Lilliana Marah Beth: Part Two

Lilliana’s birth story actually starts, truly starts, on June 15. This was a Saturday and it was the day Blair left for Annual Training. 

We knew him leaving would have to happen. In my hormonal mind though, I was absolutely convinced that he wasn’t going to be here for Ana’s birth. My mom, my Doula who had been there for Ellie and Dean’s births, was also out of town. So I was wrapping my brain around my two biggest supporters not being at her birth...

The whole week I had been miserable. One day I was content “oh we can do this we can wait” and the next day I would be in tears asking Blair why God hated me and why this baby would not freaking get out of me. My code that I needed to go cry was “I need to take a shower.” I took a lot of showers. 

That Saturday he left and I called my best friend who was basically one of my back up doulas (because every one needs several back up doulas) and asked her to come over. That afternoon she came. She did dishes. Her tot and my tot played together. I sat on the birth ball and she gave me a belly rub. She also talked to Ana. “This is your Auntie Amanda. We know it’s nice in there but we’re ready to meet you. Time to come out baby girl.” I had light contractions all day, but I’d had contractions on and off most of the week so it didn’t mean anything to me. Eventually Amanda left and the kids went to bed. 

I always have a hard time getting to bed the first night Blair is gone. So it took me a while to get to sleep. Around 10:30 or so I finally fell asleep. 

At 11:40 a contraction woke me up. Followed by a second strong contraction. Both felt intense and different. I texted Amanda, asked her to help me time them. I’d send her an emoji every time one started and stopped (🌈 this one actually!). She said “Maddie these are close. I think you’re in labor. You need to call your team.” 

The first person I called was my Mom. While on the phone with her I had two strong contractions that I had to stop talking during them. She said “Yup. Baby you’re in labor you need to call Blair and you need to call Natasha.” I was very much in denial that I was in labor. 

I paced in my room and finally called Blair. Who woke up right away and said “I’m on my way.” We had joked about this, that as soon as he left that’s when I would go into labor. I called Katharine, my kids godmother and best friend and the other back up Doula. She was the first to arrive. When she got to my house she came upstairs while I was making up my bed. At this point I had alerted my Midwife, Natasha, and my birth photographer and another dear dear friend, Chelsea. 

Katharine helped me finish making my bed and then we headed down stairs so I could sit on my birth ball. My mom had been texting me and reminded me that my little sister, Abbie, was coming and on her way. Abbie was the next to arrive, followed by Chelsea. We sat in my living room while I bounced through contractions. I think this was when I put on Remember the Titans and joked about how much I love inspirational football movies. 

My amazing Midwife Natasha arrived, she was also heavily pregnant at this time and I just remember being so impressed with her. She checked Anas heart tones and my blood pressure. We all sat in the living room. My mom FaceTimed my little sister and stayed on the entire time I was in labor. She kept telling Abbie she needed to see my face to see how I was handling labor. Katharine would rub my shoulders and back to help me relax during contractions. I had a hard time remembering to relax my face and shoulders. 

My contractions were STRONG but never felt consistent. I couldn’t talk through a lot of them and I desperately craved physical contact. Blair still hadn’t made it to us. Eventually, Katie, a nurse with Premier arrived to assist Natasha. She sat on my couch and got the good brown blanket and said “Your House is so cold!” I just remember thinking that was funny. 

I turned off the movie and went to my art desk. I dont remember TELLING anyone I was going to do this, I just DID. While there I used the colors that make me think of my girl. Teal and purples. I made these big circles, each time telling myself “open open open” imagining Ana coming down, coming out, meeting this great big world. I listened to my birth playlist, but once again got stuck on Mae songs. Bloom and Our Love is a Painted Picture. Songs that remind me of Blair and our love. Songs that remind me of Ellie and all the baby’s before Ana. 

While at my desk, my Mommy senses tingled and I knew Ellie was awake. Without sayin anything to anyone I just got up and went upstairs and out she came. I said “It’s time for Baby Ana to come out. Mama has to do a lot of work.” She sat in my lap at the top of the stairs and rubbed my back. She came down the stairs with me and colored with my sister while I labored. 

