What I Said I'd Never Do

I think every parent knows it all. You know what works and what doesn't. And then comes another baby and then you are sent back to the drawing board to figure it all out again. What worked for you once, doesn't work for you always. What works for one baby, doesn't fit every baby's mold. I swore I would never sleep with a baby (or child at all) in my bed. For the life of me I couldn't understand how or why any parent would do this. And then Lauren was born and it all changed. I began sleeping with her my hospital bed and I can honestly say I am in love with the idea now. I know I am probably spoiling her, but I don't care. I love cuddling with her in the middle of the night knowing that my warmth and my smell is what calms her down. There is nothing sweeter than that. I won't always do this, but for now it works so why mess with a good thing. I wonder if part of the reason I have bonded with her so well is because she stays so close to me. So there is something I swore I would never do.

Announcement Picture

This morning Lauren and I did a photo shoot for her birth announcement. I am so happy with how they turned out and I wanted to share the one that will be going in her announcement. Too cute!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

What a week this has been! Where do I even start. On Thursday night (last week) Hailey and Ethan were using me as a human jungle gym. I was lying on the couch and they were jumping up and down all around me. Well Hailey's foot nailed me right in the belly and it felt like I'd been stabbed by a knife. I laid there for a few minutes in tears because it hurt so badly. Then after the kids were in bed I got up and looked in the mirror, thinking I would see a bruise. Nothing. "Well that's a good thing" I thought to myself. I checked several more times that night to see if I'd bruised and never did. It still hurt a lot though.


I didn't sleep much during the night because I was in pain and I noticed the baby's kicked had decreased. So I was up a lot counting her every movement. By morning I was feeling a little better, but she was still less active than normal. I played around with the idea of calling my doctor, but I didn't have any bleeding or loss of fluid so I figured it wasn't anything to be concerned about. Then at 1:30 my sister called me and I told her what happened and asked her if SHE would be concerned. She said "Uh, yeah I would!" So I paged my doc and he called back. I didn't even get through explaining to him what had happened with Hailey before he said "You need to come on in to Labor and Delivery and get checked out". He told me of some tests he would run and if he wasn't happy enough with the results, he would want to deliver the baby that day! Aaahhhh!!! So I called Cody, left the kids at my sweet neighbor's house (thanks a million, Jen!) and off we went.


I didn't have time to clean up my house, let alone pack anything to take. I did however grab both cameras just in case this girl debuted. I was so scared and nervous the whole way there, just praying that the baby would suddenly become more active and get back to her normal self. But she never did. Finally at the hospital I was hooked up and monitored for 15 minutes, then moved into ultrasound. That was the longest U/S I've ever had! They looked and looked for everything. She looked in every knook and cranny to see if there was a problem. Although she couldn't find anything, during the hour long U/S we only saw the baby move about twice. That was a little scary. So then I was sent back over to L&D and hooked up to an IV of sugar water. They were hoping that getting some sugar into my blood would wake up the baby. Still nothing even after and hour on the IV. Then they moved onto another test where a doc did another U/S to check for movement and breathing (apparently babaies swallowing amniotic fluid is called their breathing). She looked and looked for about 30 minutes and barely saw a movement from her, and never saw her breathing. At about 8:00 that night she called my OB to give him the report and see what he wanted to do.


They were a little iffy about sending me home, but decided that things looked good enough to let me go. But there was this nagging voice that wouldn't shut up in my head that said "That's not good enough!" It wouldn't stop saying that! So I asked to talk to my doc on the phone and told him what I was feeling. He said he was more inclined to listen to that voice and go ahead and deliver her. I felt very relieved, but very scared!!! Luckily Cody had called my little sister hours before and told her what was going on, because she had planned on being here for the birth. It all worked out and she was able to get out of town and make it up here just in time. She walked into L&D as they were making the final decision.


The got me back to a pre-op room and got everything hooked up and ready. We sat around just waiting for the doc to get there and finally at 10:30 he showed. I was in the OR by 11:00 and at 11:37 p.m. on September 21 Lauren Elizabeth showed her cute little face. 6 pounds 10 ounces, 18.5 inches long. She wasn't as big as we thought she would be, but not bad for being 37.5 weeks gestation. She could have been a good 8 pounds if she'd waited that extra 13 days (until my scheduled c-section). Leighann got to video tape the birth and I'm excited to get to have it all documented. Lauren is so perfect and healthy and we're so happy to have this new little person join our family. I am not excited to go through the ordeal again any time soon, but I would gladly do it all over again for this baby and my other babies too. C-sections are certainly not for sissies, but things really couldn't have gone more smoothly. Lauren took to breastfeeding instantly and is such a sweet baby. Ethan and Hailey love her, but it's going to take some getting used to having a new baby around. Hailey is already trying to take over as Mommy. It's pretty cute.

