Nothing is cuter to a mom, than her kids buns....
Christmas 2023
10 months ago
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Getting used to Eachother
Our first picture as a family of 6! Wow. Rich looks exhausted, Cannon's hair is out of control, Brynn was about 10 minutes away from throwing up with a super high fever - a total nightmare for me, Maeve looks like she is stuffing food in her mouth, Nolan was crying, and I am just surviving..... I hope this is not a glimpse of what our life will be like the next few months....
Guess who wishes that she could use this swing more often?
And she watches him....just to find out his weaknesses....
What mom?I didn't poke him in the eye.
I would nnnneeeeevvvvveeeerrr do anything to hurt him.....
Sunday, November 21, 2010
A Baby Story
Tuesday night (11/9) I had 5 hours of false labor. 5 stinkin' hours. Contractions every 8-10 minutes apart. When I got up to take a shower, and wake up Rich to let him know that I thought I was in labor, they stopped.
I was sooo disappointed! So on Wed night, when the contractions started again, at the same time (8pm), in the same intervals, I was pretty bummed out. I thought it was false labor again....boy, was I wrong!
At 11:24pm, the contractions changed from "deep breath in, deep breath out" type to "break a sweat and start to moan" type. They also went from 10 minutes to 5 min apart....just like that. I got up to take a shower because lying down wasn't comfortable anymore, and in the duration of a few minutes in the shower, they went from 5 min apart to 3 minutes apart.
Rich got the phone and tried to call Labor and Delivery to ask when we should come in, but due to my unpreparedness, and total belief that I was going to have to be induced, I had failed to write down the number anywhere for him to find.
He called his parents to have them come to our house to watch the kids, and while we waited for his dad, I got myself dressed, had a billion contractions (now 2 minutes apart) and tried not to swear.
Let me preface the rest of this story with some reminders of my past. With Brynn I had a 24+ hour labor and when I went to the hospital at what I thought was my dying point, I was dilated to 2cm. They refused to check me in, and I had to walk the halls for hours to get to a 3. This was already after 8 hours of laboring at home. With Cannon, I once again labored at home for about 7 hours, went to the hospital and they measured me at a 3 or so. With Maeve I was induced, but dilation was slow, and since I was already checked in, meds were available whenever I wanted them. But bottom line, I am a slow dilator, and my labors are long...very long.
So, back to Wed night. When my father in law finally showed up, we loaded (very slowly) my hurting self and a hospital bag into the car and took off. I asked Rich to pray that I would at least be at a 3, but hopefully a 4. He prayed just that, and in silence we drove to the hospital. Every bump and corner in the car hurt, and I had to apologize to Rich for the swear word that came tumbling out on a particularly bad contraction.
Between our house and the hospital the contractions were 2 min apart, and lasting for a minute or more. When we got to the emergency room I had to stop at every row of chairs (keep in mind they are 3 feet apart) for another contraction. You could tell the security guard and the ER attendant were nervous. They called for a wheelchair, which at first I refused, but after not moving more than 5 feet in 5 minutes I accepted. They quickly wheeled me up to Labor and Delivery, with the ER attendant asking if I felt the need to push in the elevator. When I said no, he said quickly, but not quietly, "Thank goodness!". Guess he didn't feel like delivering a baby on the elevator floor....
We got a room, and the nurse took me into the bathroom to ask me a series of questions regarding a history of STD's and if I felt safe in my home with my husband. In my pain numbed mind, all I could think about was the fact that I really, really, really wanted my epidural, and her questions made me laugh out loud.
Rich was finally allowed into the bathroom to help me get into the awesome hospital gown, and I climbed into the oh-so comfy hospital bed begging the nurse for an epidural. She then proceeded to ask me a thousand questions about everything and anything, until I finally asked her to just check me so that I could get the stinkin' epidural. (Pretty much my mind was focused on the epidural at that point...can you tell?)
After what seemed like an eternity, the midwife came in and checked me and much to my surprise, and Rich's and my sister in law who had come to the hospital by this time, I was at 9cm. It was at that point that I lost it....because the dream of my epidural went up in smoke. Apparently they don't let you have it when you are practically crowning.
After 2 failed IV attempts, and a couple contractions, the midwife came in again to ask if i wanted to give a practice push. There are no such things as "practice" pushes for me. Babies tend to come out when I give "practice" pushes, and true to form, on the first push (keep in mind, the midwife was not suited up, the bed was not ready, and the nurse was still entering my info on the computer) Rich said, "Isn't that a head?" Apparently at this point, my sis in law scrambled to find the camera, the midwife started yelling for the birthing tray, and they all asked me to stop and pant.
