Wake up to the Blogging World

So I have an 11 day old baby.  Can't believe it.  It has gone by so fast.  Can't believe it.  My mom has left us and Derek is off planting 'spuds'.  In my mind I don't use quotes but I don't know if everyone knows that here in Idaho we call potatoes spuds. 

I haven't had much desire to blog lately, as in the last year, but having a baby makes me want to share.  So here you are, if you're interested. 

That little 3 year old of mine was so kind to take a 9 month picture of me.  What a good helper, right?  I've heard that kids like to see what they looked like when their mom was 9 months pregnant.  So we made this a sweet tradition and at the time I don't really care for it, but in the long run I like it.

 These pictures are totally out of order, but after 3 tries of uploading them, this is what we have to work with. Leona was born ON HER DUE DATE. I know.  How nice of her, right?  I was totally prepared to go way past my due date like her sisters.  I've told her thank you, don't worry.
Here she is with Derek right after she was born. 

 Gwens first time holding her.

 These guys ended up all snuggling on the vertical couch bed at the hospital.  Not sure why this loaded sideways.  It was kind of weird for me to see so many people on the couch that are all in my family.  Sometimes I think it is so weird that Derek and I have 3 kids.  We're always asking each other, 'what are we doing with 3 kids?'

 I thought that tradition requires a nice family picture.  Gwen had other ideas.

 This pic was taken today.  She's 11 days old and becoming much more alert and looking and making a face that I'm pretty sure my imagination believes is a smile.

Evelyn holding her at the hospital.  Evelyn has some serious love for this baby.

 This was right after she was born.  Love her so much. 

Do you want to hear all about it?  Well I'm going to write about it so here you go.  I woke up on my due date and took the girls to swim lessons.  On the way there I had a contraction that was unlike all million of my braxton hicks contractions and I thought, 'hmmm, that's a good sign.'  I did not think I would actually have her for quite a few more days because I had always gone past my due date. A few hours later I had another, and a few hours later I had another.  I called Derek and told him that something was actually happening to make me belive that I would actually go into labor some day.  I went out to lunch with Kristine and ate something delicious.  We then made plans to go to lunch next week, because I thought I would still be preg and need something delicious to cheer me up. 

Me and the girls got home and Derek was home for a bit, so we went in the back yard to fly Gwens new kite that she won from the dentist office.  It was really fun watching them.  Then I got up to check on my strawberries and had another contraction.  So I hollered to Derek to tell him that I had another one.  So at this point I'm trying to tell myself, 'you're prob not in labor.  This is just a few contractions and they'll prob go away.'  So when I went inside I decided to take a bath because in our classes(Derek and I took some Bradley Birthing Classes  ) we learned that taking a bath will stop false labor, and I didn't want to get my hopes up.  So in the bath (ooh-la-la) I had a few contractions that felt like regular B.H. contractions and when I sat up I had a big contraction.  And I thought, 'well, they didn't stop.  This is weird."  You will notice that I keep talking myself out of being in labor.  That is true.  I am one who doesn't like to get my hopes up so I like to try and keep it real (yo) and be realistic. 

So I start making dinner and they keep coming about every 20 minutes and after every one I think, 'I'm going to call derek after the next one,'and I don't because I just don't really believe it's all hapening.  Well I finally decide to call him and tell him that I think I may be in labor.  He asked me all about it and says that I might be.  Why don't I start timing them and we'll see in an hour.  So at 5 pm I start timing them and they are 10 minutes apart.  After a while I remember distinctly that I had a contraction that I couldn't stand up for, I bent over the counter a bit, and after that one I knew it was on.  So I called my mom and she was on her way to hopefully be here before we left for the hospital. I also called Jamie and after dinner she and I went on a walk around the neighborhood and after 2 miles I decided that I'd better go home and get some rest.  That was 7:30. 

After that I got cozy on the bed and was listenening to some relaxing music, then a realaxing CD from my HypnoBirthing Days.  After a while I hated that I was just laying there while I was missing my favorite TV show, Survivor.  So I relocated to the basement and that didn't last long.  After a few doosies, I decided that I'd better get in the bath. 

'In our Bradley Birthing Classes' (nasaly voice, push glasses up my nose), we learned that water is natures epidural.  I spent some time in there and after a while was surprised to hear Derek call his dad and ask him to come over because we needed to leave for the hospital.  After he got off the phone, I said, 'we need to go to the hospital?' and he assured me that I was in transition and my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart.  That was a total shocker, becuase I hadn't been timing them and he wasn't telling me how close they were.  I was also showing all the signs of a woman in transition (that we had learned about).

