Welcome Eli Simpson Merritt!

March 7th 2011

I went to the doctors for my weekly check on the baby's progress. I was in bad pain, my back ached badly, I was having leg cramps and I had sciatica. I was hoping they would send me straight to the hospital. Dr. Javate was the doctor there that day. He was my fave! He said Wednesday that he would induce me and deliver. SOLD! Since I was already 100% effaced and 2cm dilated, I was ready!

March 9th, 2011

7:00am
Off to St Pete General. Got induced.
During the next few hours, several interns came in and asked if they could watch the birth. I give them permission. I could care less.

1:45pm
I am ready to push. Dr Javate shows up, interns are in place.
PUSHING...
Intern steps in to deliver. I think it was his first delivery. LJ says he was shaking to death.
Eli's head gets stuck. Finally it comes out. Eli's shoulder gets stuck.
PAIN
PAIN
PAIN

2:08pm
Eli Simpson Merritt is born.
He is bruised form getting stuck and he is BIG. Its finally over. He is here.
HAPPINESS

8lbs 12.7oz and 20 1/2 inches

I am in love, again.
He is beautiful!

I start breastfeeding immediately. Then after an hour they rush me off to get my tubal litigation. No more babies for this factory.

5:30pm
When I get down there they pump up my epidural with some heavy meds. And I go under the knife awake.
OH MY GOSH
I FEEL IT.
Mad rush from the nurses, thing on my face," breathe deep " is the last thing I heard, they knocked me out.
Wake up an hour later.
WHERE IS MY BABY?!?!
She is awake.

7:00pm
Sent me back up to my room. I have no idea which way is up. I feel confused and lost.
All my visitors went home. LJ and Dakota were left. Hugs and kisses and they left too.
Just me and Eli. Onward with the breastfeeding.
PAIN
CRAMPS
PAIN


Having babies is NO fun.
But the end result is SOOOOO worth it...

Mommy loves you Eli!

Publix has Angels? Which Aisle can I buy one of those?

I just had the most amazing experience, I feel like I am on a high from it.

So I went to Publix to pick up some stuff for the grill. I bought something that was buy one get one and it was the wrong thing, but the nice manager ( whom I have NEVER seen there before) gave it to me anyways. I went out to my car to put the stuff in my trunk. A man came up on a bike and asked for 45 cents so he could ride his bike down to get a cheeseburger from McDonalds. I checked my purse, but I had no change. ( We had thrown my change in a fountain the night prior.) I said I am so sorry , I dont ever carry cash. he said thank you anyways and pedaled to the front of the store. I put my groceries away and got in the car. I got a tugging in my chest. I call this CONVICTION. I watched the man for a few minutes. I saw him pick a cigarette butt off the ground, examine it and put it in his pocket. I saw him looking around for more. Found one and asked someone to light it for him. More tugging in chest. I struggled. I wanted to get him a sandwich. I sat there for another minute - though it seemed like eternity. He sat there staring off blankly into the crowd of people shopping, going in and out of the store. I called L.J.

"Honey?"
"Yeah?"
"A man just asked me for 49 cents for a burger, may I buy him a sandwich I feel extremly convicted."
"Of course"
"Ok call you in a bit"
"ok love ya"
"love ya too"
"bye"

I got back out of my car and headed towards him.
I dont know why, but I had tears in my eyes, I was kinda scared. I asked him, "May I please buy you a sandwich?"
"umm, okay"
"will you come with me so you can pick it out"
"I dont want my bike to get stolen, its okay..."
" I will go get you one, what do you like"
" I like anything"
"ok be right back"
"really? thank you."

