Our new doctor

Have you ever watched "A Baby Story" on TLC? I have been watching it recently to see if I can pick up on any tips. And I cry every time one of those babies enters the world in that last rush of pushing and emotion. One most recently was about a mother who was dead-set against having a C-section because she had already endured several surgeries in her life and was sick of getting new scars. She was miserable the entire time, and frustrated with the lack of progression of labor. When the doctors finally convinced her, the baby's heartrate was soaring and things were mayhem.


When I found out that my most recent OB/Gyn physician was leaving her practice and headed into the field of research, I was so disheartened! As any woman searching for a new doctor knows, when you've found a good situation, you stick with it! Her office was run like a tight ship - the nurses were so kind, knew my name, would send me back almost immediately (don't you just hate that - no time to catch up on the People magazine reads!), and would pick up the phone directly for consultations (no phone tree! amazing). The nurses loved their doctor leader, and were almost as knowledgeable as she was. She was pretty businesslike, just delved right in, and had over 20 years of experience "birthing babies". I visited again recently, and the nurses are still in mourning with the new replacement (straight out of residency) who apparently holds long consultations, creating a backlog of patients, and well, she's just not the same as the former physician. They are going to have to either move to a new practice, or get over mourning the past. I feel for them, though.

Well, I knew that time could not last - but we can always remember the way it was, and the way healthcare relationships could be.


Greg and I went to meet our new obstetrician yesterday - we chose her on the recommendations of our insurance carrier, our fertility specialist physician, and personal friends who knew her from shared medical experiences and friendship. Being the researcher myself, I had looked up online all the advice about how to interview a new OB and understand their stance on childbirthing issues. The questions were interesting, and raised several points that I had never thought of, or even had an opinion on. So, Greg and I went to lunch beforehand, and we talked about some of what I had found and why we might want to know what she thought. Greg and I had a lively conversation, cramped in the corner of Calypso Cafe, as we discussed the topics. I'm sure the people around us were amused. "First-timers, huh?"

Greg was surprised at how strongly I felt on some things and would ask - "where is this conviction coming from - do you have any friends that have done this? or how do you know about this?" which of course makes me all the more adamant that I am right, and that even if I only have myself as expert, that's good enough for me! ha Any of this sound familiar to my family members? I know you feel sorry for him - poor man. But I did reaffirm to him as we walked in the building that he did know that I would keep my mind open, and be quick to change my mind if I was presented with good information that clearly contrasted with my views - and that I would trust her expertise.


Because, at the end of the day, every mother, every birth is different. And you won't know til you get into it, what the circumstances will be. You can, of course, have your preferences, your druthers, but in the end, it's going to be about your mindset, flexibility (mental and physical - ha!), and willingness to "change course" if the need arises. We're back to my thoughts on expectations - because you can't be terribly disappointed if you didn't expect something to turn out in a certain, prescribed way. I think that's why I like my new doctoress - because she is open to whatever comes our way. She was the one who made the above statement about the uniqueness of each birth (and she's seen enough to know). I know that to be true in my own life because my experiences (as my brother can attest) are almost always interpreted by me in a different light than the person I'm with at the time. Viva la difference!

Family Trees

Having a baby sure does make you think about the ones that "came before". I love both sides of my family - I was blessed to get to know both my sets of grandparents.

Greg knew his mother's parents very well, and adored his grandfather. His father's parents were both dead before his father's 11th birthday. Lowell was raised by a woman named Grace, she was engaged to marry his father before he died of appendicitis. That's a great story - ask us about it sometime if you don't know the background.

I have also compiled all the names of family members (alive and passed on), not only to prevent from "repeats", but also to honor them in a complete list. We are going to have a hard time landing on a name for this new one! I was blessed to join the Foster clan my Junior year in High School, and since the number of great grandchildren is ever-increasing, I have to keep up with everyone!

Here they all are - enjoy!

George Dewey & Myrtle Ivy Snyder, Chester & Betty (Thelma Isabelle White) Ross, Melvin Earl & Susie Anna Davidson, Raymond "Ray" & Alma Perry, Hal & Janice Foster, Lowell & Earline Perry, Harold & Norma Perry, Grace Swisher Sprouls, Bobby & Rhonda Sprouls, Polly & Jimmye Parrott, Mark & Helen Ross – Will Ross, Ben & Martha Kelly, Ann Ross, John Ross - Matthew Ross, JR & Joan Ashburn, John & Joanne Knight, Art & Betty Elam, Jason & Leigh Ann Ross, Art & Amy Braden – Lydia & Wyatt Braden, David & Vonnie Perry - Ian Perry, Susan Perry, Kelly & Cindy Foster – Becca & Andrew Foster, Tracy & Jeri Schmidt, Scott & Angela Foster – Hannah & Katie Foster, Matteo & Heather Perry, Josh & Rosalyn Haug, Marcos & Camille Acosta, Russ & Sheila Ashburn – Aron Ashburn, Paul & Jill Underwood – Hannah & Leah Underwood, Neil & Hope Ashburn – Maddie Ashburn, Brian & Mary Dee Kelly - Ross & Rachel Kelly, Byron & Vanessa Kelly – Harper Elsie Kelly, Charles & Allison Vance, Josh & Lisa Schmidt – Madyson "Maddie" Lynn Schmidt (and expecting!), Jason & Daly Schmidt – Cade, Bradyn, Foster Schmidt, Brandon & Kacey Berry, Ben & Sara Schmidt

