About Me....

My name is Megan and I have been married to my childhood best friend John Ryan for 5 years. We have two beautiful daughters together...Arabella is 3, and Serena is 2. This is our 3rd pregnancy and we are having a boy. We have loved our nearly 4 years in TN where I've discovered I am truely southern at heart. My husband and I are pastoring a church here while he also works for the local soup kitchen and I stay home with the munchkins...oh what a lovely and blessed life we have.

My Pregnancy Journal....

August 21st- Today Bella drew me a picture on her doodle pro. She explained to me that it was a picture of 'a baby with mama'. I asked her where the baby was. Her response, 'the baby is in mama's tummy'.

September 10th- Today I took a HPT and got a beautiful BFP!!! We are so thrilled! It just amazes me that my duaghter's drawing was accurate. And even more, that I was only a few days pregnant when she drew it. I sure wish she had drawn it on paper, or I had taken a photograph...what a memory. I love the way God speaks, and my children seem to be so aware of His voice.

October 1st- Today I finally got my pregnancy confirmed and got my letter of confirmation. Now I can be looking into a midwife. Still deciding whether to have a home or hospital birth. I've had both already, and both were amazing and wonderful in different ways. Decisions, decisions...

October 18th- I am experiencing some unfamiliar feelings. This is my 3rd pregnancy and for the first time I have been questioning whether or not I am truley pregnant. Deep in my heart I know that I am, but I am 11 weeks and all my symptoms have gone and I am not showing at all. To aide in these feelings, I have not been to a midwife yet due to insurance issues. If I could just hear the heart beat I know it would all feel real. Keeping up with my girls as well as church business keeps me pretty busy and I feel like w/o the 'evidence' I forget all about being preggo at times. I'm really not digging this!

October 23rd- Today is my sweet Arabella's 3rd birthday. I can hardly believe that I held my first child in my arms 3 years ago today. Now I'm working on #3. Wow! I am also incredibly excited that I have my first ultrasound appointment for this coming Thursday (thanks lilmamma for the suggestion). I can hardly wait to see my wee one moving about and finally hear a heart beat. So, much celebrating today in our home.

October 25- I had my ultrasound today. I cried :-) It was just what I needed. His/her little heart was beating so beautifully...153 bpm. He/she was moving so much, constantly changing position. The tech said that I look right on schedule because the baby was measuring at 12.5 weeks. I got a few pics that I hope to post soon. No guarantees though, I've got a very busy 2 weeks ahead of me.

December 4- Felt some baby movement today. Three little pokes as I laid on my stomach in bed. It was so lovely!!!

December 6- I FINALLY got my insurance taken care of so I can see a midwife or doctor. Unfortunately, my midwife clinic isn't taking anymore patients and the other place with a midwife can't see me until mid Jan. I'll be 5 months pregnant by then. I'm a little worried because it will be my first appointment...that's not good. I've been trying really hard to take good care of myself, but I still worry. I've never had to go this long without a widwife or doctor's care. I'm going to continue to call around and try and get an apointment sooner. So, that's the latest.

December 25- What a great Christmas gift for my Ry. Today he was able to feel the baby kicking away for the first time. It was so fun to watch his face light up as he would ask 'was that it?'. He was able to get a good 5-6 kicks before the wee one decided to rest. It was great!

January 11- So, today was my first appontment. It took about 2 hours and I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown for the first hour and then left quite light hearted after the second hour. This is how it went...

I show up a few minutes early to fill out paper work and such only to find out that they had changed locations and failed to tell me(and apparently a lot of other people as well). Luckily the new location isn't too far away. I head over and show up right on time. Now I discover that my doctor is not in office today and my appointment had been canceled. They said that they called me twice to notify me and reschedule but the line was busy. Okay, I can't argue with that, although its highly unlikely since I almost never use my house phone. I asked them if they could squeeze me in since it was my first appointment for prenatal care anywhere and I am already 23wks. I didn't get a response. The girl just walked away. So I waited for a little bit. Finally I asked someone else and they tell me I'll have to wait on the first person helping me. She comes back and tells me that they will work me in. This was initially a releif until it occured to me that I would be seeing a male doctor instead of my female doc. I have not had a male dr. since highschool when I had to see a creepy guy last minute. Needless to say I was NOT looking forward to this. My wait continues for another half hour or so and I'm freaking out all the while.

