Unexpected Turns

Heath and I have had a major turn of events the past week, month, year and I felt it appropriate to journal some of the major events that have occurred in our lives. I don't expect many people to read this, mainly because it is a very personal experience for the both of us, but as I have continued this blog over the past 5 years I have found that this is not just my "mom blog" but it is my life story, my journal. I have fears that if I write my thoughts down on paper I will lose them in a fire, flood (you name it and disaster) and I will lose those memories forever. By keeping this blog I have found that I can access my journal anywhere! And all those memories that I share with my sweet husband and little boy are saved and documented with photos that I can see wherever and whenever I want.

Heath and I have loved and lived in a sweet little home near our families for the past three years, we bought our home together, worked on it together, made dreams of our future and family in that house. One January 25th 2011 we welcomed our little Arland to that home where we made so many memories as our little family of three. Heath and I both made our lives as crazy as possible by working and going to school being mommy and daddy, husband and wife and many other roles. We have loved seeing our little Arland grow and learn in that house. We decided about 6 months ago that we wanted to expand our little family to a family of 4! Yes we found out that we were pregnant and decided make plans of selling our house and moving to a bigger one closer to our families. We are so excited to make this move! Of course it is sad to pack up some of our memories in that little red brick house that we have worked so hard on and loved so much, but we are so excited to make new memories and watch our 2 little boys grow as brothers and best friends.

Through all of our excitement and changes, Heath and I decided that I would be leaving my job which I have enjoyed loved and made lasting friendships through after I had baby #2. At 18 weeks that day came sooner than expected. I had some complications with baby and was taken to the emergency room. We were so scared of what was going to come of our little one. Trevor and Chelsee came to get Arland while we waited to find out what was going on with our ultrasound. They told me that I had Placenta Previa, and abnormally low fluid. They were concerned that I had a rip in my water which was leaking amniotic fluid and they were concerned with the fact that maybe it had broken all the way. They sent me home with the anticipation that I would be taking things a little bit easier. I had appointments with my OBGYN every week and with the Parientologist every week to check fluid levels. A normal range for fluid is 10-20, I was at a 1.8 on my first day. The second week I reached 3.9 and the next was 4.9. I felt confidant that I could maintain my "higher" levels throughout my pregnancy.

