I'm back.... we're back!!

I've debated on whether or not to continue this blog for a while now.. I have multiple reasons for not wanting to update but with many people asking I've decided to start back.  The last post was from April so I've got a lot of catching up to do.

I realize many people read my blog because they can relate to our infertility story, know us personally, are nosey :), genuinely care, etc... so much has happened recently that I want to document.  Our nieces started back to school, Laci in the third grade and Megan started kindergarten.  They are both loving it and we couldn't be more happy for them!!  Ben and I are still working and loving our jobs!!  The most exciting news for those that don't know me personally is that we welcomed OUR DAUGHTER, CHARLEE KATE MIZELL into the world on August 26!!  (almost two weeks ago)

Her story..... my history is far too extensive to recap but it involves multiple miscarriages, a stillborn birth @ 20 weeks, and in vitro fertilization X2 rounds.  For multiple reasons we quit going to our fertility clinic in September of last year.  My OB doctor put me on 50mg (smallest dose) of Clomid to take each month.  I have been on this before in the past with no success.  It's an inexpensive drug and you only take it for 5-7 days.. we figured it couldn't hurt.  In December, a few days after Christmas we were elated and terrified to find out that I was pregnant!!  I can't say enough good things about my OB doctor.. he saw us at 5 weeks and confirmed we were indeed pregnant & there was a heartbeat.  He saw me literally every week after that until 20 weeks.  Then we stretched it out to every two weeks :)  We had a little scare around week 14 with some bleeding.. my placenta was not in the right place but by week 20 it had resolved.  We found out around week 18 that our baby was a girl, we were shocked and excited!!  I also had an in depth ultrasound read by a radiologist at 20 weeks to confirm our daughter was healthy.  If this was my first pregnancy it would have been picture perfect, we're forever thankful!!  At 30 weeks big we went on our annual Destin, FL trip with my family.  I have never been more proud to wear my bikini :) Yes, I am one of those people!!  Wearing a one piece or tankini was like a wet sock laying on my belly, I couldn't handle it!!  I figure if people didn't like it or got offended they could look the other way.  It took us a while to decide on her name.. we had a boys name picked & ready but a girl was much harder.  We call her Charlee but her full name is Charlee Kate Mizell.  Charlee is after Ben's uncle Charles that died far too early in an accident a few years ago.  He was a brilliant and loving man from all the stories I've heard.  Kate isn't after anyone or anything specific, we just thought it was cute. 

The birth story..... we were scheduled to be induced on August 28, I would have been 39 weeks and 3 days.  The reason for inducing me was because I was on Heparin shots twice a day and needed to be off of them so I could get my epidural..  (Heparin thins your blood and can cause other issues with delivery) On August 26 (Sunday) around 0530 I woke up to Ben's alarm and him getting up for work.. at that time I noticed "fluid" coming out.. I knew I didn't pee on myself because I had just gotten up to go to the bathroom a hour before.  I laid there for a minute thinking, surely not!!  I was feeling great, no contractions or pain.. I told Ben to go on to work and I'd see what happened.. about that time I was standing in the bathroom when a flood of fluid came out, my water had officially broken!!  I wasn't sure what to do at this point because I still felt great.  I called the OB floor at the hospital and they told me to come in ASAP.. of course I had to shower and shave then we could go :) Ben called his work and then started rushing me, he was a little nervous and I was cool as a cucumber.  We.. I had to take some last minute pictures with my ever growing belly, it hit me that she was about to be here.  We got checked in at the hospital and they confirmed it was amniotic fluid and I was in labor.  I was dilated to 1cm which was more than I was the Monday before.  I still was feeling great, just leaking which was disturbing!!  I had taken my Heparin the night before so the nurse was a little worried about me being able to get my epidural.  There was some problems with my labs which was a bit scary because of what they were thinking.  No need for details because it ended up being the machine in the lab that caused the error.  They drew my blood two more times to confirm it was normal.  The nurse said to me, "if you don't get your epidural I'll help you breathe through it".... speaking of the nurse, I had the best one out there!!  Once my labs were straightened out I was able to get my epidural around 10, at this point I was dilated to 2cm.  She checked me again @ between 11-12 I think and I was 4cm.  She came back in around 2 I think and I was at a 10 and ready to push.  We were so shocked at how fast I progressed.  I pushed a few times and had to stop to wait on the doctor.. I ended up pushing for about 15 minutes and she was here!!  Charlee Kate Mizell was born on August 26 @ 2:54 weighing 6 lbs 2 oz and was 20" long.. she is long and lean!!  It all happened so fast that I remember thinking, I'm not ready for this to be over with!!  I'm so thankful for such an amazing birth experience.  I can't wait to do it again... one day!! 

I had some amazing showers that I want to blog about but for now I'm going to love on Charlee and watch college football.  She came at my favorite time of the year.. just waiting for cooler weather, mums, & fall scents!!

If I left out any details or you have any specific questions I'm an open book.. for those struggling with infertility remember this: I was told by the "fertility specialists" that I would never be able to get pregnant on my own.  God is bigger than the doctors, Charlee is proof :)

 Morning my water broke..

our #1 baby!!

 proud daddy at her first doctors appointment!!

does it get any sweeter??

 after her bath, which she loves!!

long girl!!

 first of many bows in her future I'm afraid...

 

There are a few pictures for now... you can imagine we have taken many but I don't want to photo bomb you all at once :)  I'll put pics from her delivery and showers soon!!

 

Thank you to those who have continued to pray for us over the years.. some of you have been on this journey with us from our first positive pregnancy.  God works in mysterious ways and we're forever grateful to Him for His perfect timing and plan.

 

WE ARE BLESSED!!