Uhhhhmmmmmm. That is kinda hard to do when your body is taking over as it does. A minute, and another contraction/push later, (some intense yelling in the room that apparently came from my mouth), and pain like you can't imagine, Nolan Thomas was in my arms. His cord was wrapped around his neck, but loose enough for the midwife to clear it before it did any damage.
4 kids, 4 different experiences entirely! This was my first no meds birth, and it was intense. No one expected it to go that fast. I am glad I got to experience it, but I really don't want to do it again....
Oh, and my orthodontist would be so proud...I totally gave birth wearing my retainer! Probably stopped me from grinding my teeth down to nubs on each contraction....
I was sooo disappointed! So on Wed night, when the contractions started again, at the same time (8pm), in the same intervals, I was pretty bummed out. I thought it was false labor again....boy, was I wrong!
At 11:24pm, the contractions changed from "deep breath in, deep breath out" type to "break a sweat and start to moan" type. They also went from 10 minutes to 5 min apart....just like that. I got up to take a shower because lying down wasn't comfortable anymore, and in the duration of a few minutes in the shower, they went from 5 min apart to 3 minutes apart.
Rich got the phone and tried to call Labor and Delivery to ask when we should come in, but due to my unpreparedness, and total belief that I was going to have to be induced, I had failed to write down the number anywhere for him to find.
He called his parents to have them come to our house to watch the kids, and while we waited for his dad, I got myself dressed, had a billion contractions (now 2 minutes apart) and tried not to swear.
Let me preface the rest of this story with some reminders of my past. With Brynn I had a 24+ hour labor and when I went to the hospital at what I thought was my dying point, I was dilated to 2cm. They refused to check me in, and I had to walk the halls for hours to get to a 3. This was already after 8 hours of laboring at home. With Cannon, I once again labored at home for about 7 hours, went to the hospital and they measured me at a 3 or so. With Maeve I was induced, but dilation was slow, and since I was already checked in, meds were available whenever I wanted them. But bottom line, I am a slow dilator, and my labors are long...very long.
So, back to Wed night. When my father in law finally showed up, we loaded (very slowly) my hurting self and a hospital bag into the car and took off. I asked Rich to pray that I would at least be at a 3, but hopefully a 4. He prayed just that, and in silence we drove to the hospital. Every bump and corner in the car hurt, and I had to apologize to Rich for the swear word that came tumbling out on a particularly bad contraction.
Between our house and the hospital the contractions were 2 min apart, and lasting for a minute or more. When we got to the emergency room I had to stop at every row of chairs (keep in mind they are 3 feet apart) for another contraction. You could tell the security guard and the ER attendant were nervous. They called for a wheelchair, which at first I refused, but after not moving more than 5 feet in 5 minutes I accepted. They quickly wheeled me up to Labor and Delivery, with the ER attendant asking if I felt the need to push in the elevator. When I said no, he said quickly, but not quietly, "Thank goodness!". Guess he didn't feel like delivering a baby on the elevator floor....
We got a room, and the nurse took me into the bathroom to ask me a series of questions regarding a history of STD's and if I felt safe in my home with my husband. In my pain numbed mind, all I could think about was the fact that I really, really, really wanted my epidural, and her questions made me laugh out loud.
Rich was finally allowed into the bathroom to help me get into the awesome hospital gown, and I climbed into the oh-so comfy hospital bed begging the nurse for an epidural. She then proceeded to ask me a thousand questions about everything and anything, until I finally asked her to just check me so that I could get the stinkin' epidural. (Pretty much my mind was focused on the epidural at that point...can you tell?)
After what seemed like an eternity, the midwife came in and checked me and much to my surprise, and Rich's and my sister in law who had come to the hospital by this time, I was at 9cm. It was at that point that I lost it....because the dream of my epidural went up in smoke. Apparently they don't let you have it when you are practically crowning.
After 2 failed IV attempts, and a couple contractions, the midwife came in again to ask if i wanted to give a practice push. There are no such things as "practice" pushes for me. Babies tend to come out when I give "practice" pushes, and true to form, on the first push (keep in mind, the midwife was not suited up, the bed was not ready, and the nurse was still entering my info on the computer) Rich said, "Isn't that a head?" Apparently at this point, my sis in law scrambled to find the camera, the midwife started yelling for the birthing tray, and they all asked me to stop and pant.
Uhhhhmmmmmm. That is kinda hard to do when your body is taking over as it does. A minute, and another contraction/push later, (some intense yelling in the room that apparently came from my mouth), and pain like you can't imagine, Nolan Thomas was in my arms. His cord was wrapped around his neck, but loose enough for the midwife to clear it before it did any damage.
