Jordan's Birth Story

I know this is almost 2 years late but it's better late than never. I wanted to document this for Jordan and my family.

Jordan's scheduled due date was April 15, 2010. At the beginning of the pregnancy I got a phone call regarding my platelets (the blood component that helps your blood clot). I needed to go in and get my blood tested a week later to see if they had gone up any. I really wasn't concerned. I figured that they would be low because it was the beginning of the pregnancy and usually the blood count levels are low. Well, my levels hadn't really gone up so off too the hematologist I go.

I was okay with going until I saw that they were with an oncologist group and in the Piper Cancer building. Just the word cancer and oncologist is a scary thought. The thoughts that went through my head was "are they going to find cancer? What if I have cancer, who is going to take care of my babies? I can't have cancer, what are you thinking?" So my first appointment I had went good but I had to get my blood drawn. 16 viles of blood... That's a lot of blood to have drawn. I then have to return every week to get my blood drawn for platelet levels and I'm suppose to see the oncologist every so often.

I returned to the oncologist to see what my results are from my blood test. They found a minor discrepancy in my blood so more testing of my blood is needed. They continued to look into what was going on in my blood. After several more tests and more detailed tests they noticed that there was a little hint in the autoimmune family that includes rheumatoid arthritis. There isn't enough to say that I have it so instead the test are all inconclusive. So now I need to just continue the weekly tests for my platelet levels. By the time I delivered Jordan, my platelets only dropped to 126,000. Normal range is 150,000-400,000. It never dropped to a dangerous level.

Other than the platelet issue, the pregnancy went really well. I continued to work through out the pregnancy. I was nearing my due date and since I had to be induced with Logan I figured that I would have to be induced with Jordan. I asked the doctor if I could be induced the Friday before the 15th. She said no. So the Monday following it is. I wanted it before because Grandpa and Grandma Niebuhr were planning on coming down that weekend and I didn't want them to miss the birth.

April 9th it wasn't a busy busy day at work and we were done with surgeries so I decided to go home. Marshanna told me that i was going to deliver that weekend. I said absolutely not, no way. I had to many things to do. I needed to get the house packed because we were in the process of purchasing a house (good timing I know). So Friday and Saturday I packed things up, moved boxes around, and started to get things cleaned up. Apparently I did too much because Sunday morning I woke up at 4 am with braxton hicks contractions... or so I thought. I went back to sleep but woke up at 430 with more contractions. once again I thought they were still braxton hicks. Then they got stronger and started to hurt more. I continued to time them. They were between 5-7 min apart. I was still denying that i was in labor so I started to time them on my phone to make sure. They were still 5-7 min apart and then they suddenly went to 2-3 minutes apart. I thought, oh no, we need to go.

We got thing packed and got Logan up. We took Logan to Diana's house at 5 am and continued to drive to Scottsdale Shea. AJ's is driving as fast as he can on the 101 Loop freeway, but that wasn't fast enough for me. I'm still timing my contractions to keep my mind off of the pain. Here are the time intervals that I saved:

6:13
5:39
2:52
5:28 (I thought... wow, a break, maybe I'm not in labor)
2:57
1:56 (oh yup... i am in labor)
2:13
2:21
1:48
1:54
1:52
1:59
2:08
2:13
2:09
2:11
3:31
2:14
2:25
2:23
2:56
2:58
2:00
1:57
2:15 (AJ telling me I can stop timing cause we are in the delivery room)

When we got to the hospital, AJ dropped me off at the front doors and went to park the car... are you serious?!? park the car, park it in the valet, it's 5 am who cares about who is going to need to park there once valet opens up. It seemed that I was waiting forever for him to show up back at the front door. Even a employee at the hospital saw me there and didn't know what to do with me.. she just gave me a blank stare and asked, "ummm... are you in labor?" Well yeah!! Can't you tell by the pain that I'm in. I told her yes and said that my AJ would be coming and getting me any second. AJ gets to the front door and I get into a wheelchair so he can push me to Labor and Delivery. As he was going down the hallway I kept telling him to go faster... He was running already.

We get into the delivery room and I get undressed, on the bed, and I'm feeling the need to push.... Actually I HAVE to push. I can't help it and i tell the nurse that I have to push. I push and my water breaks and out comes Baby JJ. No doctor was able to make it to the delivery. Not even the on call doctor at the hospital. Eventually my doctor made it my room but it was well after Jordan was born. I like to give my nurses a challenge.

Jordan James Spencer was born at 5:33 am. 8lbs 8.9 oz and 21 inches long. He was beautiful. I was in pain, and couldn't stop shaking. He had blondish hair and was perfect in every way. I can't believe that I was able to deliver a baby naturally without any drugs and no epidural. I can't believe my beautiful baby boy was finally here and EARLY!

