Needed a change

Hey folks...I needed a new look. I'm not completely satisfied with this template, but it's something different. Bear with me as I figure all this stuff out! And when I find what I'm looking for, I'll put my links and stuff back up.

Prayer Request

Our doctor called tonight and said that Bryce's pre-screening test for cystic fibrosis came back positive. He said not to worry, that more than likely it's a false positive. Apparently they've changed the way they do the test or something and he's had several false positives lately. However, Bryce now has to have another test done to see. I'm not sure when the test will be yet; the health department is supposed to call us to set something up. Please keep us in your prayers during this time.

***UPDATE***
7.31.2008

Our doctor's office called this morning and said that we are scheduled for August 5 at 10:00 am at Children's Hospital in LR. And if Bryce has diarrhea or vomits this weekend to call and reschedule. So please pray that he doesn't do that. I want to get this over with as soon as possible. And of course, please pray for the results of the test. More than likely, everything is ok. It's a hereditary disease and there's no family history on either side. But it's still scary to have to go through this.

Well, Bryce is getting hungry so I have to get off here. Thanks in advance for the prayers!

Bryce's Birth Story, FAQ's, and Some Pics!

Finally, I'm able to share the story of Bryce's birth and show y'all some pictures. When we got home, our internet wasn't working properly. Shaun was able to fix it last night.

As you know, I was scheduled to have a c-section on July 15. At my next-to-last appointment, the doctor moved it to the 18th so he would be born as close to the due date as possible (July 27). So when we went down to Warren for my last appointment (July10th), I was prepared for Cayson and I to stay with my parents until the c-section. Shaun was going to have to go back to Fort Smith that Saturday the 12th, however. He would then take his vacation and come back down on the following Wednesday night. Bryce had other plans, however!

We had planned to go shopping in Little Rock on the 12th so my brother could buy some clothes for his upcoming trip to Panama City. He'd been trying to go shopping for the past month or so and something had always come up. So we were going to follow Shaun as far as Little Rock and shop. Early that morning, I was having trouble sleeping. In fact, I don't think I slept from about 3:30 on. My mom has a handheld Phase 10 game so I was playing it and listening to my Ipod trying to get to sleep. At about 6 am, I felt a rush of water! I knew that my water had broken. I never experienced that with Cayson, but there was no doubt in my mind that that's what had happened. I woke Shaun up and headed to wake my parents up. I cleaned up the best I could, grabbed my bag (thankfully it's been packed for a while!), and we headed to the hospital. The funny thing is, all I could think about was that my brother wouldn't get to go shopping yet again!
We got to the hospital and they confirmed that my water did break. They called the doc and prepped me for surgery! With Cayson, I never got to experience real labor pains. However, I got to with Bryce! I had been kind of upset that I never got to experience it with Cayson, so I guess God said, "Here ya go!" After about an hour or two I told Shaun that I was completely over the need to experience any more pains! But I am very grateful that I did get to experience it a little bit. I have new respect for moms who go naturally without any pain meds! I couldn't do it!

They finally took me back to surgery and at 11:01 am Bryce was born. I remember with Cayson, I just cried a single tear when I heard him cry for the first time. But with Bryce I was a bit more emotional for some reason. He weighed 8 lbs 8 oz and was 22.5 inches long. Cayson was 9 lbs 10 oz so Bryce is small for us!

Now here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

How are you doing?
I'm doing great. I went home the next day and the soreness is completely gone, with the exception of around the incision.

How is Cayson reacting to having a little brother?
He is doing so well! Better than I ever expected. He loves to help out and he is very proud of him. He wants to hold him all the time! He only gets just a teensy bit jealous when I'm nursing him.

Speaking of nursing, how's that going?
Great! He latched on immediately. There was a little bump in the road when he became a little jaundiced and the doctor made me quit nursing until it started getting better. But I pumped and he was able to start nursing again in a couple of days. I was really scared that he wouldn't want to after having a bottle, but he's doing great!

Who does he look like?
I've heard everything, but I think the general consensus is he looks mostly like Cayson.

How's he sleeping?
He's doing pretty well. He hasn't been getting up to nurse as much as Cayson did. He likes sleeping with us though. Which isn't bad, except for when Cayson crawls in there at 2 am. Then it gets crowded. Last night I made Cayson go back to bed, but I had to lay down with him for a little while. I actually fell asleep and Shaun woke me up at 4:30 because Bryce needed to nurse.

I think that's all the questions I've gotten so far. If you can think any more, just comment!

Bryce David Martin

He's here! On Saturday morning, July 12, at about 6:00 am, my water broke! My family rushed me to the hospital and at 11:01 am Bryce was delivered by cesarean section! He weighed 8 pounds and 8 ounces and was 22.5 inches long. I went home from the hospital yesterday, but we're staying in Warren until Friday. I'll post pictures later!

It's almost time!

Just to let everyone know, I'm leaving today for Warren for my doctors appointment. I will probably be staying down there, just in case. As of right now, my c-section is still set for next Friday, July 18. I don't know what time yet, but if anyone would like to come visit me, come on! I have no idea if I'll be able to update my blog or not. My parents don't have internet at home. Shaun is coming back Saturday, unless something happens, so he might can give y'all an update for me. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers this week, especially that Bryce will just stay put until the c-section! We've got a lot of people that are coming in town for this. Including my husband! I don't want him having to drive like a maniac to try and make it, in case Bryce decides to come early. Thanks for all the comments the last couple of weeks and maybe the next time you hear from me, I'll have a new baby!

Remembering

Tonight I've been doing a lot of reminiscing. I looked back and read a lot of my old blog posts from when I was pregnant with Cayson. Also, I went through a lot of pictures on my Facebook account. It's been an incredible journey, me becoming a mother. And now I'm about to experience it again. It's so hard to believe that the three of us will very soon become four. I've been trying to spend as much time with Cayson as possible, because I know that it will never be the same again. It's a little bit sad, but more so, it's exciting. My biggest fear is not being able to love them equally. I know this sounds silly, but I guess I'm not the most rational person right now.

Well, I guess I better get off of here. It's midnight and I think my husband has fallen asleep in Cayson's bed.

Some July 4th Pictures

Attacking a cupcake!

Look at that form!

I see bubbles!

I love this face!

Sharing the bubble mower with his cousin, Logan.

A small baby update

I went to the doctor last Thursday so I thought I'd update everyone on Bryce. (By the way, it's so frustrating to wait 2 hours in the waiting room for a 15 minute appointment.) Doc said everything looks good. He did, however, want to move my c-section back to July 18. I was a little disappointed because I thought if anything he'd move it up. But he did want another ultrasound, which I had to get done at the hospital since it was after hours, and I was measuring a couple weeks big. Bryce is somewhere between 7 and 8 pounds now. And I am 37 weeks as of yesterday. I had Cayson at 37.5 weeks by c-section and he was 9 pounds 10 ounces. So I hope Bryce stays put and maybe is a little smaller. I'd be nice if he stayed in his newborn clothes a little longer! I have to go back this Friday so maybe I'll know a little more.