I don’t remember specific times, but I do remember Blair walking through the door, starting to cry, and then hearing Natasha say “And NOW we’re going to have a baby.” 

Blair, Natasha, Katie and I went upstairs to do a cervical check. The one and only check I had during my entire pregnancy. During our last miscarriage I had an extremely traumatic experience with a doctor doing a check and hurting me even while shaking my head “NO”. The thought of a cervical check made me feel anxious and panicky. Wrong. We had talked about this during my entire pregnancy and Natasha KNEW. Her check was gentle, quick, and she talked me through it the whole time. When she was done Blair said “Maddie where do you think you are? What do you want to hear?” I said “I just want to know there’s been some change.” Natasha said “You’re dilated to a seven almost 8.” I’m pretty sure I told her to shut up because I didn’t believe her. 

From then on I labored upstairs mostly. My team came up, Ellie sat with Abbie, Katharine sat in our floor, Chelsea moved around taking pictures. Contractions were intense and I was getting tired. 

I remember asking Katharine to pray for me. My best friend. A friend God knit together in such a beautiful way. I could not have done this without her this time. She laid next to me and prayed and I just soaked in that prayer. She gave words to what I needed. Ellie climbed on the bed and rubbed my arms while I contracted. She was so excited, not scared at all while I vocalized and boy was I being vocal. 

Around six AM I knew I needed Ellie and Dean to go. Blair called his mom and she got ready to come get them. Dean was still asleep at that point. 

I went to use the bathroom and Natasha came in to check on me. She knelt down (no small gesture considering she was past 30 weeks with her own sweet baby!) and looked me in the eye and said “What’s happening with you mentally? What’s holding you back?”

I was so tired at this point. I had prayed and waited and cried for this baby. I had prepared my house and heart to meet her. I had worked through so much baggage and trauma. So many art journal pages dedicated to each week of pregnancy. But. 

I still didn’t think my body was capable of having a baby with no medical intervention. 

I told Natasha “they break my water. They always have had to break my water. She won’t come unless you break my water.” 

I just remember her looking me in the eye and saying “There is no medical reason for me to break your water. Let that thought go.” And I did. 

She rubbed my belly with the contractions and talked to Ana. My mom was on FaceTime and I remember telling her “I’m so tired Mommy” and she just said “I know but you have to do this. Just some more work and she’ll be here.” 

We went back to our room where I got in our bed, pulling my knees to my chest. This wasn’t helping anything and finally Natasha suggested I squat next to the bed. I did, Using Blair for support. 

I’m pretty sure this was when I cussed. Because I felt her move DOWN. It was one of the most intense feelings I have ever felt in my life! I held that squat for as long as I possibly could during some crazy intense contractions. I then shifted so that my elbows were up on our bed and I was kneeling there next to it. Blair and Natasha were behind me and I asked Abbie and Katharine to be on my bed so I could hold onto their arms. 

Once in that position Natasha told me she was going to see where baby was in my pelvis. She said she could feel her behind my pubic bone and it was time to bear down with these contractions. Every time she touched me in any way, she would warn me, talk me through it. 

Not having my water broken made this labor much different. The urge to push never truly came. I could feel Ana moving down, but that intense urge just wasn’t there. Chelsea told me she understood (her son was born in the amniotic sac, and part of the reason she and I became fast friends!) and hearing her say that helped me a lot mentally. 

I remember bearing down a lot and pushing a lot more than I did with Ellie and Dean. I felt a POP and heard Natasha say that my water had broken and then I DID feel the urge to get her OUT. 

I remember thinking “Ok. No one else can do this part. They’re all here to support you, but this part is on you. If YOU don’t get her past your pubic bone she won’t come out Madalynn and you want her out now.” 

I felt her crowning and remembered talking about pushing slowly, not blazing through things. I took my time and roared a lot. I’m surprised I didn’t bruise Katharine and Abbie’s arms because I was holding on so tightly. I felt her head come and vaguely recall hearing Natasha coach Blair on how to help Ana come out. And then this immense relief as she came out and then...and then I heard her cry. 