Last night was our first night home and it went okay. It went a lot better than my first night home with Ethan and Hailey. I wasn't anxious or anything like I was with them. I guess I may be getting used to this! I will be posting something new each day so you can keep up with Lauren's development and the crazy happenings of our family. We are in for a wild ride!!!

Last pregnancy pic in pre-op.

Leighann kept everything light and fun!

Good Big Sister

This morning Hailey spent a full hour in the baby's room doing some mommy-ing to her dolls. It was so cute and I couldn't believe she kept herself entertained for so long! We are still in the process of getting stuff organized in there, and there is a big box of old bottles and binkies on the floor. She maticulously took out the bottles, lined them up in the floor, then took her baby dolls and undressed them (don't know why they had to be naked!) then lined them up too. Then she began putting bottles AND dolls into the carseat. Then she climbed in the carseat and cuddled with everything. She did this over and over again, then fed the dolls, then fed herself from the empty bottles...the whole thing was just so cute. I think she will have a love/hate for this new baby at first, but after the shock wears off she will be a great big sister. She has the mothering thing down! I am so excited to introduce this new one to her big brother and sister. I know they can't wait to meet her either! I just feel so blessed to give my kids another lifelong friend and playmate. Yeah they are fairly close in age (Ethan just turned 3 1/2 and Hailey is 20 months) and it will be tough, but I can think of no better gift to give them than each other. And sometimes I actually catch myself think about baby #4 and how fun that will be for them too. CRAZY for Cody and me, but so much fun for the kids. But we'll try to take a little break in between #3 and #4!

Ready to Burst! 37+ weeks

I am officially out of room and this baby is cooked. I swear these last two weeks of pregnancy are pointless. I am full term and just sitting around now playing the waiting game. As of today I am 215 pounds and just gross. I try very hard not to look at myself when I get out of the shower! This morning I had nothing clean to wear, so ended up wearing this shirt. Yuck! Who in their right mind designs form fitting maternity clothes? Okay I can understand it (kind of) when you are 16 weeks pregnant and are still cute and just have a little bump...but look at me! I am a whale and only had this shirt to wear today! How can you even call it a maternity shirt? Okay, enough of that. We are still on for October 4th granted that she doesn't decide to come before that. All is healthy with us and she is so dang active. She keeps me up all night, but that won't change after she's born! But at least I'll have something worthwhile to get up to, rather than leg cramps and a full bladder.

The Dr snapped this picture of us today. These kids are my sidekicks at each appointment!

On Sunday right after church.

Bowling Night

This evening we "kidnapped" our nephew Carson (AKA Ethan's best friend) and took them bowling. Ethan saw an episode of "Curious George" recently where the monkey went bowling, so he has been asking to go ever since. The kids had a lot of fun and lasted for 8 frames, then got pretty tired of it. Hailey even got to do it! Each time she would push the ball she would get scared and run back to Cody. Pretty funny. Then we went back to Lance and Courtnee's house for a delicious dinner. Thanks Courtnee!!

Keep Her In!

Last night I almost went up to Labor and Delivery. I had been feeling kind of crampy all day, and then last night I hosted card swap at our house. It was fun, BTW for those who came! Well it had been a very busy day (my day to be the classroom mom at Ethan's school). After everyone left last night I was feeling terrible. I laid down and tried to get comfy, but then a sharp pain went through my gut and back and I had a contraction that lasted for 40 seconds. Huh, I thought. That was odd. Then it happened again a few minutes later. It happened three times while Cody was giving kids their bath. I gave it almost 45 minutes, then I finally decided to call my doc. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to KEEP LABOR AWAY!!! He said not likely, since I'd tried all of the usual stuff already. It was 10:00 and he said I should come on in to LD to get checked. To make a long story short, I got off the phone with him and went to the bathroom AGAIN. Then pains stopped and my contractions became irregular and morphed into Braxton Hicks. Thank goodness! We were not in any situation to up and leave kids to go have a baby. I'm hoping and praying that this girl holds on for a while longer, preferably 20 days. They did have to re-schedule me for October 4th, but that's okay. If I can hang in until then I will be set! Today the kids and I trecked to Target to get last minute stuff for me and the baby, just in case. I think I am officially stocked. Now I just have to get a few more things in order around the house and we'll be good. Whew, that was a close one!

