Come Baby, Come!

This will most likely be my last blog before I have baby William.  I was hoping to be holding him in my arms today, though really I'm not due for a couple more days, this past week has just been miserable.  The heat, the enormous belly preventing me from doing regular things, not to mention the extreme lower back pain, bizarre sleeping schedule, and yes crying at the drop of a hat or because the last pizza box just won't quite fit in the freezer! It all adds up to: Come Baby, Come! And so here I wait, wondering, hoping, and praying. Every little thing I take in to account, which probably isn't helping... the dull contractions that refuse to turn into a progressive pattern, every movement, and jult... maybe this is it. Not yet any ways.  You'd think I'd have this down, it is after all my third pregnancy! So I think back to my other two.

Elijah's Birth Story
I was pregnant with Elijah in the summer also; he was due at the end of September, and decided to drag it out an extra five days.  I don't remember feeling this anxious, people had told me that your first is always late, but I probably was.  The day he was born,  I woke up as usual with my hubby, took a shower, and sent him off to work. I had rented "The Cosby Show" as something to occupy my time while I waited, so I put that in and got comfortable (well as comfortable as a 40+ weeks pregnant woman can get on our "free" seventies-looking love seat).  Then I had to go pee... again, and that's when it happened.  My water broke while I was sitting on the toilet.  How convenient, right? I started timing and writing down the contractions and how long each one lasted.  Right away they were only 5-6 minutes apart, so I called Martin who hadn't even been at work a full hour.  It seemed to take forever for him to get home.  He did make one stop... he went to the store and bought me a huge bag of peanut butter M&Ms and a box of tissues... because of course every woman in labor can't survive without those two things.  Ummm... okay, thank you... now can we please go to the hospital?

When we finally got to our room in the hospital and the nurse checked me, I was dilated to 3cm.  She convinced me to get some kind of drug through an IV that would "take the edge off."  Oh no, it did nothing like that.  It only made me feel "weird" like I had a headache and kind of a dizzying feeling.  I also had an antibiotic  because I was Strep B positive.  The worst part was taking that IV around with me everywhere... to the bathroom, and then trying to get in the bath, which didn't work at all.  The nurse had asked me right away about getting prepped for an epidural, I agreed.  Although he didn't get there until I was at 7 centimeters! Getting that epidural was the hardest part because it seemed impossible to sit still during a contraction.  Martin stood in front of me holding both of my hands, while I tried breathing and holding still. He must have seen the needle or something because the next thing I knew, he was on the floor, three nurses had to help him up, put him in a chair and give him oxygen! Men, just aren't made for this stuff I guess!

After the epidural, everything was calm. I barely noticed the contractions.  Martin watched them on the monitor, "oh that was a big one." Not long after it was time to push.  Elijah was born at 1:30pm... just under seven hours after I put "The Cosby Show" on pause.

Owen's Birth Story
When I got pregnant the second time, a friend of mine told me about her experience with a midwife here in town.  My first thought was that it was nice for her, but she sounded a little crazy.  What, go through that pain without any help? She said she'd do it again just for the endorphins afterwards and the feeling of power and accomplishment.  Say-what? I had never heard anyone say that about childbirth.  As it turned out, we weren't covered on insurance for a baby at the time and couldn't get help any other way, and a midwife was a third of the cost of the hospital.  I got used to the idea very quickly. It wasn't that I was opposed to natural childbirth before, I just didn't think that I could do it. This place changed everything. It's a clinic that provides not only care , but classes and many other services.  Martin and I took a 6-week class together that really equipped us for what was to come.  I learned that I really was made to do this, and that knowledge gave me confidence that made all the difference.

This pregnancy was slightly different of course because I had a two-year old to look after, we were also living in someone else's home. The morning I started having contractions, I kept telling myself they were just more braxton hicks.  I knew the "real" ones would be much worse.  So I went about my day with toddler Elijah, having contractions here and there.  Then they did start to get worse. By nap time, I had to really focus to get through that storybook for him. Around 1pm, I called my doula (my professional labor aid/coach) just to see what she thought. "It's time to call Martin," she said. I also called my parents to come and pick up Elijah. I still wanted to stay at home as long as possible, so I continued to labor there for at least another hour before we went to the clinic.