4 kids, 4 different experiences entirely! This was my first no meds birth, and it was intense. No one expected it to go that fast. I am glad I got to experience it, but I really don't want to do it again....
Oh, and my orthodontist would be so proud...I totally gave birth wearing my retainer! Probably stopped me from grinding my teeth down to nubs on each contraction....
Friday, November 19, 2010
A Quick Photo Comparison
Most common comments about Nolan......
1. He looks just like Cannon!
and
2. Where does that dark hair come from?
and
3. He looks just like the rest of them!
I had to remind myself of what they all looked like at this point...
1. He looks just like Cannon!
and
2. Where does that dark hair come from?
and
3. He looks just like the rest of them!
I had to remind myself of what they all looked like at this point...
Brynn
Cannon
Maeve
NolanTuesday, November 16, 2010
Our First Week.....
Its been a long week! We were released from Kaiser on Friday morning. Nolan's billirubin levels were high, so he was put on a "Bili-watch" list, and we had to go back to the hospital lab on Saturday, for another heel stick and level check. We got a call Saturday night that his levels were still rising, so we needed to go again Sunday morning for another test. After the test, we had his 2day appointment, in which we were informed that his levels had risen again, and we needed to go immediately check into the hospital for some photo therapy. I managed to keep my emotions in check while they were telling us the treatment process, but somewhere along the way, I lost it. I was so bummed to be back in the hospital. It was really hard for me to hear that I would not be able to hold my newborn except for 30 minute increments every 3 hours. I watched as they put him in the little light booth, covered his eyes with these protective masks, and closed him up. I knew that he was fine, but I just kept thinking that he might be scared, and I couldn't do anything to help him. Needless to say, he did great. I only had one freak out, where I begged the nurse to let me take him out and hold him. He had been frantic, and I couldn't' figure out how to console him, and when I was finally able to hold him, I found out that he had a poopy diaper. It was easily resolved and he was happy once his bum was clean and dry again. We were released Monday, and had to go repeat the blood test once more on Tuesday. Finally, Tuesday night we got the word that his levels were low enough to b considered fine, and we could treat him like a "normal" baby. We are finally home! My house is a mess, my kids are dirty, and dinner is looming in the near future, but I am happy! My family of 6 is all under one roof. We are home! 
Nolan
It has taken me a week to get this post up.I have been a "smidge" busy.
I had a baby.
A boy.
A beautiful, complete, perfectly formed little boy.
He looks a little like Cannon, with dark hair. His eyes might be blue, but they might also be green - we will see. He has big hands, long toes, and perfect lips.
I am in love...once again.
Nolan Thomas
11/11/10
8lbs, 20 inches
2:45am
11/11/10
8lbs, 20 inches
2:45am
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
40 Week Doc Appointment
Had my 40 week appointment yesterday. "Technically" it 40 week and 1 day, since I was one day overdue, but if I dwell too long on that part I get discouraged.
I met with my usual midwife, who claims to be really good at getting things going when need be.
I told her to go for it.
A few minutes later, after some serious manipulations, she got me to a 2.
Yes. A 2.
Story of my life. Ssssssssslllllllllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwww dilation.
Throughout her exam I had to utilize some serious deep breathing techniques, and my face actually broke out in a cold sweat. It literally felt like she was in there up to her elbow, and was cranking around my tailbone. She was nice enough to give me a break half-way through, and I told her to ignore the tears, and just do what needed to be done.
So, the latest stats:
Baby measures small (whatever......not thinking there is a shred of truth to that statement. This kid is going to come sailing out at 9+ lbs....)
Cervix is mid position (hasn't moved all the way forward yet into "delivery" position).
Cervix is long, and she said she was being generous to give me a 50% effacement status. Generous. Nice.
I am at a 2, which was not the most pleasant cm of dilation I have ever had. I really enjoy the dilation that occurs when I have the epidural and I don't feel any of it....just sayin'.
Baby's head is at -3. For you newbies: this is as far up as it possibly can be, as in, +3 would be a baby practically in my arms, -3 is a baby still comfy, cozy and nowhere near joining us.
I have a non stress test scheduled for Sunday, in which they will hook me up to every machine known to man, monitor baby and me for an hour or so, do an ultrasound to make sure that there is enough fluid to keep baby nice and basted, and check my cervix again. (Note to self: I need to go get a good book to read....)
I can think about scheduling an induction next week, but if all is still fine with baby, they will wait until the 19th.
