A Birth Story

September 3rd, what a whirlwind of a day it was.  I had been having contractions the last couple of nights.  So much, that I would time them every once and a while.  They were uncomfortable and at times, quite painful, but I didn't think it was enough to figure out arrangements for the kids in the middle of the night and head to the hospital.  Yes, the contractions always came in the middle of the night.  And I hate inconveniencing people.  So, I went in for my 36 week routine doctor's appointment on September 3rd.  Chelsea was with me and both the kids were in school.  I told the nurse that everything was fine, but I was experiencing contractions for the last couple nights that were anywhere from 5-10 minutes apart, but would disappear altogether in a few hours.  She went ahead and decided to hook me up and monitor my contractions, in case I was currently experiencing any then and there.  And, no, I haven't been feeling them at all that morning.  Sure enough, 20 minutes later, they were showing up as steady contractions, fairly strong.  Steady and strong enough to send me across the street to the hospital where my doctor could then monitor me and decide what the next step will be.

Wade and I talk every morning, so I sent him an email, knowing he was near a computer.  And told him to call me asap.  He calls and I explain the situation.  Had a doc appointment, blah, blah, blah.  They're going to monitor me for a bit at the hospital, blah, blah, blah.  I'm sure it's nothing.  I should be in and out.  I don't think that this is "it."  So, you can go to bed if you'd like.  Wade responds with, "No, I'm going to standby."  

So, stay up he did.  Meanwhile, I stroll upstairs to the labor and delivery unit, thinking, why am I here?  This can't be the day.  I get buzzed into the unit and I explain that I'm there to be monitored.  They have a triage set up with curtain cubicles, I guess is the best way to describe it.  There were probably 6 or so "rooms" with women in the early stages of labor, or being monitored and sent home.  And, frankly, it was just awkward.  I've never heard of a triage for women in labor.  I'm all about privacy, especially going through labor.  I was escorted to a bed and hooked up to monitors.  I got an IV, step 1, to make sure that I wasn't dehydrated.  If in fact, I was dehydrated, the IV would help the contractions lessen and disappear completely.  In the meantime, it's time for Brenner to be picked up, so Chelsea goes to get him and then returns to the hospital.  And kids are not allowed in this triage area, so they are sitting in the waiting room.  I have no idea how long I'm going to be, so I tell her to hang out for a bit.  That is, until the nurse tells me that my contractions aren't lessening.  I receive a medication too that also doesn't assist with stopping contractions.  So, now my doctor finally comes in and gives me a choice.  A)  Take magnesium and have that baby stay in for at least a couple more days or B)  Have this baby today.

After talking with Wade and discussing our options and pinching myself, because I can't believe these are my options, we decide that it's best if we just have this baby today.  Chelsea has both kids situated with friends.  And she goes home to get all our hospital gear.  And makes it back to the hospital with not much time to spare.  All that waiting all day for fluids and IV bags, and now here I am, sitting, waiting for surgery, waiting to meet my baby.  This baby that's been growing inside me, who I still don't know.  Boy, girl?  It's gotta be a boy.  We couldn't all be wrong.  I mean, strangers come up to me and tell me that I'm having a boy.  It's clearly obvious I am growing a little man.

Before I know it, I'm being prepped for the operating room.  Chelsea and I are nervous and beyond thrilled.  Okay, I was way more nervous.  Then I'm sitting on the operating room table receiving my epidural.  And I'm laid down and my head is still spinning.  I'm finally digesting what's on the horizon.  My baby is coming.  I'm going to see my baby soon.  I'm going to hold my baby soon.  I'm going to know what this baby is.  I can finally name my baby.  And oh how I wish Wade was here.

Chelsea comes into the room with my computer, camera and video camera in hand.  We get to call Wade on the computer which is the first time they've ever done a Facetime birth in an operating room.  So he was there and got to experience and be part of this birth.  Chelsea sets the computer next to my head and I remember looking back, behind me and telling him it's coming, it's coming.  And I asked if he thought it was a boy, and he wholeheartedly responds with Yes.  Then I feel the tugging and they pull that sweet, sweet baby out.  And I'm waiting, waiting for the announcement.  Then I hear the doctor and team say, It's a GIRL!!!!!!  Chelsea and I were in shock and then all I remember are tears.  Tears streaming down.  Prayers have been answered.  We did it.  She's here.  She's healthy.  And it's a she?!!  The computer was going in and out.  Calls were being dropped, pictures and video were being taken.  I don't know how Chelsea did it all, but she did.  Wade saw most of it and I'm so very thankful for technology, especially on this particular day.  My goodness this day couldn't have gone more seamlessly.

