Results of the poll! Welcome Tessa June! And how I saved 900 dollars!

If you haven't heard, because I am a slow blogger. We had a baby girl on the 1st of June.  I need to record the story somewhere, so here we go. If you aren't a fan of birth stories, feel free to skip.

This pregnancy was a bit rough I would say.  Near the end of January, my legs and feet began to swell.  It was so early, I didn't even realize the epic proportions they got to until just this past week when all the swelling was finally gone.  And Nate kept commenting how I seemed to be carrying this baby differently.  Like, way in front, like a beach ball.  Anyway, the swelling was beginning to do me in.  I was particularly alarmed when one leg and foot seemed to be soo much more swollen than the other.  I called my doctor and finally cried mercy.  I hadn't been having other complications, but it felt like I was walking on glass and no amount of laying down was making any difference.  Dr. Smith told me to come in the next morning, the 1st, and we would start an induction.  Oh how I was so torn about this!  I have always gone into labor before and really believe that it's generally best to let your body do what it needs to do, but realized that things weren't going to get any better until the baby was born.  It was very strange showing up at the hospital not in labor.  I actually looked around a little and saw where things were. 

When we were all admitted the nurse and I talked a little bit about my last three births and how things had gone.  Usually I have short labors and everything goes pretty smoothly.  I told her because my last baby was so fast, I had been reading up and preparing to not have an epidural.  But that was just because I had been so fast with Sophie, I wanted to make sure I knew what to expect.  I had read a book on Hypnobirthing and felt so so about that.  Some of it was really great, some I just had a hard time going along with-having been there done that.  Anyway, turns out the nurse is a Hypnobirthing instructor and was very excited I had read the book and seemed to know a bit about it.  I did point out that I had never had pitocin before or been induced, so we would see how things went so far as pain management goes.  She then set up the pitocin and off and away we were.  For a while, contractions were pretty mild and manageable.  Then they suddenly picked up and were very hard and about two minutes apart.  We had the pitocin at really low level because I am pretty sensitive to meds.  My lower back was really hurting, more than I remember with labor before. So the nurse made the bed into a chair-like position and had Nate press hard on my knees to relieve the pressure in my back.  This worked really well and I think he kept at it for almost two hours.  She also brought in a birthing ball in the event I wanted to sit on that.  Every time I would change position though, the contractions really intensified, so I was not so much into sitting on the ball or moving a whole lot.  At that point I was about five centimeters dilated and the nurse said the baby was posterior and needed to turn around to be born more easily.  I was ready for an epidural at this point, but the anesthesiologist was in a c-section and I would need to wait about an hour.  I then turned around in the bed to lean over the back and try to get the baby to flip over.  The nurse and Nate put a lot of pressure on my lower back and helped me really breathe and focus.  I also got a little fentanyl to take the edge off and relax and they turned off the pitocin.  My body took over contracting on its own, and those contractions were much easier to deal with that the pitocin

Nate never slipped or spilled the beans, I am so proud of him!  I had been prepared for her to be pretty messy because there was meconium in my water when I broke, but she was surprisingly clean.  I was also prepared for her to be pretty big, which she was, 8 lbs, 11 ozs. and 20 inches long, our biggest baby.  She was so strong when she was born, they nurses all commented how she grabbed my gown and lifted her head and looked side to side.  She had a great loud cry and had no complications due to the meconium or anything else.  I held her for a long time before she got all cleaned up and diapered.  I have heard there is quite an adrenaline rush after natural childbirth and would say that is true!  I think a lot of it has to do with the relief that the majority of the pain is over and my excitement over finding out the baby was a girl after all those months, and the sense of wonderment that I didn't die!  Because part of you thinks you just might for a time there.  Even delivering the placenta didn't bother me.  My main nurse was very excited, Nate was pretty sure I made her day.  She said I did such a good job, no screaming or hitting or freaking out.  She was really complementary about how in control I was and how relaxed I remained.  It was nice to hear because my inner dialogue was not that calm.  She said I had all the hard things, pitocin, posterior baby, having to wait for the doctor, but I did a great job working through them.  She was clearly the nurse that needed to be there.  She was with us most of the labor and really kept me focused and calm.  I am not really relaxed most of the time, so I think she had a magic touch getting me to be so.  I really trusted her and am grateful she was there.  She saw us again just as we were getting discharged and was still really excited about the delivery.  Anyway, so that is the birth story-it was exciting and I do feel a sense of accomplishment after it all.

