Patrick John Wagner
September 17, 2006

Patrick is now 3, this was his 1st birthday picture. Patrick is another blue eyed beauty, but you cannot tell by this picture. Patrick is full of energy and an outdoors-man, he can spend his whole day outside with daddy. Patrick is what I call a true Wagner. He is a instigator and very silly. You can't leave Patrick alone for very long, because you can guarantee he will get into something. Patrick's personality fits the way he came into this world. He is named after my grandfather, and his middle name is my father's middle name. Here is Patrick's birth story.

I was scheduled to be induced on Friday, September 16, However; I was not ready, I had so much to do, I asked to be induced on Monday and see if Patrick would come over the weekend on his own. I had been 4cm for over 2 weeks and was 38 weeks pregnant so I knew it couldn't be much longer.

I could not sleep well that night, I was not having contractions that I could feel, I was just restless. I remember getting up to use the bathroom and I decided to go sleep in the Bryan's bedroom where we had a spare bed. Bryan was asleep with us in our bed, which is still where you can usually find Bryan. I would dose off and wake up, I was cranky because I wanted to sleep! I had a few braxton hicks contractions (I assumed that is what they were, because they did not hurt, nor feel any different then anything I had before), but I noticed the few I had were a little close together. I got up and went in the rocking chair in my bedroom, and told my husband that I was timing contractions. He said okay and went back to sleep. I had another mild one and then one that hurt, I woke him again and said "Call your mom, I think we may be going to the hospital." He called her to come down to the house and I had another one, and said "Yep that hurt, time to get ready to go." I stood up and my water broke, I told him I would get changed and we would head out. I took off my wet clothes, had another contraction and said "Oh my God, I have to push!" He laid me down on the floor and I was not happy, I told him, "I am NOT having a baby here!" . He called the Dr. and told him we were having a baby, the doctor said "I know you are having a baby", Gilbert said, "No right now at home we are having a baby!" He called 911 and back over to me, He said "I have to look" and of course I said "NO". He looked and said the babies head was crowning, the next contraction came I pushed and out came Patrick's head, one more push and out came Patrick!

I was so scared, my mother in law was pacing and my father in law was downstairs, he new better, he is the smart one. I remember Gilbert sending his mother to the truck to get an OB kit he brought home from the fire-department (my husband is a career firefighter for those who don't know). The fire department and paramedics arrived, Gilbert cut the cord as the doctor instructed him to do. I walked down the stairs (I don't know who thought of that idea, because I was making a HUGE mess!), got into the medic unit with Gilbert and the baby and off we went to the hospital. I called my mom from the ambulance, she couldn't believe it. She was supposed to visit that Saturday, but was not feeling well so she stayed home. She would of been there for the big event had she came.

We arrived at the hospital and the doctor met us there. They took Patrick from me to clean him up and check him, but he never left my room. He had to stay under the warmer for a bit and I couldn't hold him, but about an hour later he was in my arms and nursing like a champ! After 20 some odd years in the fire department, the first baby Gilbert delivered was his own, that is very special to him I am sure of it.

A funny part of the story, everyone was grabbing towels from anywhere they could. The poor young girl who was a volunteer at the local fire department grabbed a Barbie Bath Towel, I looked at her and said "You cannot wrap my baby boy in a Barbie Towel" She was so nervous after I said that, I forget not everyone understands my sarcasm. I finally had to tell her I was joking.

Another great part, was that we did not know if we were having a boy or a girl, so Gilbert got to tell me on our bedroom floor, that we had another boy!

Well that is the exciting story, Patrick wins the birth story crown I suppose. Again, his personality, matches his way of entering this world. A spit fire ready to run at any moment and full of energy and wit. You never know what to expect from Patrick, and we his walking around with a silly grin on his face, pacing the floors, you know you better watch your back. I love him with my life!

P.S.: Fire Department, Paramedics, Delivering a Baby....Bryan stayed asleep on our bed the whole time and did not wake up.....LOL

Christine

Bryan Carroll Wagner
February 7, 2005

Look at those baby blues! Of course he is 5 now, but those eyes are priceless. Bryan has grown into a wonderful 5 year old boy, who has a big heart and is such a snuggle bug! He is in Pre-K in public elementary school and rides a big boy bus everyday. His middle name is his Daddy and his Gran-daddy's first name. Here is Bryan's birth story.

