Piper's Birth Story

Tuesday, December 21st: I woke up with cramps. Luckily, I had a weekly doctor's appointment that morning so we went over the delivery game plan with the nurse practitioner and then I went home and started in with the last minute preparations: Called family, got groceries at Walmart, cleaned, posted a blog...went to bed and was greeted by sleep-depriving contractions.

Wednesday, December 22nd: Brian canceled his flights that day because we had a sleepless night timing my contractions. The contractions became more regular in the morning and in the afternoon they were around 4 or 5 minutes apart - increasing in intensity. We went in to the doc and I was at 3 cm. Instead of being admitted, I decided to go home and labor some more. Around 6 that evening, my water broke...It was GO TIME!

6:30pm we were admitted to the hospital and the contractions were full force.
Mom and Bill arrived shortly thereafter (after spending the day in the car from KC) to help encourage me through the labor. Around 7 cm, I lost my focus and started to zone out...so I decided to get an epidural. At first, I didn't want the epidural because I was afraid I would lose all feeling, however, I certainly still felt major pressure and knew when to push.

Thursday, December 23rd: Fully dilated and ready to go I began pushing at midnight...and continued pushing until 6 am. I was pretty exhausted when they told me that she wasn't "descending" the way she was supposed to - so at 6:30am we did a c-section. Ideally, I wanted an all natural birth...but I wouldn't change a thing about getting that epidural or getting that c-section to get her out after so many hours of labor! We were at a point of putting her and I in health complications if we didn't act...

I was rolled into a very bright room and got more drugs...(btw, gray's anatomy is totally wrong - real surgeons don't operate in mood lighting...) Brian stayed by my head while the surgeons cut into me down below. Around 30 minutes later, I heard from the doc, "I've got a baby....it's a GIRL!" And she started crying...then I started crying.

At 7:11am (December 23rd), Piper Elizabeth was born into this world at 9 lb .3 oz and 21 inches long. I was able to kiss her then Brian went with her to the nursery. Both her and I were fighting a temp due to the long labor, but we both turned out quite happy and healthy! I stayed in the OR to get stitched up and then went to recovery for another hour. After all that, I was able to HOLD HER. How amazing it was to look at her after knowing she had been apart of me for the past 9 months. Not to mention that I have a new-found respect for doctors and especially, a woman's resilient body.

We went home on December 25th just in time for a big Christmas meal, a little gift opening, and a chance to celebrate the birthday of Jesus :) And sitting in our apartment on Christmas with my Mom, Stepdad, Husband and Child, I was overwhelmed with how blessed we were and are. Despite the long and difficult delivery, we were HOME. Hallelujah. Merry Christmas.

By the way, this is "the shark" - see the ravenous look in her eyes as she tries to devour my shoulder?

Happy 4 yr (10 yr) Anniversary, Handsome!

Dear Brian,

10 years ago today, you pulled up to my house in a hunter green Grand Am - may I add that you were quite the stud driving around since I didn't have my drivers license yet. You took me to WJ McBride's which was a nice Irish joint in Overland Park, KS. I ate a salad because I was nervous as heck while you had an Irish stew. We had such a good time at lunch that we were trying to find excuses to continue hanging out together that day, "You wanna see if Fox is home? We could go over to Hester's place...." You showed off your car's sub-woofers with your fabulous selection of CD's - I recall being quite impressed with your music selection. Even though I was disappointed in your lack of country music, you had enough classic rock to make up for it. Meanwhile, you knew you'd have to educate me in the ways of Led Zeplin - Robert Plant who? (I had no idea who they were even though I may have pretended that I did). After you dropped me off back at home, my sister and mom patiently awaited my verdict at the kitchen table. They could tell that I really...really liked you.

For 6 years we finished out High School with school dances and band trips. We then dealt with a long distance college relationship but amidst that, we stayed a couple and went on incredible trips together:
hiking,




skiing,

road trippin in the USA,


backpacking through Europe,



and in our last year at KU, we got married on January 6th, 2007 - the same day as our first date 6 years prior.


Shortly thereafter, we got a little Yorkie named Tommy,


moved to Wichita...had some old home adventures...had to say goodbye to Sam but we got to say Hello to a little Lab named Juneau


and then you/we joined the Navy Life.
Since then, I've been teaching
and you've been training in places like
Rhode Island,

Pensacola, Fl

Enid, OK


and now, Kingsville, TX.

Just this past year we began a completely new adventure: a gorgeous little girl named Piper Elizabeth Sullivan. What a Blessing!

Brian, I am so blessed by you - how you provide, serve, and love. I'm always impressed with how you say what's on your mind and you make my life nothing short of an adventure. Whatever we go through, I am so thankful to go through it with you. Above all, I am incredibly thankful that you know there is One who is bigger than anything on Earth - and that he has a master plan and purpose for us. With Him we can do ALL Things!
I love you, Brian! Happy Anniversary.
May God Bless us in the next decades to come!

Under HIS Grace,
Marie