Baby Update

My BP is back where it should be! Yippy, that is good news. I wasn't at all surprised that is was 110/78 because I have been feeling a lot better lately. I've been trying to take advantage of Ethan being gone for preschool so I've been resting a lot. Guess it does make a difference! I gained 2 pounds this week so that puts me at 212. My surgery date might have to change to October 4th. I'm pretty bummed about that because I'd really like to have her on a Friday, and the 5th is my late Granddad's birthday. But my doc will likely have to go out of town that day and asked me today if I could possibly do the 4th. So Becky B if you're reading this, our girls might have the same b-day after all! Oh well, I suppose the actually date doesn't make a difference in the long run. It would just be more convenient for most people involved (child care etc).

Ethan and Hailey have this strange obsession with the pap smear equipment in the doctor's office. They always go straight for the drawer where it is kept. And Ethan just loves to climb up on the exam table and play with the stirrups. For months I've been saying that I was going to get a good blackmail picture of him with his feet up in them. Today I brought my camera but he wouldn't do it, of course.

Remembering 9-11

I can't believe it has been 6 years since that fateful day. That day my car was in the shop and Cody was giving me a ride to school (we were dating at the time). He came by my place to pick me up, ran in, and turned the TV on. I had no idea what was going on. He said "A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center". I immediately thought it was an accident. Then they said a second plane hit the second tower. A chill went down my spine and we were glued to the media for the rest of the day. I know that through out that day and a few days that followed, I didn't understand the intensity of what had happened. I think my mind put up a guard so I wouldn't let all of the fear and sadness overtake me. Then on about day 4, I was watching the coverage of the attack and it suddenly hit me. I cried and cried at the thought of what had been done to our sacred country. I hope our nation never forgets or belittles what happened. I am so thankful for all the people who sacrifice each day to keep that same kind of thing from happening again. May God bless America!

glitter-graphics.com

Baby Girls

Today was filled with baby girls. I love pink! This morning I went to a baby shower for an old friend of mine, Becky. We were in the same ward back when Cody and I were first married. We keep in touch and get this- we are both pregnant with our 3rd child, both are having girls, and are due withing 1 day of each other! She is having a c-section on October 4th and I am scheduled for the 5th. Of course she is way cuter and probably weighs 50 pounds less than I do. It was so fun seeing her today!

Then I went over another friend's house to see her new baby girl. Carli had a precious little one last Friday. Her name is Kennedy and she is so cute! I got to take pictures of her for her birth announcement. Such a sweet baby to photograph. I'm not crazy about how these turned out so I'm going to try to do them again. We'll see what Carli thinks of them.

Welcome Autumn!

It's true what they say; fall really does begin right after Labor Day. We had a scorcher of a LD weekend, then suddenly Mother Nature changed her tune over night. And with it came the first illness in our home of the season. Cody was feeling sick when we got home from our trip on Monday and he woke up with the full blown flu on Tuesday and stayed home for the latter half of the day. He has been home sick from work ever since. The rest of us have runny noses and I'm just waiting to get the real deal. We shall see! But I'm anxious to get going with fall and I'm pulling out leaves, pumpkins, scare crows, everything. Since I will be having a baby the first of October, I won't be up for any decorating after that...so all of our Halloween stuff will be going up toward the end of September. Yes, I will be one of those people who has to jump ahead to the next holiday too quickly. But if I don't get it done soon, I will run out of time! So I apologize to any neighbors who will see cobwebs and skeletons on our porch in about 2 weeks.

