Advice for Future PTLers & PPROMers

Since I've been on bed rest here's what I've learned:

• Every day is like a trip to the gynecologist.  Scrub down and shave where necessary every shower.
• Taking a shower is no longer a chore, but a daily field trip.  You will treasure your twenty minutes of freedom.
• It's exciting to tell the nurse your bowels have moved. 
• You will miss Wal-Mart.  I would love to be able to roam the aisles of Brunswick's Wal-Mart right about now.
• Your husband will do anything to entertain himself (and you).  This includes everything from bustin' rhymes, "I'm the J-D-O-Double G"  to pretending the IV pole is microphone and he is Steven Tyler.  It's a riot.  I love it, but
• You will tell your husband to "Shut-up" with love of course.  It can be too much when someone with lots of energy is working on their American Idol audition tape and all  you can do is sit and watch, trapped.
• Mealtime is the ultimate chore.  What do you want to eat, what restaurants are in the area, what's on their menu, what's the price point, how do you get there and then the dreaded "wait time".  Be careful whose culinary advice you take too.
• The residents, nurses and techs quickly become extended family.  Having ruptured membranes is a long term gig.  Engage in conversation.  We've had so much fun learning about everyone; where they are from, about their children, school plans, etc.  I think they look forward to Finley's visits as much as we do too!
• Have someone bring you Clorox Wipes and hand sanitizer.
• If you have children and they visit, go ahead and resign yourself to the fact they are going to touch the floor.  That's where the hand sanitizer comes in handy.
• Speaking of children, when they visit the "no junk food diet" is out the window.  We attempted to keep the groceries out of Fin's sights the first few visits, but now we have a pantry full of "sweet" gifts.   Finley's radar goes off immediately.
• Pregnancy brain is magnified when you are stuck inside four walls, all day, all night.  This week I had a twenty minute conversation with Suzanne Akins thinking I was talking to Susie Harmon.  I also wished my dear friend Meredith Happy Birthday a month too early (I posted on FB and all).
• You're not nuts if you ask for a coloring book and crayons.
• Every meal is eaten in bed.  Note to Finley and Breaker:  On Mother's Day I NEVER want breakfast in bed (unless you're eating with me!)  Nothing is more disgusting than crumbs in the bed.  Gross.
• Ask for help OR your IV tubing, IV electrical cord, oxygen cannula, plexi boot cord, fetal heart monitor transducers and television changer will become a tangled mess.

I guess that's about it for now.  I'm sure more advice? will become apparent over the next three weeks.  Oh, and by the way, we received exciting news from Dr. Justice tonight (one of our favorite residents).  No matter what I will deliver at 34weeks!  At this point of gestation prolonging pregnancy is a greater risk than benefit.  So three weeks is truly our ultimate goal.  We know we'll meet Breaker Howston at that point!  Until tonight we thought bed rest could last indefinitely.  Now we have a ultimate goal and know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Sonogram post-poned until tomorrow due to the holiday.  Can't wait to share the deets!

Sunday Sunday

Jarrett and I may be missing Memorial Day Festivities, but it's still sunny in our room.  We've got the blinds open as much as possible (terrible glare) and we've already had lots of visitors today!  Chris Thomas stopped by this morning.  It was nice to have more testosterone in the room.  I'm glad J had "man" conversation.  Bless his heart, he has listened to enough gal chat to last until at least next year.  Chris brought fab magazines too.  Can't wait to get to them.  The best part though, had to be the hilarious stories about his precious children.  He has some cute ones!

Then we got a big surprise:  Eli and Sam came to visit with Beebe and Big Daddy!  I couldn't believe my eyes.  Somehow they made it through the red tape.  It was like being at home.  They were into the snacks and inspecting to the room for hidden treasures.  I soaked-up as much as possible.  Now all I need is a dose of my Emily.  That'll be tricky, but new pics will do (hint-hint :))

Finley and the Bridges are on their way too!  Can't wait!

Oh and we never could get the video of the room downloaded.  I'll do another one soon.  It's quite the interior design masterpiece.  I don't want you all to miss out.

Holla later--C

31 never looked so good!

We've met another goal:  Breaker is 31 weeks in the belly today!  It's your prayer and God's grace that has gotten us this far.  Thank you, thank you!  Our next goal rolls around Monday.  We have an ultrasound.  Breaker will have another anatomy scan and weight calculation.  I can't wait to see how much he weighs.   He could be well over three pounds.  Hoping so!  We'll letcha know.