After the first hour I get called back. They weigh me...157...not too bad, only 12 lbs from my pre preg weight. I also get the joy of peeing in a teeny tiny cup...not fun! They took me back to my room and I waited fearfully for my doctor to come in. When he arrived I was instantly more at ease (it must have been God). He had such a great demeanor and was very fatherly. He asked some questions and told me what it would look like if he were to be the one to deliver my baby. He advised me not to say 'you handle it Dr.' since I intend to have as natural a birth process as possible. He was very kind and funny and I found that I was more and more comfortable with him as time when on. By the time I had my exam I was feeling a whole lot better although some of my fears were there again. It went well. He did his thing and moved on. Whew! The hard part was over. The nurse listened to the baby's heart beat...140 bpm, I had some blood drawn and got my next appontment as well as my ultrasound set up.

I'll see one of two docs or one of three midwives in 4 weeks at my next apt and will have my ultrasound 2 weeks from today.

Last thing...at bedtime last night Bella got to feel 'her baby' kick. Her face was priceless...a little bit of amazement and a little bit of fear. She wasn't quite sure what the heck was happening but she didn't want to take her hand off. It was great.

January 25- Today was ultrasound day! And the verdict is...

glitter-graphics.com

We are so thrilled to be having a son. Papa & Gamma (daddy's parents) will be getting their first grandson. I can hardly wait to go shopping for little man clothes.

The ultrasound put my due date just one day earlier than what the Dr said. Our son weighed in at about 1lb 12oz. He's getting so big and will be here sooner than we know!

February 11- The glucose test is over!!! Oh how I hate doing that. Hopefully all comes back well and I don't have to do the 3 hour test like my last pregnancy. Baby and I are doing well. All my bloodwork and tests came back good from my last visit.

March 3- What a rough past few weeks. Both of my girls and myself have been sick off and on for the past three weeks. This last week was the worst. We ended up in the ER trying to figure out what was wrong. All three of us had upper resperatory infections, they both had double ear infections, and I had a UTI. Talk about overwhelming. We thought it might have been the Flu with the nausea and vomitting that went along with the URI. Glad to say that after a week on meds we are all doing much better.

Today I went in to the OB. I was hugely disappointed to find out that they lost my glucose test. I have to go back today and drink that nastiness again :o( I guess I rejoiced too much last time :oP On a good note, baby's heart beat was beautifully strong....a nice loud thumping instead of the "whirring" sound that I had heard in the past. Overall it was pretty uneventful. I was in and out in just 45 minutes. Slightly disappointing since I look forward to each appointment as a sort of mile marker on the countdown to his arrival. He'll be here soon though.

March 17- Happy St. Patrick's Day! Had another appointment today. They didn't lose my glucose test this time :o)....and I'm assuming I've passed because they said nothing about it. I got to meet another midwife. She was super sweet. I still have yet to meet one midwife and one Dr. Hopefully I will get the chance before Johnathan comes. The midwife told me to be sure to do my kick counts everyday now. I need to have at least 4 movements in an hour. I laughed because I get at least 4 movements in 5-10 minutes. This boy is ACTIVE! I also have to monitor my braxton hicks contractions. They have been pretty intense for the past few days. If I have more than 5 in an hour I need to go in for monitoring. I think I'll be fine though. Wouldn't you know that as soon as I start to talk about them, they begin to subside. Baby's heart rate is at 150 bpm. I never tire of the sound. I have only gained 1 lb since my last apointment and I was a bit concerned, but the midwife said the my uterus is growing and that means the baby is growing...not to worry. I'll be back for another appointment in 2 weeks. Will update again then unless something eventful happens before.

