I went to put a ticker on my blog counting down to the due date, but I think I will just wait until after the ultrasound on Thursday.  Steve is really hoping there are two babies, and he is having a good time talking about it (constantly) and teasing me just a bit.

I had the official "battle of the wills" with Mary this week.  I was really surprised how quickly her will was broken.  In reflection, I've realized it is really hard to gauge a child's strength of will.  I remember the battle with Ruth when she was about 18 months.  I absolutely couldn't believe how long she held out in her stubbornness.  She is my fairly quiet, thumb-sucking child.  Then there is my Mary that is just simply (as my Grandma Alexander would have said) a fart in a skillet.  I'm really not opposed to having children with strength of will; I'm rather in favor of it.  However, I am very much opposed to having stubborn children!  The trick is teaching / learning who to submit to in life.