Back Where I Come From...

Aunt Sissy, Mamaw, Brady and Layci came this past week to visit! We had a fun week together! Here are some random photos from their visit:

Layci, Hannah, and Hailey playing

Steph and I made this roast...and it was AWESOME!

Brady and Uncle James... "CHEESE!!!!!"

We got to know the Wilderness Way because Steph got a flat tire on the way to meet Sheena, Unie and the girls for lunch!!! (PLEASE NOTICE JAMES' FOOTWEAR AS HE PUTS THE SPARE TIRE ON THE TRUCK- picture on the right))

Brady and his "CUSSIN"

Layci and PJ

PJ and Mamaw taking a little snooze!

Yesterday, we traveled down to S. Florida... It is PJ's first visit to the place his mommy and daddy grew up! We are staying down here all week and then James will be coming down for my Dad's Surprise 60th birthday next Saturday... Then we will go back to Tallahassee on Sunday.

I am just very glad to have this time for everyone to be around PJ, and for him to be around them! Having him here just makes me realize how much I want to live back down here again!

Happy Birthday, Kairi Jo!

Kairi Jo Hartman was born today! We can't wait to meet you, baby girl!

HAPPY?!?!?!? New Year

What a crazy week it has been! I hadn't been feeling right physically for a few weeks... On New Year's Eve( My Sissy's birthday), we celebrated with Granddaddy Hartman and Penny. The Noles were playing in the Music City Bowl, and the boys were all dressed up for the occasion...

We rang in the New Year by watching the ball drop at midnight... Made phone calls to family and friends, and then went to bed. Granddaddy Hartman and Penny left on the morning of the 1st, so James, PJ and I just laid on the couch, watching football, etc.

(Warning... NEXT PART IS GRAPHIC)

I got up to go to the bathroom and when I sat down on the toilet, I began pouring blood out of me... I felt all these clots coming out as well. I got up and put a pad on, and within 5 minutes, it was SOAKED in blood. We called Unie immediately who called the Women's Pavilion and told them I was hemorrhaging and that we were on our way. James quickly got the baby ready, and we all got in the car. I remember talking to my brother, sissy, mom, and mamaw... I told them what was happening and they were all freaking out. I think my sister called Sheena and Sheena came to the hospital to watch the baby while I was seen my the doctors...

James dropped me off at the front of the Women's Pavilion so I could go up to triage, and he could park the car. I got in the elevator and hadn't even realized I was trailing blood behind me. People had a look of horror when they saw the blood on me, and I now realize they must have thought I was losing a baby...

They immediately brought me back to triage and began IV's, checking me etc. One of the nurses gave me a new pad, and when she came in less than 5 minutes later, had asked me why I hadn't changed out of the old one... I told her that it WAS the new one she had just given me... Then Dr. Rosenburg rushed in, check me, and got the ultrasound machine. She saw what they thought was a retained placental fragment and told me that they needed to do a D&C to clean everything out. She also told me that I had lost a lot of blood and that I might possibly need a transfusion. The worst part was when she said I might have to have a hysterectomy if they couldn't get the bleeding to stop. Sheena came in so I could give PJ a kiss before I went into surgery.. All I kept thinking is, "God has a plan for me. I have a beautiful baby boy already.. if I lose my uterus, at least I have him..." When the anesthesiologist came in, he asked me what I had eaten recently. I told him I had a small piece of cake that morning. He then gave me some more bad news... I could not have anesthesia for fear of me aspirating... so instead I got a spinal block and was awake the whole time.

When they wheeled me into the room, my whole body was shaking... It was freezing, and they started to try to strap my arms down... For fear of having a panic attack, the nurse held my arms instead and made sure I was so comfortable. I heard the roaring of the machines, felt people rushing around all sides of me... Felt them doing something to my legs, and heard Dr. Rosenburg giving orders on ways to stop my bleeding... I finally heard the words, "That's better...." A feeling of relief swept over me, because I knew that meant I had stopped bleeding, and that I still had a uterus. They had to send what they got out off to pathology, but I heard the anesthesiologist say, "Should we give that piece of placenta apgar scores?" I will never forget that...

