In Labor

Yes... i actually have the ability to blog... weird labor this time!! I'll share the details later...

But praying he comes soon:) Maybe a May 1st baby!!!

WOW... 39 weeks & the plan

Our appt yesterday went well... as usual Nate and I are doing well on the medical side of things!!!!

I was checked to see if I was making progress towards labor and I am.... we are 2-3cm dilated and 70% effaced! My midwife was amazed that I wasn't in labor yet and emphasized that it could be really ANY TIME!!! which is encouraging :)

The last two days and then when I got home, I have been really crampy and sore. Tonight was the worst so Brian sent me to bed after dinner tonight ( I "snuck" my laptop in with me.... to UPDATE you, of course... LOL!!). And honestly, laying down I feel sooo much better!!! Standing or sitting up I have a TON of pelvic pressure, like Nate is going to fall out:)

I don't remember having this much pressure with Lydia or Chris.... with Chris I had NO clue he was coming!!! Brian and I enjoyed 2 date-meals after I was 40 weeks when we were waiting around for Lydia!!!!

Because I have made some progress towards labor and because of Nate's size, scheduling an induction was discussed. I'll be honest that I really, really didn't want to go this route just because it's nice to know that Baby is ready and Chris' labor IV, tube-free was wonderful!!

But I was informed that I'd have to have an IV anyway to administer the antibiotics regardless if I was induced or not..... WHY!!????!!! Group Strep B??? Never had it before, didn't even know what it was or knew I had it until our final conversation at this last appt!!

So one of my MAIN reasons for not being induced was gone!! My body has been fine with induction before. I am about to DROP this baby out now. And we could pick who delivers Nate and make arrangements for the kids if we had a particular date....

so we scheduled the induction!

Bright and early Tuesday morning, May 4th.... which seems like forever right now:)

Honestly, my midwife thinks I'll be at the hospital before then anyway!!! I like that it's enough time for my body and Nate to act if they are going to. And I may not even need pitocin if I continue to dilate (whoo -hooo!!!). And we think it will keep Nate from getting too big (although it's only days from my actual due date which is May 7th!).

I read this set of verses weeks ago and they have stuck with me.... they are kind of a stretch to fit my (tough end of preggo) situation since it's talking about a much bigger "trial" - persecution of believers and looking ahead to eternal rest and glory....

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17,18

But it's still a challenge to me !!! NOT to dwell on the "little" troubles that cause discomfort right now... I need to have the bigger picture in my view...

which is soon to hold a new, sweet, amazing blessing that we have been given to nurture & care for!!!

*** I also need to thank our community and church members for their willingness to be called to come sit with the kids when we do go into labor. I'm thankful at how many have volunteered!! They have also been a blessing to us this week with revival meals, leftovers and help with the kids so I could enjoy the services myself!!! Oh, and gotta love those guys running to the carpet place to plead with the installation people to finish the job before Nate arrives... LOL!!!

Still in Here.....

So Nate didn't wake us in the middle of the night with any birth plans....

Brian jokingly said that maybe he is leaving room for a sibling and will show up tomorrow:) Of course it's only 11am (right now) so he still has plenty of time to make the "birthday pattern"... hint, hint, hint... LOL!!

This is the second day in a row when I've been crampy during the day... I was thankful that yesterday they eased off enough to enjoy revival!! But this morning, they were back.... dilate, dilate, dilate!!! hahhaha

So as I rested, the kids PLAYED... oh I mean destroyed Chris' room!!

Hey, they had a great time!! They played well together... it's kind of LOUD.... but at least it's giggles and playing scenarios... And the mess has been contained to ONE room versus the whole house:)

Only once has the kitchen floor had some cleaning done (our form of time-out).

I love the picture.... it's REAL!! There's a mess!! And a little girl telling me WHO is responsible for cleaning up each thing!!

Usually I'd be a little more uptight with Chris' room looking like a disaster zone.... but the fact that they have let me rest. And then made their own plans to clean it up (although they've been working on that part for 30+ minutes now... with even more giggles... I can hear "some" cleaning progress)!!

Looks like we will be having that OB appt this afternoon!! We'll see what my body and Nate are up to. Maybe we get some signs that labor is coming. And depending on signs of labor and Nate's size, there might have to be some decisions that have to be made...

:sigh:

Why TONIGHT Would be a Good Night... LOL!!

I'm all about a baby coming when they are ready (with the health of baby and Mommie in mind, of course)!!!

But NATE.....

tonight would be great!!!!!!!

• Tonight was the last night of our great revival. Mommy has had the opportunity to sit through each service (with your siblings mixed throughout the congregation) and be challenged! It's been a very spiritually challenging and emotionally encouraging week as we have spent time soo much time each night with church members and friends.


• If you come after midnight, you'd fit right into our family's birthday pattern since tomorrow is the 29th!!


• We've had three different church members offer to come and stay with your siblings on Thursday!!


• Daddy could be home to lead Operation In As Much at our church on Saturday. I wouldn't be able to visit each group and take pictures.... but that's ok, I might not be up to it with you in my belly either:)


• We have to visit the midwives on Thursday, anyway! Wouldn't it be nice just to come out and meet them in the morning and not wait until the afternoon??


• Doesn't ONE more squished car ride in the belly sound better than two or more???


• Does the fact that it's a full moon tonight mean anything for us???

***Of course if Nate decides to wait and we head to the OB office.... there will be some MAJOR triple shopping happening Thursday afternoon before I head home.... LOL!!!

Feelings at the "End"

It's amazing how close we are getting to Nate's due date.... just days away... and that's before we even consider that he could surprise us;)

The "end" is hard... there is just such a crazy mix of emotions during this time for ALL of us!!!

Obviously with the physical strains on me... I am ready! It's not comfortable carrying the extra 35+ pounds... it really gives me more compassion for those who struggle with weight!! Because the extra weight DOES make a difference in how I move, wear and my energy level.

If you are tired of listening to me talk about my feet????? Just imagine my hubby, he's been soo understanding!! But it is by far the hardest thing about my pregnancy.... I am VERY fortunate and thankful that this is the case!! But since my feet have been soo stretched, they are also very sore... I've yelped a couple of times from pain when my kiddies have hit or stepped on my feet... OUCH!