I made a video of lovely room 215, but can't find it downloaded on J's computer.  When I figure it out, I'll post it.  I have pics of the amazing hospital gown Courtney Donovan made me too.  It's A-mazing.  You'll want to place an order for the moms-to-be in your life.  Can't wait for you to see!

I'm not blue today, but definitely missing the Memorial Day Weekend plans we had made.  Our dear friends Kim & Jonathan McCarty and their precious baby girl, Bella, leave for Singapore (for three years) June 4th.  Jarrett and I were throwing them a farewell party tonight, cancelled.  Such a bummer.  They're are also vacationing around the corner from us.  I miss spending time with them. 

One of my precious sorority sisters, Janie Grinnell, is headed to SSI too.  I haven't seen her in such a long time and was looking forward to meeting her husband, Justin, and their baby boy, Davis.  She's pregnant too!   I love seeing baby bumps.  I'll miss them.

SSI is a tourist destination so I have even one more group of friends headed south:  Paul, Molly and Anna Justice (and several of Anna's friends)!  It's crazy!  I was Anna's babysitter when I went to Georgia.  We have kept in touch and I love them all to pieces.  They come every summer, sometimes two times.  I hope they make the trip again this year.  Anna is headed into her senior year at Athens Academy and I gotta see her as much as I can!  Molly and Paul are like my big brother and sister.  I love to get insight and learn from them.  On top of all of that they are way fun to hang out with!

I guess that's about it for now.  I'll be back later when J helps me find the video and pictures.  Two blogs in one day--LOOKOUT!

Oh and we have congrats to send out too!  Tracy and Nick Toth welcomed twin baby girls into the world on Thursday.  Big Sis' Susie has two new playmates!  And Cara and Jason Tankersley welcomed a new baby boy into the world yesterday.  It's baby central around here!

Thanksgiving, sweet treats and the pre-term labor treadmill

I don't know where to begin to express thanksgiving to all of you guys.  Precious family and friends who bless Jarrett and me daily.  Jarrett and I are beginning to feel a little worn by our stay at Memorial, but you all continue to send us words of encouragement and "treats" that lift our spirits or (to use my favorite analogy)keep me running on this treadmill called pre-term labor. 

Yep that's my crazy way of picturing the journey:  On a pre-term labor treadmill.  We're learning to take it a day at a time and a week at a time.  I am overwhelmed when the nurses say, "Only three more weeks!"  It is very exciting.  We're halfway to the ultimate goal on Saturday, but wow, three more weeks in the bed, hooked up to machines?  Jeez.  I have to stop and regroup, picture the treadmill at SSI Health & Fitness in my head:  Five more minutes, one more lap.  That has been my prayer tonight; that Jarrett and me and all of those in the trenches with us will wake up to start anew tomorrow, like we've only been here a few days and this adventure is new.

I've got pictures to take so you guys can see some of the sweet treats we've received.  There's some precious baby clothes, flowers, snacks, even a handmade hospital gown.  I was hoping to get pictures today, but somehow things were busier than we thought.  I had three episodes of regular contractions that Breaker didn't like too much.  We had visitors too!  The visitors hit the spot today :)

As did this precious post from our brother-in-law, David Herndon.  I'll treasure his words forever.  If you can, check it out.  Here is the address:  http://davidherndon.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/not-forsaken/ .  Those of you who know David know he has an incredible way with words.

Thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers.  We feel 'em!!  Much love--C

No more hang-ups on the middle

Jarrett and I have debated Breaker's middle name for over a week now.  What in the world has our hang-up been?  I won't bore you with the details.  Here it is:  Breaker Howston Bridges! 

Here's the story.  I have loved the name "Houston" (pronounced How-ston) for years.  It all began with a trip to Manhattan when I was corrected on my pronunciation by one of the street policemen.  I thought it was the coolest.  Well, come to find out, the street is actually named after William Churchill Houstoun a lawyer from Savannah.  How cool is that?  He married a lady from New York.  He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention.

Jarrett was concerned about the pronunciation and did further research.  "Howston" is the original Scottish spelling and clears up any confusion, hopefully, on how to say Breaker Howston Bridges!