I was induced with Bryan, I was dilated, but he was just happy as a clam to stay where he was. Does not surprise me now knowing how he likes to snuggle and sleep with us. I went to the hospital early in the morning and was hooked up to pitocen to get contractions started. Nothing really exciting was happening, some small contractions, but nothing to brag about. I was progressing with dilation, but comfortable.

When I was about 6 or 7 cm, the doctor broke my water, this was around noon, he said he was going to the cafeteria for lunch and imagined we would have a baby in about 2 hours. Silly doctor....he left and not 5 minutes later my contractions hurt like heck! I had a few and told my husband, that I was going to need some type of medication call the nurse. As I have posted before, if I ask for medication, the baby is on the way out. He called the nurse and the next contraction I told them I have to push, of course they did not believe me, but when she checked, Bryan was crowning. She called the Dr. and he made it just in time. Bryan was out in two pushes! The nurse caught him, because the Dr. was dressing up in his scrubs. I always chuckle, because every time I think, I am is so much pain I cannot do this, the baby comes out. I guess that is a good thing.

Bryan was perfect and nursed right away, no issues, it was a healthy wonderful pregnancy and birth. As Bryan grows, I am amazed at his charm and how much he cares for people. Even in this pregnancy, every day he kisses my belly and asks how the baby is doing. If he sees me up and about he tells me to rest. I love him very very much!

Thanks for reading my story.....I hope you enjoyed it.

Christine

Well it is good to know that my blog gets read, as some are looking for posts. 36 weeks....wow I can't believe it, very tired of being pregnant, but blessed to have made it! Tuesday, March 30th my Stitches will come out from my Cerclage put in at 13 weeks. This will be done in the hospital, but I will be released about 2 hours after the procedure. At that point baby can come anytime, I am hoping it will be no later then a week or so after removal. My stiches are coming out on Gilbert's Great Grandmother's Birthday. Mia would like the baby to be born April 1st, for April Fools Day, My grandfather's birthday is April 7th (he is in heaven and Patrick is named after him). April 5th would give me 3 children born on the 5th of a month (David 12/5 and Michael 8/5). April 4th would give me an Easter Sunday baby and April 2nd would give me a Good Friday baby. April 18th is Jonathan's Birthday, but sorry Jonathan, I have NO intention of being pregnant until then. If you have any other significant April dates let me know, just curious.

I am able to be up and about more, which is good, but I get tired and worn out easy. I think that is from all the rest I have had to do, plus being 41 and pregnant does not help. Not that I think I am old, just not the spring chicken I used to be.

I will keep everyone posted more now, as the time gets more interesting, when will baby boy Wagner arrive. As well I know many are interested at the name we have chose.......drum roll please........

Nicholas Ryan Wagner! This was a tough choice, I wanted his name to have meaning, as all of the names I have chosen for my children a significant or have a story with them. Nicholas means Victory, and he truly will be a victory when I hold him in my arms. Ryan, means little king, and he will be my little king.

Well, I am going to write Bryan and Patrick's birth story, I hope you enjoy them. Poor Bryan is about as exciting as Katie....not much entertainment. I would suppose Patrick wins the prize for entertaining. Hopefully his brother Nicholas will not out do him.

Thanks for following along.....

Christine

Katie Lynn Beverley
October 17, 1998

She is 11 years old now and will not appreciate this picture, but I love it and she is my princess. She is my little girl, and will be the only little girl I get to watch grow up. She can be a spit fire and she has an attitude like no other, but I would not trade her for the world. Her birth was not to eventful, but here is her story.

I was about 37 weeks pregnant and was always on the go, so I took the two boys (David and Michael) to a harvest festival held by a local school in the area. It was free and we were so broke at this time. I packed a lunch for us and off we went, the boys played on the playground and did some activities. My doctor's children attended this school so I ran into her at the festival, ironic don't you think? I took the boys home and decided to lay on the couch for a bit to rest. I decided that I did not want to rest, the house was messy, so I went into the boys room to make their beds. As I went to make Michael's bed my water broke...big huge GUSH!