One of the funniest feelings I have had is a little uneasiness about labor.... it's funny because I've been in labor 3 other times before so I go into delivering Nate with plenty of experience! But I guess each labor is different AND there is PAIN involved... LOL!!

But I'm thinking that the reason we get soo uncomfortable at the "end" is because we actually look forward to labor and are very willing to start;)

I am trying to enjoy these "last days"!!!

I feel Nate moving in my belly and KNOW I will miss him being sooo close and feeling him in there! He's been such an easy baby to carry:) And it's just too sweet of a feeling to WISH these days away!!

In fact last night I called Anna to come feel Nate moved as I rested in bed (for a second!!). Nate was moving around and I really didn't want her (and then Lydia joined us) to miss feeling him, too!! I was glad to see them start to interact a bit and try to talk to him;)

We feel like we are mentally ready for Nate, but both Brian and I are trying to get "last minute" things done. Brian has worked sooo hard finishing up (what he can) of the house renovations and new living room decor! He's also trying to get church events coming up planned and ready so he'll be ready if Nate surprises us;)

The kids are doing well. They've been pretty good with me trying to sit and rest a little more. I know they are getting a little restless with me, but that's the season we'll be in for now and a few weeks after Nate comes.... so we've been talking a lot about that. What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home is one of our favorite books to get them ready:)

One thing is for SURE.......
when Nate gets here.... he will be WELL- LOVED!!!!

Thanks again to Andrea for these great pics;) They are soo precious!

38 Weeks and the Birthday Pattern

I'm 38 weeks now..... honestly at 36 weeks when I was told how big he was, I didn't think I'd get this far..... but I'm here:)

To say, I'm doing well and a "happy camper" would be a little stretch..... this week I have felt even more limited by the swelling.... it's soo limiting and uncomfortable by the evening! But I have still remained busy in (and out) the house taking care of the family and the house.


Each night I have spent time cleaning and tidying "just in case"!! So my house is probably cleaner than normal.... at least it seems like it to me:) And my laundry has been caught up and manageable (why does it seem easier now??).


Emotional, too!!! I'm not sure why I'm letting little things really get under my skin? isn't that supposed to come AFTER the baby comes???


My sleeping has changed the last week or two.... while preggo ladies are KNOWN for all the pillows stacked around them, I have actually started to use less!! I have one for my legs and one for my head.... LOL!!! My belly hs gotten soo big that I don't need the support anymore and I've been having a less problems with ligaments..... gooo figure:)


I've been commenting that Nate is really moving around now. His movements are still (usually) very calm but more and more obvious and strong. In fact there have been times when I thought I was having contractions but it was just Nate pushing in a few different directions!


He also has been getting the hiccups more. I've actually noticed that he gets them when I haven't eaten or drank for a while (just busy with the kdis) . He's my little "alarm clock" saying,"Mommy it's time to drink something!"


I think I've mentioned our birthday pattern on the blog before... but all of our birthdays are in the last part of certain months. Like this!

• 24th - Me


• 25th - Chris


• 26th - Lydia


• 27th - Anna


• 28th - Brian

Anna and Chris were both due in the following month but came days earlier at the end of the previous month. Like Anna, she was due in early June, but came 5 days early on May 27th :) Lydia was the exception.... she was due in the middle of the month but then was a week late, we could have induced a day earlier, but we didn't want to induce and wanted to give her one more day to come on her own:)

So..... if Nate is following the "pattern"... LOL!! He should have come TODAY (the 23rd) or next Thursday (the 29th)!!! LOL!!!! Honestly, it would be fun if he did "fit" the pattern... but I'll take ANY day now:)

The Last Items in the Hospital Bag

The countdown is on and we finally have our hospital bag PACKED:) It's actually been slowly packed piece by piece since our last big trip.... Everything is packed on our bag.... extra clothes, new toothbrushes, hair ties, baby clothes, etc!!

But this weekend on his way home Brian picked up one of the final items for me.... it was the ONE reason for me to travel to this bigger city... this ONE item....

A sleeping nursing bra!!

I really wanted to get one to labor in under the hospital gown. And then to use for support since we'll be nursing every night for the next few months;)

My BRAVE husband walked into a maternity store with three tired kids and a small note I had made to help him and the clerk make a decision about what size I needed. He said he glanced at the note BEFORE he went in :) In the note was two bras I own.... the size and their brands. One brand being another maternity/nursing bra and then the other being my favorite brand called Barely There......

So my sweet husband reads through the note and is determined that he shouldn't pull out the note with the clerk there because he doesn't want to know that one of the bras "barely fits" his wife (he didn't realize that was the BRAND and NOT how it fit)!!! LOL!!!!!

He did finally pull out the note and call me! And I did get the bra I had been hoping for and I can finally put it into the bag (or wear it to the hospital!!!)


The LAST item was a DVD.... yes, my husband is a movie buff but don't usually buy DVDS. We DID recently purchased one of our FAVORITE movies, Pride and Prejudice. And now it's packed to watch during that 24 hours after Nate is born and before we are sent home!!! We'll see how much we get to see.... but it's something we both can look forward to....


LOL.... just thinking... maybe as I'm laboring I can focus on how "comfortable" I'll be after labor holding my baby watching one of my favorite movies....

sounds like a delightful hospital stay doesn't it.... after labor, of course;)

For those interested: I had a regular maternity checkup Wednesday!! Nothing new except I am measuring 41 now and I hadn't gained ANY weight!!!! My midwife didn't try to guess his weight today.... it sounds like at our next appointment we will see if my body getting ready for labor and make a "plan"......

Honestly, I'd rather just see my midwife at the hospital this weekend:)

Think We're JUST waiting for Nate????

I look around my house and just..... LAUGH!!! We have sooo many projects going on right now.... it's actually to the point that I wonder if having Nate amidst all the "projects" would add to any "craziness" ????

So let me share what else (besides Nate) we are waiting for.... in no order of importance:

#1 - Our upstairs potty (and other plumbing)

#2 - Carpeting upstairs in both rooms upstairs, up the stairs and the repositioning in the back of my LIVING room!

#3 - We also have had our vanity mirrors in BOTH the downstairs bathrooms removed to be replaced since the lighting fixtures weren't working. But the replacement vanities don't fit in the old spaces.... so this is what we have in the mean time...