It took FOREVER to get out of the tub, dressed, down the stairs, and in the car, all the while having to stop every 2 minutes to have a contraction. I almost puked before I got to the car, so I was sitting in the back seat, holding a bowl, trying to relax through my contractions and trying to prepare myself for the nurse at the hospital to tell me I was only dilated to a 6 or something. 

Alright, so we get to the hospital and I had previously decided that I did NOT want Derek to drop me off at the door.  Did that before and I was so bugged at the security guard who wheeled me up and was trying to make small talk.  When I am in labor I do not like to talk to anyone.  So if anyone asks me anything Derek knows how to answer for me.

So we get up to the L&D and get into a room.  After about 10 minutes the nurse finally checks me and while she's checking me I'm saying out loud, 'I might just be a 2, I might just be a 2.'  Then the nurse says, 'oh you're not a 2, you're a 9!'  So I was pretty excited to hear that, but I just tried to stay calm and realize that it still might be an hour until I'm a 10, then still longer to push.  So I'm pacing myself.  Luckily my doc (Midwife Susan)  happened to be close to the hospital when they called her so she came right up.  She saw me have a contraction and realized that I was ready to push.  So she checked me again and told me there was no cervix and to push whenever I felt like it.  I asked her how long until my baby was here and she said '5 minutes'.  Derek and I talked later and were both thinking, 'yea right, it will take longer than that.' Only because my second labor took more time than we had planned.  So lo and behold I start to feel another contraction and not wanting to use all my strength and then be super tired if I ended up pushing forever, I did a couple small pushes and then remembered how I had learned how to push in my class and took a deep breath and bore down.  Next thing I know Susan is telling me, 'Stop pushing, stop pushing!' and then I feel the unmistakable feeling of a baby coming out of me! (TMI?)  Already?!  I was so not expecting her to come out so fast!  So Susan is trying to give her to Derek or I, but we are both sitting there with our jaws open, trying to wrap our minds around the fact that she is already out!  Well that took about a half second and I reached for her and got to hold and nurse her for an hour or two before they weighed her and all that stuff.  Then the nurses start telling us that we had only been at the hospital for 17 minutes, and lucky that Susan was so close, and lucky that I didn't have her in the car, etc.  It was all very exciting and I was this crazy happy lady after she was out.  I was just laughing and kept saying how happy I was, and basically acted like a crazy lady who was totally happy.  I always get like that after I have a baby because labor is so hard and difficult,  and then all of a sudden the pain is gone and you're holding this child that you have been wanting to meet for 9 months or longer and the baby is healthy and I'm not pregnant any more, and she looks like my husband who I love so much, and it's finally over, etc. etc.  Anyway, the rest is history.  If 11 days is history. 

I am feeling so much better already, however, sore everywhere at the same time.  Everywhere. :). Lots of love going on in this house, and some sweet hormone swings as well.  Can't forget about those!  I have felt so much love from so many people it has been overwhelming.  I have never felt so much love from so many people after I have had a baby.  After thinking about this, I have come to realize that I am the type of person who surrounds myself with kind people.  Period.  So doesn't it make sense that all the kind people I know are kind to me?  So many people have offered to watch my kids if I need it, and so many friends have dropped off snacks, and I'm getting meals from the RS this week.  I feel so blessed and grateful to have another daughter and a family that loves each other.

Derek and I also feel very strongly about the Bradly Birthing Method, and think it is such a great way to have a baby. Imagine having a test that you have studied for and have been preparing for and you feel totally confident going in that you have all the answers.  Thats what we did and we felt calm and prepared for L&D and knew we didn't want to get to the hospital until it was time to push and we knew exactly what to look for and what to do during each stage of labor.  And for the record, I do not think a woman should go through a natural childbirth without a lot of preparation.  But I know that with the right preparation there are so many benefits and it can be such a joy.  The Bradley Method gives you so many tools to work with that you know what to do no matter what happens during L&D.  And for the record, I think however you did your L&D is fine.  I just happen to feel really strongly about The Bradly Method.  Even though Derek and I don't agree 100% with everything that is in the book. And for the record, this is my blog so I can write my opinion here. You will not find me out preaching about this at T-ball practice, or a baby shower, or at Enrichment.  But I do want to let other women know that there is another option for childbirth that is not just going to the hospital and doing whatever the Doc says.  Disclaimer, disclaimer.

Well I am totally out of here.  I need some time to think of another girl name in case we have another daughter some day:).  

For Pama

Mother!  Here you are, some sweet pics of your favorite grandchildren.  All dressed up and ready to go trick-or-treating.  For those of you who don't know who these two are, go play a game of Candy Land.  They wanted me to be Plumpy, what with my awesome belly and all.  I was a beauty queen, as always... no costume necessary.

                                                              
                                                                    Princess Lolly

                                                    
                                                         Queen Frostine, on Halloween.