At 23 weeks on Sat March 2nd 2013 I woke up to get ready for a baby shower. I was doing my hair in the bathroom when I felt a knotted pain in my lower right abdomen. It was so bad that I couldn't stand any more so I told Heath that I needed to lay down. I didn't think it was contractions because I thought that contractions let up every now and then. This NEVER let up. It started to send electric shocks down my right leg and I told Heath that I wanted to call the doctor. It was Saturday so the clinic was closed but my on call doctor called me back and told me that it was probably sciatic nerve, he also told me that if I was concerned about it I could always go to the women's center at the hospital to have them do a non stress test to make sure everything is ok. Heath and I called his parents to come get Arland so we could go to the hospital, and we were on our way. When we reached the hospital my pain stopped, they decided to check me any way because I had really low fluid. After the NST they were ready to let us go! Everything was ok, then my doctor came in to the room (he was delivering a baby that day any way) and asked if he could do an ultrasound to check my fluid. We thought that would be a good idea, so he left the room to get the machine. As he left, I felt a sudden gush of fluid come out of me. I looked at Heath and told him that I though my water broke. We took everything off and realized that I had just broken my water completely. The doctor came back to the room and tested the fluid, it was positive for amniotic fluid. My fears had been confirmed, my water was broken and I was only 23 weeks pregnant with this little person. What was going to happen to me? What was going to happen to the baby? Heath, Arland? Why was this all happening right now, why couldn't I be further along? My nurse came back in the room and told me that they could not deliver my baby at Timpanogos hospital because he was still too early so they would bring an ambulance to take me to University of Utah hospital. They then had to get an IV in me and after about 4 times they finally brought the anesthesiologist in to give me the IV. My arms were bruised and bloody. I was so scared and I didn't want Heath to leave me for one second. My doctor then gave me a hug and told me that an ambulance would not be fast enough so they would be bringing the helicopter in. A HELICOPTER! It took a while to wrap my brain around the fact that this was a really serious situation and I needed to get to the hospital fast. I started to have contractions at this point. Life Flight entered my room and as I lay there crying and hyperventilating the nurse from the helicopter team held my face and looked into my eyes and told me that I was going to be ok. She told me that these things happen for a reason and it had nothing to do with me or it being my fault. She told me that I would be in the best hands for care in all of the western United States. She told me that she would stay with me. They moved me from my hospital bed to the stretcher and she held my hand as they strapped me to the bed. I laid on my side closing my eyes as they wheeled me through the hospital and out the door to the helicopter. As I laid there in the helicopter I kept my eyes closed, I prayed to my Heavenly Father that he would protect me and my baby, that we would be safe, that I wouldnt be alone. I sang primary songs in my head as the helicopter took off and I kept my eyes closed. Every now and then my nurse would ask if I was ok (to make sure I was conscious still) and I would only open my eyes then. I soon felt the helicopter land and the door lift up in the back. They pulled back the stretcher and wheeled me into the hospital, because I still had my eyes closed I could hear my mom crying as we entered labor and deliver and I opened my eyes long enough to see my dad touch my forehead as they wheeled me to a small dark room with a window. I looked everywhere for Heath. He met his dad, and he rode with his dad up to the hospital. He soon came in the room and sat with me as they hooked up my IV and got me moved to a delivery bed. My doctor came in the room and asked me so many questions that I cannot remember at this time. I was tired and emotional. Dr. Chin told me that I was in a room where if I had my baby they would be able to pass the baby through a small window to the NICU. This way the baby would not have to be moved around the halls. She told Heath and I that we would have to make some major decisions about what we would do if we had our baby that night. Heath and I never thought that we would ever have to make these kinds of decisions in our life. If baby was born, would be prolong life at 23 weeks? Would the baby suffer? Would we let them work on our baby till the end? What was the end? They told us that at 23 weeks baby has 50/50 chance. All of the information was so overwhelming and we knew that we needed to make these major decisions now before everything was to happen. Heath and I cried and decided that we would fight for our baby. After we made that decision, they started me on steroid injections (for babies lungs to develop faster) and Magnesium (prevent babies brain from clotting, and slow down labor). They gave me the shot (which was like tar going into the blood stream) and started my magnesium on my IV. My nurse whom we LOVED (Devon is her name) told me that I would feel hot and puffy and uncomfortable on the drug. She was right. At this point my IV had blown out in my arm (for the tenth time!) And they put the IV in my foot. I felt the heat in my body from the magnesium rise from my foot to my knees, hips, chest, and up to my head. They took my temperature to make sure that I didn't have a fever (I felt like I was 5,000 degrees!) It was 100.8 high but normal. We slept as much as we could that first night (which wasn't very much) We hoped and prayed that I would be able to stop the contractions, and they did! We were then moved to another room across the hall (which was a huge relief because that meant that baby was still inside of me and growing. Family came by to see me, and I was finally able to see my little Arland! I have the best family in the world, they have supported us, loved Arland, and kept us in good spirits through this entire thing.

Heath and I made the decision to tell our families that we had chosen a name for our little baby the night that they all came to visit in Labor and Delivery. We wanted baby to have a name so that we could feel closer to him and to identify him as part of our family, no matter how early he was. His name is Porter David Pulham. We named him after my dad, my dad is a very special person in my life and he is one of the strongest people that I know too. We wanted Porter to have some of his strength as he fights through this difficult time. His name is what gets us through these hard times and knowing that we can connect with him by calling his name throughout the day.

After a few days passed we were able to be moved out of labor and delivery and to the women's center! They said that because I stopped having contractions and I was in a much more stable condition they could send me to a more comfortable environment. Heath and I were so relieved to be moved because that meant that Porter had a fighting chance at staying inside of me longer. They told me that if things went well I could be there for 10 weeks (the goal is 34 weeks). It seemed long at first and maybe it will get harder as time goes on but it has already been a week! My baby has been inside for 1 more week! Every day is a mile stone. We are so thankful that Heavenly Father has given us the chance to be parents, I miss my little Arland EVERY single minute of the day. I miss his smile, I miss watching toy story all the time I miss making easy mac and cheese, I miss snuggling in mom and dads bed, I miss talking with his little spirit as we drive in the car, I miss my baby. But as I miss all of these things right now I know that I have this other little spirit inside of me that needs me more then ever right now. I am Arlands mother, but I am also Porters mother and at this crucial time in my child's development I need to be as available to Porters needs as possible. That means that we wait and gain time. I am so thankful to my family (Neuberts and Pulhams) for taking care of my little boy when I cannot. Arland has the most peaceful spirit and I am so thankful to be his mother. He is gentle, kind, silly, happy and strong. I know that he is in the best hands possible.

Heath has been my rock. He has been with me through anything and everything. I am so thankful that he is the father to my children and I thank heavenly father every day that we were brought together. He is strong and keeps me positive. I know that this whole process has been difficult for him to see his wife  and baby in a critical situation. I was really scared and I can only imagine the emotions he must be feeling. I love him more than words can describe, he has supported me and talked to me about our future and Porter. He is the best daddy in the world, Arland loves him to the moon and back! It make me so happy when I see their faces light up when they see each other. They are best friends. Porter is so lucky to have him as a daddy.