#4 - My hallway..... great to have the "new" storage & I'm looking forward to putting some "bigger" baby items in it... but the trim needs major prep. before it can be painted. And there's no reason to pull the plastic covering the carpet in the hall until that work has been done.....
BTW... I love all the "extras" our contractor did to help keep the house clean. The plastic covering the carpet has been great... we can just "Sweep" the carpet! But it's also one of the things I am SOOOO ready to get rid of;)

#5 - Painting the living room..... LOL!! Did I even tell you we were needing to do this??? Since we added the half-wall for the staircase and there was evidence of traffic on the back wall, the living room needed painting!!!!

The GREAT news is that Brian finished that last night... and so (minus the back carpet) the living room will be back together soon:) Do you like the color???? I really like how the trim in the room really POPS now!

#6 - New Pet(s) - A few weeks ago we a GREAT opportunity to work with Insect Lore (such a cool company, review on SIMPLE soon!!!) and hatch some praying mantises!!! Since it came with an egg case, we immediately set it up and started this project!!

So daily we peek in on our "pets" to see if they have emerged!! The funniest thing is that we're not quite sure how many will emerge or when???
They say 3-6 weeks after receieving the egg case is the normal hatching time. We're on week #2 but the hatching season is also coming to an end.... so it may be a little earlier than the 6 weeks!

And I'm not sure what our childcare help will think of a case FULL of praying mantises hatching while they're here.... hha ahahaa!! The good thing is that they should be ok for a day and we don't plan to be at the hospital for more than 24 hours;)

So.... got any projects at your house?????

"Day of Rest" & Throwback Video

A month or so ago, Brian was approached by his brother with a great opportunity to take the kids to a performance of Cinderella. We were all looking forward to the trip to the BIG, BIG city to visit, until the date was discussed.... Sat, April 17th... the week Momma would be 37 weeks!!!

Since my feet were already swelling and my measurements were already BIG... I was immediately hesitant about traveling too far (for comfort reasons and not to be too far from my midwives)! I had mentally been preparing myself to watch Brian and the kids walk out the door.... without me!

Sure, I had some hesitations about them going too... Brian alone and out with all three by himself (not sure if he's done that before???), what will they eat (food allergies), what if one was sick???? All the crazy "if Mommy's not there, what will Daddy do" scenarios have been going through my head.....

not like Brian can't handle them.... and sometimes MUCH better than I!!!

But then Saturday morning as they all marched off into the minivan and Brian said his goodbyes... my heart broke!

I couldn't go! They were really going to leave me..... here... at home... not really feeling up to even meet friends or go shopping! Abandoned???

So yes.... I shed some tears! Both in Brian's presence and after they left. I was exhausted from bathing one, helping them get their chores done, packing them up, making their "picnic"-type lunch and then emotionally a mess (thank you hormones!).

So the first thing I did was CRASH... on the unmade (washing the sheets) bed... cried some more, prayed some and napped!

I actually got some things done.... laundry (yes, the sheets DID get back on the bed), reviews written, talked to my mom (through some more tears) for a while and REST!! What I was supposed to be doing in the first place!!

I did however complete a task that has been weighing on me.... I finally got all the videos off the old computer. And in the process, I uncovered a sweet, sweet video of Anna and Christopher from August 2006... Anna had just turned 2 and Chris was about 8 months (and I was about 3 months preggo with Lydia)!! I just LOVE their silly interactions and Chris' expressions:)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The video reminded me of all of their growing up and how much fun it will be to have Nate here with us soon! So I'll take the "day of rest" and count it as keeping Nate and I healthy while we wait for his arrival...

even when it means having some temporary limitations!

BTW... they all had a great time. We spent our dinner that evening listening to them tell me the story of CInderella and that it was "real people"! So I'm glad they went.

37... measuring 40!!!!

Christopher and I had back-to-back doctor's appointments Thursday.... my way to save some mula is to get MANY tasks completed when we head into town!! And we definitely did.... 2 appointments, 2 grocery stops, lunch with Grammie and Pey and playtime/drinks at Sonic (Chris' reward, my excuse)!!

So yes, we are finally 9 months (37 weeks) and ready to go at anytime!!

I was happy to see the midwives again... I love being in their HALL:) Anyway, today she just shook her head and said, "He's going to be BIG!" She measured me and sure enough I"m still measuring a few weeks BIG!! I measured 40!!!

So tell me... what happens when I'm 40 weeks??? DO I stretch to 43 weeks preggo... might get new stretch marks then:)

Actually, my widwife said that she doesn't think I'll go much longer!! That of course is her guess and it builds my hope that we'll meet Nate a little earlier.... but the reality is that Nate will come when it's time!

The conversation of inducing DID come up.... I think it's on file that I have a legitimate reason to be induced at 39 weeks!! I was induced with Lydia, so I'm not totally against it, but I've also been through a very "easy" little medical intervention with Chris and THAT is the way I hope we can go again!!

I am thankful for this time of "preparation" we have had!! We got in a maternity shoot with Andrea this week! And the results were beautiful:)

We are also using each morning to school.... Anna is just days/lessons from completing the core of her 1st grade work!! (That's it's own post!!)

On the physical front, I am doing well. I am still doing all the mommy and housewife tasks! My ankles, feet, toes... look like a BLOB at the end of the night... but besides feeling gross, it's not really "painful".

The ligament cramps and PMS-like cramps have caused some loss of sleep this week, but those are expected with the size of Nate and how far along I am now.

I gained some more weight this week... more than I was hoping.... but my new cravings have been soymilk/fruit shakes, fresh fruit and Sonic peach tea mixed with water (that stuff is SWEET)!

Nate is still moving a little more now! It has kept me up a little, but after MOST of the pregnancy not feeling him as much, his pushes and bumps are very comforting! he is doing more too... so maybe he's gearing up to meet his excited siblings;)

My midwives' estimated weight today was 8.5 pounds!! It's just an estimation... but that's a lot of baby for being 37 weeks;)

I mentioned that Chris also had an appt, too, today!! I was soo proud of how well he patiently waited for the nurse and then the doctor. He was soo obedient and did so well with the eye-sight and hearing tests... he looked sooo cute (didn't grab my camera fast enough)!