I go back inside, order him a sub, get EVERYTHING I can jam on it. And go get him the biggest reddest apple I can find and head to the front. I saw a rack of chips so I was trying to decide what to get. The manager who gave me the buy one get one was standing there and said, "Oh back again?"
"There is a man outside who is very hungry, so I am buying him a sandwich."
"And you know this because?"
"Because he asked me for 49 cents.""
"Really, he says , huh."
So I go into the check out line. Waiting my turn. The manager comes up after a few minutes and says to the cashier, do not ring up the sub. I looked at him in disbelief, " Thank you"
The cashier did as she was asked and I paid 2 dollars. I went up to the manager again to thank him again for his kindness. His reply... "Thank YOU." I smiled and happily went out to the man.
He was there waiting, still on his bike. I Said here ya go, and I even got you an apple. A smile.
He touched my arm and kindly said "Thank you so much."
I said "God Bless you, and keep you safe."
"Really, Ma'am, Thank you"
"Stay blessed"
I turned around and started back to the car. I turned around again to smile and wave good bye and he disappeared. I mean like in spooky disappear. He was gone, no where in the parking lot, no where in sight. Where the heck did he go? Goosebumps - Jesus Bumps.
Was that a test from the Lord? I will never know. But it was a blessing to me to help someone and to bless them. Praise your name Lord. And thank you for using me as your tool on this earth. I really hope that man has a great night and a full belly.

The Car Accident

Friday, October 15th, 2010.

This was the day I was the most scared I have EVER been in my life.

The day started great, we went to the beach because we had tons of family in town. Now, I wasn't supposed to go, because the day before Dakota was diagnosed with a ruptured ear drum. And he was supposed to keep his ear dry for a few days. But I never listen. So we went anyways. We had a great day, splashing in the gulf and then back to the pool. We had to get Skylar home because it was her dads weekend so we left around 3:30. I figured this would give us enough time to get her home and showered before he came at 5pm.

We were traveling north on Pasadena. And for those of you who know me, you know my fear of bridges. I hate them. I constantly have dreams that I am falling off of a bridge in my car and I have to somehow get my kids out without drowning. I know this is awful, but it is my BIGGEST fear in life.

So we are starting to go over the bridge on Pasadena. I am trying to pay attention.

I hear a loud Screeeeeeeeeeching of tires. The SUV in front of me has slammed on his brakes. I have plenty of room to slam on mine. But...

My car keeps sliding. We were on the metal part of the drawbridge and we slide...

I knew we were going to impact the car in front, so I made a choice.

I swerved into the right lane.

BAM.

Hit once, car pushed into guard rail. My worst nightmare... OMGosh will it come true?? We were facing the water, I instantly looked back at Kota, his neck is not strong....

BAM.

Hit again. My head slams against the head rest. OWWWWWW. Dear Lord just get me off this bridge.

The second hit, pushed us back even with the road. I pushed the gas petal and made my way off the bridge. Panicked and crying I kept asking Skylar and Dakota is there were okay, did they have owwies? Everyone seemed fine, but my head was killing me. The woman who hit me pulled up next to me in her fancy SUV.

My first call was to LJ who had left 5 minutes before me. TURN AROUND we were just hit, I am so scared.

My second call was to 911. I was screaming crying and in a panic. The woman next to me rolled down her window, are you okay. Me - I hit my head pretty hard. She rolls her window back up and pulls up away from me.

Paramedics arrive, police arrive, LJ arrives. My head was spinning. Skylar was fine she said nothing hurt, she played her DS thru the whole accident. Thank God. Dakota cant tell me if he is okay. Though he appears to be fine, I still am paranoid about his neck. The ambulance takes Dakota and I to Bayfront. The woman drives away fine with a small dent in her front bumper, claiming to have errands to run. Yes, Seriously.

My grandparents came and picked up Skylar so she could go to her Dads as planned. I checked on her all weekend, she was fine.

At the hospital, LJ, his mom and dad and my mom all show up. I demanded they check out Dakota first. He was fine. no injuries. I was having cramping from the seat belt. Off to ultrasound with LJ. Little Eli had his hands behind his head all relaxed. Glad someone is relaxed i say to the tech.