Then the next two days were spent in the hospital going over names.  Nate and I really seem to wait until the last minute to decide.  We had suggestions from all the nurses and all our visitors.  I made a list and we went through all combinations we could on that.  The fact that she was born in June helped decide her middle name.  Isabella really liked June as well.  And Tessa seemed to fit.  It's always hard for me to name a baby, it's such a major thing!  Anyway, we managed to fill out the paperwork for the birth certificate before we left, which was the goal.  I ate about 20 packages of Lorna Doone cookies in the hospital and had more Fresca and Orange/Cranberry juice that I can admit to.  Nate took the rest of the week off and would come hang out-which was really great.  My mom and the kids came up and they all love Tessa and want to hold her as much as possible.  Alta View now does a dinner for two the night before you leave, which was nice.  You choose from a nice menu and they bring in a table that is all decorated and fancy for the hospital.  Also they give you a plush robe.  I am sure all these things are on the bill somewhere, but it was nice.  I had to take lasix to get the swelling to go away in my legs and feet and I can't believe the difference.  They had been swollen for so long, I had just become accustomed.  Now to see my normal feet is a bit shocking! 

Tessa is a great baby, she nurses well, sleeps well, and is super snuggley.  She has had to get her bilirubin tested more than any of my other kids, but isn't jaundiced, I think we are just being way cautious.  She still seems pretty little even though she's the biggest of the four.  She has the lightest hair at birth, but the least as well.  She is pretty alert and strong.  We are so blessed to have her in our family and I love how quickly you can't remember not having each child there. 

Happy Birthday Isabella!

 

Isabella turned eight years old on the 29th of May.  She had a fabulous birthday and I didn't have the baby, so she doesn't have to share, which made he pretty happy.  Her sister picked out this little giraffe for her weeks before her birthday.  Then while we were out shopping after the fact, she showed it to Bella and said, isn't this cute Bella, don't you wish you had a cute giraffe like this.  Bella said she did like the giraffe.  Sophie whispered to me that she now knew that Bella would like her gift, it was pretty funny and clever for a three year old.  I had prepared everything well in advance and since Bella doesn't like cake, we just had Oreo ice cream.  It was a nice day and I can't believe she is eight!

Eight Things about Isabella

1.She is dedicated.  When she wants to do something she sets her mind to it and accomplishes it.

2. She is kind.  Bella is always loves everyone.

3. Bella is super helpful.  She reads a bedtime story to Sophie every night because they both like it.

4. Bella is strong.  Three years of gymnastics have made her strong and very coordinated.  I can't believe how much the gymnastics helps with other sports.

5. Bella is a great student.  She always got great notes home from her teacher and loves school.

6.  Bella loves to dance.  She gets the music in her and can't sit still.  She had us all entertained at her gymnastics meet because she just couldn't hold the dance moves in.

7.  Bella is a great writer.  She brought home five or six journals this year filled with poems and stories and all sorts of things.  She got a few journals for her birthday and has already begun to fill them up.

8. She is inquisitive.  She is always wanting to know more and asking what things mean.  

We love Isabella so much and can't imagine our family without her.  She is a great sister and daughter and we are so blessed to have her!

