Thoughts of Today, December 1st

I have many feelings from today. Not only from today, but from a year ago today, December 1st, 2008. On this day last year, at 9:30pm, is when my water broke unexpectedly, 6 weeks early. It all started at home, thank God, around 9:25pm when I had this shaking feeling inside by belly. It startled me so that I grabbed a hold of James' leg and said, Geez, it felt like the baby just had a seizure inside me!" Then a a few moments later, a gush of warm water. I turned to James and said, " My water just broke!" He asked me if I was serious, of which I answered in a much more "colorful" way, "I'm not (blank) joking!" I got up and held my legs together and went into the bathroom. I sat there on the toilet as fluid continued to come out. I told James, " Hear that? I am NOT peeing right now!" I remember calling my mom, who lives in Portland, 2hrs from Astoria, my Dad,who had just driven to Bend from Astoria (5hrs) and Sheryl, who then came right up. I also called my Aunt Jane and a few friends all from the bathroom, while James ran upstairs to pack a bag. I called to hospital and informed them that I was 34 weeks and that my water broke. They told me to come into the Emergency room immediately. James grabbed me a big bath towel and I held it in between my legs and got into the car and off to the Hospital. Below are some pictures from the moments following on this day, last year.

Here I am at Columbia Memorial Hospital, in disbelief. Thinking to myself,"I can't believe this is happening right now, I have finals next week, then this can be happening!"

Here I am calling a few friends to let them know that my water has broken.

The waiting game, while the nurse is imputing data and the IV tech getting ready to put in an IV.

Trying to find a vein. See the needle? They poked me 7 times there!

Oh this was lovely, here they are not only poking me again, but also telling me that I have to be transported to Portland, by ambulance! The hospital here was not equipped to deal with premature babies.

This was the Paramedic, Beth, who took me to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

All loaded up on the gurney with James by my side.

This moment I remember vividly! Every time the baby (Teagan) would move, more water would come out. So as they where wheeling me out to the ambulance he moved and...swoosh! I freaked out and said,"Take me back in, tons of water just came out!" Beth, the paramedic checked me, and said it was OK, and we continued. So I sat in my own water the whole trip!

All loaded up and off we went to Portland. The whole way there I tried to relax, but I just kept on thinking, "I can't believe this is happening, I have finals next week!"

This was the start of my whole new adventure of being a mom, for us being parents to a wonderful little boy. I am still in disbelief today that I am a mom for one, and that for two, that it has been a whole year since the most important boy decided he wanted to see us 6 weeks early! Tomorrow marks our 1 year of making it as parents and what a great gift it is!

Class of 2009

In late may I found out that I had enough credits to Graduate with an Associates Degree in General Studies. I graduated on Friday, June 12. I am pleased with myself, especially with having Teagan early. You may or may not remember my water broke the week before finals Fall term! I feel great that I have accomplished a goal, and that I am now a well rounded person, mentally, not physically! I brought Teagan to school with me to pick up my cap and gown, and he decided to try on my cap, and enjoyed playing with my tassel.

As it turns out my school's colors are green and gold, so he was dressed appropriately.

Here is Michelle with Teagan, she is the one who helped me out with all my classes and got me organized so I could graduate. Thank You!

I believe this is a picture of me walking down the aisle to go sit down with my class.

Sheryl caught me going across the stage, but I must have walked to fast, so it is a double, including my size! But you get the point.

My Mom and me.

My supported husband and me.


Here is my proud Dad, me, and my Aunt Jane!

My Dad and me.

Me and Teagan!

My family.

Here we are with my holding up my diploma cover.

Another family shot.

Another shot of me with Teagan!

Me and James

Poor Teagan, it got pretty late for him since the graduation started at 7pm and his bedtime is 8pm, and the graduation ceremony took an hour and a half. James brought along a bottle, but it was too cold for his liking and spit it out on James , so the ended up walking around most of the time. However, I did look out while I was walking across the stage and saw them standing up in the back, so I know they saw me too! As soon as we got Teagan to the car and in his car seat, we hadn't even left the parking lot, and he was out!

Thanks to all that supported me while going to school. Much love and thanks goes to you!

So what is my plan now, well keep going to school and try to get into the nursing program!