I immediately looked up into Katharine’s face when I heard Ana crying and I don’t know if I said it but I know I thought “This is what I want for you.” Katharine and I held each other’s gaze and I think we both started crying. Her story is hers to tell, but I will say this: she and I have very different struggles and very different lives, but are Sisters in Christ, bonded in a way we can’t explain. Having her here to witness a baby being born alive was one of the best gifts I could ever think to give her. I hope it gave her hope for her future as well. Because I will never stop hoping for her. That moment, where we both heard Ana crying...will forever be etched into my memory. 

Blair told me I needed to reach down and help him because Ana was slippery. I reached between my legs and brought her up to my chest. The only hands on her we’re mine and Blairs. It was just as I had dreamed. No yelling, no rushing, no doctors and nurses chaotically all around us. It was intimate and beautiful and amazing. Blair and I sat back against the wall right by the side of our bed while I held our baby girl. She still had vernix on her, she had so much hair and she was so alert! 

Nothing else in the world seemed to matter. 

I remember getting my phone out and sending a video message to my best friend Danielle telling her Ana was here. I remember everyone just letting me and Blair be together. Even Natasha helping me deliver the placenta felt calm and unhurried. I even got to see it this time and asked her if it looked healthy! I said “I haven’t been drinking soda it should look good!” And it did! 

Ana got to latch on right there with me on the floor against the wall. Eventually we moved to the bed. I got changed and cleaned up while Blair held Ana on his chest. It’s amazing how much you miss out on when you can’t. The whole time I just remembered how quickly they had to take Dean and how unhurried this was with Ana. I felt so supported and loved. 

I got settled in bed and it came time to weigh Ana. I knew she was bigger, I knew she was over 8 pounds. So when Natasha told me she was 9 pounds 4 ounces I started to laugh and laugh!  I had prayed for a chunky baby and God gave me one! 

Natasha knowing our history with Dean did a oxygen reading for us. Seeing her oxygen levels go all the way to 100...I cried. She was here. She was healthy. She is ours. We did it. 

Abbie made us sausage egg and bagel sandwiches which tasted absolutely amazing. Katharine got to hold Ana and so did Abbie. I was so incredibly blessed to be able to share this with them both, my sisters in heart and in blood. There’s just something special about seeing a baby come into this world. 

Then another amazing glorious thing happened. Blair’s Mom had taken Ellie and Dean to the park, literally minutes before I pushed her out. And within the hour, MY. KIDS. GOT. TO. MEET. ONE. ANOTHER. IN. PERSON. Ellie climbed up and sang to Ana, who recognized her sisters voice. Dean climbed next to me and kept saying “Hi Baby Ana.” Once again, I cried. 

Growing our family has always been hard and riddled with heart ache. Blair and I have done our best to accept what God has given us. Ana’s birth felt like...like a gift. A huge gift with bows and ribbons from a Daddy who says “I’ve seen your heartache. This is just. For. You. I love you.” 

Everything about it was ordained. Abbie witnessing her first birth, her little niece before she moved. Katharine witnessing her goddaughter being born, hopefully as healing for her as it as for me. Natasha, my midwife, who saw beyond the stories I told to underlying grief and fear...she did SUCH an amazing job of getting me out of my own head and helped me release so much fear and tension. Chelsea photographing our birth, a fast friend, a friendship given to us both at a time when we needed it. Even Katie being here to assist Natasha felt like a gift. 

And I did it. I had my baby at home. I had a NINE POUND baby at home, in my own space, in my own time, in my own way. 

Lilliana’s birth was amazing and wonderful. 

Our post partum time together, however, deserves its very own blog post. 

Last year it was my Golden Birthday, 28 on the 28th. I declared that the whole YEAR would be golden and you know what? It really was. 

Lilliana Marah Beth, Part One

I really want to write out so many things about Lilliana. Her birth, her pregnancy, her infancy, even her name...there are so many special things about this third living baby of mine. Unfortunately the post birth haze has hit me, as has the chaotic nature of our life right now. Even now, writing this, I should 100% be napping (shh, don’t tell Blair!). 

