Birth of Nathan

It really is something how every birth experience is different.

I had a lot of contractions for a few days.  One an hour and occasionally, every 20 minutes.  Early Sunday (November 17) morning, the contractions were every 6-8 minutes.  My OB had said once things had gotten regular not to wait to go in.  So I decided to get moving.  I was going off my previous birth experiences, when active labor had started with them they were fast. (Read Liam here and Miriam here) So Bill and I got the kids in the car, dropped them off at Brenda and Joes and headed into the hospital at about 4am.

Everything was so layed back.   Since my contractions were not particularly painful, just a bit of pressure, we were able to check in slowly. I was about 5cm dilated.  Once we got down to my room we got the IV started and my blood work off and I knew within an hour I could get an epidural.  Which was crazy to me, because I didn't feel like I needed it yet.  But, we were still expecting my labor to pick up all of a sudden, and I didn't want a crazy painful birth expereince either, so we went ahead with it. 

It took effect and we tried to rest.  I don't remember sleeping much.  At about 10 am they wanted to break my water, because my contractions were still about 5 minutes apart and I hadn't really made any progress.  I was a little nervous, but at 11 am I let them do it.  It made my contractions come more frequently, and I progressed to 7cm.   Also in this time we kept calling the anesthesiologist back down because my pain level kept going back up.   I was poked a prodded a lot as she tried to tell what was working and what wasn't.  I had pain meds pumped into me a couple different times.  It would take the edge off for a while (I got a 20 minute nap!) and then I would start to feel them again.

I don't remember what time it was that I was checked again and was still 7cm.  No progess.  I was afraid of this senario too.  What if I didn't progress? They started me a on a little pitocin at some point (another thing I was not very fond of).   The nurses were wondering if he was "sunny-side" up, or just positioned badly.   I'm thinking it was probably close to 3pm that we rolled me on my side and put this pillow thing my nurse called a peanut in between my legs, trying to encourage baby to move.  Soon enough, we could tell that he moved out of my right side into a more central position.

All of a sudden I felt what seemed like a really forceful kick (exactly the same thing that woke me up in labor with Miriam) and I had a contraction that was considerably more painful.  They had just given me a dumbed down version of the stuff they give people having C-sections, but it did not work!  My contractions got really hard.  I was pretty much hanging onto my husbands hands/arms  trying to breathe through contractions.  It was hard work!  I was sweating up a storm.  I really can't even begin to describe how difficult it was to work through those contractions.  I felt them in all their horrible glory.  I made Bill stand/lean just so the whole time.  He and all the nurses were very supportive, that much I know, but everything they said was sort of in the background.  I was also vaguely aware of all the activity going on in my room as everyone (I was the only gal on the delivery floor) was getting ready to deliver the baby.  The time in between contractions was a wonderful rest time.

Finally time to push the baby out!  I pushed through one contraction and had a rest, but I could tell baby Nathan was right there, ready to be born.  My doctor said, lets push him out on the next one.  I think I said  "Okay."  And I did! One benefit to that was being able to tell just how much farther we had to go and just pushing that baby out! They say he jumped out of there.  Amazing how as soon as he was born, all the horrible pain was gone! He had a great healthy set of lungs! They let him rest on my chest for a good long while.  Daddy cut his ambilical cord.

I guess it's true about the rush you get right after, because I really felt good!  We had his name picked out and written on the white board in the room.  Nathan Eisen was 6lb 14oz, 20 inches long, born at 3.55 pm.
My sister in law had reminded me many days before that it was all part of his story.  He is already his own person with his own little history.  We made it and he was healthy. 

*Part 2, recovery story coming soon!

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I don't have enough

Yay, our baby is here!  He's got a story all his own for me to write another day.  He is doing well, except yellow with jaundice.  His siblings love him and try to be helpful with him.  I am adjusting and really wishing I could take more time off work then I am going to get.

With this first week of being home, I realized pretty quickly that I don't have enough. 

I don't have enough arms and hands.

I don't have enough hours in the day.

I don't have enough sleep.