The nurse that brought me to recovery was awesome! She cleaned me up, and made sure I was comfortable. I wanted to see PJ so badly! I remember feeling like I couldn't breathe, so she put me on some oxygen to help me out... Once my breathing got under control, I was taken to the L&D room. Sheena and PJ came in and I was so happy to see him and hold him!!! James went home to get our things, since we would be staying a few more nights and Sheena and the baby stayed with me. It was such a blessing that she was there and helped out so much, given the fact that she had 2 of her own at home!

For the next few days I was constantly being poked and prodded, and given SO MANY antibiotics for the horrible infection I had in my uterus. By the time I left, I couldn't move my hands and they were covered in bruises! That was definitely an experience I was happy to put behind me.

I am just so blessed with a wonderful husband, and friends and family that love me and would do anything for me... I could never have gotten through this experience without them!

All in all, I would still do it all over again, the exact same way, just to have my little man!!!

SPLISH! SPLASH!

This morning when PJ woke up I noticed something different about him... I COULD SEE HIS BELLY BUTTON!!! The last remaining piece that attached him to me had fallen off!

That meant that tonight was also his FIRST REAL BATH!!!

As you can see, he wasn't too happy about it....

Mimi left today, and Daddy Hartman came to meet PJ for the 1st time. It was so cool to see his other grandfather holding him, and to also see how much they look alike!

2 week check-up

Today was PJ's 2 week checkup. James, my mom and I all took bets on his weight and length...



Here were the guesses:

Mommy- 7 pounds, 10 ounces; 20 inches long

Daddy- 8 pounds, 1 ounce; 20 3/4 inches long

Mimi- 8 pounds even; 20 1/4 inches



AND THE WINNER IS... (Drum Roll please......)



MOMMY!!!!!!! He is 7 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 inches long. I was only 1 ounce off!!!

Baby's 1st Christmas

December 25, 2007

Going home...

On Friday, December 14th at around 8PM we were finally released to go home! The past 3 days had been exceptionally tiring and we were just ready to get our little man home and sleep in our own beds! We had lots of visitors while we were in the hospital... Ryan, Stephanie, Brady and Layci all drove up the day after he was born and surprised us! They drove all that way only to leave the next morning to take the kids to a Very Merry Christmas at Disney. It meant so much to us that they came to meet PJ!

Here is the proud daddy holding PJ just before leaving the hospital

Strapped into his carseat and ready to go home!
After getting home we gave PJ a sponge bath- he wasn't to happy about it!
My little froggy

DECEMBER 12, 2007- The best day of my life

I woke up at 7AM when my nurse Karen came back for shift change. I had a different nurse during the night, but Karen requested me back to be her patient that day. (which I was super happy about). She took the Cervadil out and told me I could take a shower before they started me on pitocin. I had a totally relaxing shower, and took my time getting ready. I knew it was the last time, for a long time, that I would have a worry-free- take as long as I want-wash my hair 6 times if I feel like it- shave my legs- kind of shower. I even blowdryed my hair and put a little makeup on. It was, after all, the day I would meet my son face to face after dreaming of it for so long!!!