As time goes on we will wait and see. Every day is a miracle, we are thankful for every day that I am in this room pregnant still. I wanted to write all of these things down while they are fresh in my mind. This story is personal to me and I never want to lose it. I love my little family, Heath is the best thing that has ever happened to me, Arland is my little sunshine that I feel so blessed to have every day and Porter is my little miracle every day. Every day he gets stronger.

A Birthday fit for a 2 year old!

We started off the day going to lunch with aunt Whitney and cousin Adie. We had lunch at the Arctic Circle play place (Yes hands were washed and a bath happend at the end of the day), I was so proud of Arland for over coming his fear of the slide, not just the small slide shown above but he even got brave enough to go down the big tube slide at the end! Luckily Arlands cousin adie is a dare devil and has enough confidence to show him the ropes on how to go down the slides. We had so much fun with them!

A party at Grandpa and Grandma Neuberts!

We had a TOY STORY party for Arland birthday and boy did it turn out adorable. He even got all dressed up as Buzz light year! (His favorite part of the whole party)

 

 I made a Toy Story cake for his birthday that had the clouds from the movie and both Buzz and Woody were on top! Surrounding the cake were cupcakes that had little army men on top of them.

 The Happy Birthday banner was western cowboy, and the balloons were in clusters of Buzz light year colors, and woody colors.

 Arland was so excited to open his presents!

 He also had a blast with his cousin Adie

 Daddy and Arland

 Arlands little friend Charlee came to the party too and he loved playing with her!

 Happy Birthday my little boy! I can believe that you are two already, your smile makes me so happy every day and I am so thankful that you chose me to be your mother. Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

A Birthday

2 years ago....

This little person came into our lives

Arland,

You truly are an amazing little person! I cant believe all of the little changes that you make everyday and I wish at times that I could just bottle memories up for ever and keep you the way that you are. As your mommy and daddy we love this time in your life because we can see your little personality and spirit shining through your little eyes in so many ways. I love the looks that you get when you are so happy and excited to play. You love other children and you are so friendly and lovable to the kids that you play with. When we go to church on Sundays, mommy and daddy can not get you out of the car fast enough to go play in nursery. You have a favorite teacher there that helped you learn to play with the other kids and now you are such a good friend to all the other kids.

Your favorite things right now consist of trucks, cars, animals, toy story, toy story oh and toy story. You think that you can fly like Buzz Light year and we love to see you run all over the house with your arms stretched out pretending that you are flying all over. Your daddy thinks that you eat.sleep and play toy story ALL.THE.TIME!

You also love to play with the little puppy that we have at our house right now. You will go and pick up the puppy upside down and have it ride your trains and cars. Mommy had to show you how to hold it gently.

You love to play at your grandma loris house while mommy is at work. While you are there you love to play in her little kitchen under the stairs, you make all sorts of creations with her play food. You also love all the little kids that live on grandma's street. They like to play outside with you with cars and bikes.

Arland we love your little personality. You are shy and timid when you don't know people and you get nervous and look down. When you are doing something sneaky, your eyes move back and forth from side to side and you know that you shouldn't be doing something but you are going to do it any way. (Grandpa says mommy was the EXACT same way)

You are such a nice boy Arland and I am so excited for you to be a big brother! I can tell that you will be so good with a brother and that you will love him so much just like you love being with other little kids.

For your birthday yesterday Mommy and Daddy took you to get breakfast and play on the play set. You LOVED it! There were other little kids there and you would just go right up to them and hold their hands. You loved playing and daddy climbed up to the top of the slide with you a few times too.

We also went to lunch with aunt Whitney and cousin Adie. We let you two play your little hearts out and you changed right before my eyes there. Usually you get scared about climbing on things but yesterday you climbed to the tallest slide and went down all by your self! I was one proud mommy because I got to see you conquer one of your fears. You are growing and changing every day and we are so thankful to have you in our lives little boy.

Love, Mommy 

I love you little cowboy!

CATCH UP!

Pulham Christmas

We had a WONDERFUL holiday this year! Especially because we announced that we will be expecting a new member of our family! That's right....Arland is going to be a BIG BROTHER!

We were so excited to share the news with our family, as you can see the expression on Arlands face in the above picture! We told our families just a couple of days before Christmas (because I think that they were all expecting us to tell them on Christmas, that way it made for more of a surprise!) We wanted to wait and tell our families the day that my sister Emmaline (auntie emm) came home from China. She has been teaching English over there for the past 5 months. It just wouldn't be the same if we had to tell her over the phone (arland is her pride and JOY!) We told Heaths family the night that she came home and then off to the airport we went to pick her up and tell her our little secret! She came off the plane in her Chinese fighting outfit and all, then we told her and my other siblings about the baby! We are so excited to see Arland become a big brother and we are excited to meet this little person! The baby is due June 29th! I am so excited to have a summer baby this time around too!