I don't have enough patience.

I don't have enough composure.

If I were to analyze things in this way, I would find that I am lacking in just about every way.

The only thing I currently have is plenty of room in my heart.  That will have to be enough to make up what I do not have.

Pregnancy Update

November 15!  Only 15 days away from my due date.  Yesterday at my Dr. appointment he told me that I was 3 or possibly 4 cm dilated.  Still only maybe half the way effaced etc.

It creeped me out a little.  I've been having a difficult time with birth anxiety.  My random boughts of anxiety that I get normally with pregnancy have pretty much all centered on birth in the last couple weeks.  I went to Facebook and asked my friends (many of whom I know deal with more severe and more debilitating anxiety then I ever have) what they do.  Bless all of them for being so honest, forthcoming, willing to share and praying.  I almost feel like I don't deserve it, getting anxiety about (mostly) birth.  I mean really. 

Last night I woke up with some more painful contractions, but only 15-20 minutes apart for maybe 2 hours.  Then I was able to go back to sleep.  Interestingly, I feel a little better this morning.  Once of my friends was absolutely right.  Sleep helps preggo anxiety a lot.  Its not gone.  But the light is coming out and I do feel slightly better.

Dr. said that if I started having regular contractions not to hang around the house.  But we knew that!  He also told me, that at or after 39 weeks (so next friday or saturday), if I wanted, I could be induced.  He said, I bet we break your water, use a little Pitocin and you would have a baby in a few hours.  Since that describes Liams birth almost to a T (except I refused to let them break my water), I know he is right!

One thing I have noticed that is different this pregnancy is my lack of pregnancy "arthritis".  Both with Miriam and Liam I would wake up with sore still fingers in the morning.  I don't have it this time.  I keep asking about my blood pressure because with Liam that is why I was induced.  But it's normal.  Crazy how each time is a little different!

I look at my little monsters and I know that it is worth it.  I was so freaked out about being induced with Liam, but I remember looking at him right after he was born and being in love with him right away.  

These are my daughters drawings of our family.  I feel like she started drawing pictures overnight.  It's one of those things that makes me happy in the morning getting ready for work. 

Speaking of...time to go

Baby Shower #2

 Wow!  How is it that on my third baby I got multiple showers?  It might have been on account of my mother in law, who really isn't able to travel, but still.  Really nice of my sister in law and mother in laws friend Barb.
I have lots of other pictures from my other shower and things like Miriams armor to put up, but these were copied and pasted from Facebook and somehow that is easier then locating my camera right now!

 This bug was made by cousin Whitney out of the fuzzy pipe cleaner like things that were wrapping the prize gifts.  I might hang it in the babies room.

 Kids chowing down on some cake

 The cake before it was destroyed

 All the littles at the party.  6, 5, 4 (almost) 3 and 2.  haha

 Mommy with kiddos

Me at the table before it was taken over.

It was a nice shower.  Thanks guys!

I love a long weekend! Ups and Downs

Oh the last couple days.

Sunday, Miriam woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Bills mom had these muscle spasms that eventually landed her an ambulance trip to the ER (since she isn't ambulatory, it was the better option then trying to get her in and out of the car.  twice.).  It was hard for Bill.   He went with this dad to the hospital to be with his mom until things settled down.
              *on a side note, all those people that tried to encourage me to do nursing when I was going through some of my college crises.  I think I chose the right thing by NOT doing that.*
Missed my aunt and two uncles visiting in Spokane, which was fine, we needed to stay longer in Tri Cities but I was still bummed about it!

Monday morning, Liam cut himself with a pair of sissors.  Honestly, as silly as this may be, it made my whole day hard.  I felt bad about it.  He cut himself pretty good.  He's going to be okay and all that.

Birth anxiety!  I follow this Facebook page called Birth Without Fear.  There are some amazing stories on there.  Really.  But I've decided Birth without fear for me, right now = doing the best I can until I can get my darn epideral.  I also remind myself about having anxiety before.  The truth is, once you are in labor, there is no room for anxiety.  So that's good. 