Nine days before I found out I was pregnant I was reading my Bible, in Exodus Chapter 15. God has lead Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt and they have come to Marah, a place of bitter water. God gives Moses instructions and when Moses follows those instructions the bitter water becomes sweet. God says “I am the Lord, your Healer.” 

Even now writing about this tears come to my eyes. As I was reading this passage I felt this still small voice whisper to my heart “I will give you another baby, you will carry her to term and you will use Marah in her name. I will take the bitterness I have given you and I will give you something sweet.” I was skeptical and annoyed. Frustrated. Didn’t God know I wasn’t ever doing it again? Didn’t I give Him enough? Didn’t He know how depleted and shaken and traumatized our last miscarriage had left me? He did know. And He told me “I. Am. Your. Healer.” 

Nine days later I took that positive pregnancy test. I cried. 

When we went for our twenty week scan I was terrified. I kept telling her “I just need to see the heart, I just need to see her heart” and there is was. All four beautiful chambers. I cried. I wasn’t at all surprised when she told us we were having a girl, I had known. On the way home Blair and I discussed what we would name her. I kept circling back to Marah Beth. Marah because His promise to me, Beth because my amazing and wonderful Aunt. I love giving my girls strong living roll models and couldn’t think of anyone more worthy than my Aunt. Blair kept circling back to the name Lilliana. He just liked it. So did I. By the time we got home we knew her name. 

Lilliana Marah Beth. 

Our sweetness from bitterness. 

The newest chapter in our story. N

Hands down she was my “easiest” pregnancy. I only lost about 15 pounds, I was able to eat well. I started seeing a chiropractor when we found out she was breech and we both prayed that God would show us what He wanted. I was terrified He would ask me to have a c-section, something I didn’t want. My dreams of a beautiful home birth were threatened and my heart ached. Blair simply said “Maddie if you had a c-section you’d have even more empathy for even more Mothers.” Blair is good with perspective. 

After what felt like forever and a few emotional breakdowns, she flipped. My dreams of home birth back on the table! Now we just had to get through the hard part: the third trimester. 

My due date was June Ninth. I had never gone over my due date. June 15, Blair had to leave for training for the Guard. I begged God over and over to let me go into labor before he left. At one point we thought I was. And then. It stopped. For an entire week we did all the things to put me into labor and nothing happened. I was sort of a hot mess jerk face that whole week. Tired and huge and uncomfortable and anxious and weepy. My code to Blair was “I need to go take a shower” which meant “I’m going to have a mental break down and cry a whole bunch.”

Finally we came to the 15, Blair packed up and headed to Annual Training. I was one day shy of 41 weeks, emotional and huge and at home with Ellie and Dean wondering how in the world I was going to do this. It’s also worth noting that my Mom and Doula, who had been there for Ellie and Dean’s births was camping down south with my Dad. So not only was my husband not here, neither was my mom. 

I was so scared of going into labor by myself in the middle of the night and worried Blair wouldn’t be back in time. 

June 15th at 11:40, I had two strong contractions that woke me up and started the beginning of my labor. 

To be continued...

We Should Get Jersey’s

I woke up this morning to a text from a good friend “Laundry service is here.” See, she asked me to save up all my laundry so she could come get it and do it for us. From there we started our day. Blair had out his Bluetooth speaker last night, so I hooked up my phone and started listening to All Sons and Daughters, an album I really love.

It reminds me of the first house Blair and I lived in six years ago. It reminds me of olive green and deep green, the colors I painted in our first kitchen. Colors I have burned into my memory and can’t wait to replicate one day. I sang while I made breakfast for my kids who are both home, watching old school Teen Titans because the Teen Titans Go is crap. I sang while I made myself a good healthy breakfast for this new little girl who has, by far, been my easiest pregnancy.

Ordinary things.
Beautiful things.

