Harrison Russell

I love reading and hearing birth stories because each birth and each baby is a miracle so I wanted to share how we met our sweet baby boy on March 13.

We had a delightful and pretty easy pregnancy.  Other than feeling tired and a little nauseous my first trimester was a breeze.  The second trimester was filled with sharing our happy news with friends and family, seeing our baby in our ultrasound appointment, and seeing my tummy grow.  Our third trimester like the others was wonderful.  I began to feel more uncomfortable as time went on, but with each passing day we knew we were closer and closer to meeting our baby and we were beside ourselves with excitement.

At my 36 week appointment on March 6 we discovered that our baby was in a footling breech position.  This was a bit of a disappointment to me as I had always hoped to have a completely natural labor and birth experience.  My midwife suggested some things I could do to try to encourage baby to flip on his/her own and I worked hard the next several days to try to make that happen.  If baby didn't flip then we were scheduling a version where a doctor would apply pressure to the baby on my tummy to try to coax the baby into the correct position.  My midwife let me know that in rare cases versions can lead to emergency c-sections or they can kick start labor so our appointment would be scheduled for sometime after baby was at 37 weeks.  If the version was unsuccessful we knew we would be scheduling a c-section.  This caused me to have a wide range of feelings because suddenly it looked very likely that we would be meeting our baby before our due date for a scheduled c-section which I had never considered.  Needless to say I was pretty distracted the next few days as I processed all of this.

Leaving my appointment we believed that the version would probably take place on March 17.  On Tuesday the 10th, however, we found out that the appointment had been scheduled for the 13th.  While only 4 days earlier than the anticipated date, this seemed crazy to me. We were already working really hard to try to make sure everything was ready at home and at work just in case the baby was born on the day of the version, so going from having a week to still prepare to 3 more days was a little intense.  One thing that did excite me about the appointment being on the 13th was the fact that it was Grandma Diane's birthday and I thought it would be so cool if they baby had such a significant birth date.

The rest of the week was crazy at work and home.  Somehow by the grace of God I managed to get everything squared away at work by the time I left on Thursday--all while feeling ridiculous because more than likely I would be back at work on Monday...maybe even Friday afternoon depending on how I was feeling after the version.  At my regular appointment on Thursday it was determined that baby was still breech, but that everything else was still looking good.  Thursday night Michael and I stayed up late tidying and getting packed just in case baby came the next day, but mostly thinking that it would be nice just to have stuff done so we didn't have to do it later when baby actually would come.

Friday morning we woke up early, loaded everything into the car and headed down to St. John's Hospital for our appointment.  We jokingly talked about how this could be our last drive before baby came.  Getting to the hospital we scored an awesome parking spot and went inside.  We were taken to our room and all prepped for the procedure (checking heart rates, getting a shot to loosen my uterine muscles, measuring any contractions, getting changed--embarrassingly I put my hospital gown on backwards...oops!)  Then our midwife and the doctor came in.  We talked about how the version would work and took an ultrasound to verify that baby was still breech and then began.  First she tried to get baby to do a backward roll--baby was having none of that.  So then after checking baby's position and heart rate  we tried a front roll.  Baby moved better this way, but got stuck at one point near the bottom of my ribs.  On our third and final attempt we tried the same way and baby got stuck in the same spot.  The version was not a comfortable experience and it was made worse by baby not turning into the correct position.  We talked with the doctor and midwife then about how I could continue to try to get baby to turn naturally, but that a nurse from the clinic would be calling me to set up a c-section for sometime around when baby would be 39 weeks.  Then they all left while Michael and I waited in the room for 30 minutes so that baby and myself could be monitored before being dismissed.  We talked and I cried a little bit due to the disappointment and it was helpful to have that time just to ourselves to process where our pregnancy was headed.

About two minutes before the nurse was going to come back  into the room (at 10:00) to dismiss us I felt something wet running down my leg and told Michael.  It came in little spurts and when the nurse came in she said it looked like my water had broken and that we would be staying there.  She ran a test to verify that it was in fact my water that had broken and they started preparing for my c-section.  CRAZY.  By around 10:30 we were told that yes my water had broken and our c-section was scheduled for 1:00.  We didn't know if we would be on the labor and delivery floor or if we would have to go up to the OR floor, but our baby was coming and would be here this afternoon.  There was a lot of pacing being done by Michael and laughing as we had planned for this, but hadn't expected it at all.  Michael made a few calls and sent a few texts so our immediate family could know what was happening and determine when they would want to come up.  When my doctor returned to the hospital from the clinic she said this was the first time she had seen labor be triggered by a version in 10 years!