All Too Real Now

Today I had another check up. The doctor came in and did his usual stuff and then he said "Okay, how about we get this thing on paper." So I followed him through two big and VERY scary doors into the L&D department. I remember those doors from last time, and the second we passed through them a flood of hysteria over took me. It was so busy and loud and patients were being wheeled around on gernies. Suddenly this baby thing became real. He went over to the nurses station and pulled out a big notebook, scanned it, asked the nurse some questions, and said "How does 7:30 a.m. sound". He jotted something down and then it was set! Unless something happens between now and then, I am scheduled for surgery on October 5th at 7:30 in the morning. As I left there I could almost feel the pain of my last two surgeries in my gut. I know it was my imagination, but it all came flooding back and this feeling of dread overtook me. Okay, I just want to rip off this bandaid and have it over with. I am ready to see my feet again. I am ready to go for a run again. I am ready to have more than 4 outfits that fit me. I am ready to be able to chase my kids again and be able to better control them! But I'm also getting scared about managing THREE kids at once. I know I will do it okay, but those first few weeks are going to be inevitabley hard and I dread it. But that is life and people do it everyday! Just for the record, I hit 210 on the scale and my BP was 92/60.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today my beautiful, talented, and wonderful mother turns the big 6-0. She will probably kill me when she reads this and sees that I'm disclosing her age and displaying pictures for all to see. She will also hate it that I'm gushing over her! I'm just so proud of her and wanted to share it with the world. She is one of the most amazing women I know. Mom, you are truely a remarkable person and I love you so much! Thank you for always being there for me, even when I didn't deserve your love and devotion. Happy birthday!!!

Ethan's First Day of Preschool

I promise it was only yesterday that I was enduring childbirth with this boy. He was almost 2 weeks late and then I went through 21 hours of unmedicated labor, followed by an emergency c-section...wow that was so long ago! 3 1/2 years have passed and now he is off to preschool. Today has been a little emotional for us all. Ethan has been talking about preschool constantly for days, and today as soon as he finished lunch he wanted to put on his new Spider Man back pack. Cody came home during his lunch hour and we all got in the van and off we went. Of course, as always Ethan was very shy when he got there. The kids were playing with Play Dough until everyone arrived and Ethan was so scared. He kept saying "You're gonna stay with me, right?" Finally Cody and I had to sneak out. There was a pit in both our stomachs as we drove home. I was on pins and needles all afternoon, waiting for 3:15 to roll around. When I picked him up again, he was so excited and happy to tell me about his day! He felt like such a big kid and started naming off all his new friends. He LOVES his teacher, Ms. Kari. She is very sweet and I think she will be great for him. On the drive home I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as Ethan recounted everything he had done and learned. He said "Mom, I have a surprise for you!" When we got home he pulled out a picture he'd drawn for me. He was so proud! Oh, his first school art work. I am starting a scrapbook for stuff like that. I am still in awe at what a thriving, happy, handsome, and wonderful little guy he is turning into. It makes my heart so full of joy, and a little sad at how quickly this precious time is flying by.

Labor Day Weekend

What a fun weekend! For the most part anyway. Friday afternoon we drove to Cody's parents' house for the holiday. His brother's wife, Courtnee, and her two kids went with us. Her hubby Lance had to stay in town to study, so all of us piled in our new van and made the 3 1/2 hour treck. Ethan and Carson had a blast in the back row together. They are only 7 weeks apart in age and are best friends. The van performed so well and we got there safely, and SANELY! Cody's parents have about 3 acres of land and the kids had so much fun feeding cows and stealing veggies from the garden. The country air was so refreshing!


On Saturday we all went out to the county fair. It's become a tradition to go every Labor Day weekend. Ooooooh, was it hot. I was dying as we walked around the grounds, but the kids had a great time. They rode rides until about 9:00! I am retaining so much water and I was so swollen by the time we got home. I'd also been having Braxton Hicks all day long.

On Sunday we had the honor of celebrating Cole's 1st birthday with him! We just love that butterball and can't believe he is already 1. It was last Labor Day weekend when we got the call that Courtnee started labor and he was on his way. How time flies!

Sunday night we made a campfire and cooked hot dogs and s'mores. So yummy! Then Aunt Kara and her friend Steve had a campout on the lawn with the two little boys. When I went out to tuck Ethan in he was so excited. He curled up under the sleeping bag and couldn't stop smiling. This morning that's all he talked about...how he got to sleep in a tent.

Like I said, for the most part it was a great time. Hailey hasn't been feeling well and has her first cold of the season. Yuck!!! And Cole had an ear infection so both kids kept the mommies up quite a bit at night. Then poor Cole had a terrible time on the trip home and screamed for most of it. His little ears hurt him so badly coming through those mountain passes. But we made it once again, safely and sanely!