He now weighs 40 pounds and is 41 1/2 inches tall!! He's grown 3 inches in less than a year... I think most of that growth spurt happened just a month or two ago when he started fitting in the pants that were too big earlier in the winter!!

We did have a breakdown with his ONE shot.... but after that he was back to himself... loving the all the attention of Grammie, Pey and Mommy!!

His reward for being soo great at every stop and appt was to go to SONIC!! So that was our last stop as we headed home;) It was a little strange for him to be a Sonic without his sisters... he looked like a "lost" puppy for a bit, not having anyone to play with at first! But he soon found some other kids and jumped right in;)

A busy but fun day!!! I was sooo thankful that Grammie and Pey stopped by to spend time with us as they passed through on their way home. We LOVE having them at this new and closer job:) They were soo helpful with Chris and even kept him while I was with my midwife... made the appt go by fast;)

Next week it's Lydia and I with the back-to-back appts.... if we don't meet Nate first!!! LOL!!

WFMW & WW : Funny Labor Graphic!! and link to Maternity Pics

So I have just 2 days before I am 37 weeks!!!

I'm not expecting Nate to KNOW that it's OK to come NOW.... LOL!! But I've been feeling the need to be ready, really ready.

I mean, I can pack an overnight bags in minutes! But for labor, I always want to feel confident that I understand and know what my body is about to go through... LOL!!! So I have pulled out the labor resources we've collected from our 3 other births and have started to review:)

In the reviewing, I was reminded of this graphic.... which I LOVE:) but also find it soo helpful:) ENJOY:)

***This picture is a picture of a graphic from a booklet untitled Birth Companion Booklet that we received more than 6 years ago as we prepared for Anna's birth!! They still sell it HERE!

You can find some other picture posts at Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom and Go Graham Go!!! And more always super helpful Works for Me Wednesday at We are That Family!!

We also had the chance to meet up with Andrea who took some family maternity pictures for us!!!

She is sooo super talented and makes even a simple moment gorgeous:) She's posted some of the pictures of the maternity shoot and our families together.... on her personal blog and photography blog:) They all are great and will be treasured !!!

Nesting & Preparation or Just Paranoid

This weekend I have had a little more energy and the feeling that I really have needed to have "stuff" together!

Maybe it was from Andrea's labor post, or us continuing to prepare for Nate or just that "feeling", but I pulled out our labor resources and started reviewing.... Oh, not me!!
Here is Anna helping me go through some cute outfits we picked up this week for Nate:) Gotta love some Once Upon a Child.... soo affordable and cute;)

***BTW, one of the resources talks about the signs of pre-labor.... I've experienced a few in the last few days... LOL!!! Probably a sign of just being a little paranoid especially since I'm not 37 weeks until the end of the week!

One night I just climbed into bed "early" just to read about labor. I was also very uncomfortable and thought it wise just to go to bed. Poor Brian came in to check on me.... complaining about cramps, reading labor books, being in bed "early"... I sooo didn't have him worried that we'd be making a trip to the hospital that night. And definitely not worried enough for HIM to start reading the labor books as well:)

Also while I watched the kids outside, I started working on their "daily schedule" and meals while Brian and I are in the hospital having Nate. I'm hoping the "schedule" is just useful for whoever keeps the kids, but the meals are soo needed with the food allergies!! We really want the kids to be safe! It's comforting for us and those watching them that there are "safe" foods/meals already planned and ready!

So as Brian headed to town for visitation, I totally handed him my list of groceries that needed to be picked up to complete the meal plans for the kids. I know he was thinking, "Does this have to be done TODAY?" But I'm in a stage where I need to feel like we're "ready"!! So, I did send my husband to the grocery store for items we may not need for weeks.... without concern about sales or coupons, yes, I did!

Sunday afternoon/evening I baked 4 loaves of banana bread to use up the old bananas AND prepare food for Brian and I to take to the hospital (due to more allergy concerns)... yes, I did!!

Do I put those in the freezer or will we need them in 10 days or less????

LOL!!! I'm starting to wonder if I'm nesting or just a bit paranoid and "jumping the gun"???

Ultrasound Results

We had a good visit with the OB for the 36 week checkup. And the ultrasound DID answer many of the questions we had been having and the things that we were concerned about.

First things first! Nate is healthy and growing well:) Despite all my crazy "what if" scenarios.... he's normal and looks good from the ultrasound.

Second, what position is he in?
Nate is head down!!!! Whooo-hoooo!! Although he is laying with his back towards my belly and is pointed back. And he is curved to the right, which is why I am feeling most of the movements to the high left.... his feet:) The lower movements I am feeling are his little hands doing what babies in-utero do.

Third, why don't I feel Nate moving more strongly?
One reason could be his personality. But another is where my placenta is in my uterus! How it is laying, Nate is kicking at my placenta, but the movements don't all hit my uterus which is where the nerves are.... I KNEW I wasn't feeling a lot of movements! It's not a problem... just where and how everything attached months ago:)

Fourth, why am I measuring sooo BIG???
One reason is that I have plenty of fluid for Nate. It's in the normal range for a preggo lady, but it's on the higher end of the ok range and I am sooo small:) Who knows why I am carrying that much but I also had plenty for Lydia... so it's nothing new!

The real reason is NATE!!! He's a BIG boy (for me). Technically we are almost 36 weeks preggo (by everyone else's charts) but the ultrasound was estimating me to be about 39 weeks pregnant and had my estimated due date at April 21st.... not May 7th, like we have calculated! All b/c of Nate's measurements!

Today Nate'e weight estimated to already be 7lbs 10 oz!! Some of his measurements were at the 97% level for a newborn!! In fact I hunted around a bit for an average weight of newborns and it is 7 lbs 11 oz!! NEWBORNS!!!!!... we still have 4.5 weeks before we are full-term.

They said that the most a baby will gain is a 1/2 lb a week which makes the maximum that Nate could weigh at birth is like 2 more pounds or 9 lbs 10 oz!!! he would easily be my biggest baby... Chris was 8lbs 9 oz and the girls were both 7 lbs 14 oz!

The Plan
Right now because our vitals are great! Nate is healthy and head down! And that I have already birthed 3 decent sized babes.... The doctor is letting us continue normally:) I will hopefully just go into labor when it happens and Nate is ready (or my body is ready...LOL!).

