The Story of My Second Labor

After water aerobics two Thursdays ago, I went home and ate dinner and went to bed around 10:30pm. I woke up at 12:30am feeling a POP in my uterus. I got up to examine things and, sure enough, my water had broken! Contractions started immediately and were only 2-3 minutes a part. My doula (birth assistant) arrived about 30 minutes later and proceeded to help me (and my Michael) through the labor. Let me just say THANK GOD we had Jennifer with us! The contractions were every 1-2 minutes and VERY intense. She suggested I get into the bathtub because it often helps women relax. I didn't stay in there very long because I wasn't relaxed and felt like I had nothing to support me through the contractions (nothing to hold on to for support). While I was in the tub, I started to feel anxious and decided I was ready to go to the hospital. It was quite a scene, I am sure, as Jennifer and Michael tried to get me dried off and dressed as I was contracting every other minute. I can only imagine!

Granny Linda (Michael's mother) was already at the house to stay with PJ (who slept through the whole thing, which was a total answer to prayer!). Around 3:30am, we drove to the hospital. It usually takes about 15-20 minutes to get there but we made it in about 8 minutes flat! :-) When we arrived, I literally walked in and fell into the wheel chair they provided and continued to have intense contractions as they wheeled me into Labor & Delivery. It was just like a scene out of a movie! When they checked me, I was dilated to 8cm. They thought I was going to have the baby at the check in desk. HA! It was such a whirlwind, let me tell you. I had NO drugs and things progressed rapidly. My doctor did arrive onto the scene (along with several other staff hanging around to see this crazy, natural birth in progress). Around 4:30am, I started to push and after about two hours of pushing, the baby's head was still at a station +1. I knew the potential for my pelvis not to spread because it happened with my first birth (pushed 4 hrs that time with little progress). So after enduring the grueling contractions and pushing and knowing that I had given it quite the "good college try," I opted to do another c-section. I did NOT want to push any longer and I was tired (and honestly felt like I was dying from the pain of it all).

By the time they FINALLY wheeled me into the OR to give me the spinal block, I was home free. I was feeling so much better since the pain was gone, and I started chatting up my anesthesiologist and even my doctor as she was doing the surgery. I asked her, "What does my uterus look like?" I think everyone got a few good laughs from all my chattering.

Grant Michael Ghaffari was born Friday, November 12th at 7:18am weighing 8lbs, 1 1/2 ounces, and 20 inches long. He is beautiful and perfect in every way! I am such a happy mother of two precious children. I feel blessed beyond belief! Michael is SO proud of his son. He's already making comments about playing baseball together. He seems to be adapting quite well into his "additional" duties of caring for Payton Joy (while I recover), although none of it has been easy for either of us. We have decided we have three children because our dog is almost as needy as the children! But all in all, we are very content and grateful for the wonderful blessings that we have in our beautiful children, Payton Joy and Grant Michael Ghaffari.

Jennifer, our Doula

Payton Joy holds her "Deedee Ga" (Baby Grant) for the first time!

Just Saying Hello

It's been awhile since I posted on this blog and since I am sitting at my computer right now (a rare thing these days), I figured I'd write something just for kicks and giggles.

Speaking of kicks, the baby boy is kicking me like crazy right now. He is very, VERY active in my tummy, and he seems to be more active than PJ was at this time. But who knows? I could really feel her moving a lot, too. I just consider his activity a good sign. Also, I keep telling myself that he is developing and growing so rapidly, which causes the occasional nausea STILL to occur (it seems to be at least a weekly event). That is me trying to stay positive and focus on the GOOD of the situation and not the negative fact that I often feel sick (ugh)!

We are 28 weeks and the due date is 82 days away! Although, I do not put much weight into that date considering PJ was 12 days late...I'm not expecting him to be "on time" either. It would be GREAT if he came a little early but I'm not really expecting that! Let's just pray for a smooth labor and delivery no matter when it happens.

Payton Joy is truly living up to her middle name - a SHEER JOY of a child! I seriously cannot believe how precious she is, how fun, how smart, how sweet, how affectionate, how...oh, the list goes on and on. I wish you all could experience the PJ that WE know on a daily basis. I just cannot thank God enough for giving us the sweetest little girl in the whole wide world! Parenting Payton has been a pure blessing in every way. She has set the bar quite high...I know our son will be different but I hope parenting him will be just as precious.

Michael is already treating him differently in my tummy! He says endearing statements such as, "That's MY BOY!" or "Don't poke around on MY boy!" (usually when I'm complaining about the baby hurting me and I try to move him around). It's so much fun to see Michael's excitement about his upcoming son. I love it. We truly cannot wait to meet him!