On Saturday we will have been married six years. And I’ve been reflecting on that quite a bit. The whole day, the people who made it happen for us, the kids who were here and the kids who have been added to our family since then. Baby Boy in our wedding pictures, forever stamped on all our hearts. My brother Nate praying for us and my Father In Law as well. The blue sequin slippers I wore and my green nails that I spent WEEKS obsessing over so I would have pretty nails for my wedding. Brushing my teeth in my wedding dress because I 100% forgot to. Lee Montgomery who officiated our wedding, the Church where both my parents and Blair’s parents go, the Body of Christ that has walked through some awful things with us.

And Blair. My Blair.

He’s goofy and quirky and amazing. He’s selfless in ways I never expected and is braver than me in some things. Last year when we miscarried, I said “I don’t know if I’ll ever be excited to be pregnant again” and he simply said “I will always be excited. Always.” He carries his burdens quietly. And holds me when I fall apart, which is often.

2019 has already proven to be tough. Deans surgery and recovery...it’s tough. Harrowing? Awful? Necessary. We went into it knowing how much Dean needed it and knowing how much it would affect us and for how long. He did so much better than we ever imagined. And there were complications we never imagined. His chest tube not coming out, going back into surgery to remove them, and the cold/virus that sent him back in just a week after being discharged. Being home and managing his pain, keeping our cool when our boy is screaming because of his “boo boo”.

This is why this ordinary morning was so beautiful.

We are faced, every day, with the beauty of life. His life, our life, our children’s lives, the children we didn’t get to hold. Beauty doesn’t mean it’s not messy though. We swear sometimes, dishes pile up, our room looks insane, there is ALWAYS something that needs to be swept, we get angry with each other and our kids. Ellie asks to go see friends and Mamas germaphobe self has to breath deeply if we go ANYWHERE in the world. Or if she does. Balancing “safety” and “fear” always always always. Keep him safe, my heart wispers...let him live, my brain screams. Balance.

I am thankful we are coming into a time of peace. I am thankful we are coming out of a time of struggle. I am aware every day, why the Bible tells us this life is like the blink of an eye. Ellie will be five in June, Dean is already three, our pregnancy is already over halfway. We have had the privilege of being married six years. Blair affords me the opportunity to be home with my babies, to paint and create. I am literally watching them grow up.

I am marking time. Four weeks post op. One week home. 16 weeks until baby girl. Four days until we hit six years. Infinite love. Infinite fights. Infinite struggle. Infinite joy.

What’s next? Six years, three miscarriages, one sassy compassionate girl, one brave single ventricle son, another little girl growing in a secret place, kicking to remind me she is here. One marriage holding fast to a Faith that keeps us together through things that would send anyone running...one Faith holding us together when one of us did want to run...

What’s next?

The Creator knows. The Artist knows. He is painting a beautiful picture for our lives. One I never expected but am no less thankful for. Because it adds depth and character to the canvas...it makes us dynamic and stunning.

Whatever is next, whatever He does paint into our lives, whatever He does ask of us, we will face together. We will watch it unfold. We will still chose to say “Thank you”...even in the middle of the struggle and heartache.

And we will do it together.

Honestly, we should get Jerseys. We make a great team...

Family Update, Baby Nugget, and Gimpy Heart Boy

I haven’t written in a while. Focusing on my art and building myself up as an artist has become a lot of my focus. I’ve wanted to write, I enjoy writing, but I recognize the ebb and flow of life. I allow myself to be taken with the waves.

Since I last wrote we have: had an amazing family vacation in the summer, I had an amazing art show focusing on grief and loss, did an entire month of paintings daily, and we found out we were pregnant with our sixth and third living baby. We have confirmed a heartbeat, made it to 18 weeks and I have made it through the morning sickness (which I’m not 100% sure I’m over all the way, but it’s gotten better!). I have had more blood draws than ever before in my life and met a midwife who saw the despair and fear in my soul and did her best to counteract that immediately. 

The week we found out we were pregnant, we went for Deans cardiology checkup where his cardiologist said “Ok. It’s time. Let’s get the third surgery done.” She also suggested getting it done as soon as possible because of me being pregnant. Deans heart cath was in october and I’m not sure I handled it well. Honestly. I was a mess. And I was throwing up a lot still...

We went with him, to the lab. We helped out the mask on him for the anesthesia. I pray and hope you never, ever have to experience that. And if you have, please know how much my heat hurts for you having that memory etched into your mind. 

