The Labor Story

Feeling slightly more human right now, so I figured I'd try to update the blog finally. I'm still pretty out of it, so please forgive me if this post doesn't make a lot of sense. 

On Friday night, we went to bed like any normal night. I was having some minor, painless contractions, but since I had these type of contractions every night, I ignored them. Once in a while, they woke me up because when I have contractions, my lungs seize up a little and make it difficult to breathe. Still, I didn't think anything of it, because they were painless. Then a little after 3:30am, my water broke. I will never forget that experience. My water broke before real labor began with both my girls, but it was never, ever like this time. I swear, the explosion lifted me three inches off the mattress. I was terrified for a second, because of how violent it was! But everything was normal - no meconium like with Gwen - and contractions, painful ones, started coming regularly. So I excitedly woke up Logan and we prepared to leave for the hospital. 

We arrived at the hospital an hour after my water broke. I told the nurse I was in labor and that my water had broken. She seemed annoyed at first. She gave me an incredulous look at asked me, "Are you sure?" My pants were soaking wet and I was holding a towel. "Yes," I told her. "Or else I need a new bladder." Then she mumbled something about possibly finding me a room. Apparently, that night they had four scheduled inductions and three to four walk-ins. And this was the night AFTER Friday the 13th. I guess everyone was holding it in until a safer date. 

Labor was labor. I don't think any labor is fun in the least. They checked me when I got situated in bed, and I was already a 5. Throughout the entire laboring ordeal, the baby's heartbeat dropped with the contractions and didn't always recover fast enough. I was dilating fast, but the baby wasn't dropping. Before I was even fully dilated, my doctor asked me if I wanted a c-section. I love my doctor, but I was pretty upset with her for that. The baby wasn't in any distress, I was only in labor for a few hours, and the baby was moving down, just very slowly. I told her we should wait a couple hours, and see where we were by then. In a couple hours, I was pushing (six-ish hours after being admitted.) I pushed for 2 hours. This baby was just too big for me to get the job done. For a very scary couple of minutes, the doctor was preparing for a c-section. I pushed my hardest at every contractions to make that baby come down. Finally, FINALLY, the baby dropped low enough for the doctor to use forceps. She said if they didn't work, I would have no choice - cesarean would be the only option. Well. She used the forceps for 10 seconds, then didn't need them any more. I was able to push my big baby out on my own! He was perfect! I pushed for 2 hours and he wasn't even bruised! Not even a cone head! I got to hold him right away, and he cried for the first time on my chest. That was the first time I got to experience that. My other two babies were whisked away too fast. He cried and I got to soothe him. And of course, I cried right along with him. To me, he was perfect. His breathing wasn't quite adequate enough and he had a lot of mucous that he couldn't cough up on his own. I was allowed bonding time with my guy before they took him to the nursery. He was 9lbs, 4 oz! Smaller than Phoebe by 6oz. He is my longest baby though - 22in! Big and perfect!

Despite the ordeal, I loved my laboring experience. I had great doctors and nurses surrounding me, who shared my same faith. Everyone, including the anesthesiologist, was praying for me (in fact, he helped my husband give me a blessing. My nurse suggested it.) After my baby was safely delivered without a c-section, my nurse hugged me and said the blessing worked. I love her! 

We came home a couple days later. The baby and I are doing very well, but recovery for me has been it's own ordeal. Because of how long and hard I had to push, something in my neck went haywire. For a few days, I couldn't stand because the pain was so great, it shot up into my head. Tonight, however, I can finally sit and move around some without the horrible pain. Thankfully, Logan's mother has been with us since the baby was born, and she's been a major help. I feel like a total bum, but she doesn't complain. I'm surrounded by great people. I feel so blessed. 

Today is Logan's birthday. 28! Today also concluded his first week at the hospital. He started the Monday after Isaac was born, while the baby and I were still there. He got to visit us on his lunch break and then take us home after he got off. Pretty cool. He's really liking his new job so far. He's catching on quickly and we are loving the new benefits. God's been so good to us. 