Leg cramps that make it so I can't walk around!  They only happen when I am standing or walking (thank goodness).  They are starting to get pretty painful.

Tuesday.  Back to work.  

Trying to turn this around a bit.

Saturday.  I had a nice baby shower with (mostly) family.  We had a good time (sorry still have to unload pictures).  I also took a nap in the afternoon.  Liam fell asleep on my legs.  Miriam got to play with Grandpa.

Sunday (before the chaos)  I got to play bubbles with my kids outside.  Can I just say my daughter really is ingenuitive?  We had no bubbles so she made some and found a straw cap with a small hole to use as a bubble blower.  And it worked.

Monday, breakfast with my Veteran, who let me lay down for an hour or so.  Running some fun errands.  Spending time at my friends house.  We made bean bags for the birthday party this Friday.  I enjoy being crafty, even if it is cutting and filling bean bags. 

Tuesday.  Back to work. 

Kindergarden Halloween Songs

Miriam came home from Kindergarden with some little songs and rhymes this season

To the tune of I'm a little Teapot:

I'm a little pumpkin, Orange and Round
Here is my stem.  I grew in the ground.
When I get all cut up don't you frown (or shout)
Just open me up and scoop me out!


5 Little Pumpkins sitting on a gate
The first one said, "Oh my, It's getting late!"
The second one said "There are witches in the air!"
The third one said "But we don't care!"
The fourth one said, "Lets run run run!:
The fifth one said, "We're ready for some fun."
Out went the wind.
Then out went the lights!
And the five little pumpkins, rolled out of sight.

Small Miracles

Its a good idea to show more gratitude.  I get pretty caught up in things going wrong.  Maybe I'm a bit of an Eeyore?  But I would rather be happy. 

So in the last couple days there are a few small miracles in our life I have noticed.

First, I have my sons cold.  I am very congested.  Yesterday I was basically awake from 3 am on.  Part was the congestion and part was I was psychologically freaking myself out about waking up congeted and with a dry mouth.  I just generally get more anxious about certain (or random) things when I am pregnant.  I felt like I was going to panic last night on the way to Miriams birthday dinner because "I couldn't breathe at all through my nose, it was dark outside, and it was foggy and it was all pressing in on me..."  Luckily was able to calm down before that became an honest to goodness panic attack.   This morning, as I am typing to you, I am still pretty darn congested.  But I slept from about 10-5 last night.  I got a blessing, took a shower, used some Vicks, took some Tylenol, went to bed.  The first time I woke up with morning I even thought maybe the congestion was less.  But not since I got up.  Still I slept.  (Maybe cause I was exhausted but, still)  Thank you Lord.

Second, last weekend I bought a really expensive pair of shoes.  A pair of Dankso clogs.  This is a big deal for me because I don't like to spend 50 dollars on shoes, and if you know Dankso, you know they are MORE then that.  They had been recommended to me on Facebook when I asked friends about supportive shoes that I would not have to lean over and tie.  (Interestingly enough this pregnancy has been like that for me.  I actually bought myself new maternity clothes and was so thankful because they fit better and were SO MUCH more comfortable.  It was worth it!)  Back to the shoes.  So my husband encouraged me to go ahead and buy them.  I was hestitant because he just got let go from his temp job and our check engine light has been on for like, a month.  Monday, on my way to work, I noticed the check engine light was off.  It's stayed off all week.  We both agreed to watch it (I thought origninally maybe it came on because we were so overdue on our oil change.  But it stayed on afterwared) and we may need to get our brakes looked at still.  And maybe I've wondered some if God really cares about me having a ridiculously expensive pretty nice pair of shoes.  But still, I thank Him for taking care of one problem so I could have them.

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday Miriam

So I got my sons cold. It wasn't horrible until late yesterday.  My congestion has been so bad I've been up since about 2:30 am.  I'm starting to wish I had cleaned up my house for the last hour.  Now it's time to get ready for work. It doesn't help that I have a hard time going back to sleep because I have unwarrented anxiety (pregnancy side effect for me) about not being able to breathe and waking up with a dry mouth.  Bummer. 