March 31- Week 35 is just days from being completed. That means only 5 weeks left until my due date. CRAZY! This pregnancy has just flown by. I went in for my normal check up today. Everything looks fantastic. Baby's head is down and he said he ought to drop any time now. That equals no more shortness of breath. Pretty awesome since I've only been struggling with that for maybe a week. Since I was pre-eclamptic with my last pregnancy my Dr. does not want to let me go past my due date. I have a feeling that won't be a problem, but I still need to have a plan by week 39 of what I want to do if I get to my due date. Let's all pray that this boy comes by my due date if not sooner. I did get a great compliment today. The Doc said that I don't look like I'm 35weeks, and he said its not because of the size of my tummy. He said there was so much life and joy in my eyes unlike most women he sees at 35 weeks. That really made my day. I have been praying so much about this pregnancy and believing that with God it doesn't have to be a tiresome or painful experience. It hasn't been and people are seeing God's faithfulness in my eyes. :oD I expected to be moving on to one a week apts. now, but since I'm doing so good I have another 2 weeks until the next one. At that point I'll only have 3 weeks left! Wahoo! Johnathan will be here soon.

April 14- 37 weeks on Wed. The countdown is really on. I was shocked to discover at my apt. today that in the last two weeks I gained 4-6 lbs....that is REDICULOUS! How on earth!?! My doc said that even if I ate ice cream every night for dinner that I wouldn't gain that much. He thinks its just water weight. I'm not swelling at all so I'm not sure where the water is going. He's not concerned so neither am I, but I am baffled. Doc thinks that lil' man is still head down. They had to do a GBS test today and checked to see if I am dialated or efaced. He said that I was minorly dilated (so minor he couldn't give a measurement) and not efaced at all. :o( Even though I'm not quite ready to have this baby, it would have been nice to hear of some progression. John Ryan got to be there this time and was able to meet this Dr. that I love. I sure hope that he's the one on call when I deliver. We have been doing a TON of last minute prep for baby. It's a mix of Spring cleaning and nesting. I'm ready to be ready so that my mind doesn't get in the way of letting my body do what it needs to do. Next appointment is next Monday. Will update then.

April 21- Okay, so first thing....my vanity. :oP I have lost 2 lbs from my last visit. We have come to the conclusion that it was water retention (that has gone down some) and the cold weather from last week equaling heavier clothing. Now the important stuff. His heart rate has dropped a little, which is normal. He is deffinately head down and dropped, but there is still room for him to drop a little more. I passed by GBS test, so no need for antibiotics during delivery. Dr. said to expect him to come anytime now, although there are no guarantees...obviously. I've got another apointment for next Monday. We'll see if I make it or not.

I had my baby shower yesterday and got a TON of clothes and things I needed. My friends blessed me in ABUNDANCE! I love you all, but special thanks to Lisa, Andrea, Valda, Mom, and Stephanie for making such a great team and throwing an awesome shower. Just a few exchanges and purchases and we will be set! It feels good to be almost ready....and really, ready enough that he can come any time now w/o it stressing me out.

April 26- Yesterday I got "storked" (pre registered at the hospital). Our bags are packed and I've taken care of some last minute purchases. Now if I can manage to get my house cleaned I will be one happy and VERY READY mama. My girls are so excited about meeting their baby brother. They know it will be soon. I think they are just about as impatient as I am.

April 28- Had an OB appointment today. Maybe my last one???? I was at a 3 and 75% effaced. Doc said he doesn't expect to see me for my appointment next week, then I overheard him on the phone with the hospital telling them to expect me anytime. :oD I swear if it hadn't been such a long day I would be up for it tonight, but I need some sleep! So, I'm hoping to go into labor tomorrow PM or early in the day on Wed. (Wed. is my husbands deceased grandfather's birthday. It would be really awesome if Johnathan shared that day with his great grandfather). That's our hopes, but it's all in the hands of God. He'll come when he comes, right. Maybe the next post will be my birth story?

May 2- Still waiting..................................................... So Wed. was not the day. I am deffinately ready. I've been talking to my boy and my body and telling them to go ahead and get going. The last three nights I have woken up between 4am and 5am to hear myself talking and praying for my water to break or contractions to begin. Did I say yet that I'M READY! :o) All I can do is wait. Hopefully not for much longer. I deffinately don't want to make my next appointment this Mon., so please pray.

