Wow it's been forever, well, so it seems...
I've got a lot of updating to do - including my son and how he's coming along!
Well lets start where I last left off...
February 2014:
During the last month of my pregnancy, I began experiencing the major part of nesting and becoming very short tempered towards people in general. I did my best to conceal my worry over the fact I had not dilated enough by my 39th week due to the fact I was exhausted to the point of passing out. It was also becoming increasingly difficult to walk - as my weight combined with Gabriel's weight, was causing my knees to buckle, especially my right knee for some reason. Pain in my back made it impossible to do much of anything except sit and lay down - even then it was painful.
Feb 19 2014 was the start of my 40th week, and the tuesday before it, I spoke to my doctor about what I was experiencing and asked about inducing - as I had still not dilated past 3 cm. Not just worried about my physical problems, but also the fact I had GBS, Group B Strep, which is fatal to infants. I was worried that if my water broke without medication I would end up causing my son to be born with GBS and thus cause his illness.
When the doctor considered it, he agreed and set me up for inducement at ETMC Athens, at 5 am Feb 19th 2014.
Needless to say, after full labor came on, 3 pushes and 10 min later, Gabriel came crying into this world. The doc didn't even have to smack his feet or buttocks, Gabriel came OUT crying! It was the best sound in the world.
Les stood beside me through it all; however there was a time I brought him to his knees and I didn't know I had that amount of strength! I guess when I'm in pain my strength increases? LOL needless to say, Les lost all feeling in his hands and could not cut the umbilical cord, so the honor went to my mother... Who was there with me through it all coaching me and helping me focus on breathing... Glad she was there. It was great having her with me and I am glad she got the honor of cutting the cord and holding Gabriel first. She didn't get that with my niece or nephew when they were born... so I am hoping this will give her a memory that will last her entire life.
Gabriel came out a whopping 8lb's 12 oz. 21.5in long! Almost 2 feet long! My little wondermuffin came out healthy and with a full head of hair. He looks just like Lessie, and that is something I am very glad about. Because Lessie is very handsome and I know my son will be too when he is older. Right now he's just a cutie with a set of deep blue eyes that set his auburn hair to a great contrast!
March 2014:
Well, March was not very good to us. That winter storm that swept across Texas hurt us badly enough that we fell behind on things, due to finances, but the Lord Provided each and every time since.
Not much happened in March except that our car broke down again, the fuel pump AGAIN...
April 2014:
Well now we are all caught up. Gabriel is growing quickly, I lost the ability to breastfeed back in march due to him "biting" or "gumming" me so badly that he tore my nipple nearly in half. This caused me to need to stop feeding him from my breast and forced me to formula feed him. He's been doing alright on Enfamil formula - as Similac causes him to have constipation and he can't hold it down at times too.
Gabriel has adapted well to formula. It tears me up that I can not breastfeed him anymore, because breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your children. I was able to do so for 1 month, before he tore me so badly I had to stop.
He is growing wonderfully. He's getting LONGER instead of fatter. He's gotten a little pudge to him, but he's mostly long limbs and torso, than fat and fluffy. He has been able to smile since he was 3 wks old, and I am very happy about that. Mostly babies don't learn to do that till they are 5-6 wks old. But he smiles when he's content or about to pass gas or poop then he sighs afterwards and acts like he feels better... it's too cute really!
He's also very strong, he's been holding his own head up since he was born, wobbly and unstable, but strong. He's quite the fighter, and very sweet. He has such strength I am proud of him. Perfectly healthy.
Les and I, we had been waiting to get our marriage license for some time, but hadn't been able to due to certain issues, but now... April 1st, is my official wedding anniversary! Lol, yes, April Fools Day is my anniversary, perfect day huh? It was actually very beautiful that day. We went to the JP and finally set things right. I feel better now that I'm not outside of wedlock, it's a bit of a shock to me still, that my name is no longer Freeman, but what can I say... I married the man I love.
When I was younger, I wanted to keep my last name so badly, I dreamed I'd marry a man that had the same last name as my father. Just too keep the Freeman line going because my father had no sons. But in the end, I realized, that my father's line will continue - just in a different way. He has three grandchildren, all of which have his genes. One grandchild is named after his middle name. My son. Gabriel Lee Alexander Nixon is my son's name; Lee is my father's middle name. I wanted to honor my father in some way, for everything he's ever done for me... and to show him how much I love him.
I am hoping that now that Les and I are official now, that my dad and mom will be a bit more relaxed about us, and still enjoy our company at times. I still feel a bit of shame that I did things a bit backwards... having a son then marrying... but in the end, I made things right... I didn't run away, I didn't fight it, I took it in stride and stuck it out. We didn't marry for our son, we married for us, because we love each other. Which makes my marriage different from my sisters... in a sort of fashion even different from my parents.
Les still struggles too... He's still growing in the Lord, and learning to trust Him. It's not easy but we are both growing stronger together. Something I am hoping will not stop.
Well, now we are relying solely on God now... so much is happening all at once, we need prayer, so please... keep us in prayer.
Gabriel is calling me (rather, whimpering for my attention - it's time to feed him again lol). Well I'll update again some other time!