After I was all cleaned up, Karen hooked me up to the monitors, started my IV, and at 9am the pitocin drip began...
Marie, James and I played cards while every 30 minutes Karen would come in and turn up the drip. I sat on a birthing ball and was out of bed as much as possible because I knew once I asked for an epidural, I would be bed-bound. As the contractions began to get stronger, James would sit behind me and rub my back as I tried my best to remember all the breathing techniques I'd learned from the childbirth class we had taken the week before. (Nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh?) Around 12:30 Dr. McKinnie came in to check my cervix. (We were really fortunate that she was the on-call dr. that day and would be able to deliver PJ) Those birthing balls really do work.... I was dialated 4 cm and completely thinned out. Up to this point I needed no pain medication and I was so proud of myself for dealing with it all. Since I had made such good progress she decided to break my water... WOW! I went from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds. As soon as I felt that warm fluid, I also felt the most intense pains I have ever felt in my life. Karen told me to tell her when I was ready for an epidural.... James helped me get through that contraction, and I told him he better get the nurse cause I was not going through one of those again... When Karen walked in, my words to her, verbatim, were, "Hell to the naw. I need an epidural!" Off she ran to get the anesthesiologist. She came back with him in under 2 minutes! I signed the consent and next thing I know, the bed is being raised super high and he is getting everything ready. I had another contraction during this time, and James was so great at helping me get through it. I rounded my back, and held on to James as the anesthesiologist told me everything he was doing. Lots of pressure... but no pain... He told me that he was going to send a test dose through the catheter to make sure it was in right, and that I was probably going to feel really itchy starting at my toes, and slowly moving upward. He assured me that this was NOT an allergic reaction... BAM! Medicine goes through and instantly my body relaxed and I was pain free. Epidurals are heaven sent, and now I definitely see why they are so worth it!!!! I laid down in the bed and felt so relaxed I shut my eyes for a few brief moments... My mom and dad got there shortly after I got my epidural. I bet they were happy they didn't have to deal with all the contractions/epidural stuff!

(Epidural in and feeling no pain... my last photo with PJ in my belly!)

When you get an epidural you have to flip around to different sides so that the epidural numbs everywhere, and not just in one spot. I laid on my back for a bit, flipped to the right, flipped to the left and WOAH! What the heck was that! I told my nurse that my body felt like it was starting to push... She decided she would check me, and oh my goodness, I was 7 cm. I dialated 3 more cm in about an hour! A short while later, the urge to push got even stronger... She checked me again and I was 9 cm! She began to prep everything for PJ's arrival. I couldn't believe it was happening so fast. At around 3:30 she checked me again and I was 10cm... ready to push!!! HERE WE GO!!!!!
I felt like I was pushing for an eternity... everyone was so great though! After about an hour an a half of hard pushing- with James, mom, dad, Marie, and Sheena by my side, and my sissy on the phone- at 5:08 pm on December 12, 2007 Patrick James Hartman was born.

He was 7 pounds, 2 ounces- 19.5 inches with a head full of black hair. He was absolutely perfect! Dr. McKinnie plopped him right up on my belly and he felt so warm. I will never forget that feeling... I was so proud of James because he cut the cord! That was the one thing he swore he wouldn't do, but when it came down to it, he stepped up! :-)
I got to hold PJ for about an hour before they took him to weigh him and bathe him. During that time I probably counted his fingers and toes a hundred times. I tried to nurse him, but from all the excitement he wasn't hungry just yet.

PJ getting all checked out by the nurses and just before getting his bath.

Our wonderful nurse Karen holding PJ after his bath

We stayed in the Labor and Delivery room for probably close to 3 more hours while the epidural wore off. We finally got moved to our Mother/Baby room around 8PM. The night was kind of rough because it was a little difficult to get up and move around. You don't realize how sore your muscles are from twisting your body in ways you didn't know were possible while in labor, especially when you have an epidural and you don't feel your leg nearly wrapping around your head...But oh boy, it hits you later on. It was like that first soreness you get when you start working out again- the one that takes you 3 or 4 days to get over- only this soreness was 20 times worse. I also had a lot of bleeding, so all night long nurses were coming in to push on my belly and make sure there were no clots... None of those things mattered though... I was so happy!
I don't think I ever slept that night because I was in complete awe of the little miracle I had just given birth too...

The beginning of my birth story...

December 11, 2007 started off just like any other day. I woke up, took a shower, got dressed, and dragged myself to work. I got through most of the day and at about 1:00 I began to feel really dizzy. I sat down for the rest of the afternoon because I knew that I was going for my weekly OB checkup at 3:00. When I finally got to the doctor it seemed like an eternity before they called me back. The nurse weighed me like normal and then I sat down for her to take my blood pressure. When she finished, her eyes got really big, and she told me what it was... 165/100. Oh.my.gosh.... Immediately I began to shake because I knew that was really dangerous. We went into the exam room and waited patiently for Dr. McKinnie. She came in and sort of gave me this look... All I remember her saying was, "Well Stephanie... Your pressure is really high. You are 38 weeks pregnant and there is no reason for us to keep you pregnant any longer. Do you have your bags with you? I am sending you to the hospital to have your baby." WHAT? WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY? I left my students just an hour before telling them I would see them tomorrow... and now I couldn't even go home, get my things together and let it set in that I was gonna have the baby!!! The room seemed to move in slow motion and I could feel my face getting super hot. I had whined and complained for the previous 2 weeks about how I just wished he would come already, not really expecting to get my wish and have it happen so soon.

