Although thus far I’ve been limited to two 20 minute wheelchair privileges a day, I was given an extended pass to be wheeled down into the basement for their 2 hour New Mothers class. It was from 6:30-8:30pm and Milton attended with me. It was the last session in their six week series and we didn’t know what they would be discussing. As we wheeled our way down to room with able-bodied pregnant women, we were handed a baby doll (that looked nothing like us). 1) It was a baby girl 2) She had blue eyes 3) she had blonde hair. Milton obviously is not the father, and either am I.
Topic of the day: Infant Massage. Yes you read that correctly, we learned different techniques on how to massage our bundle of boy. We learned the heart technique along with milk the cow and the airplane. We can even help the baby get rid of gas. I would have much rather learned how to change a diaper, suggestions for breastfeeding etc… but Milton and I left with a certificate of completion in Infant Massage.
Milton said he had a surprise for me on March 31 and April 7. I was actually very excited about the surprise and had no idea what he was planning. He usually finds amazing restaurants for us to experience so I thought it was either that or he arranged for me to have a massage.
Of course all plans of a surprise were ruined once I entered my new island, also known as the bed. I asked him what the surprise was going to be and he said that my friends were planning a surprise shower for me. Ahh, this made me sad. My college roommate DeShawn was even going to be flying in from Maryland. I guess Baby Turner was trying to attend his own party, but I don’t think he understands that he wasn’t invited!
Well, about an hour after I had my fit about my closet sized room, the door to my room opened and in came my friend Renee with a bunch of baby blue balloons. Shortly after came Tioka with a cake that had a monkey on it. Then Nikki soon followed with her two cute sons. The brought the party to me and I was so happy they did. Not only was it good to see them, eat cake and open gifts – but I was surrounded by three women, each of which has two kids of their own. They are each great mothers in their own unique way and I hope to use a piece of each of them in my own mothering skills.
I am most surprised that Milton was able to keep that secret without me having any clue whatsoever. I am married to a great man and have great friends and for that I am thankful!
Once I was settled into my room, I started dealing with the reality that my regular life as I know it has changed. My Type A personality came on and I had to get in major planning mode. I called my friend and great Zumba instructor, Jessica, and she helped me get everything in place for the fitness studio. I made a list of things for Milton to bring from the house. I tried to explain in detail where each item is since I couldn’t be there to point it out. I called all of my family and friends to let them know what had happened. Everyone said to be strong.
Wednesday night and Thursday morning I was put on a clear liquid diet. For those that don’t know what that consist of – chicken broth, apple juice, jello and italian ice. The first time I ate it, I actually looked forward to it since I hadn’t eaten in 10 hours. I was still on strict bed rest and had to use a bedpan when I needed to urinate. Thursday was difficult because for the first time I was having to be dependent on everyone else. The bed was my island and all the action happened around me.
Thursday at lunchtime I had graduated to regular food. For the meals here, you given a menu of foods and you can call down and decide what time you want to eat. For my first meal i chose pizza (surprise) and chocolate cake. It was good for the simple fact that I hadn’t eaten real food in 24 hours.
I had originally been on magnesium, but they stopped giving me that. The round the clock baby and contractions monitor was taken off and now they only monitor me twice a day. Freedom was mine – as long as I could do it from my bed.
The most difficult thing about Thursday and Friday was my concern for Milton. I experienced a major setback, but Milton experienced an even larger one with more emotion. Here both his wife and unborn child are rushed to a hospital, Milton is driving back and forth to the house to get all necessary items, when all he wants to do is be by my side. Everything I’ve always done to maintain the household now falls on him. He turned into the ultimate provider. His job could tell how overwhelmed he was that they made him take Friday off – which was good for the both of us!
God and I have been close friends for as long as I remember. However, recently, Milton made me aware of something that I partake in weekly that may need to be cut until after my pregnancy. It took me by surprise when he mentioned it, but it also made complete sense.
Being a lifelong non-drinker, it was never hard for me to not have alcohol while pregnant. But, quickly I forgot about the wine we drink every Sunday at church. We are Episcopalian, so when I say wine, I mean wine and not grape juice! So while I think it will be fine to dip my wafer in the wine, until my next OB-GYN visit there will be no “vino” at the alter.
