Wednesday, September 28, 2022

How many kids do you have...?

I'm sure everyone gets this question.
I do. And it's the answer I hate replying too.
TWO! I have two daughters. One that soars in heaven, and one who runs on earth.
That one reply, one that soars...
So, Let's talk about something that people think is taboo, or morbid or, such a tragedy that it's just too horrible to talk about. 
Baby loss.  Pregnancy loss.
I've had 5 miscarriages and one stillbirth. Each loss was devastating. 
But my stillbirth was the hardest.  Everything was ready for her. We had just purchased her car seat.  My dad was making her a crib. (By mean making, building from wood. his plan. the plan that he made for us, his 4 kids. and his 8 grandchildren to use) 
Monday March 13th 2006, I was 35 weeks pregnant.  And I had noticed i hadn't felt her kick that day, and day before.   It was a busy weekend.  So I tried to find her heartbeat on a Doppler at home.  I thought i wasn't using it right because it wasn't working.  I just decided to go to the Labor and Delivery.  The OB tried to find her heartbeat and also nothing.  They ordered a ultrasound.  There they saw she was face down, and had no heartbeat.  I was induced that night,  I laid in L&D till Wednesday morning, when they finally broke my water.  At 8:40 am, I felt something down there, and sure enough there was her head. 
At 8:48 am,  Haley Lynn was born silently.  It was Haley's dad, (my ex husband) my mom, my dad, my stepmother, and I there.  We all got to say hello, and see you again all in one day.  My nurse gave her a bath, took pictures, took her hand and footprints, and a lock of hair for me.  We spent a few hours with her, and I was discharged. 
 We went home. 
 Our arms empty.
  my heart was shattered.
  I WANTED MY BABY!! 
It was so hard going home because all of her stuff was still out.  Her car seat still in the box, a dresser full of baby girl clothes.  My dad put my crib aside.  He said he couldn't look at it for a while.  We had a graveside service for Haley a few days later.  I was burying my daughter.  Parents are not supposed to bury their children.   
Sixteen years have gone by.  And in those 16 years i have learned a lot about pregnancy and infant loss.
1.  Get pictures, foot hand prints.  A Lock of hair. 
2. Hold your baby.  And take them home if you're able too, ( i found out later, i could have.)
3. Take as much time to grieve, take time off of work. 
4.  There is no time limit for grief. 
And If you're on the friend side some things not to say. 
1. Never say, "At least...." 
"something was wrong"
"god wanted him/her more"
"You can have another"
"Be thankful for your living children"
"I know how you feel, I lost my grandpa..."
"It was Gods Will"
Really, Just say,  "I'm sorry" 
Help with some meals, or a chore around the house.  

So,  I have 2 daughters.  
I would have a junior and a sophomore. 
Don't clench up, and make a horrified face when I mention her name, she is still and will always be a part of my life. 
   Stillbirth/miscarriage happens to 1 of 5 pregnancies. 
Kick counts, count!!  Do them!! I just thought I was far enough that she didn't have room too. Wrong!






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Update on me!