I'm feeling a bit light headed. I'm thinking I need some more peppermint patties. I'll post some pictures of the week (there aren't that many because I've been down for most of it) on the next post. Tomorrow, Logan and I are planning on a date to celebrate his birthday, so we should get some more pictures. Hopefully, this neck pain doesn't come back, and I'll feel normal again! I can't really complain, because my beautiful chubby baby boy makes everything worth it. :) 

Too Mean

What a day. Last night, I didn't get a wink of sleep because I started having contractions. Real ones, this time. The kind that got closer together and more painful. I thought for sure I would have this baby on mother's day, but as soon as I got everything packed and pulled Logan out of bed, they started to die down. I just about cried. How could I have been up all night with uncomfortable pain, only to have it die away once I'm ready to go to the hospital. Well, I made Logan take me to the hospital anyway. I was monitored for a while - I was having real contractions, it wasn't all in my head. But I wasn't dilating fast enough. I stayed at a 2 for an hour. So they sent me home with instructions to walk and take warm baths. I thought for sure I would be back in a few hours with strong contractions, but guess what. My body is so fetchin' mean! The contractions haven't measured up to a thing, though I've been having them all day long. They aren't regular, they aren't too painful (though they do hurt) and the pain intensity diminishes when I shift positions. I'm so frustrated! How can I spend an entire day in false labor? I'm hoping and praying that by tomorrow morning, I'm checked into that hospital in real labor. A full day of fake contractions just seems ridiculous. They have to be doing something! I want to cry. I'm so ready!

Getting Ready for Baby and Big Changes

Well, I'm sitting here, timing contractions, and getting frustrated because they are dying off AGAIN. So I decided to update the blog with random (kind of) stuff.

I've been getting contractions about every day, and every other day they start to get regular and painful. But, since I don't have a baby boy yet, they never resulted in anything. This is either the longest labor in history, or my body is being very mean to my emotional state. I have such plans when I get my body all to myself again! Mopping floors, for one. Making my kids go to timeout, rather than rolling off the couch to chase them upstairs. But I can't really complain. The baby and I are both chubby and healthy. This little guy will come when he's good and ready.

The girls are very excited to have a little brother. We've been talking about what it will be like to have a baby in the house. Gwen promises to help me and to be very gentle around him. She swears she won't hit him. Haha, we'll see. Phoebe talks about "Baby Isaac" too. She pets my stomach and will give him kisses. It's very different being pregnant when you have a child or children who understand what is coming. They make so many precious memories. Isaac is already so loved by so many.

Well, a major change besides the birth of our first son is coming to our family. Logan got a job offer this week! He's starting in the admissions department at the hospital! This is a great foot-in-the-door position for him. Most people that work in this department move onto other departments, and I'm just ecstatic for him. Chesbro put him through college and the early years of having a family. Now he's moving on to a job where he can actually move up and make going to college worth while! The thing is though, he starts his new position May 16th - my due date! So... it would be REALLY nice if this BH would turn into the real deal! But if I do go into labor on or after my due date, at least he'll just be downstairs. Finding a baby sitter might be tricky though! The hospital should really create a child care department for the kids of mothers who are in labor. I mean, it's hard to get a hold of people in the middle of the night. Anyway, I'm very excited for my husband! He'll be just 10 minutes away and most days he'll be home a whole lot earlier than we're used to! Logan worked at Chesbro for 6 1/2 years! We're very blessed that he's been able to hold onto his job even through this rough economy, and now he's getting a new job. We're extremely thankful.

May has been a great month for us so far! We attended our nephew's baby blessing, bin Laden was "taken care of," Phoebe got new shoes :), Logan got a new job, and we're having a baby! Plus mother's day and Logan's birthday are coming up. Love May!

The BIG Issue

Last week at my doctor's appointment, I had an ultrasound to check the size of my baby. It was "off the charts" so they told me. It measured in at 7.14lbs. I didn't get to discuss this with my doctor that day because of how busy the office was, but the nurses hinted that they would push for a c-section or induce me. Because of this, I was excited for my appointment today, thinking I would be induced early. But after talking to my doctor today, she wasn't very concerned about the big baby issue. I had already successfully delivered a big baby naturally, and my baby at the moment isn't "off the charts" as I was previously told. He will still be a big baby - probably as big as Phoebe was. But the point is, I don't need a c-section! I'm a bit disappointed that I won't be induced early (apparently they don't induce anyone who's had a previous cesarean. There's a greater risk of uterine rupture, or something) but I'm glad to just go naturally. I just have to be patient and ignore the fact that I can't breathe very well, my feet are swelling, I'll probably be over 200 freaking pounds by the time I go, blah blah blah. Normal pregnancy stuff that I'm not above. A plus size of having a plus sized baby: he'll fit great in his clothes! 18 days to go!