Quirky Observations

These are a few quirks we've encountered since we've been here.  I'm not being bitter.  I am so grateful for where we are!  Just a few interesting observations :)

We have had AWESOME nursing care.  I have been learning lots, however, there are always a few in the staff mix whose elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.  Brutal I know, but honest.  On night thirteen my nurse ask me if my membranes were ruptured.  Hum. . . thank goodness I knew Joan (one of our faves) was outside watching the monitors too.  Last night our nurse informed us that she only works one day a week.  She was a little shaky about procedures and talked to herself as she walked out of the room.  I'm guessing she only works one shift to subsidize her social security.  I'm not hating on older adults.  This was odd.  I was very thankful when we hit 0400 and the night had been uneventful.

The medical students, for the most part, have been a pleasure.  They can use me to learn no prob, but number one do not be condescending.  There is one chic who has seen me multiple times and is determined to make sure I know she's brighter than me.  She loves to use medical terminology to see if I know what it means.  "Have you had any dysuria?"  Really, would you say that to the patient next door?  Don't test the nurse.  She got caught in her "professional" act by Dr.Royek.  All My Children is usually on when he visits.  She came bopping in and turned the TV off (no one does this).  He said, "Oh!  I was actually interested in that!"  Boo-ya.  I think Dr. Royek has a secret passion for AMC.  He couldn't believe Susan Lucci was getting the axe and said, "That's just unAmerican!"  There is also a male med student I can't quite get a read on.  He seems to be a smooth operator.  He schmoozes Jarrett, wears lots of cologne and today told me, "You look good, really good."  It is a kind statement, but something about his inflection changed the connotation.  It wasn't like Dr. Strickland or Dr. Brock reassuring me that I do not look like a pastie ghost.  It was weird.  Jarrett rolled over in his "bed" and joined the conversation, thank goodness.

Daily weights should not be done at nine o'clock at night.  Especially not on a girl who is obviously weight conscious and physically active and is now stuck in the bed with eating as one of her few "activities".

We've been here over two weeks now.  My food is the only food in the fridge.  Jarrett is not going to "tamper" with any one's belongings.

Momma doesn't like it when you "shush" her man.

"This is what you call a maxi-pad?"  Yes Jarrett and we should have bought stock in the company.

If you have to go to the bathroom and choose to use mine, beware.  It's not dirty, but I have to collect my urine for the nurses and save things for them to see (use your imagination).  It's part of being in the hospital.  Girls, y'all get it.  Guys, use the toilet down the hall.  I hate to be that kind of hostess, but it will make the situation a lot more comfortable.

We're not obnoxious, but we have moved in!  We're down for the count, four more weeks.  We have two TVs (one is so old we couldn't hook-up the DVD), two laptops, pictures, Finley's artwork, a coffee maker and anything else remotely like home and movable. 

I hope this blog doesn't come across as bitter.  Just a few fun observations, not hang-ups.  These things make J and me laugh!

Facts on Friday

So many things that have happened since May 7th I want to share with you guys.  Things I've learned and experienced over the last two weeks:

1.  Premature rupture of membrane madness started at the Frederica Academy Derby Day Party.  Jarrett and I were literally there for fifteen minutes.  I thought I had wet my pants :)

2.  Dr. Strickland is one fast-movin' brotha in a crisis situation.  He moves at the speed of light on a normal basis, but in triage he was like Lightenin' McQueen.  Along with Venus, Corbett, Kamini and the other precious MNC nurses we were outta there and headed to Savannah in less than an hour.  (Venus your IV access lasted four days--great stick!)

3.  Jarrett could not ride with me in the ambulance.  Instead I had the company of an absolute Dilbert.  I shouldn't be so ugly, Beebe raised me better, but here are a few of his comments:  "Wow.  It was really chaotic in there.  It's never like that and I do this all the time."  "So you're an OB nurse.  You could probably teach me a few things"  "This is your second child.  You know what it feels like to crown."  "Do you know 'so and so' from Kingsland?"  Really?  I'm normally a chatty southern belle, but this was not the time.  The ride seemed brief, thank goodness; and I didn't have to deliver my own child like I kept imagining.

4.  Whitney and Amanda are hot-rods.  They beat me to Memorial!

5.  Memorial University Hospital,Savannah.  Wow these folks do this ALL the time.  Several of my nurses have practiced High Risk Pregnancy (HRP) for over seventeen years.  That's comforting.  They quickly instructed me to turn the fetal heart monitor down and let them do the watching.  I've slept through several contractions thanks to them.  Dr. Adams, Chief Resident, reassured me the longest part of an emergency C-Section is the ride from the patient's room to the OR.