Let me spell this out. If I am induced on the 19th, I probably won't have the baby until the 20th. (Remember, I am a sllllllloooowwww dilator.) This means that Thanksgiving is 5 days after. Which of course means that Christmas is 1 month after that. I am fine missing the turkey day festivities. I am scared that I will not get everything done for Christmas, and my kids are already writing their wish lists out for Santa. I really, really, really need to get on the ball!
My agenda today will consist of cleaning my house...again, paying the bills, and trying not to lose my temper with the 3 kids in my home whose sole purposes right now are to drive me crazy.
I think I need one more cup of coffee.....
I met with my usual midwife, who claims to be really good at getting things going when need be.
I told her to go for it.
A few minutes later, after some serious manipulations, she got me to a 2.
Yes. A 2.
Story of my life. Ssssssssslllllllllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwww dilation.
Throughout her exam I had to utilize some serious deep breathing techniques, and my face actually broke out in a cold sweat. It literally felt like she was in there up to her elbow, and was cranking around my tailbone. She was nice enough to give me a break half-way through, and I told her to ignore the tears, and just do what needed to be done.
So, the latest stats:
Baby measures small (whatever......not thinking there is a shred of truth to that statement. This kid is going to come sailing out at 9+ lbs....)
Cervix is mid position (hasn't moved all the way forward yet into "delivery" position).
Cervix is long, and she said she was being generous to give me a 50% effacement status. Generous. Nice.
I am at a 2, which was not the most pleasant cm of dilation I have ever had. I really enjoy the dilation that occurs when I have the epidural and I don't feel any of it....just sayin'.
Baby's head is at -3. For you newbies: this is as far up as it possibly can be, as in, +3 would be a baby practically in my arms, -3 is a baby still comfy, cozy and nowhere near joining us.
I have a non stress test scheduled for Sunday, in which they will hook me up to every machine known to man, monitor baby and me for an hour or so, do an ultrasound to make sure that there is enough fluid to keep baby nice and basted, and check my cervix again. (Note to self: I need to go get a good book to read....)
I can think about scheduling an induction next week, but if all is still fine with baby, they will wait until the 19th.
Let me spell this out. If I am induced on the 19th, I probably won't have the baby until the 20th. (Remember, I am a sllllllloooowwww dilator.) This means that Thanksgiving is 5 days after. Which of course means that Christmas is 1 month after that. I am fine missing the turkey day festivities. I am scared that I will not get everything done for Christmas, and my kids are already writing their wish lists out for Santa. I really, really, really need to get on the ball!
My agenda today will consist of cleaning my house...again, paying the bills, and trying not to lose my temper with the 3 kids in my home whose sole purposes right now are to drive me crazy.
I think I need one more cup of coffee.....
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Due Date, Schmoo Date
Today is my second "official" due date.
My first was Friday...which came and went.
My second is today...which I am assuming will go the same way.
I should be used to this.
Its happened 4 times.
Doesn't make it any easier though....
My goals for today:
Fold the 8 baskets of laundry that are piled on the chair in the living room.
Pay the bills.
Survive the day.
My first was Friday...which came and went.
My second is today...which I am assuming will go the same way.
I should be used to this.
Its happened 4 times.
Doesn't make it any easier though....
My goals for today:
Fold the 8 baskets of laundry that are piled on the chair in the living room.
Pay the bills.
Survive the day.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
33
It's official.
I am 33.
I love, love, love my birthday!
It was different this year, I had some "stuff" on my mind. Like
1) having a baby soon,
2) not having a baby on my birthday, and
3) my "things to do before baby comes" list.
Thankfully, the birthday came and went with out any hitch...except:
1. Brynn came in the room at 6:30am to wake up Rich (who sleeps like a rock) and have him start making breakfast. She had good intentions, but by the time she shook him awake, I was up too....
2. My son laid in the hallway and cried that his legs didn't work and then proceeded to gag until we served him breakfast. He is *slightly* dramatic, and had refused to eat the day before since he didn't like what I had cooked. I had warned him that if he woke me up complaining that his stomach hurt he was going to get in trouble. Hence the "legs" line.
3. My request for a birthday breakfast was for bacon. I (heart) bacon! Rich decided to make orange cinnamon rolls too (sooooooo yummy), but managed to burn those pretty badly. (Don't worry, the bacon was perfect!)
We did really have a great time though! We had a yummy lunch, took a walk, and my mom made one of my favorite traditional German meals for dinner - Rouladen. I spent the day with my husband and family, and Rich took extra pains to make sure that I had some time to relax too! I couldn't have asked for more, it was perfect!
I also got my birthday wish of no baby on my birthday!
(and a new camera!!!)
My view of the ever expanding Baby Bump...
Excuse the shadow....Rich is still learning...