We have to admit that we were a "little" disappointed that they weren't going to possibly start the discussion about inducing early because of his SIZE (it would be great to meet Nate soon!!)....

But I am MORE thankful that he's healthy and that the doctor has confidence that a normal labor and delivery is possible.... it just makes sense that my body would labor better if it's on it's own schedule... even though there could be uncomfortable days ahead... especially with the warmer weather and my ankles/feet/legs/hands!

Oh, and I am also glad that there is no other "special" concerns because that means I can see the midwives again and that they can deliver Nate!! It was going to be a little sad that I would have had to switch over to the doctors since I have had such great experiences with the midwives!

Thanks for all your prayers!! Everything looks good:) We will have a big, healthy baby boy in our arms in a little while longer;)

On the Other Side

Andrea posted Owen's Birth Slideshow today! HERE it is....

I know I am one of the most excited that she was able to put it together since I was able to be involved and do some of the pictures for her (until she felt well enough to get the camera into her hands again.... LOL!!).

I'm not sure where to begin how I got to be involved;)

Let's just say that when Andrea approached me about photographing the birth, I was very hesitant!! VERY, very hesitant..... first ME taking pictures for Andrea... she's a GREAT photographer, I am NOT!!! Then ME being at her baby's birth... like labor, and delivery and everything...

To say I was hesitant, honored and even overwhelmed is putting it mildly!

So for months I've been working with her manual SRL to figure out "How in the world am I going to take decent pics of this once-in-a-lifetime event???" And Andrea also gave me some websites/slideshows to watch for "inspiration"!

But on that Friday morning, I learned 1st hand the range of emotions from being "on the other side" of delivering a baby... the anxious friend in the room, quietly cheering you on and trying to work your SRL camera:)


I feel like part of the experience was very comfortable because I had the same midwife deliver Lydia and for all three deliveries I didn't have an epidural! So there were a lot of times I very much knew what was going on because I have been there.....


But in many ways I wasn't a participant, but in other ways everyone in the room is a participant when you are talking about a delivery room. As Andrea labored, I "felt" every contraction, I wanted to start the slow breathing to "help" her get through it.... or as she was pushing, so wanted to "help" her push!


I wanted my friend to have a great delivery and a healthy little boy! But during those intense moments at the end, as the doctor was called and Andrea was just exhausted.... we all felt the intensity of the birth....

And then there was Owen!!


A nurse had quietly told me to NOT take pictures before Owen had been checked over by the NICU.... so I held the camera but not snapping away... until the actual doctor brought Owen up and said, "Did you get a pic of him, yet?" or something like that!!!!

My eyes quickly filled-up... all was well!! Owen was healthy! Andrea did it!! (Oh, wait, doc.... I need to get that picture!!!) LOL!!

It was truely amazing to be a part of the miracle of Owen's birth and Andrea's labor!!

Some have asked if being with Andrea in labor has affected my own labor plans in a month or so! Well, yes and no..... :)

Having had my three without an epidural I will still go that route!! While the level of pain is intense with an epidural-free birth, I still feel confident that it's the best way for us. If anything Andrea's labor was encouraging because she did it as her 3rd birth!!

The staff that attended Andrea were amazing. They had her in different positions for pushing that really helped.... I remembering telling the midwife, "I need to do that when I labor this time." So I learned some new ways to labor as well:) And I'm SOOOOO hoping Nate will come when Andrea's nurse is on-duty... I'm asking for HER by NAME!!!


It was also nice that while Andrea labored and described some of her pain, I could identify some of the "stages of labor". I have always found it comforting to know the "stages" because you know your body is working right. You know the pain/feeling is normal. And you know that the end is getting closer!! So I am TOTALLY reviewing my laboring information so I can be "prepared"!

I've totally been "sitting the fence" about having someone attend the birth to take pictures.... I have already been questioning myself about this after the few that Andrea posted from her delivery and now with the SLideshow!! I have some of when I had Anna... my mom was snapping away, so a little more graphic than I'd like... LOL!! So this conversation has been restarted in our house as we prepare for our labor and delivery of Nate:) We will see!!

The other side of labor & delivery is amazing and I definitely got to see the miracle and "enjoy" it without the pain:)

You did AWESOME Andrea and Travis!! And Thank you for letting me be the "fly on the wall".

35 Weeks

Ok, OK... I'm feeling REALLY pregnant!!!

I've been seeing (and feeling) it more and more! But I realized it Thursday...

after traveling home Wednesday

attending and tending to kids at Awana and on the van

getting kids in bed, unpacking

waking with a full day ahead, showered, dressed

packed kids, lunches and bags

walked around with kids' field trip

feed the crew lunch

picked up groceries and headed home

CRASHED for 2 hours

tended kids outside and decided to work in the garden

the phone rang.....

And it took me FOREVER to get up... LOL!! TOTALLY missed the call. I had to call the person back:) Yes, I am THAT pregnant and starting to FEEL it;)

I'm really looking forward to the ultrasound for some answers. Part of me wants an early induction if Nate is big, but another part of me just wants a normal report with everything looking normal! No matter how much I think about it or ponder what I think the answer is....

the truth is...

Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Luke 12:24-26 (New Living Translation)

So I am really just trying to get done the normal and extra stuff that needs to be done around the house... oh, there is PLENTY to do:) And getting my feet up when I can (it has really helped). And enjoying my sweet kids and the beautiful days we have been given lately... so nice!

I've been chuckling this week about people sharing with me about whether I look like Nate has "dropped" or not! I've never been able to tell myself OR even when others have dropped.... but others have started to share:) It's funny because within an hour of being around people I"ll hear both, "Oh, you've dropped." or "You haven't dropped yet." I guess I"ll know more after the ultrasound....

Now that it's April, and I seriously have 2 WEEKS before I"m full term!!!, is to start working on

• all the arrangements for the kids and us when Nate decides to come. We'll be making a list of those folks we can call in the middle of the night (since that's when Anna and Chris decided to come). Another part of being at the hospital is having meals planned and gathered for the kids since their food allergies are always on our minds. It will be nice having everything in place so we can feel really confident about the home scene when we leave to deliver Nate!!


