This isn't how we planned it, but...: an Update

Olive Elizabeth Monk was born at 1:23 am today (January 5, 2014). She is 2lb 2oz about 12.5 inches long. 

At about 9:30 pm Sunday, January 4, I began bleeding. They put Olive on the monitor and saw that her heart rate was dropping significantly more than normal. Lots of blood work, etc all came back with no sign of why I was bleeding. However based on the monitor the decision was made to deliver via C section. I had no signs of labor (no contractions, cervix closed!) so an induction would take too long and possibly put her in further danger. 

I remember being very overwhelmed. In a matter of hours I went from having a baby that was doing great in the womb, to preparing to deliver. I received a last minute steroid shot, magnesium for her brain function, fluids, lots of blood work and I was off to delivery. There I met the anesthesiologist who was very calm and explained everything. I received the spinal shots (I can't remember what they were called!) and began to go numb. Within a matter of minutes there were 2 doctors, 3 nurses and someone from NICU along with the anesthesiologist. 

Saturday night was going to be Matt's last night to stay before we tested him staying home since he had to work in the morning, so praise The Lord she came when she did and not a day later! Matt scrubbed in and sat with me the entire time. He recorded what he could of the birth, and when they say she's coming... You hear a little tiny little shout! I am overwhelmed each time we watch the video! 

I got a quick glimpse of her and she was rushed off to the NICU. Her daddy got to go with her and said she was making all sorts of noise before they got her breathing tube in! 

She came crying which is great, she was just having trouble breathing on her own. By mid morning we had already been updated that she had her oxygen level lowered, and she had her eyes open and was looking around :) Her tiny little squinty eyes! 

During the surgery, they found I had a placenta abruption and her life source was quickly being cut off. Any longer in utero would have cut off her life source completely. I am so thankful the doctors and nurses acted quickly! 

While I would have loved to have a natural birth 8 weeks in the future I guess part of being a parent is putting aside your expectations and doing what is best for your child. I was definitely terrified of the whole thing- but I remembered something- all pain, suffering and fear was taken away at the cross. I asked Jesus to stand in for me as I was scared, and He reminded me He already had stood I for me 2000+ years ago. I was filled with complete peace. I prayed through the entire procedure. 

Other than a little bit of nausea and strange feelings from the pressure of delivery and being stitched up, it wasn't so bad! Matt was a champ and stayed awake with me all the way through recovery even though he looked sooo tired! 

I am recovering well and the pain has been managed very well by the staff! I got to hold Olive's hand for the first time last night!

She had a good little grip and held tighter if I moved my finger. I can tell her plans are to thrive, and with all I the prayers and encouragement, I know she will. I tell her about everyone praying for her. Her daddy and I bless each one of you! She might not be yours to take home, but know that she will forever carry a part of each of you in her heart! 

I plan to continue to update you all as much as possible! Thank you all again for everything! 

Olive under the lights because of bruising and to help prevent jaundice

Olive's sexy little leg, just like her daddy! I think she may have his big ol' feet(and possibly his full lips!) :)

Her first picture, taken by her daddy! 

What's in a Name: Olive Elizabeth

I thought it would be fun to share the story of Olive's name. 

I think names are very important. It's the thing that will be spoken over us more than anything else. When it came time to decide a name for our little girl, it was not something we took lightly. 

We actually had a definite boys name picked and 3 girl names. We thought that if our first was a girl, her name would be Miel, or Honey in Spanish. From the moment we found out we were having a girl I kept thinking her name was Olive. 

I don't know where the idea for the name Olive came from. If I heard it, it maybe just came from Olive Oyl, honestly. I didn't find out about all of the celebrity babies named Olive until recently. 

I imagined Olive to be a lot like me. Creative but also outspoken. I imagined she would like the color purple just like her mom and grandma. 

Early in my pregnancy I was told I miscarried after going to the hospital for bleeding. For a week and 2 days I didn't know if I was carrying a child or not. I knew that our baby was still there and I told God "this child is yours. We will love her and raise her, but she belongs to you. Whatever you have for her life we will not stand in the way." Sure enough, after what seemed like forever, an ultrasound showed a tiny little heartbeat of one of the greatest fighters I know. 

When my water broke, I was terrified. I had been given 72 hours before she would arrive or I would get an infection. There was a small hope she would replenish her fluid. I was praying and God gave me a vision of her. I was reminded of the story of Jonah and the whale. Mahesh Chavda once explained what whale vomit is, ambergris, a very expensive perfume additive. I had this vision of her floating in a white cloud with gold flecks, which is exactly what ambergris looks like. He very gently told me "don't worry about how she will get here, she will get here." 

One night Matt asked me who I thought was in "there". I said "I think it's Olive." He agreed. So I began thinking of middle names. Elizabeth is a favorite name of my mother's, and while we thought of many names, Elizabeth just flowed. So I looked it up. One meaning I found was "consecrated to God". Perfect.

Olive means peace usually when you look it up because of the Olive branch- however I also relate it to the story of the ark. Of all things to dove chose an Olive branch to show there was LIFE outside of what/who was on the boat. It brought hope that God kept his promise. 

I later looked up other names that meant "peace" and on this particular list, Jonah was listed. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt our little girls life has a huge purpose in this world. 

I love the name Olive Elizabeth, but I really feel God had this name picked for her before we ever knew of her. 

So there's the story of her name :)