 This is what happens when 1- you tell your three year old she can't have any candy until after lunch and she goes missing under her bed for a while and 2- Christi has offspring. 

So long for a while everyone! 

Carving Faces

This title is not inferring to the fact that Evelyn has a huge welt on her cheek, and after she had her face painted at pre-school I was expecting a knock on the door from the police who come get bad moms. I have a witness! It was a bike accident.  I actually have have 5 witnesses, but only one is over the age of 8.  I think I had to get that off my chest.  That bruise just keeps staring at me.

 

 So happy to get these beauties carved. The fruit of our labors!  I have an apparent infatuation with pumpkins since I planted 3 different varieties this summer.  Well worth it, I might add.

Thanks for viewing.  Next year, invite us to your pumpkin carving contest party.  If you want to lose, that is.

Tons of Birthdays... and One of us is 30

I am continuing my efforts here, and I continue to be proud of myself.  I had the best idea to consolidate all four of our birthdays into one post.  Great idea, until I had to wait for 6 pictures to upload... Anyway, if I sound grumpier than usual just blame it on my 16th week of nausea.  That's what I'm doing. 

So, who's up first? Gwen? Sweet.  She turned 3 and all is well.

 

 Wanted a princess cake.  Princesses get what they want.  RIGHT NOW!!!!!  Haha, I'm totally kidding, for you randoms reading this she is really sweet.  Not that I have anything to prove to any of you...

 Next up.. who me?! We can just skip me, I hate being the center of attention.  With my Yellow Personality and all.  Just opening one of my favorite... no, my all time favorite snack.  Happy Birthday to me.

 I might just play a little tune on my new harmonica for all of you if you're lucky.  But not you randoms.  Why are you reading my blog anyway?

 I don't know who turned 30, but I can tell you that I did follow my moms advice to "never marry a man that is younger than you".  Love him.

 She wanted a My Little Pony cake and what do you think she got?  Hello, you bake a cake and put My Little Ponies on it.  Totally rocked.  Look how happy she looks. 

I know guys, I'm totally random and weird.  Just go with it, okay?

We Just Went Camping

Is blogspot slower now?  It seems that way.

 

Anyway, we just went camping yesterday... not this summer... and I am not catching up.  I am simply trying to post my daughters' Halloween costumes for my mom to see them and I have a few posts I want to do before I do that do.  Do you know what I mean?

We decided to check out Bear Lake for the first time and it was a screamin' hit.  The girls keep trying to get Derek and I to commit to going there again, totally convinced that another camp site simply could not be better.  They may be right.  It rocked.  We were only there for two nights and enjoyed the Lake, of course, for a full day.  So much fun.  So much fun.

 

Our $20 investment in these floaties was totally worth it, although not worth the sunburn I received on the back of my legs.  I don't ever sunscreen there... and I've never been burned there.  Anyway, that part was pretty hot.

 We went to this cave and took a tour and it was interesting.  Fun and a bit cold.

 Had to put this picture in because I'm sure you all think she is as cute as I do.

 This is the walkway to the cave.

I know that was a bad grand finale, but these pictures loaded on here in the exact opposite order that I intended.  So go back and look at the water picture and imagine my sun burnt legs.  That right.  Think about that as my parting gift to you.
And for any of you who are not watching the news feeds all over Twitter, I'm pregnant.

Because Derek Asked Me To...

I thought that all of you guys liked seeing the freeze frame of my latest blog entry video.  Derek looks like he's about to eat a fly, or a cookie, I can't tell which.  But none the less, he wants me to add another blog.  I was hoping that you all had the blog line-ups with the latest blog picture showing and have been looking at the picture for months.  Wondering how Uncle Kurtis could possibly feel congratulated with a picture like that.

Well, here we are.  Blogging about stuff.  I thought I'd try it out again. 

So, Evelyn had a dance recital... about 2 years ago it's been.  It was super cute and now BOTH my girls are in dance so the next blog like this is going to be DOUBLE the fun.  Like those old Double Mint commercials, you know.  

Love this picture, because I am so excited for Gwen to get all ready for her recital.  Doesn't she look ready?

 All ready to go, pretty excited.  My little girl, who has probably not said one word to most of you, has no stage fright or nerves to speak of when it comes to performing. 

 Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Reed gave her some flowers and SHE LOVED THEM.  She was totally on cloud 9.  I had no idea the effects of flowers on a 4 year old girl.  But we saved those babies, and now they are hanging on her wall in a frame.  Give a girls some flowers!

Well, this is my testing, testing, one, two, three.  We'll see how it works out.

Congrats Kurtis and Jolene

Just a message for Kurtis and Jolene and family.  We miss you and can't wait to see you again.