Poll over there-------------->

Nate has known for about nineteen weeks if this baby is a boy or a girl.  He hasn't told anyone so far as I know-and if he has, don't let me know.  I will find out on my own soon enough.  Speaking of soon enough-really it could be any time from the moment I finish this post.  I am eliciting all sorts of sympathetic glances, comments, and advice from people I know, but more often people I don't.  Yesterday I had all the kids with me and we went to Barnes and Noble, and as we were leaving a random guy asked me if I was having the baby at home.  I'm don't happen to be planning that on purpose, but he thought I looked like someone who had babies at home-he and his wife do-so I am taking that as a compliment. Then he asked if I homeschool.  I don't but have no strong opinions about homeschooling or not homeschooling.  I had to ask why he thought all these things-he said my kids just seemed like kids that were born at home and were homeschooled-how perplexing.  I also checked both the kids out of school yesterday and receptionists at both schools asked if I needed a ride to the hospital.  Hmmm.  I do admit, I am waddling in a more than obvious way.  My ankles are gone-really, I can't recall what they looked like, so if they change, I may never know the difference. 

So, if you want some extra info to cast your vote in the poll-here goes.  I was swollen like this when I was pregnant with Jack.  I was swollen with Bella, but not this much, and the swelling with Sophie must have been negligible, because I don't really remember it.  I have heartburn in the night, have had with all four kids now.  I keep making Jello and Pudding for snacks.  I don't know if I am really craving those things or if I know no one else in the house likes those snacks, so no chance of them getting stolen.  Nate says I am carrying this baby differently than any of the others, don't quite know what to make of that, but he would be the best judge of that.  I have been pretty grumpy for months.  Anyway, hopefully we will all know if it's a boy or girl in the next week or so.  If not, watch out for the grumpy waddling woman. 

Hope of America

In Utah County, fifth graders can participate in Hope of America.  Hope of America kicks off the freedom festival, which I didn't know until I just googled it.  Anyway this was the year for Jack and we all got to go to the Marriot Center and watch hundreds of fifth graders perform.  It was a great show. The kids set in a giant flag shape with a few on the main floor.

Jack had to be there pretty early, so Nate the girls and I walked over to the creamery on ninth for dinner. I used to live in the dorm just behind the creamery, only it wasn't the creamery, it was Kent's Grocery store.  There is also tons of construction going on at BYU.  They tore down the Deseret Tower dorm building and are building something else.  I am convinced everything is in a constant state of remodeling in the state of Utah.  At least for the past sixteen years or so. 

Anyway, Jack was in one of the white stripes and surprisingly easy to find.

The Marriott Center is where graduation is also held and it felt much the same as it did eleven years ago when I graduated and was nine months pregnant sitting in those cramped seats.  Seriously, I am 5' 4" and my knees hit the seat in front of me!  The section we were in was not crowded, so there was a bit more room to spread out, and I am sure pregnancy contributes to the overall claustrophobic feelings in the seats, but a bit more room would probably be appreciated by all.

Sophie wanted Nate to hold her the whole time, so he was feeling the claustrophobia as well.  Bella liked the whole thing and can't wait to be in fifth grade herself now. Her favorite part was the dancing grandmas.

They got huge applause and were really fun to watch.  The program ended with the kids singing with flashlights, which you know they all loved.  Jack was super bummed when I reclaimed the flashlight from him at the end, don't worry, he has lots, mine always get snatched.

I can't believe in a few weeks fifth grade will be over for Jack and we will be enjoying summer.  He's growing up and his schedule is getting so busy!  He still has a few more events before the end of the year we are looking forward to, and baseball a few times a week.  But I think we will all be ready for some lazy summer days by mid-June.

Baseball Season

Jack is on the Twins this year, for which I am grateful, from a fashion point of view.  I have noticed many of the teams main color seems to be gray, The A's and the Angels seem to have variety, but everyone else is a shade of blue or gray.  I know-silly to care, but c'mon, make the Padres orange or black.  Put a little variety in the mix!