I calmly called downstairs to my husband and told him my water broke and I was calling the doctor. I called the doctor (who I only saw a few hours ago) and she said that I needed to go to the hospital even though I was having no contractions, because this was baby number 3.

We had our neighbors lined up to take the boys, but they were not home. We called my good friend Tracy and she had to drive about an hour, so we packed the boys up and got ready to head to the hospital where she would pick them up. More fun, as we prepared to leave, husband was mad, he could find no clean socks and when we went to the ATM machine to take out money we were overdrawn. Funny now, not so funny then.

On to the hospital we went, St. Agnus Hospital in Baltimore, about 35 minutes from our house. Everything was calm, I was having no contractions. We arrived at the hospital and Tracy arrived very soon after we did and took the boys home with her. They decided to start Pitocin since I was full term and having no contractions. I went about 2 hours with nothing and then the contractions started. Of course as soon as they started my in-laws arrived to check in. My mother in law was carrying on conversation with me as I breathed through my contractions, telling me about her labor and I was thinking "I am in pain, go away". I of course just kept smiling and gripping the side rail of the hospital bed.

They decided to leave and said they would not be far from the hospital and to call when the baby arrived. I started to have some very painful contractions and told my husband to call the nurse. She came in and I told her the pain was getting really bad and I thought maybe I should have some medication. (Remember Corinne, when you think you can't take it, it is almost time). The nurse checked me and I was about 7cm and she called the anesthesiologist. I had a few more contractions and started to cry and told the nurse I had to push. Of course I got the usual "No honey, you don't have to push yet" Okay staff, this is number three, I know when to push! She checked and said, hold on you are crowning, she called the doctor and as he was walking in, nurse caught the baby girl! Cancel the anesthesiologist, we don't need him!

My husband called his parents, and they were just getting in their car in the parking lot, they just missed her being born. My little girl was perfect, 6lbs 14oz and nursed right away, and then never stopped nursing, because that is all she ever wanted to do. Everything was perfect!

Katie was an easy pregnancy and an easy delivery. I was in the hospital for one day and released, the boys were excited to meet their baby sister. Then it was back to life as usual, when she started to crawl and become a little more active, the boys enjoyed playing with her. My neighbors, put a stork and balloons in our yard too when I got home, which was a nice surprise.

Such an exciting time. Note to my pregnant friends, remember when your body can't take the pain anymore...baby is on the way out! These memories will last forever.

I love you Katie Girl!!! (even when you are mean to your mom!)

Doctor Appointment Update, I saw the doctor on Monday, Feb 8th and the report was unchanged, which is good. Cervix is the same and back in two weeks, Feb 22nd. I am now 30 weeks, so when I see the doctor again I will be 32 weeks.

I am gaining confidence now, but still not doing anything that I should not be. Even if I was not on bed rest, this is the time when pregnancy becomes drawn out. I am ready to meet my little guy, but he needs to bake just a bit longer.

He moves so much now and sometimes he will poke me with his foot or hand. This is the fun time because I laugh or smile when he pokes out an extremity and I put my hand on it. He is most active at night, from about 11pm to 2am, I sure hope he changes that pattern. The good thing is that I can't sleep during those hours, so at least I am awake anyway.

I am having a hard time picking a name, I keep changing my mind. I think I will come up with a few and post them and see what everyone thinks.

Please continue to pray for "little man", as much as I am frustrated and DO NOT want to be on bed rest anymore, I want what is best for him and that is 36 to 37 weeks. So 6 or 7 more weeks to go.

Thanks for reading. Next I am going to post Katie's birth story. I am late, and I know I have one good friend who is waiting on it. After that I will do Bryan and Patrick and I look forward to printing them and making a little keepsake for them.