Within minutes, Dr. McKinnie had some paperwork for us and we were on our way to Labor & Delivery. Walking into the building was surreal... I knew that the next time I walked out of there, and the next time I got into my car, PJ was going to be with me. We got upstairs and gave the lady at the desk our paperwork. I had been there so many other times that there was nothing for us to fill out... nothing for us to do except sit and wait for a room.

What seemed like 3 days (but was probably only 30 minutes) passed and a sweet nurse by the name of Karen called us back. She brought us to our room, and gave me the hospital issued stylish nightwear (AKA hospital gown), hooked me up to the monitors, and then started the induction at about 7pm. She inserted Cervadil behind my cervix and said I had to keep it in for 12 hours to thin out my cervix to get it ready for the next day. James, Marie and I chatted for a while and watched tv. I finally asked for something to help me sleep since I knew the next day would be a long one... I drifted off to sleep, and before I knew it... it was morning!

Calm & Bright....

A little bit of Jess' CALM & BRIGHT... Hard to do all those things when you have a baby due on December 23rd... BUT, here it goes...

HOUSE DECORATED..... CHECK!Christmas gifts.... purchased and wrapped... CHECK!

Full term baby in my belly.... CHECK! Now if only he could just hurry up and get here... I have a feeling it will be happening sooner rather than later... STAY TUNED!

Haiku Monday from Jess' blog

A sweet baby boy
Anxiously waiting for you
Please hurry and come.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Myspace Thanksgiving Graphics

It's almost turkey time!

I love this time of year... It is especially wonderful this year because our little man will be here soon! I can't believe that I am 35 weeks today!!!

This weekend James had to study for his CPA exam (which means we didn't get to spend any time together), and so I am excited that he is almost done with it so we can spend more time together since it is getting so close to our due date. Because of the second trip to L & D a few weeks ago, and because they had to stop the contractions once again, we can't travel down to south Florida like we originally had planned for Thanksgiving. So we are looking forward to just spending the day at home-cooking, and decorating for Christmas- together- just he and I. We realized that this will be the last holiday that it will just be the two of us... which is perfectly fine... but at the same time we want to take full advantage of that time.

I still need to blog about both of baby showers... the one down south on October 27th and the one up here on November 10th and I promise I will get around to it and post pictures. They were both so wonderful and PERFECT. I don't have any other words to describe them...Things have just been crazy cause I am in super nesting mode and trying to get everything in order for when PJ decides to come. Now that I am past the 34 week mark, they won't stop the contractions again... so reality has set in that he could come at any time.

Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! Here is PJ in his first costume!!! (32 weeks and 3 days)

Time for an update!

I have no idea where the time has been going lately and it still hasn't really sank in that in just about 10 weeks PJ will be here!!!

School has been hectic, (what else is new?) but last week I got a little break. I attended the annual FCTM (Florida Council for Teachers of Mathematics) conference. Last year I went with one of my closest friends at school, and this year we were able to go together again. To be honest, that kind of break from the classroom is just what I needed! We attended different math workshops and learned some new ways of teaching our students math. It was definitely interesting and relaxing at the same time. The beds at the Marriott where we stayed were SO comfortable! (and we actually stayed in bed past 5:30 which is our usual wake up time!) By the time the trip was over I was definitely ready to get home. I missed James terribly. I mean, don't get me wrong, I always miss him when he is not with me, but it was just so different this time being away from him and being pregnant. I would talk to him before I went to bed each night, and on the first night after expressing how much we missed eachother, he told me something so sweet and so TRUE... He said, "Just remember, you are never alone. Part of me is with you right now, too" (meaning PJ of course) It is amazing to think that he and I made this perfect little boy TOGETHER! OK, back on track... so Lashay and I went to the mall and ate at PF Changs while we were there. We felt totally pampered and relaxed when we left! We got back around 11 AM on Saturday morning and I basically did nothing the rest of the weekend... I was having some slight cramping so I just tried to rest.