I am heading home to Springfield one more time next weekend to attend my 15 year high school reunion. I'm looking forward to catching up with high school friends and, of course, spending some time with my family. My sister-in-law is throwing a baby shower for me before I leave so I'll have the chance to see hopefully MOST of my family at that event. This will be my last trip home until next summer! We will have our hands quite full once our son arrives mid November...so everyone will have to schedule visits to come meet him. Only one family at a time, please, because we only have the bonus room for sleeping accommodations. :-) But I truly DO hope everyone can come visit eventually.

It is well past my bedtime and I need a snack. It's good to write again. This is something that I miss but just have very little opportunity to do these days with little PJ running around. She doesn't really like it when I'm on the computer for very long. Oh well, these years fly by...and then I'll be back at my computer in no time...probably missing my "babies."

Take care and God bless you all!

And the gender is...

A BOY! Yep, that's right. PJ is going to have a baby brother! Michael and I are so very excited to anticipate the arrival of our second child who was confirmed as a BOY today at our ultrasound. Michael was so excited, he said his heart was beating really fast as the technician started to announce it to us. What a blessing to have a girl and a boy! Below you'll find the ultrasound images. First, you'll see his feet! Then his boy parts, and finally his beautiful full body profile!



NOW, I get to focus on decorating the BOY'S room! We don't have a name picked out yet so don't even ask. We'll be sure to announce it when we do make the decision. :-) Thanks to everyone for your love and support and PRAYERS. We love you!

The Ghaffari Family

Payton Joy is going to be a big sister!

I figured it was fitting to make this great announcement on Mother’s Day. Michael and I are going to have Baby G #2! We are 12 weeks along and the baby is due 11/21/10, which is about one month before PJ turns two years old. They’ll be 23 months apart! I know it will be challenging to learn how to juggle the responsibility of two children but I sincerely believe God has given us the ability and the GRACE to handle it as it comes. We are very excited and looking forward to welcoming this new baby into our happy life.

We definitely welcome your prayers for us as this pregnancy matures. We’ve had two appointments and heard the heartbeat last week! We also want to pray for Payton’s transition from only baby into big sisterhood…and Momma’s transition as well! It’s hard to think she won’t be “our baby” anymore…but this is life and it’s a wonderful blessing that we’re happy to accommodate.

Any advice you mothers/fathers wish to share with us about transitioning into parents of a toddler AND a newborn would be appreciated! We humbly welcome it (you can post your comments on this blog). Thanks again for your prayers for our family. We love each of you!

The Ghaffari Family

Just chillin...and dancing?

We were listening to praise music this morning, and PJ laid on the couch to eat her cheerios...and I captured this on video. PRICELESS!

Valentine's Date 2010

Michael surprised me with this special belated Valentine's date...and it just so happened to be Eric & Leah's ONE year anniversary celebration, too. Dinner at Flyte and then Harry Connick, Jr. LIVE at the Ryman. What a night for all of us!

Walking in...Nashville (close to Memphis!)

Little Miss Payton Joy decided to walk all by herself today! Michael was playing with her and goading her to walk from him to the couch and then, all of a sudden, she stood right up from where she was sitting (without our help OR our suggestion) and balanced on her own two feet! Michael saw her and started chanting, "Go, PJ, go!" and off she went! Up...step, step, step...down. Then up again, five or six steps, then down again. After about 20 minutes of that same activity, she realized just how strong and capable her sweet little chubby legs were and she gained loads of confidence! We caught it all on video...so here you go. PJ's first day of walking in...Nashville!

P.S. Today is Tenley's birthday - so happy birthday, TRH! PJ decided to give you a special birthday treat today just by walking all alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYrO4MZXSpI

Flu Season...pptthh!

Well, PJ has contracted her first REAL viral infection (or so I'm assuming that's what type it is). She started coughing and having a runny nose on Saturday. This morning, her temp spiked to 100.9 - apparently, that's not high enough to warrant a doctor's visit. My pediatrician's nurse was super helpful over the telephone with me and told me that I was doing everything right (yay, me!). It just really hurts your heart when there's *nothing* you can do for your baby once you've done everything...ya know?