The day is finally here! We’ve waited two months to tell the world our joyful news! Our closest family and friends came over for what they thought was a Graduation/Holiday Open House party at our house. Milton was able to wear his Dress Blue uniform and everyone thought he looked dapper. It was great to see everyone sitting around and talking together. New friends quickly became old friends.
The party was from 2-4pm but we told everyone that we had a special graduation presentation at 3:00pm. As 3:00pm rolled around, Milton’s close friend Rob was still driving from out-of-town. We tried to wait for him, but as 3:20 arrived, I became antsy and we decided to go on and spread the news. We (well I) wanted to do something creative so I wrapped a box (that we referred to as his graduation present) and he pulled out a black t-shirt. Everyone could only see the front of it, but didn’t know there was writing on the back. Milton looked excited and said “Oh, you got me a shirt to match yours. Show them your shirt!”
You could hear people start to get curious as I revealed my “Baby Turner” t-shirt and everyone was so excited. Then Milton turned his shirt around and revealed his “Baby Turner’s Daddy” shirt! LOVE IT!
Although we recorded it happening, I realized after watching the video that I never looked at everyone’s expression. The entire time I was watching Milton and smiling. Hooray to finally let the news out and celebrating with everyone. Although I was completely exhausted once everyone left (and the headache returned), I will never forget how awesome of a day today was and how blessed we are to have such amazing and diverse friends and family!
Last weekend was a very emotional weekend for me. I traveled to Fort Benning, GA to watch my husband, Milton, graduate from Airborne School. He’d already finished his JAG training and now needed to successfully complete five jumps to also have the title of Airborne Paratrooper.
The five jumps were supposed to happen Monday-Wednesday. On Monday they met at 4:30am, each were carefully inspected and then they waited to see if the weather would cooperate. They couldn’t eat, sleep, use the bathroom or really even touch any body part. If they, for example, touched their belt it could come loose and they would no longer be considered fully inspected. SEVEN hours later, they realized the wind was not going to let up and Monday’s jumps were canceled.
Similar things happened on Tuesday. So now I’m starting to think it will be another week before my babe is able to finally come home to me. Uggg! Luckily, they were able to get in four jumps between Wednesday and Thursday and they saved their fifth and final jump for Friday (Graduation Day). This was exciting because I would get to see Milton jump live!
Friday morning rolls around and there are 400 men/women that will be jumping. Although Milton doesn’t know when he’ll jump, he asks me to record all of the jumpers. This seemed like an impossible task but I tried to be a good wife and comply. I recorded the first three jumps for Milton’s plane and saw the guys as they started running in. Of course I was looking for a “dark” spot running in. A couple ran past, one had different posture than Milton, another had a bigger booty and another was too short. In the distance I saw someone that looked like Milton. I looked at his helmet number, yelled out his name, and he waved back! My baby was safe, successful and had accomplished an amazing feat!
I had a surprise for Milton by inviting his dad to attend. Milton’s face lit up when they caught sight of each other. It was even more meaningful when they asked for second generation paratroopers to come forward and Milton’s dad was able to pin his wings from back in the day on Milton.
After graduation we quickly left to head back home. Nine hours later Milton walked around the house reminiscing on all the things in our house he missed. It was his first time since July 3 that he was was home and not leaving in a couple of days. He’s already started work at Legal Services in Fort Knox. And I am overjoyed because my husband gets to be a husband and I get to be his wife. Milton became one of my heros last weekend and I was proud to be Mrs. Turner…. now if I can only get rid of this loud snoring habit he’s seemed to pick up! Lol!
Click the photo below to watch the video of Milton’s jump, landing and graduation!
Although thus far I’ve been limited to two 20 minute wheelchair privileges a day, I was given an extended pass to be wheeled down into the basement for their 2 hour New Mothers class. It was from 6:30-8:30pm and Milton attended with me. It was the last session in their six week series and we didn’t know what they would be discussing. As we wheeled our way down to room with able-bodied pregnant women, we were handed a baby doll (that looked nothing like us). 1) It was a baby girl 2) She had blue eyes 3) she had blonde hair. Milton obviously is not the father, and either am I.
MYT is Me! 