Poor AJ... everything happened so fast. I looked at him and he looked white as snow and about to faint. I had never seen him like that. I made him sit down so he wouldn't faint. I thought it was so funny because nothing normally affects him.

Welcome to the world Jordan. You are such an amazing and perfect little one. We love you so much!

Logan's medical update

Yesterday Logan had a doctors appointment with an orthopaedic doctor to check on his back. He was born with a hemivertebrae at his 10th thoracic vertebrae.

Last year I noticed that there was a slight curve in his back so I had his pediatrician look at it on his 4 year checkup. He said that there is a slight curvature so we need to see a specialist.

After looking at his xray the doctor said that it is a 10 degree curve as the result of the hemivertebrae. He doesn't think that it is a true hemivertebrae because there is still a rib that is attached at that location so it is attached to a piece of bone. Right now we don't need to do anything and the doctor said that he probably won't ever need to do anything but we have to follow up with him every year. He cleared him for all sports and activities but the final clearance would be up the cardiologist. So at the end of September Logan has a cardiologist appointment. I will give another update then.

First day of school

Logan started kindergarten this year. OMG! He's getting way to big. I can't believe I have a child in elementary school. He's learning so many things. Getting better at writing his name and all about his alphabet and numbers. He can do simple math equations. He's talks about how he got student of the day (he's been wanting it for the past 2 weeks). The school has a big bell at the front by the office and on Friday he was the "Honorary Bell Ringer". He was so excited that he got to the ring the bell. He got a certificate and everything. He was so proud of it. There are 2 things he doesn't like about school. Waking up in the morning and doing homework but of course I should have known that was going to happen. I was exactly the same way. I think he will do really good at school.

Summertime

So I meant to do this a long time ago.. I was trying to make cute little pictures for the blog. I got one done but then I figured I'm not very good at it nor do i have the patience for it. Anyways... to the blog.

At the end of the month I made the long long journey to Salt Lake. There were 2 reasons why I drove to Utah. To pick up my bubby!! I missed him so much. Its so hard to got almost 2 months without him. :( After I picked him up he kept asking me if we could go home. We enjoyed all the picture taking after I picked him up. he was being goofy. It was so cute.



The 2nd reason.. My Mom's Birthday!!! Its always fun to get together for her birthday. We usually go to the stock car races or to the Bee's baseball game. They always have fireworks too. Don't you feel special mom? Fireworks for you birthday. How sweet. :) Love you mom!! The great thing is this year we went to both!! It was fantastic and Logan had a great time!



While we were there we got to see my brother Ryan and his family. i haven't seen them in 4 years!!! Wow how did the kids grew OMG!!! Logan loved playing around with Erick. I'm so glad that Ryan was able to get leave.

Summer time

Summer time is such a hard time of year. It is when my little bubby goes to his dad's. It is so so quiet around the apt. I miss his laugh, screaming, and talking about Ben10 and his aliens or him acting like Swampfire. I can't wait until he comes home again. I miss you Bubby!!!

Puppy

We have added a new addition to our family. She is a Border Collie mixed with a Australian Shepherd. She is a really smart and fun dog. She hardly ever has an accident and she is only 7 weeks old. She loves to play and chase Logan. The only one that doesn't really like her is Nala. She hides in Logan'ss room pretty much all day and hisses at Sierra whenever she passes.

Make a Smilebox postcard

How time goes by

While I was uploading pictures to my computer I was looking at all the ones from Logan's first couple of years. Things were pretty scray the first couple of months and even when he got bigger. Lookiing at the pictures just make my heart drops but its a good reminder of what happened and for Logan to see when he's older.






I was so scared to take him out, afraid that I would miss a dose of his medication. I didn't ever want him to get sick and admitted to the hospital again. Well sure enough he did when he was 8 months old.



No matter how sick he got he was always happy. He always had a smile on his face, well with one exception.... After his heart cath. We almost lost him there.

He's growing so much and learning so much. He loves being around people and always is talking to strangers. I know its bad to talk to a stranger but he has helped me out of my little social shell a lot.


Back to pictures.. its amazing how much he still looks like he did when he was younger and does the same things that he use to. He use to pull his diaper halfway down his butt while watching Shrek. Now he pulls his pants and underwear halfway down while watching Ben10. I don't know why.. just some wierd fascination with messing with his pants I guess.



He was so cute when he danced to Shrek..



Well things haven't changed regarding his health. I still freak out when he gets sick. He gets a fever and I'm preparing to take him to the ER or urgent care. He makes me smile everyday and we keep each other going. We're goofy together and have so much fun!