All in all we are all okay. I have a huge Goose Egg behind my ear where I hit the head rest. Some back pain. But I am alive and I didn't face my worst fear. We made it off the bridge. My car was totalled. Undrivable.

Reality sets in. What am I going to do.

I called in my claim to my insurance just to find out, that my "full coverage" did not include collision. They will not cover my damage. Nor will the woman who hit me. They said it was my fault. My car was "out of control". I am stuck. I still owe about 10 payments on the car, and it isn't drivable. Seriously?

We went through several options, we tried to trade it in. Didn't work out. Tried to look up cars on Craigs List, didn't work out. took the car to our family mechanic - who we trust will all we have...

He tells us, that where the frame is bent, isn't really too bad. All we have to do is pull out the fender, and it will be okay for short trips. No highway. No driving over 45. No one sits on that side of the car.
If we get hit in that same spot it could be fatal. EEK. But it is fixable.

Today is Tuesday, October 19th, 2010.
LJ fixed the car, well kinda. It drives. It isn't pretty but it works. Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love my car. I am emotionally attached. and so very excited it is still mine and it still drives.

Praise the Lord for small miracles.



The accident:

The fix by LJ:

Please let this be a lesson, please check your insurance and make sure you have collision. It will save you THOUSANDS in the long run.

Praise the Lord for our lives. Praise the Lord for an answer, and quickly to our prayers.

Tampa Bays Annual BUDDY WALK - Raising Awareness for Down Syndrome

This is our 6th Year attending. This is our 4th Year winning a trophy for our shirts. YAY! We got first place this year. God gave me a mind of a genius, haha, just kidding. But he did deliver the idea to me and I ran with it.

So, the idea behind the shirt?

Dakota is going through this "thing". When he gets over stimulated he has these episodes. These episodes look very similar to seizures. We only know they are NOT seizures because we had him tested. Twice. His body stiffens his eyes roll back and he looks, well, just weird. We have gotten pretty used to them. but they happen everywhere, while I am grocery shopping, while we are dining out, when we are visiting friends, when we are at playgrounds. And people stare. They stare HARD. Some of them point and whisper. Some of them look appalled. It makes me feel like a circus freak show. And it isn't fair to my child. And I so badly want to walk up to them and say QUIT STARING, JUST ASK! Ask me what my son has, don't ask me what is wrong with him.
So, that saying, made it to the front of the shirt. IN Very Large PRINT. So those who stare can read it clearly. And on the back, are some of the top things I get asked, when they do ask.

Yes, Dakota has Down Syndrome
No, it is not a disease.
Yes, he is handicapped.
No, he is not retarded.
Yes, he is a sweet boy.
No, he is not sweet all the time.
Yes, we are very blessed.
No, we have no regrets.

You would be amazed at what people have come up and said or asked me. And my son is only 5. Imagine the people who have children with Down Syndrome who are much older. They have had many more years to be offended. When I told a few people about the design for this year, they said, "Well aren't you afraid of offending people?" UMMMM, Are they NOT offending me by staring?? Hmm, just saying...

So, this year we had a minor dilemma with our shirts. The woman who usually does them for us - cancelled. Which was not really a big deal, until it came down to crunch time and I had no idea what I was going to do.

This is when the Good Lord stepped in. Thank you Heavenly Father, I love you !!

An old friend of mine, with whom I haven't spoken to in over 6 years, popped up on my facebook. Saying he wanted to help. Wouldn't you know this man orchestrated a whole deal to get us shirts and have them paid for. He found people who didn't even know our family or know about Down Syndrome, or know about the Buddy Walk, to just donate money. Thank God for having people like that still out there. So a big shout out to all those who assisted us in our shirts this year!

The shirts came out awesome, but do you know what is more awesome??
Dakotas Dream Team DOUBLED in size this year!

Look at us all! What an impact we made! All of these peoples hearts have been softened to Dakota and the Down Syndrome cross he has to bear! How glorious!

If it weren't for all the people in this picture, I do not know how I would survive. They are AMAZING friends through and through! Thank you all for supporting us!