• Our meal plans for when we return home! We think we can handle bringing home Nate and handling the house without calling in some grandparents for back-up... it's going to be tough. The house may be messy (but we'll eat with meals planned)..... it will be nice to have some normal adjustment time just with our little family and to get into a nursing routine. We'll see how it goes.... I warned Grandma this week that Brian and the kids might escape to her house if I go through the "hormonal crazies" that I usually have the first week postpartum:)


• My house!!!!! There are soo many "small" projects that I feel need to be done before Nate arrives. Most involve tidying up places and things that we have let go with the work being done to the house or just because we're not sure what to do with it. So it's time to clean it up, so make our house feel cleaner when Nate comes;)

**Sorry about the picture, I'm having Picasa issues again:) maybe I'll have time to figure it out later... probably the result of a kid messing around on my computer;)

34 week Update

Whoo- hoo 34 weeks and counting;)

In soo many ways this pregnancy is flying by:) But then in other ways it's going soo slow... days that we see new pics of Owen and Andrea's family enjoying their little baby:) LOL... our little man is growing and we'll be meeting him in just a couple of weeks;)

Physically I continue to do well with no extra limitations.... Like taking the kids to my parents alone!

I've been amazed at how much less back pain I've had with this pregnancy! I've always been told to NOT carry the children while pregnant because it was causing the pain, but I'm still occasionally picking them up ,when I really need to, and they are MUCH bigger!! But this time the back pain is more at night when I'm trying to sleep or if I"ve been sitting wrong, rather than the constant ache that I had with the other three pregnancies.

I've noticed new pains though and I've figured out why... LOL!! For some reason our homeschool bench and my preggo-body aren't getting along too well:) I've carried an extra cushion in with me lately and tried to stand or walk around more often (drink and potty breaks)!

I mentioned my swelling during the last update. It's gotten a little worse but it's not even close to how big my feet, ankles and legs got when I was pregnant with Anna. And flip flop weather is coming, so I'm fortunate that I can wear flip flops and not be totally out-of-season... LOL!!

Isn't it gross... sorry for the pic! My toenails are newly painted today!

At my 34 week check-up, the doctor was a little concerned about the swelling. She told me the symptoms of pre-eclampsia to be watching for... not that she's worried I have it, but that swelling is an obvious sign and my swelling is soo obvious (just wait, it's going to get a LOT worse if it's anything like my 1st pregnancy).

I've noticed that my eating has changed a bit. I'm leaning more towards smaller meals with snacks in between. I"m still really craving cheese crackers and fruit. And I've started making smoothies with frozen fruit, honey and soymilk.... it's soo refreshing for me and helps me get the calcium and proteins I'm needing at this stage.

And now onto NATE:)

Believe it or not, he's been moving more often now. He's still very gentle and it's usually just a bump or an elbow that goes across my baby belly. It's nice to have him moving a little more though and the movements are more noticeable!

At my 34 week appt, the doctor checked his position. They THINK he is head down, but his head isn't in my pelvis yet. So he's still not in the "right" spot... but making his way there.

I measured 38!! That's like 4 weeks too big. There have been other visits that I've measured a week or two more, but never 4 more. And it was a little surprising because at my last appt 2 weeks ago, I measured right on??? So all those who have said I look "BIG" or "about to pop" have a really good eye:)

While I haven't made a big deal about weight gain... the bigger measurement isn't due to weight gain, since I've only gained about 24 pounds thus far.... and most days I feel like most of it is in my feet and legs:)

The doctor wasn't really concerned, but thinks it's either the way he is laying with his back arched out.... making my belly stretched out front more. Or that he's a BIG boy!!! Yikes!! Chris was 8lbs 9 ozs... not sure I can push out a babe bigger than that, although Chris' delivery was the easiest!!

So at my next appt an ultrasound is planned. They will check to be sure his is head down AND his weight.... maybe even checking to see if I can physically birth him... oh, I hope so, after having three vaginally with no epidurals, it would be a BIG change to have a C-section! And more recovery and soo on.

So that is what is going on with Nate and I!

32 Weeks... finally an update;)

These last few weeks Lydia has been the impatient kiddo when it comes to baby brother. She asked me one morning this week while I was in the shower (at 7:15am, mind you),"Is my little brother here yet?" I answered,"No." She responded,"Well, when is my little sister coming?" LOL!!

I still feel great... just get tired!!! I nap in the afternoons though, yes.... even with the construction guys here:) I don't think I could get through dinner and the evening hours without some moments of rest!! Probably due to being 32 weeks pregnant!!! But I also think it's due to staying up tooo late and not getting outside to "get into shape"!

There is a BIG change though in me that I am not excited about AT ALL!!! I have noticed my feet and legs swelling........ grrrrrr!!!!

I have always gotten a little swollen.... but with Anna, my legs and feet got soo big that it was gross to look at. I had people stop me at the grocery store and offer to get me a wheelchair or if I needed "help"!

So that has started again...... and it's early, so I can only imagine how big they will get in the next few weeks. The only good things are that it doesn't mean anything is wrong, it doesn't affect Nathaniel and it goes totally away before I'm a week postpartum... or it did when I had Anna!!

Some of my cravings are back!!! LOL!! I was really craving cheese.... which most of you know isn't found in our milk-allergy house. So cheese crackers and just cheese has been a yummmmmy snack. And chocolates... my favorites are the mini Easter eggs "AKA glorified M&Ms" (always have been my favorites!!!!). I read that baby needs more calcium during these next few weeks so his bones can harden.... good excuse, right!!

Another craving has been grapefruit. I bought some on sale a few weeks ago and have had the fridge STOCKED since then... as long as I eat them in the morning with other food I haven't had trouble with them causing heartburn:) Chris likes them too:)

And now onto NATHANIEL!!!!!

I have blogged before about him having "quiet days".... but it's actually more than that. He is just been a low-key baby to carry. I can feel him move only when I eat/drink and sit/rest. His favorite kicking times are afternoon naptime and when I first lay in bed. And his kicks are really like nudges... he's just really gentle and I feel him pushing on my hips more than in my ribs/chest.

At my OB appt on Friday, I mentioned how "quiet" Nathaniel has been. My midwife seemed concerned until I told her that he's been that way since I first started feeling him move. His patterns really haven't changed... he's just a "quiet", or maybe it's content, baby thus far.