Shortly after we found out our baby was coming that day!

Around noon we found out that there was a chance our c-section would be pushed back in time because an ambulance was supposed to be coming in with a mother who may have needed an emergency c-section, but at 1:00 it was just determined that we would go up to the OR floor and have our c-section there so I got put in a wheel chair and we went up with the nurses to begin prepping me for surgery.  The doctors and nurses on that floor were very friendly and excited because they don't have many c-sections up there.  They began getting me ready and talked with us about what the surgery and experience would be like.

Last picture before we meet our baby!

At around 1:15 I was wheeled into the surgery room without Michael to get cleaned up and receive the local anesthesia.  I was both excited and nervous and was praying constantly asking God to keep baby safe and to keep me safe.  They kept me informed on everything they were doing and by around 1:45-1:50 they were ready to go and Michael was brought in.  He sat by my head and talked with me as they began the surgery and we heard the doctors saying that they could see baby's bottom and before we knew it we heard our baby crying.  We were so happy and relieved that we immediately started crying.  Then baby was brought around for us to see and Michael exclaimed that baby was a boy!  After that Michael went over to where baby boy was getting cleaned up and they began stitching me back up.  After baby got clean they brought him to me and laid him on my chest for a little skin to skin time before we would go back downstairs.  He was peeking at me with one eye and I was just so happy and in love with my new little boy.  I felt emotional and a little out of sorts without being able to feel half of my body, but everything was perfect.

Brand new baby

Mommy and Harrison meet

Daddy and Harrison bonding

Shortly afterward Michael and baby boy went down stairs to our room to weigh and measure baby (6lbs 8 oz, and 19 inches long) and I was taken back to our room a little later.  They moved me onto the bed and baby boy was brought over so we could try nursing with some assistance from a nurse.  We determined baby's name would be Harrison Russell (Russell after my dear Grandpa Butch, one of the best men I have ever known) and after enjoying some time as our little family, Michael went to announce Harrison's birth to my parents and Josiah in the waiting area and to call other family members.  The next hours and days were spent introducing Harrison to family and friends and getting to know our little boy.

Happiness

I have been healing really well from surgery--the nurses gave me many compliments about how well I was doing. Harrison has been doing a wonderful job living life outside the womb despite coming a little earlier than we had anticipated.  We were dismissed from the hospital on Monday March 16 and have loved having Harrison home with us.

Our family of THREE is ready to go!

In the car headed home!

Things Students Say About Baby

Michael and I are about two months away from having our first baby and we are so very excited and loved getting to share the news with others. There were however some people I see every day that I decided not to tell right away--my students. This is primarily because of the nature of my job this year. I meet with several small groups of students throughout the day to work on math and reading skills and I worried that to announce such news as a baby coming would prove to be a big distraction and we would lose a day of instruction since we only have 15-20 minutes. This being the case I decided to let them find out on their own as I continued to grow. I also thought it would be interesting to see who noticed when and which students brought it up.

My first students to notice and say something were in first grade followed shortly by a group of second graders back in November I think. Since then almost all of my other groups have asked if I'm pregnant and even several kids I haven't worked with. During this time I have received several humorous comments that I would like to share. These are the only ones I can remember right now :)

• What's that bump on your tummy? (1st grader) 
• Is your baby coming in December? (A first grader asked me this in November) 
• When is your baby coming out? (At least once a week a kindergartener asks me this) 
• Did your baby come out? (Also asked by kindergarteners almost weekly...umm does it look like the baby has come out?) 
• Your baby is getting bigger (kindergarten) 
• Recently in one of my third grade groups: student 1: "are you pregnant?" Me: yes student 2: "again!?" (What?! This is my first baby...)
• I'm excited for your baby to come out (a kindergartener while rubbing my tummy) 
• Are you having your baby in the summer because you don't like winter? (A kindergartener...no my baby is coming in the spring because that's when baby will be ready) 
• You are BIG (a kindergartener a few days ago) 
• When you came into our classroom I saw your baby a little (a fourth grader this week) 
• And my personal favorite from a kindergartener: "do you have a baby or do you just like to eat a lot?" (Umm both but mostly the baby :) )

When March rolls around I will actually have a conversation with my groups telling them that someday coming up my baby will come and I won't be coming to school to teach them because I will need to take care of the baby, but until that all baby talk will be coming from them and I'm sure I will hear some more silly things.

Ten Favorites from Vacation

In July Michael and I went on vacation with my family to North Carolina.  Here are ten of my favorites from that time together:

1. Visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
--This wasn't something I was overly excited about before we went there, but Dad, Jos, and Michael were looking forward to it.  It ended up being interesting and quite fun.  My favorite part was getting to go out on the field.  Michael and Jos threw the football around (Charley and I did some).