My Grandparents even came! They had just drove all the way down from Massachusetts, the previous night, Were exhausted, but still managed to make it bright and early the next morning! Thanks Nana and Papa L.

People say Ignorance is Bliss. But its really not. Its shameful. You know what is bliss??

Having Dakota in my life.

Thank you God for choosing me to be his mom. I wont let You down!



UPDATE: We made it into the Clearwater Gazette!
http://www.clearwatergazette.com/20101014/buddy.html
Check us out!

It's a ..... BABY!

Yesterday, October 4th, L.J. and I found out the sex of our baby.

Here is what happened - you know it wasn't just as easy as that, right?!?!

L.J. had to work that day, so my mom got to go with me. She says, " I am so excited I could pee my pants." Yes, she really did say that. Yes I really was embarrassed! We went to the imaging place, because my doctors office doesn't do it there. The nice woman who did the sonogram was so kind. Especially with my mother there jumping around like she had ants in her pants. She told me as I laid down that I am not far along enough, and she may not be able to tell the sex. UGH, disappointment, as this is the only sonogram my insurance will pay for. I told her, " I will seriously have a melt down on this table, please try hard!" Then, I added, " No, seriously, I am not kidding." So she is looking around and says, " Ugh, the umbilical cord is in between its legs, I wont be able to tell." UGH, disappointment. So, she gets a call. She says she has to take it because some important stuff was going on. When she got up, I looked at my mom. I took my hand and mushed and pushed and poked my belly. Please, baby, cooperate! She came back from her call, and tried one more time. AHA, she says. Aha, what?!?!?!

Sono Tech: "I see it"
Me: See what????
Sono Tech: I see it!
My mom: OMGosh!
Me: WHAT?!?!?!
Sono Tech: Its a penis!
Me: Praise The Lord!
Mom: ~crying~
Me: ~Tears of Joy~
Mom: I KNEW it!
Me: YESSSSSSSSSS
Sono Tech: Its def a boy!

So there we go...

L.J. and I are having a BOY!

His name will be Eli Simpson Merritt

Eli, because we wanted something biblical, and because of my Mom of course, Elizabeth.
Simpson, because my Dad has no boys, and we wanted to honor him and my grandfather by passing down the name.

Well, Eli, it was so nice to see you. I cant wait for you to see me.

Oh also, they upped my due date to March 10th, because he was measuring big. They said he was measuring 17 weeks and 4 days. I thought I was 16 weeks and 3 days. Interesting. Either I am having a huge baby, or I was further along then I suspected.

So there ya have it!
It's a boy!

Panic!

Thursday morning started like any other. I got up to my alarm, woke up my son. ( I do not have my daughter on Thursday mornings.) And started my day. Got in the shower, gave my son some breakfast, got dressed, got him dressed. Left to bring him to school. Came home. My husband happened to be home this day, so I chit chatted with him while I got ready for Women in the Word, a bible study at my church.

Seeing as I am pregnant, I decided before I left I would go potty.

I stood up and yelped. Blood. Oh no.

"What do I do, what do I do???"

Panic.

Ok, first pull your self together, get your pants up and get out of the bathroom.
Hubby at least is calm and says, "Just call your doctor." Ok, ok. Take a breath.

Call the docs office. They tell me a doctor will call me back.

Tick, Tick, Tick.

An hour later no call.

Panic.

Call my mom. She says call them back, don't wait around.

Ok. I go to the bathroom again to see if it was a fluke. More blood, now clots. ACK!

Call the doctor back, tell them I am panicking! They say they don't have an OB on staff today that they have to call one of the docs at home. "SO CALL THEM!" Ok, they will call me back.

Tick, Tick, Tick.

Finally, they call back. "Its fine, happens all the time. Just rest."

SERIOUSLY? I don't even get a call back from the doctor? The receptionist tells me I am fine? Umm, ok.