Oh just a note! My brother P.J. is finally a Daddy! Victoria Nicole LaMonica is here and I am finally an AUNT! (to all my nieces and nephews through marriage, I love you too) and my cousin Kathy is soon to be a Mommy she is due at the end of this month. My brother and I will have babies about 2 1/2 months apart which will be nice for the cousins!

Talk to you all soon!

Michael Stephen Beverley

August 5, 1994

15 years old

Me and my boy.....Michael's birth was much different then David's birth. We were living in Baltimore City, we had no air condition and I was washing window fans, I was taking them apart and getting all the dust off the fan parts so we could use them. I brought one into my bedroom and when I did my water broke in a huge gush. I called the doctor and he said to head over to the hospital as soon as I could, as this was my second child and they didn't want me to stay home. David was sleeping so we had to find someone to watch him so we could go to the hospital. We asked our neighbor and can you believe they said NO. Then we called my in-laws and they came to Baltimore to pick up David from Anne Arundel County. Not to far away, about 20 minutes, It was about 10pm when my water broke and about 12am when we left for the hospital. I was not having any contractions.

We got to the hospital and they checked to be sure my water broke. At first they did not believe me, and said that the test was coming back negative for amniotic fluid. I proceeded to tell them it was most definitely my water that broke, so they tested again and it came back positive. They admitted me and began a pitocin drip since I was 37 weeks. We were there all night with no contractions on Pitocin, don't quite understand that, but none. They even raised the amount after a few hours. About 9:30 am my husband decided that he would go get some breakfast. I was not allowed to eat, so I told him to go, it wasn't like anything was going on.

He left to go eat and the nurse came in to see me and left. A few minutes later I got a contraction, a pretty strong one. I waited and a few minutes later another one and it hurt....I called the nurse. She came down and I told her the contractions were starting and if this is what they were going to feel like I might want an epidural. She left to call the anesthesiologist, had another huge contraction and felt like I needed to push. I called the nurse, she came and told me it was too soon, so she checked me. She said, oh my you are right and you are crowning (NEVER doudt the mother, geez) She ran out and called the doctor and paged my husband over the intercom system of the hospital to report immediatly to labor and delivery.

Next contraction, time to push, they are telling me not to push....no way I am pushing! Nurse caught Michael as the doctor walked in and my husband walked in. I did not know what I was having so my husband annoucned another boy! He was perfect! I had a small tear that they sewed up and everything was good.

I remember they moved me to my room, Michael was in with me and he slept for 11 hours! The nurse came in and said, "honey you need to wake him to eat...you can't let him sleep that long." That was new to me, because David didn't like to sleep in the beginning, he was colic for almost 3 months.

Michael was an easy baby from there forward. He was a good sleeper and a good nurser. We had some nursing complications, but a friend of my husbands got us back on track. Michael was such an easy baby, he was so easygoing about everything, and to this day he still is.

At that time they were promoting 24 hour discharge after birth, so home I went the next afternoon. David was excited to meet his brother for about 5 minutes and then was more interested in running up and down the hallways.

Great experience, great boy......next week is Katie! My only girl and as well a great birth experience. I look forward to sharing it.

P.S. : You will notice a trend in the next few birthstorys, whenever I start to think I need pain meds....I will be having a baby any minute....too funny.

Doctor Appointment Update.....I saw the doctor yesterday and everything seems the same. The only difference is he said I was a finger-tip dilated, but he did not seem impressed with that. He just said that I need to do what I am doing, which is stay off my feet.

It seems like forever, but I know it is only about 8 more weeks until my stiches come out and I am off bedrest. Full term is the goal here, no NICU.....so I must do the best I can to do what I am supposed to do. Of course there are not guarantees, but I need to do everything I can to keep him in there.

Most women get tired of pregnancy around 7 or 8 months, but it is so much more intense when you are on bedrest. What I do is look at Bryan and Patrick because they are little, or any of the children really and I say....."the baby you are pregnant with now, could have been them....."

If the baby was to be born from now forward he has an excellent change of a normal life now, however, he would be in NICU for about 2 months. I just don't want that so I must remain strong.

Well, I will now post my birth story and day late for Michael. I hope you enjoy that story. Next Doctor's appointment is February 8. I will be almost 30 weeks....