6.  To go to the bathroom I unvelcro plexi boots, remove an oxygen canula and unplug the fetal heart monitor.  Once I'm out of the bed I unplug the IV pump, wrap the monitor around my neck and head to the jon:)  Oh and look out for the TV/Nurse Call remote.  It gets tangled in the IV tubing.

7.  I've been instructed to drink lots, but don't let my bladder get too full because it stimulates contractions.  Poor Amanda has seen my lovely hospital skivvies several times during her visits, bless her heart.  They're kind of like shorts, comfortable, wedgie free, but would definitely cause a VPL.

8.  TV in the middle of the night has progressed since Finley was born.  Nick@Nite, The Hallmark Channel, TLC and a few others have around-the-clock programming.  If I do happen to wake-up at two in the morning there's entertainment!  I hate feeling like the only one awake in the hospital.  TV is comforting.

9.  I thought I was addicted to Facebook. . . now it's beyond addiction.  It's my connection the world, seriously.  I shouldn't be so dependent on social media.

10.  The nurses here have inspired me to be a better nurse.  I'm ready to hit the ground running as soon as I can at SE OB-GYN.  I miss the gals, Drs. Strickland, Brock and Gowen so much.  I think I miss DIGI chart just a little bit too.

11.  Oh!  We found out it's a boy!  We haven't been able to see "it" with our own eyes, but Doc says "it" is there.  I hope he's right because we're in boy mode.  I'm excited to learn what it's like to be the momma of a boy.  Aunt Whi and Aunt Amanda have started the wardrobe!

12.  His name is Breaker.  Jarrett and I can't decide on a middle name, but Breaker is for sure.  Reese Haley wanted to know if it's "Breaker" because my water "broke" early.  Crazy dude :)

14.  Jarrett is a trooper.  He has to feel like Jeffrey from Fresh Prince at times.

15.  Beebe and Big Daddy have a new roomie.  Finley has been with them from the beginning.  She's eating carrot sticks and spaghetti. . .we'll see what Bid Daddy has teaches her. . . Major props to the folks too for being road warriors.  They drove to Rome and back in one day to make it to Savannah when I called with the news.

16.  I have made it through Coke Zero withdrawals.  It has been heartbreaking to let go of my favorite beverage.  I can't have caffeine and that includes chocolate.  Caffeine = Contractions.

17.  Hospital meals are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.  Most of the time they get my order right, but sometimes I don't think they understand English.

I hope this hasn't been too boring.  I have great ideas in my head that don't always translate on the blog.  As soon as I it "publish" something will pop up.  I hope this catches you guys up on some of the details.  I'll blog in the present from now on!

Much love!!

Momma's back

Hey Guys!
It's Court! I know you've been enjoying my man's take on this sitch, but it's momma's turn now :).
In all seriousness, I haven't been much for words lately and Jarrett has truly been pulling the load. I'd start to type and hospital staff would pop-in(vitals, not on the monitor, blood draw, etc.) or Breaker would move or not like my position, or I'd have the dreaded fluid leak. It's so much easier to bake a baby on your feet! To say our family misses normalcy would be an understatement. I have a hard time believing I've been in the bed for almost two weeks-craziness.

God has blessed me (and the fam) with a sense of peace. Remarkably the days go by fairly quickly and it doesn't feel like it's been two weeks. As far as looking ahead, we set mini-goals. It's not as daunting to countdown to weekly sonograms and gestational milestones. At first six weeks was overwhelming, but now we can envision it.

I'm pretty certain we've made it this far because of the precious family and friends (AKA angels) God has put in our lives and given us the privilege of crossing paths with. You guys reading have been sustainers. We feel prayers without a doubt.

We can't thank everyone enough for their prayers, visits, emails, FB posts, Tweets,etc. I could go on and on! I'm being a little mushy:). Y'all may be ready for Jarrett to take over!
I want go on any more. But just know we love you all lots and are so thankful for your presence in our lives.

Week 2 has begun

We have had a good weekend with some great visits from friends and family. We are amazed at the support and prayers from everyone. Finley has been staying busy with both sets of grandparents and we REALLY miss her each day. She has been here three times and really likes seeing all the babies, she already is talking about giving Baby 2 a bottle.