I am 33.
I love, love, love my birthday!
It was different this year, I had some "stuff" on my mind. Like
1) having a baby soon,
2) not having a baby on my birthday, and
3) my "things to do before baby comes" list.
Thankfully, the birthday came and went with out any hitch...except:
1. Brynn came in the room at 6:30am to wake up Rich (who sleeps like a rock) and have him start making breakfast. She had good intentions, but by the time she shook him awake, I was up too....
2. My son laid in the hallway and cried that his legs didn't work and then proceeded to gag until we served him breakfast. He is *slightly* dramatic, and had refused to eat the day before since he didn't like what I had cooked. I had warned him that if he woke me up complaining that his stomach hurt he was going to get in trouble. Hence the "legs" line.
3. My request for a birthday breakfast was for bacon. I (heart) bacon! Rich decided to make orange cinnamon rolls too (sooooooo yummy), but managed to burn those pretty badly. (Don't worry, the bacon was perfect!)
We did really have a great time though! We had a yummy lunch, took a walk, and my mom made one of my favorite traditional German meals for dinner - Rouladen. I spent the day with my husband and family, and Rich took extra pains to make sure that I had some time to relax too! I couldn't have asked for more, it was perfect!
I also got my birthday wish of no baby on my birthday!
(and a new camera!!!)
My view of the ever expanding Baby Bump...
Excuse the shadow....Rich is still learning...
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Halloween...
...came and went. Thank goodness. Its not my favorite holiday, but I pasted on a smile for the kids....
The kids and Rich went trick or treating around the block, while I handed out candy to the 16 kids who came to our door. Yeah, 16.
Total disappointment.
The cousins all met up afterwards, and it was a little chaotic due to hubby having to do some last minute locksmith-ing for a lady in need. The night didn't go exactly as planned, but the kids didn't seem to notice, and Rich and I were just grateful when the evening was over.
I think I had a bad attitude.
Oh yeah, maybe its cause I was awake in the middle of the night with some contractions that didn't pan out...
Brynn and her "I am riding a unicorn" costume
Cannon - aka greasy superman. Too funny that the costume is WAY to small for him though!
Maeve - Grumpy bumble bee.
The cousins reunited at the end of the evening. Brynn refused to put her costume back on for the picture....oh well.
The kids and Rich went trick or treating around the block, while I handed out candy to the 16 kids who came to our door. Yeah, 16.
Total disappointment.
The cousins all met up afterwards, and it was a little chaotic due to hubby having to do some last minute locksmith-ing for a lady in need. The night didn't go exactly as planned, but the kids didn't seem to notice, and Rich and I were just grateful when the evening was over.
I think I had a bad attitude.
Oh yeah, maybe its cause I was awake in the middle of the night with some contractions that didn't pan out...
Brynn and her "I am riding a unicorn" costume
Cannon - aka greasy superman. Too funny that the costume is WAY to small for him though!
Maeve - Grumpy bumble bee.
The cousins reunited at the end of the evening. Brynn refused to put her costume back on for the picture....oh well.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
39 weeks....but who is counting?
Had yet ANOTHER doc appt today.
Just as I feared (and expected) there has been not a scrap of change between last week and this one in terms of baby making any move to come out.
I, on the other hand, have pretty much finished everything I intended to do before baby comes.
Someones not playing fair here, and it isn't me....
I have big plans this week. I hope to make some frozen meals to pop in the oven so that I don't go insane when I have to cook dinner and Rich is gone at work, and the kids are jumping off the couches, and a baby is screaming somewhere in the distance, and my mascara is running down my face, the dog is barfing cause he got fed by each child once, the house is a disaster, and my armpits stink cause I haven't showered in 3 days......
Breathe, breathe, breathe....
I will attempt to make a few comfort food casseroles, some quick soups, and maybe even a dessert or two. (I just got tired thinking about that.)
Wish me luck!
Just as I feared (and expected) there has been not a scrap of change between last week and this one in terms of baby making any move to come out.
I, on the other hand, have pretty much finished everything I intended to do before baby comes.
Someones not playing fair here, and it isn't me....
I have big plans this week. I hope to make some frozen meals to pop in the oven so that I don't go insane when I have to cook dinner and Rich is gone at work, and the kids are jumping off the couches, and a baby is screaming somewhere in the distance, and my mascara is running down my face, the dog is barfing cause he got fed by each child once, the house is a disaster, and my armpits stink cause I haven't showered in 3 days......
Breathe, breathe, breathe....
I will attempt to make a few comfort food casseroles, some quick soups, and maybe even a dessert or two. (I just got tired thinking about that.)
Wish me luck!
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