Relief. Joy. Gratitude. These three words wash over me as the year comes to a close. I fully welcome the new year with open arms. 🤍 Yet, 2023 was amazing in its own way. I became a first-time mom and met my son and the love of our life, Levi.
Our first walk of the new year.
As beautiful as parenthood is, our first introduction to it was neither leisurely nor easy. Pregnancy plus giving birth while living in 5 different Airbnbs of Oregon & Washington, renting out cars because we did not have one— while my husband (Kurt, bless him) was working clinical, graduating, and interviewing for pharmacy residencies— was not easy at all. We took our son "home" from the hospital in a temporary living situation at the time, because everything was still being figured out. The beautiful upside was that our host, Diane, was a 90-year-old lady who lived with her border collie, Sadie. They were the absolute sweetest. Her home was close to a garden, and we often went for walks around the area. Diane met Levi when we brought him home and she smiled saying, "He is perfect in every way."
Blooming in the unknown
I established with four different OBGYNs in three different states. Although it did feel like a mini vacation traveling around the PNW, so that part was nice!
Exploring Oregon.
On top of Kurt’s pharmacy school, I was working 12-hour days as a trauma rehab travel nurse during my pregnancy! (I gave birth 3 days after my last shift on my contract, ya'll! I literally had Braxton-Hicks contractions surprise me while doing my morning charting...) BUT I thank GOD for having had a fantastic team of nurses at Harborview who were kind, professional, and supportive!
Anytime I had a difficult patient load, support was there, and to be honest, I’m never one to complain anyway because I’m always happy!! To top that off, I had a surprising encounter with Lana Condor in the most unlikely of places (from the To all the Boys I've Loved on Netflix, my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE go-to movie series). Life is magical, isn't it?
Cherry blossoms in the spring of Seattle, and the Tulip Festival in northern Washington.
But back to the craziness of not knowing where we would end up while I was well into my third trimester; Arizona, Oregon, or Washington... this was quite stressful. I decided in my second trimester-- while we were in Portland-- that I would give birth in Washington. So that was clear enough. And although I am a little bummed all that travel nurse money went to our living expenses, that's Seattle and travel, I suppose. We made so many choices that, in hindsight, we both agreed we could have planned it all out a little better. You live and you learn, right?
Amidst all this, my husband encouraged me to have the baby shower that I had always wanted despite us living in Washington and our family being in Arizona. I am incredibly happy he was so supportive because it was so beautiful! I am a HUGE planner (almost obsessive), so doing this excited me for our baby's arrival. Our theme was a little dumpling on the way. How cute is that?!
Our baby shower in Phoenix, Arizona.
On Postpartum and Gratitude
Most first-time parents can settle in comfort together after their first baby is born. Life had other plans, which took the wind out of our sails for a while. When I went to the ICU with postpartum septic shock— a heart attack and organ damage— and was not able to be with my son for his second week of life, this was so hard on us... on top of the emotional journey of becoming a mom. I blocked out much of what happened because I was in survival mode, but Kurt was affected, too. (**You can most likely expect a little of how we coped as a couple afterward in a future post)
Finally reunited from the ICU with a PICC line.
By the time we settled down as a family in northern Washington… found my dream nursing job at PeaceHealth Hospital.., and did some physical therapy to work on my scar tissue post-cesarean.. our son caught COVID during Thanksgiving and RSV around the Christmas holiday out of state!
Our son, Levi, smiley even though he is not feeling well with COVID
Safe to say, I am one tired mama. Hospitals, moving, starting two new jobs, and loving our baby… I told my husband it often felt like I had been fighting to stay strong every day since we moved from Arizona. I truly believe God gave me the sweetness from our pregnancy journey despite all the odds stacked against us.
We were both tired. The first 7 months of Parenthood so far have been crazy, sleepless, emotional, and above all, the most amazing, life-changing experience. I will never forget Kurt's words when he first saw our son: "So this is what happiness feels like" ❤️
Would I do this all over again? Absolutely not 😄😂 yet have I been cherishing our son and every moment I can… yes! 🤍 by the grace of God, yes!
❤️ Reflection
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
Opmerkingen