On my chart it has that Nathaniel is breech.... he's NOT head-down!! So Friday, she mashed around on my belly to figure out how Nate is situated.... she was STUMPED! She didn't have a clue what was his head or his bottom and he was lying across my belly instead of up and down.....
Right now it isn't a problem. But at 36 weeks, if he isn't FOR SURE head-down, we'll be getting another ultrasound, and then proceeding from there... lets just say it doesn't sound fun!!

After some hunting around she found his heartbeat. It was steady and fine. But she really had to hunt since she wasn't sure how he was laying!!! She thought maybe some of his movements have been "gentle/quiet" because of the weird way he is laying.


AS far as preparations go...
1. Got Chris' newborn clothes washed and ready... might have to hunt for some more seasonal items since Chris was a winter baby:)

2. We bought a stroller and infant carseat on clearance with a coupon:) It's a Graco and I have really loved the Graco carseats we have owned.... so I was excited!!


3. The crib is up;) Just need to get the bedding washed and put on:)

Right now were just helping where we can with the renovations and trying to get through the schooling!! I'd love to have Anna finished the main subjects and only have history and science left to enjoy over the summer!!

Lydia's Birth Story: Waiting, then Induction and scary moments

With my pregnancy with Lydia I got VERY tired at month 9!! I know a lot of my exhaustion was being limited to travel and having Christmas at our house.... the normal Christmas season is busy enough, but then add preparing for and hosting both families (which we were VERY glad to do!!), cooking, cleaning up and caring for a 2.5 yr old and a 14 month old on top of being 9 months pregnant!!

I had had Anna 5 days before my due date and Chris 10 days... so I was totally expecting Lydia to be early, like Chris since the pregnancy was soo close to Chris'.

I had two weeks at like week 36 and 37 when I was MORE than ready to birth my Lydia!!! I actually ASKED what I could do to "bring on some labor"!! The midwives told me to squat to pick up toys and stay active...LOL!! NOT what I wanted to hear:)

**pic of when I was 39 weeks preggo with Lydia:)

After hearing that... That's what I did! I walked with the kids, took them everywhere I went and listened to everyone say, "You are HUGE. When are you due?" I think my final answer was funny... I had Chris and Anna at Walmart and when they asked I said,"yesterday!" because I was.

The fun thing was that my mom had arranged her schedule to be "available" when Lydia came. So she stayed with us after the due date!! Brian and I got to go to my OB appt together and got a "kid-free" lunch after. The next evening while having mild contractions, we brought our hospital bags with us out to eat and a movie..... no Lydia:(

Since I had tried not to have too much medical intervention with the other births... I really didn't want to be induced with Lydia. While with the midwives we discussed the choices of having a stress test or being induced when I was past my due date! And I honestly felt better about just having the stress test..... BUT...

that last week Lydia really had changed her movements. She'd been pretty active in my belly, but after 40 weeks she had really slowed down and wasn't moving half as much.... she was still moving some and her heartbeats were fine... but I was worried!!! So we scheduled the induction for 3 days later.... hoping I'd go into labor first.

I remembered my mom's worried comments as we left for the hospital on "induction day". She said she was worried I might have to have a C-section. I remember my response back," A C-section wouldn't be the WORST case scenario... having a sick baby would be."

Once settled in the room and all the IVs and pitocin pumping into me, we waited. I actually worked on Lydia's baby book and finished MOST of it before my contractions were regular enough to be labor....

I remember the first part of labor felt like an intense urge to use the potty, we'd call the nurse who would try to get me unhooked to use the potty and then the urge would go away. After the 4th or 5th time we just started laughing, realizing it was contractions.... like I'd never felt before!!

After being 3 -4 cm dilated and contractions really taking over, a LDPR opened up (that's a room where you labor, deliver and then stay postpartum until you leave the hospital... usually a little bigger with room for Daddy to camp out.... love these rooms!!). My midwife asked if I wanted to have that room and I quickly said yes. But that meant that we had to pack up and move down two halls;) So we did.... I was walking in active labor pushing my little "pitocin pole" .... LOL!!

Once in the LDPR, my midwife thought it would be a good time to break my waters.... I was all for it!! Ready for my body to take over!! And it SOOOOO did!!!

But once the "waters" was broken we realized that Lydia was in meconium which is VERY dangerous! While her heartbeats were steady and labor was normal, the NICU was put in place for when she arrived.

Laboring I was having double the contractions with my body laboring and the pitocin making more contractions! Plus the knowledge that something could be wrong, labor was intense!!

I remember my midwife suggesting for me to find a position to be "comfortable". So I moved around in all sorts of positions, some she suggested, some that just sounded good to me. But I felt soo unsteady in every position. Finally I looked at her in desperation and said, "I just can't get comfortable!!" She sweetly put her hand on my shoulder and gently said,"Kelly, you are in transition. Laboring with pitocin and NO pain medication. There is NO position that is going to be pain-free!"

So I laid in the bed on my side and rested until I was completely dilated and ready to push. I don't remember it taking long to push her out. But I DO remember the instructions... Lydia was going to be put on my chest, but I was not to stimulate her or make her cry. That was to prevent any mecoinum from being aspirated by Lydia... which could cause illness and even brain damage. I kept her still on my chest until the umbilical cord was cut.

Then the NIC-U team came rushing in and whisked her to the "baby warmer" to clean out her mouth and check her over. The NIC-U team looked like a bunch of teenagers wearing white coats... they looked soo young!! But I remember looking over at them caring for Lydia and there was my little girl cooo-ing and trying to talk to them:)

RELIEF.... our little girl was fine!!!

Lydia was fine. Her Apgar scores were fine. And although I really, really, really didn't want to be induced and flooded with IVs, I felt like we had made the best decision for us and Lydia.

OH!! I should mention that I was cared for the whole time by my midwife.... one that I love and hope to see at the hospital with Nate:) But that there was another physician who checked in on us regularly after my "waters" were broken and the meconium found. The physician also came in later to check on me and she was soo encouraging!! Another plus to my practice!

***Not wanting to start a debate.... but Lydia's birth was a reason I wanted to go to a hospital with a NIC-U! I'm glad that Lydia didn't need intensive care but it was available to us at the hospital we were at. And who would have known that she even needed them to check her after I had had a very normal, no complications, no red flags, no high-risk pregnancy???