Anyway, Jack has played catcher, second base, and third base thus far.  He has fun playing baseball.  It doesn't seem to have the same intensity as football has for him-for which I am glad.  He just goes out there and does his best and has a good time.  I suppose baseball isn't usually as physically taxing as football, so maybe that is part of it.  I missed a lot of games last year because so many of them start at 8.  And I know this year will be similar, so I am really trying to enjoy the ones we all get to go to.  This year Nate isn't coaching, so he sits with me and wrangles the girls. Well, Sophie mostly.

I wish I could remember how well Jeff and I paid attention at A's games when we were young when my dad took us.  We were pretty little, but he would load us onto BART and we would ride out to the stadium.  Jeff was really little, because he once fell asleep and peed all over my dad.  I remember this as being hilarious.  It probably didn't occur to my dad to bring a diaper bag or change of clothes or not let Jeff drink tons and tons. But I am sure at the time my dad didn't think it was very funny.  I do have an appreciation of watching baseball live as a result.  It just isn't as fun on TV.  I like the atmosphere at games, especially small ones.  Nate and I have been to a few big league games since we've been married, but the minor league ones and the ones Jack play in are my favorites.  I just wish the seats were a bit more comfy!

Easter 2011

Easter was really quite close to Jack's birthday this year.  That hasn't happened since the year he was born.  I believe I came home from the hospital with him on the evening of Easter.  It doesn't fall on his birthday until he is 57 years old.  He made me look that up. 

Anyway, we had a nice Easter dinner together at Tim and Vanella's new house.  They were gracious enough to host and I was really grateful!  We had a lot of food as usual.  The cousins all had a good time getting together and playing.  Sophie prays all the time to see all her cousins, she means everybody, she gets confused about aunts and uncles I think.  Tim and Vanella have a back yard with a rock retaining wall and some deep grass.  They haven't got their mower up and going yet, so it made great fun for the Easter egg hunt. 

 Nate and Cassie and Alice hid eggs.  We manage to find all but one of them.  They were candy filled eggs rather than hard boiled, so no one was too worried about it. Even the easy ones were a bit challenging and Jack and Bella had quite a hard time.  A good time was had by all and we still have Easter candy hanging around.

Happy Birthday Jack!

On the 22nd Jack turned 11 years old.  It was a busy week for him, so we opened presents and went to birthday dinner the night before. 

Jack got a lot of fun things, but the best thing in my opinion was a football card holder that Isabella made out of scrapbook paper.  She just wanted to make him something he would really like for his birthday and did it without any prompting or help.  I love the fact that they are great friends.  They have always gotten along so well together.  Jack also got a sleeping bag, some legos, new scout stuff, and some deodorant as a hint from me.  He thinks that's way funny.  He had a baseball game, then wanted to go to Chuck-a-Rama (why?!?) then we came home and opened presents.  So he didn't even get to play with anything he got that night. 

On Friday, his actual birthday, he got to go on his first camp out with the eleven-year old scouts.  I was fairly nervous, just because it being the first time and him being so new.  But he had a fabulous time and told us all sorts of crazy stories.  Hopefully he will keep giving us the details!  They are fun and crazy to hear at the same time. 

I made the whole group pose for pictures. They are all smiling because instead of saying cheese I had them say-whoa what a big belly you have.  Anyway, he can't wait for all the fun scouting stuff he gets to do this year and I am excited for him.  I think I will be less nervous next time now that I know what to expect.  And he will probably not take quite as much stuff, because I really don't want to wash all that stuff again!

We didn't even eat birthday cake together or blow out candles.  Jack seemed okay with all of that-which is what counts.  In the past it's usually Sophie's birthday that gets all changed around and the spring ones work out just fine.  But now we will have three kids with spring birthdays and I imagine they will just get more busy.  I have great hope that I won't be in the hospital on Bella's birthday this year, but there is a chance that I will, I am getting all organized so my mom and Nate can really make it fun for her if I don't make it.