Im Still Here! 
Since my last post, Ive been through so much. My dad suddenly passed away from a heart attack at his house.  We were not close, but I still loved him.  I was going to call him that day too.  Its horrible having both parents gone.  My stepfather also passed away.  weird how my 3 parents all passed away in May. within 4 years of each other.  Dates and me are very unique!  Especially the month of March. 
Anyways,  I also had a huge back surgery.  I had my L4/L5 and my, S1 fused.  
Life after spinal fusion has been very interesting.  My limits have been tested.  My frustration levels are high,  not being able to move a certain direction has been challenging.  
Here's what I have figured out with spinal fusion. 
1, sleep nude, or in a silk nighty, (<--- cheaper)  and or have silk sheets. 
it makes it easier to slide around in bed. And trust me, you will be sliding around!  
2, wear your brace!  Its cumbersome, but will help. I did every time i got up. I wore it so much that after 5 some weeks post-op, i had rubbed my "bump" (more on my bump later)  i raced to my back dr, and i had rubbed it so much it was very angry, red, and very painful! So i was excused from wearing my brace. 
3.  My "Bump"  it was at the surgical site where my hard ware sits.  Yes, Hard wear. I now have 6 lovely titanium screws in my back.   It was so hard to lay in bed.  It was hell getting in and out of bed.  My man would be right there to help me get into bed.  It was nice having him, "tuck me in" to bed!  It took almost 5 minutes those first few weeks.  And then with my bump i had to lay sideways almost.  
4.  Keep up with your pain meds!  They do work if you take them as said too!  They did for me!
5.  Get a walker, a cane, a bath chair, and a raised toilet seat.  seems funny, but all of those items will help you.  I used my walker for the first month.  And then my cane. The raised toilet seat was used for maybe a month, and now I have some toilet bars, and they are nice to have.   The bathtub chair was the best!  It was nice sitting in the shower to shower, we have a removable shower head, so it was perfect! My first shower was at a week after.  Our shower is in a corner, so it was a step up, and then a huge step down.  Make sure you have a bath mat so you don't slip, and my man was there helping.  He actually washed my hair for me! Shaving my legs was difficult.   Use press and seal!  It does work! 
6.  Take the help offered!  My mans mom lives next door, so she was with me the first few days i was home.  She cleaned the kitchen and made dinner as well! That was very nice.  Shockingly, my 15 year old daughter helped with dishes a few times!  WOW!
7.  Now your told not to,  lift, push, pull, squat, bend, twist, stay straight.  Its hard to do, or not to do.
Its a struggle, but with my tribe, we get it done! 
some back pictures, and my x-rays!


 


















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Sunday, July 19, 2015

Still here!

I had to pause on designing for a while.
I am recovering from surgery on my right hand. I have had to do everything with my left hand, and it's not easy. 
I had Tenosynovitis so bad in my wrists, along with really bad Carpal Tunnel,  Its affected me for almost 8 years.  Most days,  my hand wouldn't open, and hurt like hell.
 It's from my Adult Onset Still's Disease.
Both are very painful conditions.  
I am a rare one.
This is my wrist before.



And a little video,


So,  I had surgery in 3 spots on my wrist on, July 9th. 
They did a whole block on my arm, so I had no control over it.  It came up and nailed me in the head as I went to lay down, lol.
The block wore off that night and, OHHHHH MAMA!!  I was bawling so hard.  Soooooo much pain.
Here is my hand a few hours after surgery.


Ill get the stitches and cast off Tuesday the 21st.  And im sooooo ready!!  Its pretty warm to have on!

I hope to get back designing soon,  so stay tuned, Ill update again!



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Monday, June 15, 2015

Desires of the Heart, Jessica Art-Design

DESIRES OF THE HEART

by
Jessica art-design
available at:
http://scrapfromfrance.fr/shop/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=99
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http://scrapbird.com/designers-c-73/d-j-c-73_515/jessica-artdesign-c-73_515_554/?zenid=hcrfqide7nb8p4masth8fgpiq5
**
http://www.digiscrapbooking.ch/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=22_223&zenid=89b65e422d72fa43a0e08750110b199d
**
http://winkel.digiscrap.nl/Jessica-art-design/
**
My page, 
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Tuesday, June 2, 2015

A Midsummersnights Dream

This is such a beautiful kit!
My page


This kit is found here in her stores
and



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Jessica Art-Designs


Two kits released by, Jessica Art-Designs
Beauty in Bloom and, Fruity Flowers,

My page, 


My page, 


Both kits, can be found in her stores!





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Footprints in the Sand, Ilonkas Scrapbook Designs


Footprints in the Sand
By, Ilonkas Scrapbook Designs
Here is the page I made,


This collection is found here,
DigiScrapbooking
Digital Crea
Go Digital Scrapbooking








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Monday, May 11, 2015

A Creative Mess, Ilonkas Scrapbook Designs

A very cute, colorful, cheery collection!
A pocket pack kit collection!
This whole collection is available with a 25% off till May 15th!

Here are two layouts I made,


This one, I used one of the templates

This collection is available in all her stores!
Digi Scrapbooking
Digital Crea
Go Digital Scrapbooking


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Tuesday, May 5, 2015

iNSD Sale, and Birthday Sale! Ilonkas Scrapbooking Designs


Only a few more hours left for Ilonkas Scrapbooking Designs,  iNSD Sale and her Birthday Sale!


Here in her stores!



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