May 5- Well, I made it to my appointment. Nothing eventful. He didn't check me or anything. He said that he knows I am dialated and effaced and so we'll just wait. IF i do want to be induced, he said he could break my water on either Friday or Sunday (I will be past my due date by then and it's the next days that he'll be on call at the hospital). I don't want pitocin, but I think I might be okay with him breaking my water. I had to have my water broken for me when I was in labor with Serena b/c it just wasn't happening on its own. If by Thursday nothing has happened I think I might call and let him know I'm a go for Friday's induction. I'm honestly unsure about this, hoepfully as I get closer I will KNOW for sure how I feel. I guess if I'm still unsure I won't do it. Wow, I've used the words sure and unsure a lot in the last few sentences :oP Okay, that's all for now.

May 8- Well, I just heard from my doc and I am scheduled to have my water broken tomorrow morning at 8:00. I am suddenly EXTREMELY nervous. I guess it just feels so odd to know exactly when things are going to start happening. I'm used to the "any time now" feeling and just having to wait. I am still praying that my body will do its thing on its own. I still have 17 hours until the scheduled induction, so there's time. Please be praying with me. ...and keep a lookout for baby pics, they will be up soon. www.beenup2.com/users/megmc :oD

A Baby Story..........

May 9- Friday, May 9th I woke up at 7am and prepared to leave for the hospital. I had an appointment for 8am to have my water broken. John Ryan and I loaded up the car and left our house at 10 'till. The drive takes about 15-20 minutes so our stop by Starbucks was out of the question :o( We joked on our way that only WE could possibly be late for the birth of our child ;oP

We got to the hospital, checked in, and by about 9:30 I saw the doc and had my water broken. It was a long day of waiting. We attempted to download the previous night's episode of The Office...no luck, went on walks to hopefully get contractions going...no luck, tried to find something good on TV...no luck! We were having a lot of fun though...laughing and taking silly pics to post on BeenUp2.

We were just hanging out and I was getting hungry. The hospital provided me with a delicious (note sarcastic tone) "clear liquid diet" consisting of jello, broth, ginger ale, and grape juice. So JR and Lisa came to my rescue and snuck in some food from Subway down in the cafeteria. Patrick came by and brought some movies and being the good rule abiding patients we were....we snuck him in (I was only allowed 2 people in with me at a time).

Whenever I went for walks I would contract, but as soon as I would rest they stopped. This was quite frustrating. Around 4 or so my dad arrived from CA (he rode accross counrty on his motorcycle). He walked the labor and delivery floor with me and I had 17 contractions. I went back to my room to be monitored and he went to drop his things at our house. I was a disapointed to find yet again, my contractions tapered when I stopped walking.

By 5:15 I was finally having good consistant contractions. I was watching the movie "Chasing Liberty" to keep my attention off of the contractions. At around 7:55 I couldn't watch anymore. I asked John Ryan what he remembered transition being like from his perspective. I felt like maybe I was at that point of the labor, but wasn't sure (you'd think I would KNOW by the 3rd child). We got the doc and midwife and after an exam they said I was at a 7 and fully effaced and was indeed in transition. So now I'm thinking, "I've only got a couple hours left" which is my conclusion after having 4 hours from transition to birth with Bella.

I was wrong... The doc and midwife left my room and within minutes I knew I was ready to start pushing. I sent Lisa to get them and by the time they got there I was already pushing some. They rushed to get all their supplies set up and asked me to adjust myself to make it easier for him to come out. There was no adjusting possible...He was coming fast. I pushed 3 times in prep for his head to crown and by the fourth push his head was out. Now I'm thinking "A few more pushes and he'll be born". Wrong again... I never stopped pushing and he was completely out in that one push. I couldn't belive it! My first words were "Oh my gosh, I'm done already".....or something to that effect.

Johnathan Samuel was born at 8:13pm weighing 8lbs 8oz and measuring 19in. He was a big boy and came so fast and yet I was still "whole"...no stitches necessary.

I don't know why this amazing birth came at such a suprise to me. I prayed and asked God for some of the specifics (3 hour labor, no tearing, etc). He is a good God and listens to our prayers. Many people said "good job Megan, you were amazing", but I know without Him I could not have done it with such joy and peace. I am confident in giving birth because I know that God created me for this and He made my body to do exactly what it did so well. He has blessed me with three beautiful children and has made me one happy Mama!