Courtney still feels well getting good rest each night. The doctors visit with us each morning with the diagnosis of wait and see. We tell everyone "it's the same".

So keep this prayers coming for Court and the baby. Court literally hasn't left the bed in over a week. He longest trip is 5 feet to take a shower. But she is being so strong, so PROUD of her.

J

Saturday Makes It a Week

So our Savannah journey started last Saturday at a Derby Day Party and I am proud to say our crew has made it a week.  So we now have accomplished our goal of being here a week.  It actually has gone by fairly fast and we are now hunting weeks so next Saturday is our new target.  Our room is one of the smaller ones in the unit and we have kept it very organized.  We have been blessed w/ snacks, magazines, sweets, and some flowers.  We have enjoyed getting to know our nurses each day.  I think this hospital has an amazing group of people in the High Risk Pregnancy Unit. 

Courtney has been doing well and has really kept her spirits up all week.  I am so proud of how tough she has been through this whole process--she is taking care of business.  We have visits from our Doctors each morning and night.  During the other moments she is resting, checking our the Internet, watching wedding shows on TLC, and coloring in her Hello Kitty book (that's right, for some reason coloring is a stress reliever for her).  She has to wear some compressions boots each night that shoots air into them every three seconds.  When these boots are not tight enough an alarm goes off every two seconds.  Last night I almost threw them through the window as they were malfunctioning and we heard the alarm for over two hours--Court and I actually slept through most of it.

We have also had some great visits from family and friends.  Amanda Holt served up just what Courtney needed on Thursday in some quality girl time.

So we continue this experience thanking God for each day as an amazing gift for Baby B to develop. Thanks for the prayers and we'll keep updating soon!

J

A Nice Visit

Day #4 is passing by and we have had a our typical day which is good.  Not trying to jinx anything so this update is about our nice visit today.  When you occupy a total of 150 square feet any and all visits are a blessings.  Our fist visit was from Betsy and Lauren Turner and they left some solid poundcake behind.

The second and last visit was from Dr. Bridges;  Dr. Finley Bridges that is!  She even wore her stethescope that was pink.  Finley also enjoyed watching a new born has his "KuKah" washed.  So the entertainment tonight was provided by the Dr. and it was awesome hanging with our daughter.

Court's doing well and again we are taking it day by day.  Keep Praying!

We love eating out! (actually just J)

As day #3 ends in Memorial, it is becoming clear that we love to eat out! From chicken sandwiches to hamburgers, we are getting our grub on. It actually seems that all we do is watch tv and eat. Courtney is doing well and eating healthy as always-always so disciplined.

With the stress and uncertainty of our situation, I am feeling so blessed to have this special time with my wife. Whether it's discussing her soap operas or watching Kathy Lee and Hoda, it just enjoyable because it's us! We are learning a lot through this situation and I know we will learn even more as God leads us. So we are doing well, Baby B is doing well and we see each day as a wonderful gift from God to our family.

J

Goal #1 Accomplished

As Courtney starts day #3 in Savannah, we are proud to have accomplished our first goal. We wanted to make it through 7:15 pm on Monday and we did. This mans that the steroid shots were allowed to fully develop Baby B's lungs. Our next goal is to get to Friday.

We have been blessed with tons of prayers and calls and are so thankful for the support! Courtney is doing well and has been so strong since all this started Saturday. We have kept Finley on her routine and have even been able to see her twice. She has been great with everything and is behaving for Bebe nag Big Daddy.

Some other info:
Baby B weighs 2 lbs 14 oz.
Court is 28 wks and 3 days
We are in room 208 at Memorial in Savannah

Savannah's Our New Home

So Saturday Court and I experienced a change of plans with Baby B. Courtney is at 28 weeks and her water broke on Saturday afternoon. It definitely caught us by surprise and within a couple of hours she was wisked away to Savannah in an ambulance.

We want to use this blog as a vehicle to communicate what is going on each day. Our first goal is to get through Monday night. At 7:15 pm the baby's lungs should be fully developed as a result of two steroid shots. Once we accomplish this goal we are striving to keep the baby in the swimming pool for the next 6 weeks. After that, the baby will in NICU possibly for another 4 weeks.

We plan on many more nights in our new home! Please keep praying!