2. Visiting Washington DC
--We took a segway tour of the city.  This was fabulous for several reasons: segways are fun, we were able to see tons of the city, and our guide shared many interesting facts with us.  We also visited the Captiol and met Senator Grassley.  We ended our day by walking around Arlington Cemetary and seeing the monuments near there.  Loved the time we got to spend in this historic place and hope to go back someday.

3. Mount Vernon
--We spent a few hours here before heading to North Carolina.  It was interesting to walk the grounds and visit the museum.

4. Shelby and other family joining us!
--Shelb wasn't able to be with us for the first part of vacation because she needed to work.  We missed her, but were so happy when we got her from the airport and got to spend the rest of our time with her.  We also got to spend our time at the beach house with my Uncles Kent and Brett, Aunt Meg, and cousins Noah, Natalie, and Nolan (we missed you Nathan!).  I don't get to spend time with them very often so it delightful to have this time together.

5. Beach time
--We loved spending time at the beach whether that was wading, walking, collecting seashells, seeing critters, boogie boarding, skim boarding (I do not have the skills for that), etc.  We hit the beach every day and somehow with all of that I managed not to get sunburned--major win!

6. Playing Games
--We had fun playing games when we weren't outside.  I love games and it was fun to share in that with my family.

7. Marvel Movies
--We watched through the first six Marvel movies while we were there.  It was great at the end of the day to cozy up and enjoy them together.

8. Yummy Food
--So much delicious food.  We split up suppers each night so that a different group of us were in charge of cooking and cleaning up.  This was such a fun way to do meals.

9. Car Time
--So.Much.Car.Time.  Oof!  There were definitely times where it was overwhelming and not so good, but there were also times where it was fun and silly.  Lots of singing, laughing, and talking.  A few movies watched, some naps, games played, and snacks eaten.

10. Memories Made
--So many memories.  Memories are always a highlight of time spent with people we love.  I could list so many other things that happened while we were on vacation like how Jason and Claire were able to join us one day as they were vacationing nearby, conversation on the porch, lots of ice cream snacks, etc.  So many delightful memories.

     

Teaching Year One Reflections

This last year was my first year teaching my own classroom.  I was pretty apprehensive upon taking the job as I had never really wanted to teach kindergarten before.  I took the job for a few reasons: 1) a job is a job, 2) I liked the location of the school, 3) I had worked with the principal before, and 4) I knew God could use me and teach me through this different experience.

In the winter it occurred to me that I would more than likely be pink slipped at the end of the year.  Kindergarten was changing throughout the district and my school was going from 5 classes of kindergartners down to 3.  This of course saddened me for a number of reasons (I loved the school I was at, really enjoyed the people I got to work with each day, I wouldn't get to see my kiddos again probably, and of course I would be on the job hunt for a third summer which can be pretty discouraging when I see many teachers my age getting to keep their jobs).  After a few months I got my pink slip and began looking for a new jobs.  As of this point I have nothing lined up for the fall.  I am hoping that more jobs will be posted this month and into August, but have no way of knowing whether I will have my own classroom again.

Coming to the end of an experience always causes me to reflect.  I have spent a lot of time thinking since April and wanted to record some of my reflections here.

• I should never assume that a class cannot be more challenging than one I have already worked with.  I thought the class I worked with during a long term subbing position  was about as difficult as it could be.  They were challenging for sure, but my kindergartners this year were most certainly a handful I wasn't expecting.    
• It is awesome to work with a good staff.  As a first year teacher with a challenging class it was such a sweet blessing to have not only a grade level team who was supportive, but many other staff members as well.  The staff I worked with was welcoming, kind, and helpful throughout the year.  
• Kindergartners are  so sincere in there feelings and emotions.  They aren't as good at masking their feelings and so most of the time you know how they are feeling.  When they were happy they were really happy and when they were upset they were really upset!  There is something so encouraging about seeing genuine emotions--even if it is coming out through a meltdown :)  They are also very open with telling you that they love you.  
• Supportive parents and grandparents are an incredible blessing to teachers and students.  Enough said.  
• Music is an awesome tool.  I am a fine singer, but I don't love singing by myself in front of others.  It makes me quite nervous.  This year, however, I decided to use it often in my classroom specifically in the form of sight word songs.  Every week we would learn a few new sight words that they would need to be able to read and write at certain times throughout the year.  Each week I would take tunes of songs that I already knew and put sight word lyrics to them.  My class loved these songs and we sang them throughout the day as we transitioned between activities.  This was easily one of the things I am most proud of from this year.  The last week of school I recorded us singing through all the songs and I am so happy to have those for future use.  
• Relationships of trust are so important in teaching.  Learning requires that risks be taken and it is a lot easier to take risks when you trust your teacher.  
• Routine is important and helpful.  Flexibility is necessary, but returning to the normal order of things is beneficial for the classroom environment.  