She is a trooper, though! Once the baby ibuprofen kicked in this morning, she attempted to push around her stroller or play with her toys for about 45 minutes. That was all she could handle, and then she was back in my arms. We've been reading a lot of books over the past few days because she doesn't feel like being active. It's a nice break for me since I don't have to watch her like a hawk, however, it means I cannot get anything "done" in the house. I told Michael last night, "She's only sick for a few days (God willing) and then life will go on...everything else can wait if my being here for her (to hold, to cuddle, to read, to suction her nose countless times) is what she needs then that's what I'm going to do!" He just mumbled in agreement as he nodded off to sleep...and then today, I sent HIM the grocery list. HA! :-)

So please say a prayer that our little PJ gets better sooner rather than later. Thanks!...oh, and I want to send a big shout out to my pal, Tenley Hardin. HAPPY BIRTHDAY on February 5th! :-)

Sharing the big news (2008)

Okay, this might be almost a year late in sharing but I came across this video today and got such a kick out of it!! This was Chrystal's and Rachel's reaction to the news of our pregnancy (PJ) last spring 2008.

It's Official

Payton Joy has weaned herself from breastfeeding. They say the best way to wean a baby is for it to happen naturally, so I guess I really cannot complain. She has been just fine - maybe a little more clingy to me than usual, which is normal - but she hasn't even tried to nurse again since Monday morning.

Around Thanksgiving, I started supplementing her nursings with organic milk-based formula, which she happily accepted. My supply had been diminishing, so I think she was excited to get more milk in general. So perhaps that addition made the weaning occur because now, barely two months later, she is not wanting to nurse at all.

I think this is harder on me than on her!! Breastfeeding is a very special relationship between a mother and her child. One that cannot necessarily be explained or ever duplicated. Losing that bond is a little sad but watching her gain independence and maturity is exciting. Our baby girl is growing up!! Our first year was perfect...and very special. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to nurse PJ as long as we did, and I feel confident she is healthier and stronger because of it.

So if you think of it, please pray for ME during the next few days ahead (because PJ seems perfectly happy!). I know I'll be fine...and I know it's just one more milestone for all of us. She will be 13 months old next week, and I believe she is on the verge of walking...she's already taking 4-5 steps between Daddy and Mommy, and she gets SO excited!!

Love to you all~
Christy

Happy New Year!

It's 2010, and it just sounds weird to say the year out loud. It's so futuristic sounding and kinda freaks me out. But alas, it is where we are right now. This is 2010. I hope and pray that you all have a great year ahead of you that is full of contentment, excitement, joy, peace, health, prosperity, and LOVE. Of course, I would be remiss to ignore the Source of complete and perfect LOVE, which is our heavenly Father God Almighty. I pray that you know Him in a very personal way and if you don't, just call out to Him and ask Him to be in your heart and soul. That's all it takes, really...the next step would be to start reading the Bible because that is where you'll learn about the many beautiful and amazing attributes of God and how much He loves and adores you!

My last blog update was in October. Shew! A lot has happened since then which is why it's been rather difficult to make myself sit down at the computer to write and pick out photos to post. It's such a time consuming project but one that I thoroughly enjoy!

Michael's birthday was October 24th, and we celebrated at the house by opening gifts first and then we went out to dinner at The Outback (one of his favorite restaurants). PJ really got into opening gifts...












She was 10 months old and experiencing all of her "firsts" such as the pumpkin patch, Halloween, a new car seat, and beautiful fall leaves:




















On December 17, 2009, our little girl turned ONE YEAR OLD! We had her birthday party on the Sunday before (Dec. 13th), and all her friends and cousins came except for Jackson and Maxwell who were at home sick. We really missed them! Michael and I purchased some fun play house-like items and the kids had a blast! Michael hung white tarps over the screen porch windows and put space heaters out there. It felt like we were inside another room in the house. It was perfect! I had prayed for a warmer day, and it was around 53 that day - thank you, Lord! We were touched by all the family and friends that celebrated PJ's special day with us.


It's a bit unreal to think she is one year old - that first year really DID fly by! But it's been a beautiful experience, and I hope the next year will be just as amazing. She is a wonderful little girl who is full of joy and silliness. She gets so many hugs and kisses every day from both of us that prove to her how special she is. We thank God for her every single day!!

We spent Christmas in my hometown of Springfield, MO. Payton Joy was doted upon by all her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and even a few in-law's and friends that aren't even related!! Aunt Becky & Uncle Steve threw another birthday party for her after Christmas, and she got to spend the evening playing with her cousins, Evan and Andrew and ALL of the Westerman's (Becky's family). It was really wonderful to be with family, and I'm happy that PJ's pseudo first Christmas was a good one! (She was only 8 days old last Christmas).

I want to thank you for reading my blog and staying apprised of PJ's first year!! I will continue updating it as time allows. Michael and I love you and value your relationship, and we wish you all a very Happy New Year!