First Blog Entry and Michelle's Birth Story

The Clermont's have a blog!

For my first entry I wanted to remember what I did when I started this and then add the most important moment in my life so far! The birth of our first beautiful baby!

This past week was spring break for my younger siblings, so Ben and I decided to spend some time with them. We went to Austin Park and Pizza, The Domain, Sea World, everywhere! It was some good old fashion family time.

Ben, Shelly and I ended the weekend spending time with his cousin and their new baby, and my parents bought Michelle a new playground set for their backyard! She's gonna flip when it gets put together!

The weather was so beautiful it was awesome!


I wanted to add Michelle's Birth Story Here as well since I had it documented on my profile.

one, I'll put it all here.

Monday Sep 24th 2007, I had a regular OB appt. I was concerned about how sick I felt and how swollen I was. When I got there the nurse noticed my blood pressure was very high, and after three more checks it kept getting higher. My doctor rushed in and told me I had preeclampsia, which is a disorder some pregnant women get. The only way to save me was to have an emergency c-section. When I heard this I was in shock, but I stayed strong because I completely trust my doctor. The only question I asked "What did I do, how could I have prevented this?" Luckily it wasn't my fault, and no one knows the cause. I thought maybe that day she would put me on bed rest...not that my life and my little girls was in danger.

That second the nurse rolled me in a wheel chair to the hospital. From that point everything seemed to happen in the speed of light. My mom was with me and soon Ben and my dad came. The hospital hooked me up to an iv (which to me is the worst pain in the world) I took them three times to stick me since I was so swollen. I had my blood pressure constantly taken, and I had a catheter. The medication I was on made everything blurry. What a nightmare! I wanted to go home. When the ultrasound tech came in to check the baby, the only thing that stuck to me was she was under three lbs at less then 32 weeks. I knew that she had a great chance of survival, but I still wasn't ready to have her. After that I saw three more specialists, then I feel asleep hardly remembering anything they said.

I was woken up around midnight from a deep sleep and was told I didn't have much time, I was getting worse, and I needed an emergency c-section right there and then. My doctor wasn't even the one to deliver. At that moment my strength completely left me, and my body started shacking non stop. For the first time the tears started to flow, I was like a little girl scared to death, mostly for my baby girl. Ben had to suit up, while my mom held me. I couldn't stop crying and I kept saying I couldn't do it and how scared I was, but I knew this was it, I had no say. Five minutes after getting the news, a team of nurses came in and literally just pushed me in my bed down to the room. I was just limp and still in shock, but the tears had stopped and I knew I had no control. Even the to needles in my back felt like nothing to me and I grew numb that second.

They drew the curtain and Ben came in and held my hand, he there proved to be the strongest man I ever knew. He kept me calm and relaxed...and so did all the meds I was on, LOL. I even feel asleep for a few minutes! Everything was cloudy. I felt the pressure, and then I heard her cry. I was the most beautiful sound I ever heard. I was unable to hold her, but they brought her around for me to see. She was wide eyed and so confident and strong. After cleaning her up, they let Ben and I give her a kiss on the cheek, and took her to the NICU.

Michelle Aundrea Clermont was born September 25th at 12:51 weighing 2lbs 14 oz and 16 inches long!

They brought me back to recovery and I pretty much had to lay there and be NPO for about 12 hrs total no food or anything to drink. They added some leg braces on me to prevent blood clots, so sleep was forced by medication, and I was extremely uncomfortable. When the sun came up I was just in bed lying there, finally able to have some water which gave me some relief. The next struggle was not being able to see my daughter do to all the wires of machinery and medication I was hooked up to. All I saw where pictures Ben would take the next two days. There were so many tears and confusion. Why did this happen? I hate the unexpected.

After some slight recovery I was able to go see Michelle. Ben rolled me in my new friend the wheelchair down to the NICU. The tears came back when I saw her in that box! Luckily the nurse let me hold her, and that seriously was the best medicine. She is the perfect combo of Ben and I.

All the nurses call her the fighsty one. Right after delivery she started breathing on her own, which is a huge deal, a few hours later she learned how to use a pacifier while maintaining her breathing, which is also very huge. The most amazing thing is how she responded to Ben and my voices. She honestly new us and wouldn't cry when we held her, she was just relaxed.

Ben was made to be a dad. When you see that baby look at him, you know he's her hero! She loves hearing him talk to her and loves when he strokes her cheek. When I hold her there is such a bond unlike anything I ever knew. We are so in sync. Holding her and helping with the diapers, and feedings, and all those mommy duties has given me such a purpose! Ben and I are parents! It came sooner then we planned, but her being so healthy is what has kept me going. I don't know what I would do if she wasn't ok.

I was in the hospital for 10 days, and it was one of the hardest times in my life. Even going home was hard because I had to leave my baby behind. But I also feel lucky that this was such a difficult lesson, because so many have gone through way, way worse. We will stay strong and continue getting ready for Michelle's homecoming. She'll have maybe up to six more weeks, which is the longest time they would keep her, it could be way sooner. She's already learned how to use a bottle, is off her IV, and is now over 3 lbs! She just needs to switch all her feedings from tube, and be able to stay at a certain temperature.

Thanks for all the visits, the calls, the emails, and the endless support! I have the best family and friends, and the most amazing husband. I love you all!

November 7, 2007 at 8:51 pm

 

I am happy to say Michelle came home from the hospital a couple weeks ago! She is doing very well, still tiny, but gaining weight every day! I'm still not 100% back to normal, I'm still on a lot of meds and having some blood pressure issues, but I feel great! Ben and I are having a blast having are daughter with us and getting the opportunity to get to know her better now!
I had my follow up appointment and go diagnosed with PCOS. Basically I have a ton of cysts on my ovaries which I need to monitor because I have a higher risk for cervical cancer, and will have a hard time loosing weight (surprise surprise). I might have trouble getting pregnant in the future. No sound or reason to why women get it, but I will continue keeping myself informed the best I can. As of now I'm going to work out and stay on top of this the best I can. I refuse to let something like this bring me down now that I've dealt with so much at such a young age.

To all our friends out there - don't think that us having a baby means we have no time for anyone! Never hesitate to call to hang out or chat. Ben and I are still capable of going out and being human! We miss you and are so ready to get out once and a while after being pretty much on house arrest!

All in all I can say how blessed we are! I can't wait to watch my baby grow up! My husband and I are ready for anything! Birthdays, school plays, and yes...even the drama of the teenager days...but I really don't want to think about that now! LOL

And to all the other young moms out there...any advice is always appreciated!