I learned a great many other things through my teaching, but will only share those seven for now.  Teaching is challenging, but it is rewarding as well.  I find it truly incredible and humbling when I consider all that my kindergartners were able to learn in the last year.  So very thankful to have had the experience of teaching kindergarten with its many blessings and challenges.  

Two years of marriage!

Two years ago I married my best friend. The past few years have been filled with many happy memories and some sad one too. Our marriage is far from perfect, but I am so thankful to get to do life with this man. I am so thankful for his patience, sense of humor, thoughtfulness, wisdom, love for Jesus and so much more. I have been more aware of God's grace and faithfulness through our marriage than before. I love remembering back with him, I love living now with him, and I love dreaming of the future with him.

Wedding Day

Year one in Italy!

Year two at a friend's wedding

I have been doing a lot of reflecting today about how I can better love and serve Michael as his wife in the years to come and to do this I revisited the vows I made to Michael on our wedding day.  Marriage is a relationship filled with sanctification as we seek to be more like Christ within our relationship.  Praise God for grace through Jesus.  Without it I don't know where our marriage would be today.

Because it's festive and fitting, here are the vows I committed to two years ago.

Michael, in taking you as my husband today I promise to put God first in my life, seeking after him daily so that through his grace and love I may love you better each day. 

I promise to be a strong support for you.  I will communicate with you honestly and affirm you in the leadership role God has given you.  

I promise to be on your team and stand alongside you in times of rejoicing, times of sorrow, and everything in between as we seek to glorify God with our lives.  

I  promise to love you specifically, to bring you good (not harm) all the days of my life.  I will practice humility both in asking for and giving forgiveness when on of us has hurt the other.  

Through God's grace, I promise that you may have full confidence in me.  I will never leave or abandon you.  I will be your loving and faithful wife until death parts us.  

A Day of Remembering

It seems unreal to me that it has been one year since my dear Grandma Diane passed away. This has been a week full of thinking back for me and remembering those last precious days I was able to spend with her. How kind of God to allow me that time free of subbing positions to be able to be home.

I miss my Grandma an incredible amount. I think of her almost every day whether it's cuddling under my blanket from her, wearing something that was hers, working on my crocheting project, making one of her recipes, waking from a dream with her in it, or the countless memories which fill my mind. How grateful I am to have had a wonderful woman like herself invested in my life.

How thankful I am for the truth of Easter. Death stings always. I know it is where we are all headed, but I don't think you ever get used to missing someone you love. Sometimes the pain seems to be dull, but at other times I find it to be shockingly sharp. I am so thankful Christ conquered death on the cross and it is not death that has the final victory but him!

I have found myself thinking over the lyrics of "Because He Lives" today. Life seems impossible to live without Jesus...I cannot imagine dealing with death apart from the hope I have in him. Because He lives I can have a thankful and joy-filled heart alongside my sadness.

So today I remember with thanksgiving a life well lived by a woman who loved and served beautifully.

James and "O Church, Arise"

I have been working on finishing a Beth Moore Bible study on James for quite some time now and am in my last week of it.  Today was focused on how James could have died through looking at the history and tradition related to it.  I love the confidence we can have in Christ and I think it is a great blessing to think of and study those who have followed Christ before us and successfully made it to the end.  I think the lyrics for the following song encompass that and I wanted to share them with you.  

O church, arise and put your armor on;
Hear the call of Christ our captain;
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given.
With shield of faith and belt of truth
We'll stand against the devil's lies;
An army bold whose battle cry is "Love!"
Reaching out to those in darkness.

Our call to war, to love the captive soul,
But to rage against the captor;
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valor.
When faced with trials on ev'ry side,
We know the outcome is secure,
And Christ will have the prize for which He died—
An inheritance of nations.

Come, see the cross where love and mercy meet,
As the Son of God is stricken;
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet,
For the Conqueror has risen!
And as the stone is rolled away,
And Christ emerges from the grave,
This vict'ry march continues till the day
Ev'ry eye and heart shall see Him. 

So Spirit, come, put strength in ev'ry stride,
Give grace for ev'ry hurdle,
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful.
As saints of old still line the way,
Retelling triumphs of His grace,
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When, with Christ, we stand in glory.