I can't find Lydia's birth pictures?????? So here is the closest thing I have.... a montage I made for her 1st birthday... the first couple of pictures are from the hospital and that first trip home.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Chris' Birth Story : 1st Birth with Midwives

I shared some of Anna's birth story with you all earlier this week.... the birth that drove me to find some midwives!!

I really enjoyed my pregnancy with Christopher as I was under the care of a great group of midwives!! I was sooo glad with how they were accepting about my birth plan....wanting to know how I wanted to labor (if possible)!

But none of us was truly expecting Chris when he decided to make his appearance.... LOL!! I was limited to home (since I was 38 weeks preggo) when the Thanksgiving holiday rolled around, so we had Brian's clan come celebrate with us at our house. I prepared the house for them and helped with the meal.... basically had a normal day:)

We had a restless evening since Anna (18 months) was dealing with a cold and was in bed with me... neither of us sleeping b/c she was insistent to have her itty bitty arms around my neck for comfort:) I'm thankul now that I was able to snuggle with just her for that evening.... before our Little Man took over!

Very early I started to feel contractions.... so I worked hard to really get Anna sleeping as I watched the clock to figure out how far apart the contractions were. She finally feel asleep as the contractions were STRONG and about 5 minutes apart...

I woke Brian sleeping on the floor in the baby room. I still laugh at his response, "We have to go tonight? Now?" We were all soo tired!!! He woke his parents and packed some stuff in a bag.

We headed to the hospital about 3 or 4 AM, calling our midwife on the way:)

In triage, they hooked me up and realized I WAS in labor and was only feeling half the contractions.... so they were really coming about 2 minutes apart!! And they called our midwife to make sure she was on her way.... she was:)

Once in my room they put in a heparin lock only and said that the midwife would decide if I needed an IV. They also hooked me up to monitors, to monitor the baby. When the midwife got there with her radio and soothing music she saw the readings off the monitor and unhooked me... suggesting that I move around as I pleased.... oh, and no IVs needed!

As we look back we don't remember anyone being in the room with us for awhile..... Brian helping me through contractions... nurses checking every once in a while.

***Let me send huge Kudos to my hubby!! He is super great when I'm in labor! It was during Chris' birth when we were in the room alone for a while that he started telling me stories to "distract" me during contractions. It really works for me... just gets the focus off the contractions and myself.

We later found out that our midwife was needed for an emergency case and when she came in, I realized that the contractions were "overwhelming" me. I just didn't feel in control enough to RELAX... knowing that I didn't want an epidural, she suggested Nubane that could be done through the Heparin Lock.

I took her advice... the Nubane made me dizzy and nauseous though so after that one dose I stayed in the bed. I do think it helped me feel more in control and relax a bit.

I don't remember when the midwife suggested "breaking my waters". It already had been leaking and I had been laboring for a few hours, so it we all needed a little boost:) LOL!!


Not very long after it was time to push.... and it seemed Chris came right out! We had a very quiet, dim room with just Brian, our nurse, the midwife and a nurse for Chris.

Here was his 1st picture...Brian took it at 8:45am!! (less than 6 hours after heading to the hospital which is 45 minutes away)

One of the funniest parts of Christopher's birth was our 1st visitor. We had a sweet college student nearby and he had called our house EARLY in the AM to see if we had had Chris since another friend had delivered her baby Thanksgiving night. When Brian's parents told him we were at the hospital he drove RIGHT over...

I think the nurse was still cleaning Chris when he got there (9ish...I think!) LOL!! I remember him telling me later how tired I looked.... LOL!!! I'd been up all night with Anna and up all morning delivering Chris:) I think it's funny/sweet how excited he was to jump into the car and visit soo quickly:)

Brian's parents and brother came to visit with Anna in the afternoon.... so our 1st "new" family picture was taken at 3:30pm .... just 6.5 hours after delivering Chris!!

I must have napped b/c I don't look THAT tired.... LOL!! Can you believe how little Anna was with her little paci:)

The mood of the delivery room was soooo much different with Chris. It was very calm, peaceful and controlled.... there wasn't any tension between the midwife and hospital staff, or us. I really felt like with midwives, I was given the ability to make some of our own choices about how to labor and that I had someone who was helping me to labor....

Ok.... this might sound super CRAZY.... but we almost "enjoyed" labor. We look back on Chris' birth and have many positive and funny memories!

WFMW: How I Chose an OB

We headed back to the OB last Friday for a normal checkup... 3 weeks since my last. And everything looked good;) Sometimes during these normal checkups it's a little funny to drive sooo far for the OB to say "everything is fine" when I feel well.

But I was reminded how NICE I have it;) And how thankful I am to have a good set of doctors to go to.

I chose the practice a little differently than one usually does... maybe by the phonebook or advice from friends. I instead went to the hospital, where I wanted to deliver, and attended one of their tours!!! After the tour, I cornered the experienced staff person that lead the tour and questioned her.... LOL!!

I told her what kind of practice I wanted, what kind of delivery I was hoping to have and asked for her suggestions. Although she couldn't officially tell me where I should go, she did tell me about a couple of practices and her experience with them and the policies she understood at each.

I walked away from the conversation knowing EXACTLY where I would go for OB care and I have LOVED the practice ever since... this is my third pregnancy with them:)

No.... they are NOT perfect!! It's a BIG practice, so sometimes we have a longer wait (although this week we were out in 30 minutes!!! awesome, I know!). They are also a part of a bigger system which causes confusion with billing issues... my poor husband deals with that!

But I couldn't stand the thought of being in their area and not having them care for me and my Nate-baby coming in May! I love their position on LIFE, their cautiousness with new mediciations/vaccinations and my gals....

In NO other doctor's office am I greeted by a physician I do NOT have an appt with. Not only am I greeted by NAME (with no chart in hand) but the gals also ask about the other kids. Often they ask if the kids are with me... since one delivered Chris and the other delivered Lydia!! It's almost like visiting with friends!! Ones that are cheering us on until we meet Nate;)

Monday I shared why I sought out a midwife practice... and I'm hoping to share Chris' and Lydia's birth stories with you... so much different than Anna's:)

Works For Me Wednesday is being hosted by Rocks in My Dryer the next two weeks... so click here to learn all sorts of new ideas:)