Fast forward to today... I went into work, still feeling crampy with lots of pressure. James had actually taken the day off to study for part 3 of his CPA test which he takes tomorrow. He kept telling me to call in so that we could go to the Dr. to be sure everything was ok, but I HATE calling in. I would rather show up, get things together, and have them get someone to cover my class. So I told the secretary that I needed someone to cover my class... I began to teach reading and the pressure felt like it was getting worse, so I got the kids started on an independent assignment. My principal came in to check on me, and said someone would be in there shortly. Luckily my FSU student was there today and was able to teach the kids. At 9:00 someone came in to take over for the day and I headed home. James called the Dr. while I was on my way and by the time I got home, he was dressed and ready to take me to triage. Luckily my dr. was the one on call so I was going to get to see her while I was there. We got all checked in and they hooked me up to the heartbeat monitor and the contraction monitor. Of course PJ was just kicking away and even got the hiccups! The nurse noticed on the contraction monitor that I was having slight cramping/contractions so Dr. McKinnie came in and checked my cervix... COMPLETELY CLOSED... I am 30% effaced which she said is normal for 30 weeks... and she did a swab test to see if I would go into labor in the next 10-14 days which came back negative!!! The nurse came in and gave me a shot to stop my uterus from contracting and within in a few minutes, the cramping was gone but I felt like I just drank 20 venti espressos from Starbucks. Definitely not a fun feeling! Shortly after that they let me go home and said everything was fine and told me some things to monitor. I was NOT in preterm labor which is what we wanted to hear! They say that your uterus contracts all throughout pregnancy and some women are more prone to feel those contractions. (Guess I'm one of the lucky few!) So now I am just resting for the remainder of today and tomorrow will be back to the grind of work!

Less than 2 weeks until I go down south for my baby shower with the family, and I can't wait, especially since I know PJ is going to be in there until it is time for him to come! :o)

James + Stephanie= PJ

We had our 4D ultrasound on Friday. Everything looks great! I can't say that I will ever get a 4D again, but it was a cool experience. Actually watching it on the screen is better than the pictures you get to take home. We saw his every little movement... opening and closing his mouth, sticking his tongue out... The part that made it the most worthwhile was that the tech. did a full look over of all his parts, and said that he is very healthy!!! He is getting so BIG... He was 2 1/2 pounds! So now today officially starts the 3rd trimester. I am getting so anxious for him to get here. After seeing him on that monitor on Friday, I just can't wait to hold him! :)

Wonderful Weekend!

This weekend was a BLAST! My brother Ryan, sister-in-law Stephanie, niece Layci and nephew Brady came to town. (Hunter and Savannah stayed at home, so I was sad I didn't get to see them.) It was my brother's first time seeing mine and James' house! They brought up PJ's furniture and James and Ry got it all in the room just where I wanted it and then put his crib together! Nanny got us our bassinet so James got that all ready, too! It was so nice to be able to just spend some time with them! We stayed up late on Friday watching KNOCKED UP (hilarious movie... it's one of those you can watch over and over again) and then Saturday night we stayed up until 1:30 AM just chatting away. No TV, no other distractions... just some great conversation between the 4 of us. It really made James and I realize even more how important it is for our family to be close. Only a few more years in Tally and we are definitely moving south.

Stephanie helped me decorate for Halloween and James and I finished up the last few things this afternoon. I took about a 3 hour nap after they left this morning, and then we went to Walmart and did a few things in little man's room...

So here is the outcome of the weekend of work on PJ's room. We still have alot to do, but it is all coming together so nicely!

(Along with the palm tree in the corner, I am in the process of finding a personalized chair for him and making it like his own deserted island... I have a vision in my head so I hope it turns out they way I am picturing it!!!!)

26 weeks today!

The baby's room is ready for furniture!