"Girl Ross"

April 14, 1972 As you can see, Baptist Hospital named me first (just kidding, mom!). This is the earliest photo of me that we know of. (I got a lot cuter). I know my mom was driven to the hospital by my Aunt Betty and Auntie Jo (her sisters) and my dad was dealing with some kind of payroll for his men. My older brother, Jason, had come along three years earlier in July, but I was to be a spring baby.

I found a friend at Lipscomb University in the 1990's that was born on the same day, thirty minutes after me, the same doctor, but he had almost died at birth had it not been for a quick-thinking nurse. Dr Walter Ruch delivered us both into this world, and I found that amazing that we would meet up later in life. Seems like Baptist was the only place to be born in West Tennessee - I can't imagine how many babies were born there. It's closed now - the downtown hospital.

Mom really worked on a great name for me (Jana Marie Ross) - she always wanted to make sure that our names were distinctive (not everyone in our class had them) and I didn't meet another "Jana" until college. She also wanted the names to "flow" together. Jason was a little more common as he grew up, though - Mom swears that it was pretty unusual at the time, but then seems like everyone was named Jason after that. Trendsetter!

I have so many baby pictures that Hal will attest that I am overly proud of, that I thought I would post the earliest and least flattering! I loved my childhood - I was loved greatly and loved back with a full heart. We had our best, most memorable times at the Woodland house, and it is posted on the right as the homefront. Jason and I have tons of stories and memories from that house - it's almost mythical. I am so thankful for my goodly heritage and the love that was in our family. I can't wait to pass that on to this next generation!

Baby Greg

July 12, 1960 They thought he was going to be a July 4th baby, but he came later than anticipated! Greg's arrival added the third child to Lowell & Earline's family. Earline always felt that she was supposed to have three children, and her mother even questioned her about it. But she felt sure, and there was to be three! There are 10 years between Greg and his older brother, David, and five years between he and his sister, Susan. Earline always says that there are different parents with each child that comes along! Greg remembers so many things from his childhood - the fact that his parents always came to his sports events (even though neither were interested in sports at all - only him!), that his dad only had to raise his eyebrow at Greg to get him to "straighten up", that he had a great neighborhood of pals to run around with, his experience in Brazil (1965-67) with Naire and baking a chocolate cake together to suprise the family, to name but a few stories I've heard told. I can't wait to see Greg holding this new little one - when he heard the heartbeat this month, he declared it to be the best sound he's heard in his life! We have great expectations for what God is at work doing...

Second View

3/16/2009 This little one grew in two weeks triple the size - no wonder I've been so tired! The proud parents viewed this growth in amazement - from 5.5mm in the previous posting, to 19.7mm this time! The head is on the left, and the little heart was just beating away (170 beats per minute) right beneath the head. When the ultrasound began, that little peanut was squirming away and the heart just pounding. So, the movement was "all over" this time - not just the heart. Everything is fine - we are being referred now to our Obstetrician and our first appointment with her will be at the end of this month. We are so thankful and our hearts are full to bursting to be on this journey with this little one. Thank you for all your prayers on our behalf. We love sharing this good news with you!

First Viewing

3/02/2009 - So, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so this image introduces the first visual evidence of what we already knew to be true - that Greg and I were blessed to be expecting a baby. What we were not prepared for was hearing that little nugget's fast heartbeat! Now the emotion we felt with that sound byte - that we may not be able to successfully convey in words. But I can tell you we felt awe, thankfulness, elation, and joy. Deep, deep joy at this new creation sound.

A little explanation is in order to make sense of what you see here. It's not a baby bird (some saw an eye and beak), no, it's much smaller what you are looking for. There are two helpful "X"s that span the distance from the baby's crown to the end of the baby's rump. The two tiny X's are at the top left of the black dot. Hopefully, the resolution is good enough to see, if not, just trust us, it's there.

My mother kindly sent us a book (my love language!) that informs new parents about the growth and daily changes for the baby and the mom. We have been reading it nightly together, and are stunned at the power and majesty of our Creator. I'll be posting next the companion picture that was taken yesterday. You'll be amazed at the difference in a short two week timeframe.

Finding Out

Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us all without words?
—Marcel Marceau