3 Weeks

It's hard to believe that 3 weeks have already passed since Renee was born. I've been wanting to capture one of these sleepy little smiles. They flit across her face so fast, I love watching for them.

Did you ever wonder...

I've wondered before what it would be like to ride in the back of an ambulance, speeding down the highway, siren screaming through intersections. Some things are better to wonder about than to experience but now I know. Friday morning I woke up thinking I felt pretty good. I fed Renee and got in the shower to get ready for a doctor appointment. I had a small concern about soreness in my groin (be prepared this post is about to get graphic) and was headed to the OBGYN to get checked out. While in the shower I suddenly felt as though I was urinating, I thought this is odd and looked down to see a steady stream of blood which soon covered the bottom of the bathtub. I called for Jeff, he tried to reach the oncall doctor without success then called my mom who immediately headed over to our house. His next call was 911. By the time the ambulance arrived the bleeding had slowed but they agreed the best place for me was the hospital. So I got loaded up on the stretcher just as mom arrived to take care of Renee. Jeff rode along in the ambulance although they made him sit up front. Dad wasn't far behind and arrived at the hospital soon after Jeff and I did. The EMT's seemed competent and friendly, anyone that can manage to start an IV while bumping along in the back of an ambulance has my respect. I don't know if it is in the EMT handbook somewhere but Jeff and I both got our ears talked off as the EMT's told us all about their children and grandchildren and friend's children...it's a long ride to Salisbury. My blood pressure remained stable and we got rushed into the hospital and then we waited...and waited...and waited. Meanwhile I laid on the bed and bled but no one was concerned. Two hours after arriving they sent me to the vascular lab to check for a blood clot since I had complained of groin pain, the technician called in a second opinion since she "doesn't do the pelvis" and they decided it was just vericose veins. Back down to ER where after another hour the doctor decided to do a pelvic exam. He really wanted the oncall OB doctor to do it but he got stuck with me. He couldn't tell where the bleeding was coming from but thought it was from a tear I got during labor. He discharged me to move me up to labor and delivery so that the OB doctor could restitch me. I got loaded into a wheelchair and pushed down the hall when my wheelchair driver got a phone call; turn around and bring her back. So we made a circle and I was back to the ER, turned out labor and delivery didn't want me since I wasn't in labor or pregnant at all. In the meantime I've spent the day alternately crying because I'm scared or because I'm not at home with my baby. So we waited...and waited...and waited. We had arrived at the hospital around 9am and at 2:30pm the OB doctor finally appeared and examined me. Turned out the ER doctor was wrong. The bleeding was coming from my uterus and with that the doctor wrote a prescription and sent me home. So we made it back home where my wonderful Mom had cleaned up the bathroom and washed the towels and had my daughter waiting for me clean and happy. Jeff went off to walmart to fill my prescription where he soon learned that no pharmacy in Pocomoke had that particular medication in stock. He called the OB to find out if they knew where he could find it, their pharmacy didn't have it in stock either. They said it wouldn't be a big deal if I waited for it to be ordered but in the meantime...I'm still bleeding! They did make a phone call though and found a pharmacy in Salisbury that had the medication. So Jeff turned around and drove back up to Salisbury and came home with the four pills I needed to resolve the problem. Jeff did most of the feedings Friday night and by morning I felt much better. We even went to church Saturday evening. It was quite a scare for all of us and I hope that the ambulance ride was a once in a lifetime experience. I couldn't be more thankful for Jeff, Mom, and Dad. It was a long day for all of us. We have much to be thankful for.

Renee Autumn Hale

Renee Autumn arrived Friday, May 7th at 8:29 pm. She weighed 6lbs 8oz and was 19in long. I couldn't believe how long and thick her hair was. She is absolutely beautiful. Apparently the doctor was smitten with her too because she doubled as a hair stylist for Renee between contractions. We came home from the hospital on Mother's Day and Jeff was prepared with individual cards for me from both him and Renee. It was a special day. I don't have any clear thoughts on motherhood yet. I just know that I love holding my little girl and watching other people hold her and love her. Jeff is a great Daddy already. He and Renee have special play time together and he reads to her from her Bible story book every night.