So really quickly... Happy Birthday to Miriam!  She turns 6 years old today.  I hardly have anything to say.  I don't know what to say!  She is kind and very ingenuitive, happy and helpful.  I love you Miriam!

And here are some pictures from Halloween!

This little kid was cute when he caught on to trick or treating.  "Tic Teat" he'd say.  And he has carried his pumpkin full of candy around all week long, loving the sugar.

Thoughts about Pregnancy #3

Maybe because I am in the middle of it, I feel like this is my hardest pregnancy yet. 

Not all because of pregnancy issues, although that is half of it, but because of other circumstanses in our life.

I have two other kids.  One who I still view as a baby, even though he just turned two.  So it's weird that I'm going to have another baby. 

I've been sick a lot.  Besides the fact that Liam and I seem to get everything under the sun, I had morning sickness that just never seemed to go away.  I felt like it did get better, and I just had food aversions.  Then I found out I have gestational diabetes.  It is controlled fine by diet, but I do think if I could do it over I would have asked to be tested earlier.  It may have been the reason I felt so bad so often.  That said, there are still days that I don't feel well after a meal (or all day long) that don't make any sort of sense and don't seem to be tied to me spiking my blood sugar (because I haven't).  I am 36 weeks pregnant and I still get queezy.  I have to say I never thought that would happen to me.

I have often reflected that these things are quite enough to be getting on with.  Then, in August, I went back to work.  I applied for my former bosses position, who had retired.  I knew I had a decent chance at it.  I was frustrated because I was not in a place in my life where I really wanted to go back to work.  I also was aware that we could use the income.  Bills temporary job at PAML ended on Halloween, earlier than we expected, so it's been helpful.  We actually have benefits and it is somewhat flexible.  There are so many things that went along with this decision.  I was a mess the two weeks before I started.  I am probationary for 6 months so fun times trying to figure out how to keep my benefits and have some time off.   What I learned about myself.  I have no problem with this job.  It does turn out that push come to shove I am not happier at work then at home.  (Its possible I'm not happier at home then at work either) and that if all things were equal I would go back home.  I did not grow up planning to be a stay at home parent.  So sometimes it surprises me that this would be my choice.

It's just not been an easy pregnancy friends!  I am very much looking forward to feeling like a human being, and being able to eat without getting sick.  I'm hoping the rest of my pregnancy goes well and that this little guy is a healthy baby. 

What up buttercup?

So much is going on for Miriam these days! She started Kindergarden with Mrs. Jaderquist and loves it!  Sometimes it can be hard to learn what she has done at school, but I really enjoyed picking her up after work and asking her about the things in her backpack.  It took a long time to find out, but I guess she's made a little friend named Gwen.  She has no problems going there.  She picks up on the routines right away.  It can be hard to get her to try new things like writing a lower case r instead of a big R.  I wonder if she does that at school?

This year she was a unicorn for Halloween and she wants a unicorn birthday party.  She wanted a unicorn birthday last year until a month before she decided she wanted pirates.  We are having a carnival birthday party with Gideon this year but I think I will try to have a unicorn pinata and another game so she feels happy about it.  I am so pregnant I wasn't going to plan anything, but I'll foot half the bill for this party and we can have lots of friends come.  We just found her Unicorn Stompeez from last Christmas, maybe she'll wear them at the party!

This summer Miriam got her first loose teeth (her two bottom ones)  when I discovered it she was very upset.  But she got used to the idea and got a new toothbrush from the tooth fairy.  Now she has two big kid teeth comnig in and I think she will be okay with more loose teeth.

For Miriam's birthday Daddy has been making her armor.  Since she will be 6 years old she can do youth combat (Boffer fighting).  She says she would like to do it and Daddy is supposed to help her practice.  Her armor is pink (sometime in the last few months her favorite color went from Blue to Pink).  with a pink helmet and pink sweater.  She likes it, and I hope she will like fighting like Dad does.