James cleaned the carpet today and it cam out WAY better than I thought it would. My project today was to paint his name to hang up on the wall (which we won't actually hang until we get the furniture in the room).

So with Jess' podcast playing in the background (Halfway There) I got to work.... :o)

Here are the letters before....

And after.... With the parts of the bedding we have already...

I'm still alive!!!!

Wow! I really need to find the time to get on here more! Life has been so busy and I feel like I hardly ever have time for me! School has been very hectic.... There have been weddings..... my dad came up for a visit..... brother got home from Iraq for just two weeks (but we haven't seen him... he is in Mexico with his wife. At least we know he is safe for the time being).....third trimester has set in (and all I want to do when I get home is SLEEP!) I worked so hard this week at school so that I could leave at 3:10 today... (ON TIME) A parent came in for a conference, a fellow teacher needed help, and once again 3:10 turned into 5:10. James still has half days on Fridays, so my thought all week was... I will get home early on Friday and spend some quality time with my hubby. So I got home, exhausted, and laid on the couch thinking I would just sleep for about 45 minutes.. HAHAHA... 2 1/2 hours later I am finally awake! So hubby and I are about to get something to eat and watch a movie before I go back to sleep!

In other news, PJ is kicking all the time now. I have a video of my belly and will try to figure out how to post it on here! You can see it moving all around. It really is the coolest feeling ever!

ALSO.... HIS ROOM IS PAINTED.... James worked SO hard on this because next weekend my brother and sister in law are coming up to bring the furniture.

This is his bedding set! (The photo is from Babies R Us, it is not actually his room!)

Reality has really set in that he will be here in 3 months! James is renting a carpet cleaner tomorrow and spending the day making sure that it is all clean (since it used to be where the dog crates were). Our house is beginning to turn into baby land. There is a stroller in the living room, and baby clothes everywhere! I LOVE IT!

So, that is all I have to report for now. I promise I will get on here at LEAST weekly. I know there are some people out there reading this, and I need to post it for myself so I can have the memories! :o)

Becoming a Mother...

It is amazing how quickly your life changes when you find out you are pregnant... Even more incredible when you see the baby's heartbeat, hear it, and then feel him move and realize that you are able to create and sustain another person's life inside of your very own body. This journey of becoming a mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me (Besides meeting and marrying my best friend). I feel like I can finally relax and realize that everything is going to be okay! One thing I know for sure is that PJ already has so many wonderful people who love him, and can't wait to meet him!

It's a...

BOY!!! The arrow is pointing to the proof!!! James and I couldn't be happier! He is perfectly healthy and that was the most important thing the doctor told us! Here are some other pictures of Patrick James (P.J.)...

PJ's Profile

PJ's Face...

Here is his little foot!

The top of his head and hand.

So I am sad that the weekend is over and that I have to go back to work. My family left today and it was so good to see them, and have them share in this joy with us. Of course they had to go out shopping and buy tons of blue stuff to fill up the closet! :-)

Anyway, James and I feel so blessed to have made this little miracle together and we are looking forward to a lifetime of love and kisses when PJ arrives!

18 weeks and my belly POPPED!

Here is my 18 week photo (taken on July 22nd). My belly has definitely popped, and you can tell I am pregnant! I can't believe I am almost half way there. Friday is the BIG ultrasound and I can't wait to find out if it's a BOY or a GIRL! :-) Hopefully this week will fly by!

Pregnancy is a weight loss plan!

So, I have been doing lots of traveling, thus the lack of blogging! So, i am sure you are wondering about the title of my blog... Well, I have lost 15 pounds since I found out I was pregnant... The thing is, I EAT! I make sure I eat 3 meals a day, but I only want to eat healthy things, like salad and fruits. On a rare occasion I will crave something sweet, but it is VERY rare! The dr. said it's perfectly fine since I am a big girl to begin with... LOL! Other than that, everything is going great! James gives me a daily countdown on when we find out what the baby is... so we have 15 days! :-) He is all pumped to get the nursery ready. Everything is already pretty much moved out of there and cleared out.

I have tons of pictures from all of my trips, but have not put them on the computer yet, so I will get to that ASAP and share what I have been up to since going MIA! :-)