For this Christmas I wanted to get Arlands pictures done. I wanted Christmas pictures, birthday pictures, and big brother announcement pictures. I was so happy with how they turned out! The one below makes Arland look like he is going to Kindergarten! NOOO please stop growing! I cant believe that he is going to be 2 this next month! He is the best thing that has ever happened to Heath and I, everyday he turns more into his dad and I cant wait for him to be a big brother! Arland is smart, witty, goofy, gentle, soft, loving, and so many other things. He is also notty, sneaky and he knows how to work his mommy and daddy. My dad said to me the other day:

Dad: " I feel sorry for Heath"

Me: "Why?"

Dad: "Because Arland is so manipulative in getting what he wants, he is alot like you."

Me: "Well thanks for the compliment!"

haha its funny how parents know exactly how their children are! And my dad has one thing right, Arland does know EXACTLY how to get what he wants.

 

Arlands Birthday Picture

The day auntie emm came home from China!

Christmas was good to us this year! We spent Christmas Eve with the Neuberts having a big dinner and enjoying each others company (The first Christmas in 2 years we have all been together!) Then we spent the night at the Pulhams with all of Heaths siblings. It was so fun! Especially because we all slept over (all the married kids too!) Then we got up at 4:30 am. to open presents! I know we are crazy! We then went to the Neuberts to open presents. It was wonderful and Arland got so many fun toys, especially Buzz Light year!

We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday!

halloween and family pics!

To Start off we LOVED Halloween this year. Here is my little guy at Gardner Village in his costume, He was an adorable tiger this year!

We also had some pictures take with Heaths family and we loved how they turned out!

Pumpkin Picking!

Yesterday we were able to go pick our Halloween/Fall pumpkins for our front door. It was so fun to see Arland get excited about all of the big orange pumpkins all over the field. After a while he kind of lost it and was mad because he kept falling down in the thorns...he was MAD! But other than that we had a really nice family outing and we took some really great pictures of Arland first time picking out his own pumpkin! This is of our front door after.

Mom and Arland at the patch

Arland Heath and Hannah

Dad and Arland

Arland picking out his pumpkin

After going to the pumpkin patch we took Pazely up the canyon to play in the lake, it was beautiful! We had so much fun and now I have one very tired baby!

HAPPY FALL!

Arland lately

Arland,

It has been so long since I have written you I cant believe the little boy that you have turned into right before my eyes! You are so fun right now at this age and your daddy thinks that you are the funnest you have ever been (and hardest...terrible two's are coming way to fast). You love to be with mommy and daddy. After I get done with work and I go to pick you up at Grandma Neuberts house you run up to me with your arms open and you give me a giant kiss. During the week when I am home with you we play outside and help mom around the house. You love to vacuum, and help mom with folding laundry. You also like to help mom load the dishwasher (and take things out of the dishwasher). You are such a better eater now and I am LOVING this because man teething really put a damper on your apatite. You are now eating and trying everything! Your favorites are peanut butter and honey sandwiches, green smoothies, strawberries, mac-n-cheese, (anything with cheese), rice and things that you still don't like are (potatoes, banana's).

You love your toys specifically: Your buzz and woody stuffed toys, ANY cars of ANY kind! Seriously the kid LOVES cars, play piano and trains.)

You love to take your baseball and play with mom and dad on the floor tossing it back and forth and you thought that it was so funny when the ball landed in dad's shoe. It took you a long time to stop laughing about that. You also LOVE Pazely. She is your best friend and you think that it is so funny to feed her and ride her like a horse. (poor paze, but she is a good sport.)

You love to help dad mow the lawn and be outside.

You love to get in the tub and play with a cup filling it up with water and drinking it/or dumping it all over your self. You also love Popsicles in the tub.

You are a VERY curious little boy and you are always wanting to do what ever mom and dad are doing.

You are saying things like: "Mom/Dad whats that?""GO""Hot""Buzz""Hi", and we are learning "Amen"

You are getting really good at saying prayers at night and folding your arms.

The best part is that when we ask you if you want to go to night night...you RUN to your crib. You LOVE to go to sleep and you will sleep from (8-7) it is WONDERFUL!

You are one of the happiest little boys that I know and you are so nice to everyone! There are those "toddler" moments here and there but all around you are one of the nicest most loving people that I know and I am honored to be your mother. I love you more then words can describe!

Love, Mom