Yesterday we went to the zoo here in town. It's not a very big zoo, but it's great for kids like mine who get crazy in wide open spaces. Gwen got Gwen-excited at every animal she saw, but only wanted to linger for about 20-30 seconds at each one. When she got the point, she got bored and wanted to move on. So we got through the entire zoo in pretty decent time. Some highlights: the peacocks showed off their feathers for us when we got near, we saw a baby camel being fed by a bottle, the girls were beside themselves when they noticed that chickens and zebras shared the same pen, and the monkeys showed off their swinging skills for us. It was jolly cheap fun. We're going to go back in the summer before Gwen's birthday (when she still gets in for free) when the animals who don't like the cold are put outside. There were quite a few animals we couldn't see - like the bears and the alligators and parrots. 

Gwen wanted to spend more time at the "toys" than with the real animals. We spent quite a bit of time just waiting for her to get her fill of lion head water. 

 Logan measuring his wingspan to that of a golden eagle. Phoebe wanted to know how she measured up too.

One of the swinging monkeys. He was awesome. I love the monkeys.

 Not scared a bit to get up close to the snakes. You can't really tell, but there are actually two boas curled up together. 

Pre-Easter

While we visited family in Soda Springs for conference weekend, the girls got a visit from the Easter Bunny early. That sneaky bunny hid dyed eggs all over the living room, and the girls had the time of their lives finding each one to throw into their adorable sheep and duck baskets. 

When we returned home that evening, Gwen found her basket again and, after a complete search of the downstairs, complained that she couldn't find any more "Easter Bunny eggs." She was thoroughly bummed that she must wait three weeks until she gets to do it again. I told her the Easter bunny is coming twice because she is just too cute to visit once, but she wasn't buying. 

Thank you, mama and pop Owen for the great weekend! When we entered into Idaho Falls, Gwen almost started crying because she realized she had to go home and had left Gramma's house. Can't wait to see you soon!

Sayings, Doings, and Big Babies!

I am excited to say that on the day of the last post, Gwen finally used that darned potty, and she's been using the toilet every day since. Good-bye size 6 diapers! I'm hoping to train Phoebe before she grows big enough to fit into sixes. She's in fives now, so I had better hurry. I never thought I would be so proud of anyone for using the toilet. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of things I do and say as a mother that I never thought in a million years I would ever do or say.

Sayings:

"Don't play with your poop."

"Don't touch your sister's poop."

"Don't lick the bottom of your shoe."

"You really shouldn't lick furniture, either"

"Don't tap dance in your sister's pee."

"If you don't swallow your throw up, you'll feel better."

"Let's go drop that "egg" in the potty."

(Actually, there are a lot pertaining to bodily waste.)

Doings:

Pinning my child's arms down with my knees so I can force antibiotics into her mouth for her double ear infection.

Picking my kid's nose, sometimes in public.

Sharing a cereal spoon with my snotty toddler.

Scrubbing poop of a toy box, the stairs, walls, hands, backs, hair etc (We have A LOT of poop stories around here.)

The lists go on, but you get the idea. I love love love being mommy, but I have to put up with some pretty gross stuff. I used to be a very queasy person, but nature has eliminated that gene from my system. Good news, since I'm having a boy next. Not that I'm saying boys are gross... just a little messier than girls. I'm only assuming.

Anyway, the girls and I are hanging in there during the day, waiting for Spring. Gwen's having a lot of fun with "learning time." Every day we do art projects pertaining to a certain weekly theme and she loves working on her alphabet worksheets. I'm so proud of this girl. She's learning to read at a rapid pace, and I really haven't done very much to get her going. She's a sponge, and picks things up so quickly! She spells new words with her alphabet magnets (the other day she spelled Big Cat all by her darling self) and she can sound out most any three letter word. Some days (usually on Sundays at church) I swear Gwen has ADHD, but at home, she can spend hours working on her pre-K workbooks and reading her Dr. Seuss books. And her memory amazes me. I would get lost within ten minutes of leaving the house, but Gwen knows the way to every place she has ever been in Idaho Falls. Seriously. If we turn a certain direction at the four way stop down the street, she knows exactly where we're going. She'll say, "Bye-bye, Winco! We're going to Walmart!" And I'll be like, "Oh... Winco's that way, huh?" I should really pay more attention in the car.