Soon after that appointment Blair found out he was leaving for a three week long military training. Our idea had been to get his surgery done ASAP...but those plans were put on hold. Without a doubt I know God did that for a purpose. Those three weeks were long and awful for me. I was sick quite a lot and relied heavily on family and friends. Dean got a rash because everytime I tried to change a poopy diaper, I’d throw up and he sat in them just a *little* too long. I questioned my worth as a mother, as a wife, and the despair that comes with the morning sickness I experience set in. I’m so thankful for the friends who speak life into my heart during times like that.  

So here we are, January. I decided I was done waiting for Cardiology to call me and I made some calls. I made what felt like a million calls. Then out of no where, we got the date. 

We send our son for his third open heart surgery January 24, 2019, provided Dean has no colds or sickness. We are preparing as well as we can. Many people have asked me how I’m feeling or how I’m doing. 

Well. Guys, I mean, this sucks. They have to hurt him, again. It doesn’t do anyone any good to sugar coat that. They saw through his sternum and skin. He’ll have a fresh wound and then have to recover and feel all of that. Never, please, diminish a child’s pain because they are “young enough they won’t remember.” No. He won’t. That doesn’t however, mean he will not hurt. Our little sassy girl will, once again, be away from us. You know what I’m bummed about? That by the time we really start feeling this baby kick, Ellie will be with grandparents and godparents. Do you know how excited she is to feel her baby? It makes me sad for her. She’s bigger now and realizes what’s happening. We have already begun the conversations about what’s going to happen to Dean. She needs to know. She asked me the other day if I was scared. And I told her the truth, I am. It’s heart surgery on a three year old. It’s scary. 

Now. That doesn’t mean we aren’t hopeful. Because we are! This kid, man, this kid is a nut cas. He has two goose eggs on his head, impaled himself on a toothpick on Christmas Day, and he’s fearless. He’s absolutely fearless and brave and amazing. And so is his sister! My kids are amazing resilient goofy little suckers who drive me up the wall! It’s fantastic! I can’t wait to see him blow doctors and nurses away. 

I can’t wait to see him P I N K. Not BLUE. P I N K. 

We are doing our best to prepare. How do we do that? We talk, we pray, and we started a t shirt fundraiser. (https://www.bonfire.com/deans-gimpy-heart/) The heart on these shirts is hand drawn by me. No one is under any obligation to buy one, and I know not everyone likes T-shirt’s or sweatshirts as much as I do. Haha. If you’d rather donate money straight to Blair and I, you can always use my PayPal (mcarrigan04@gmail.com). Fundraising is a weird thing for me. Between Blair missing work to be right at Deans Aide (where he wants to be) and the expense of eating hospital food almost daily, parking garages, and any bills that might surface, let alone our regular bills...well the word *tight* comes to mind. We have no idea how long Deans recovery will be. It could be two or three weeks, it could be months. And if anyone would rather send a gift directly to Dean for his stay, I have an Amazon wishlist of things I have asked other heart moms about. 

Kazzos, recorders, and harmonicas to help him blow into and get his lungs working. Batman slippers and Button down pjs for wires and to help give him incentive to start walking more. Pout Pout Fish Books and ty erase workbooks because he loves both of those things. We’ll be bringing his Batman pillow and sheets, all four of his special blankets, and his favorite stuffed animal doggy. A Heart Mama suggested putting s bandaid on the stuffed animal for every tube and bandage he has, and as each comes off, take off the bandaid to SHOW him the progress he’s making. We’ll be bringing Blair’s Lap too so we can watch all he Hotel Transylvania, Boss Baby, and LEGO Batman and any other Batman movies I can get my hands on. 

I feel confident in the people who will be watching Ellie. I know they LOVE her and will do all sorts of fun things and will send me a million pictures on the days I’m missing her something fierce. I know the doctors and surgeons and nurses are pulling for him and rooting for him. I know we will fight this together. I know we aren’t alone. I feel like we’re as prepared as we can get. 

And that gives me a lot of peace and a lot of confidence in the whole thing.