I feel okay, so LJ and I run off to a store before we pick up the kids. Have the urge to go potty again.
Even MORE blood, a lot more.

Panic!

Didn't even call the docs, rushed off to the Emergency room.
LJ left to get the kids from school so he could drop them off at a friends and join me in case we got bad news.

Hospital searched for a heartbeat.

Panic!

Finally he found it. Utter relief! Checked me out the rest of the way, said he didn't really know where it is coming from, but the baby sounds fine, i can go home. Bed rest for 2 weeks.

LJ calls, says he just got Dakota and is headed to my friends, I tell him I am done and going home. He is irritated, but relieved.

Today is Saturday and I am still spotting, but not as bad as the other day. I still feel fine. Praying it is nothing and Gods will, will be done.

This is my third pregnancy, you would think I would be a pro by now, but I am not. These little things scare me to death! Hoping this is just a little blip in the radar that turns out to be nothing. But I cant help but still being nervous.

First Day of School

WOO HOO! First day of school! Yeah Baby!

Well not really. As excited as I was, I love being with my kids so the first day is always bittersweet for me. Dakota started Kindergarten! Skylar started 5th grade. They are in two different schools, which makes it interesting for picking up and dropping off. Dakota is gonna be late no matter what I do. ::sigh::

So the first day I always take the kids myself. Usually Sky rides the bus. We ran Sky to her class first seeing as she is the closest. She was wicked excited to go back this year. She loves her teacher, and I have a hankering for her too! So she happily made her way into the class found her seat and was over me taking pictures. Ah yes, this is the year that she becomes embarassed of her dear ol mom. ::sigh:: So i gave her mucho kisses - Hey if I am gonna embarass her - I am gonna EMBARASS her! Off to bring Kota man to his first day..

Of course we were late. But hey, so what! I dropped him off and his class was on the way to PE already, so no pics, no kiss, out the door he happily went with his teachers. Okay. Hold it together. BOOOO HOOOOOOO. This momentous occasion cut short cuz we were late. Better luck tomorrow I guess. Sniffle sniffle.

So begins my day child free. I did nothing. i watched the clock til it was time to get them. I am pathetic. I know it will get easier. ::sigh:: What has my life come to?

Fast forward to picking the kids up. I have to run and pick up Kota as fast as possible, because Skys bus comes early and SOMEONE has to be home to get her off the bus! SO I rush to go get Dakota, wait in the car circle line in 95 degree heat with no air. This is gonna be fun. I see him, OMGosh I see him, A big smile on my face. I cant wait to snuggles him! He sees me, MOOOOMMMM he shouts, I wave, impatiently waiting my turn to get him. MOOOOOMMMMM.... Yes baby, just wait one minute. MOMMMMMMM. Awwwwwwww. Yes I get out and run and grab him. I am pathetic! He hugs me so tight, and it makes all my patheticness worth it. He says, HIII MOOOMMMMMM. Hi baby, mommy missed you! BYYYEEE BYEEESSSS. Yes baby, we are going buh byes. Big grin. I love my little man.

Driving home to rush and make it there for Sky to be there. Perfect timing. Had about 10 minutes to get situated before she made it home. I decide I am gonna let her be a big girl and get off the bus herself. The bus pulls up. Dakota runs to the window and says DEEE DEEEEE. Which is what he calls her. So we watch waiting for her to come off the bus all excited. The bus pulls away, no Skylar. PANIC. OMGosh where is my child. I freak out and call the school. I have them looking and calling for her. Here comes bus second time around, I RUNNNNNN out there to get her. She was so upset. The driver was rude. I guess she asked who lived here to raise thier hand. Well Skylar is not one to be outgoing enough to raise her hand and wave it all around. She raised her hand but not enough for the driver to see. Poor thing. What a heck of a first day! My daughter had a panic attack, well not really. I think I was more upset then her. Whew, first day done and over. Now to open the backpacks and fill out all the piles of paperwork. Writers cramp!

So that was our first day! What a fun year this will be! ;)