Phoebe loves to read stories too, but she would rather play with her little animals and take them on adventures. She's a very imaginative child. She does great coming up with plots for her cows and hippos, and they have full fledged dramas practically every day. She's hilarious to watch.

Isaac is doing just fine! We had an appointment yesterday, and his little heart is sounding perfect. He moves up a storm every day, and I can't lie, it gets painful sometimes. And sometimes I like to imagine he's already fully developed and I go into labor the next day. I'm ready! But I still have 7 1/2 weeks to go. Next month, I'll be having another ultrasound to measure the little boy, to make sure he is indeed little. I don't know if I want to have another VBAC with a 9+ pound baby. Phoebe went through something awful that day. She was bruised from head to toe and one of her arms was super sore. She had to be on oxygen for an hour and she just looked so exhausted. Plus she had a knot on the top of her head from the vacuum the doctor had to use to get her out. Do I want to do that to another baby? We'll see what happens. I'm excited to get another ultrasound, anyway.

Here's Gwen just hours after being born. A precious 7 pounds even.

Here's Phoebe! 9 - 11! You see why I'm hesitant to have to push again!

Big baby!

 And she turns into this... Love her!

I love both my girls! And I'm excited for May to post pictures of the next love in my life!
I STILL can't believe I'm having a boy. So much more to learn!

At the Close of February

Happy end of February, another month closer to giving birth! Let me tell you, I am ready for that big day. I may not have a single stitch of blue in the house, and we still have to get a new crib, but I'm already slowing waaaaay down. The house has become messier, the girls are a bit slimier, and I'm needing at least three 15 minute naps a day to keep functioning (of course I don't get three naps...) I still have a little under three months to go! In my third trimester, this little guy is amusing the family by kicking and moving quite frequently. I think we have another Gwen coming! Woohoo! Anyway... This kid is quite a mover. I roll over in the middle of the night to snuggle as close as I can with my husband man, and Logan gets kicked in the back over and over again. I can't wait to meet my new baby! My sister-in-law just had her baby boy last week, and it made the whole having a new baby become more of a reality for me. Now I'm super excited, not just nervous to have three kids.

Enough about me. Here are some things that happened/are happening in the past couple of weeks:

As I said, my sister-in-law gave birth to an adorable baby boy last week. His name is Greysen. I haven't had a lot of time to spend with him yet, since the girls have colds and so do I now (of course), but here are some pictures we managed to snag while we could.

This pic of me is horrible (half my head is missing), but it's the only one I have of me and him. 

Greysen! So far I think he's a healthy mixture of the two parents (though, a tad more like Ronnie) but he'll change very fast in the next couple of months. We'll see!

Phoebe getting a closer look at her cousin.

Gwen was looking at him, but then got in trouble for trying to climb in...

Grandpa, Greysen, and Logan's thumb!

Auntie Maci with her first nephew.



Hopefully, these colds that we've had off and on since Christmas (no exaggeration) will clear up and we can spend a little quality time with the family soon.

My own children are going through some changes. Last night, we converted Phoebe's crib back into a toddler bed. She didn't sleep the entire night in it since she's not sleeping well with a plugged nose, but she loves her new bed.

Gwen loves it too. She wanted to sleep in it with her sister, but Phoebe would have none of it. I don't blame her. The both of them are awful to sleep with.

As a lot of you know, my three and half year old has still yet to make a thing in the potty. (On the floor, toy box, and table - yes. Potty - no.) We've become pretty frazzled around here, trying everything and anything to get her to go, but she's stubborn. (She started saying, "I don't NEED a Buzz Lightyear. I'm done with the potty!) We've finally had to go the messy method, which I'm not thrilled about, but we've become desperate. We told her that Walmart ran out of daytime, size six diapers. At first, she said she would have to wear size four like Phoebe, but we wouldn't let her. She's in her Elmo panties in the day time. Absolutely no diapers. No matter how many messes I have to clean up, I'm going to get that girl over this fear and out of diapers! I can't have three in them once Isaac is born! Heck no! So the super goal is to have BOTH my girls out of diapers by the time their brother shows up. Right now, we're concentrating mostly on Gwen, but Phoebe sits on the potty a couple times a day. She makes us sit her on the potty, because she got into the phase of stripping off her diaper and happily running naked through the house. I've been cleaning a lot of pee off the floor... But we're determined!

Determined, I tell you!