What a blessing you are, our sweet Zuri Jane.  I got to meet you on Tuesday, September 3rd at 6:09 pm.  You were 6 pounds and 9 ounces of baby goodness.  You were 19 inches long.   And you had lots of dark hair.  You are mine.  And you are beautiful. 

Brenner Turns 4

Brenner turned 4 and his one request was to have a Star Wars party.  So that we did.  Star Wars cupcakes, blue and black streamers, and of course his very own slogan, Let the 4th be with you. 

August Already

It's true.  It's been far too long since I've last posted.  Insert about a hundred excuses here.

It's August already.  Kids have been back to school for about a week now.  Emberlyn is loving first grade.  She has a great teacher and one of her best kindergarten friends is in her class.  If you ask her what her favorite part of the day is, it would be recess.  Brenner started 4 year old preschool.  He goes twice a week.  And he's been enjoying it so far.  If you were to ask him what his favorite part of school is, he'd say, "All of it."  They have a pet frog, and he thought that was pretty exciting.  Especially when the teacher explained what they fed the frogs.  Just fascinating for an almost 4 year old boy.

Speaking of almost 4...  Guess who turns 4 at the end of the month?!  Brenner is very excited about having cupcakes.  He wants Star Wars chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting.  His current favorite thing to do is play with his Playmobil zoo.  It's a toy we got a couple Christmases ago.  And it has been made a daily staple item lately.  Every morning I have to play zookeeper and he plays a mischievous animal that escapes from his cage.  We've got an elephant, lion, giraffe and zebra exhibits.  And sometimes his Star Wars action figures make surprise appearances and they will ride on the animals.  The imagination he has...  If we're not playing zoo, we are playing action figures that is completely dialogued by him.  He tells you what to do, what to say...  He is quite a director.

Emberlyn will be 6 next month.  She has a few wiggly teeth that she is very excited about.  I don't know how much longer til she loses one, but it's on the horizon.  Better brush up on my tooth fairy knowledge.  She got glasses the last day of kindergarten.  So she's been wearing them for a couple months now, and she loves them.  She loves mermaids.  She loves playing Barbie mermaids and loves drawing them.  She is such a little artist.  She can color for hours.  But she especially loves it when I'll color with her.  I still can't believe I have a first grader.  She's growing up and growing fast.  She loves to read.  Her favorite book is really anything by Eric Carle.  They learned about him at school, so she can easily recognize his books while we're at the book store.  "Mom, this is by Eric Carle!!"  She also loves Dr. Seuss and Stellaluna.  And when we read to her, we have to make sure we read the title, author and illustrator.  If you don't, she'll ask.  And when she's reading to you, you have to pay attention and not talk.  Future teacher in the making...

My sister, Chelsea, is still here and has been a huge help.  I can't even explain how my daily life would be if she weren't here besides one hot mess.  The kids love having her here.  She helps with literally everything.  Running errands, taking the kids to and from school, cleaning, cooking, baths...  She's amazing.  And I don't know how to repay her for everything she has been doing.  Love you Chels.

I'm nearly 32 weeks pregnant and large.  I've been feeling really great.  Haven't been sleeping the best, but who does at this stage in the game.  I am so excited for next month and meeting this little one.  I still think it's a boy.  Emberlyn likes to go back and forth, but I think she's settled on a girl.  We've started making our bets for gender, weight, and birth date.  We're planning on a September 23rd c-section, unless baby has other plans.  Most of us think baby will have other plans, anywhere from 1-3 weeks before that.  So, it's time for me to get prepared.  Hospital bags should be packed and ready by September.

Chelsea and I have been working on the nursery all summer.  We got all the furniture off Craigslist and found a lady in Encinitas to redo and revamp.  All we have left are the curtains.  So after we get those hung, I will take pictures and post.  I cannot wait to meet our new house guest.

Exciting Things Coming Our Way

I am absolutely thrilled about this next announcement.  It's something I've been praying for.  Again and again.  Last year ended a little rough.  I was pregnant in August and sadly miscarried nearly 2 months later.  I didn't see it coming, but then again, do you ever?  It was such a difficult and devastating thing to go through, overwhelming at times.  You have that immediate excitement of Ahhhhh!  I'm pregnant!  And I'll be due in the spring!  How wonderful to have a baby when the flowers bloom.  It'll be perfect.  And then I start browsing online at Babies R Us.  Ooo, I've got to have that little bassinet.  And those booties, they're so tiny!  I need more swaddle blankets, a carseat, and new teeny-tiny onesies.  The whole nine yards.  The checklists begin...

And yet one typical morning, everything changed.  It all came crashing to an unsteady halt.  But I knew it wasn't over for me.  I knew that first of all, I have two beautiful, healthy children.  That's more of a blessing than I deserve.  Do I really deserve anything else?  Wade and I talked and decided that this baby was something that we really wanted and God-wiling we'd try and try again.

And I can proudly say that I am indeed pregnant with sweet baby #3.  The beginning was a little rough, so I had weekly and bi-weekly appointments.  But at 13 weeks, I'm doing great and so is the tiny little peach.  The baby's nickname of course changes weekly due to his/her growing size.  That's my favorite part.  Emmy:  Mom, how big is the baby now?  Me:  Well, this week it's the size of a peach!

We will be meeting this sweet peach in September.  Days before Emmy's 6th birthday.  Days after Brenner's 4th birthday.  Smack dab in the middle.  It's going to go something like, birthday party for Brenner, 2 weeks later celebrate baby, and then 2 weeks later celebrate Emmy's birthday.  We thought a spring birthday for a new baby would be nice in spreading things out a bit.  But, God has a sense of humor.  So we're smooshing it all together. 

I am blessed everyday.  I am amazed everyday at the things God does for us.  I am overjoyed with a new baby coming into our family.  Emmy's most excited to see the baby and hold the baby.  Brenner is excited to share a bed with the baby.  Ok, Brenner will not be sharing a bed nor a room with the baby.  But he is deciding what of his the baby can have.  Like, "Mom, this shirt is too small.  We can give it to the baby."  And "I know!  The baby can sleep in my bed, Mom."  The boy has plans.

We also have a bet going on in the house.  Wade and I are not finding out the gender this go-around.  This is extremely hard, because I'm a planner, but most importantly because I'm a shopper.  We found out with Emberlyn and Brenner.  So, it's going to be an extra fun surprise this time.  So far, Wade and I are feeling BOY.  Emmy's convinced she's having a sister and Brenner thinks it's a little brother.   We will have to wait........forever.......anxiously anticipating this sweet little one.  Exciting, exciting things to come.

Here We Are

Saying that I'm running behind, is an understatement.  I've been having such a hard time keeping up with this blog.  I hope that you've been checking my Instagram tab on the right side.  That is definitely something I keep up with, daily pictures taken on my cell.

It's easy to make excuses.  I'm the ultimate excuse-maker.  For example, I am swimming in excess loads of laundry right now, so I really need to get that done instead.  My house is a wreck, I need to clean.  I'm dying to try some new recipes, so I'm going to check my Pinterest and make a list of new foods to make this week...  The list goes on and on.  And things that are put on the backburner are organizing my closet, getting outside and going for a walk to enjoy the beautiful weather, and updating this here blog.  It never seems to make the cut for my daily to-do's.

I keep saying that needs to change.  But sometimes, I really do have other things to do and unfortunately catching up the blog gets overridden.  But I do think about it, a lot.  If that counts for anything.  I will try my hardest.

What has our little family been up to?  Let me think.  We didn't do much in the month of February.  Emmy is adjusting very well to her new school.  She is making friends and reading SO much.  Her favorite book is Green Eggs and Ham.  What's not to love.  I'm so proud of her.  Brenner now likes to point to words in a book and ask what they are.  What's the word that starts with c?  He's also quite an invented speller.  Do you know how to spell mom?  No, it's t-o.  He comes up with some crazy spellings, that silly one.  It's funny to see how interested he gets in Emmy's studies.

We had our friends, Theresa and her daughter Sarah, visit us from Lemoore a few weeks ago.  That was super fun.  The kids were totally surprised and had a fantastic time playing right where they left off.  I miss them dearly.

My in-laws were in town last weekend.  Emmy's was Nana's little sidekick.  And Brenner enjoyed the extra attention and rough-housing.  We went to the zoo and met two other families.  We looked like a circus, but I can't believe how the well the kids did.  We somehow managed to stay together and there were zero meltdowns.  The kids were loving the little things like the tiny bunny that was hopping around outside the monkey exhibit and the peacock that was moseying around the entrance of the park.  

 We were trying to do a "let's all hold hands" picture.  Brenner wouldn't have it.  He's always gotta do his own thing.

 Peacock!  Mommy's favorite

We also got to walk around Old Town one afternoon while Wade was at work.  The fun, exciting toy shops vs. the old, antique artifacts.  I wonder what the kids enjoyed the best. 

 Until next time...