When we finally did leave, my contractions we so bad that being in the car was almost unbearable, like being caged. Luckily the drive wasn't long. When we got there the lights were low, gentle music was playing, and my midwife and doula were both there ready to support me.  I spent some time on an exercise ball, bouncing and breathing while Martin and the doula took turns putting pressure on my back, massaging me, getting me water, etc.  My contractions were too close together for me to be checked and soon I was ready to get in the tub.  We had a planned water-birth because it is the best for both baby and mom.  It's the easiest transition, and I can't tell you how much that warm water helps with the pain.  As soon as I sunk into that over-sized tub, I felt relief, not absence of pain, but definite relief.  A few moments later, my midwife told me I could push through the contractions if I wanted to, that this might make me fell better.  It did.  Then it came time for the real pushing.  This was definitely the hardest part, but it only took three good pushes and I was done. Martin got to "catch" little baby Owen, who wasn't very little at all ( 9lbs. and 4oz.) It was amazing and I did feel quite a bit differently compared to how I felt after Elijah's birth.  I was much more alert, and aware or everything. I also healed much faster and easier. We had a nice dinner there while baby was being weighed and measured, and stayed overnight, after only about 5 hours of labor.

What will William's story be? We are planning to have him at the clinic, I'd have him at home, but my tub just isn't big enough! I chose a different room this time, they have three "birthing suites" this time I'm going to try to make it upstairs to the one they call "the green room" I like that it has the bathroom in the room and it feels very warm and cozy. I tell people having a baby there is like staying at a bed and breakfast after a birth with the hands of those you trust most like a sister, or a best friend, or a favorite aunt.  I hope I have news to share of his birth soon, but it may be a while before I get to posting again!

Out and About With my Boys!

I may have just out-done myself today. We left right after breakfast on a mission to find ducks to feed a bag of bread to.  The backstory is... Grandma got the boys these sandwich cutters that make their sandwiches into stars or hearts, well after they do this brilliantly fun creation there is leftover crusts and pieces.  I couldn't let them throw those away, so all week we've been saving the extras for just such an occasion as an early morning duck feed.

The first park we went to that would have had ducks wanted me to pay $3.50 just to park! Um, no thank you this is suppose to be a free activity! So we went elsewhere to find free ducks to feed.  There is just something exciting about watching the boys throw bread at the ducks and geese.  I guess it's their reactions, their excitement, and thrill of it all. Owen is braver than I'd like him to be sometimes. the last time we did this he got bitten, this time he nearly did again because he just gets so close and so excited! Bonus... we also saw a little ground squirrel.  It was so cute and peeped it's little face up at us for a minute before going back into hiding.

When our bread bag was empty we headed for the playground! It was just early enough to be rather warm, but with a nice breeze- ahh what perfect timing! Owen made a new friend, as he usually does.  They were pretending to be different versions of Superman... no surprise.  Elijah used all of his energy up right away and wanted leave early and "get a smoothie." Hah... smoothies are suppose to be a luxury, do they not know this? Maybe the huge pregnant woman has gotten too many in past weeks and led them astray!

We left the park and I tried to be patient with our new car set up.  Owen is now in the middle and must get in first from Elijah's side.  the plan is for Elijah to help buckle him, and then Elijah to buckle himself, leaving me with only the baby car seat to put in on the other side. It's been a week now with this arrangement, and each day gets a little better, but they still have a hard time being "nice" to each other when they are squished right up side by side.  I must also add... the car has never been cleaner! Martin put in new carpeting last weekend before he installed the baby car seat, and it looks brand new all over!  I wish you could see it, for I know it won't last long!

I decided to be the really cool mom today and take them out at Carl's Jr.  okay I really just wanted one of their yummy turkey burgers... but with that and a playland everyone would be happy! And we were! Of course the oreo shake was a fantastic bonus! they played and played, climbing the structures to the rocket ships and slides.  I just sat and listened and smiled, enjoying these last "easy" days before I have newborn to tote around as well.

On the way home I pondered our options... knowing they would automatically want to watch "Spiderman and his Amazing Friends" their new favorite show... when we got there.  So we went to the library! they each chose five books while I looked through a magazine... that alone was amazing!  They still don't understand the difference between buying and borrowing, because Elijah kept asking if we could buy every book.  I guess it kind of looks the same... taking things up to a counter and leaving with them. However I never drop anything off through a slot at Target to "return" it.

Just before turning onto our street, we saw a few kids with a drink stand and a big hot pink sign. I reached in my purse... only a few dimes.  We pulled over and I cleaned out the dash board finding just enough for both boys to get something at this little stand.  We parked across the street and walked over.  I let Elijah handle the coins.  They were so thrilled about this! Owen chose a popsicle and Elijah bought an ice cream sandwich. Both were nearly melting, so they had to eat quickly.  Owen, our poky eater, wasn't quite quick enough and lost part of his on the ground, which produced instant tears... and red drips all over his white shirt. But I didn't have any more change left, or I may have gotten him another one. Luckily he is a short lived cry-er. We wiped off the sticky hands before getting back in the car and driving around the block to our house.

The next hour was spent reading all the library books and drinking ice water on the couch.  Lovely.. lovely day.  Of course as soon as Martin got home and "claimed" them, I fell asleep right where I was on the couch! It felt good to get and do some things with them though, and I know it was better than lying around the house all day! They really are wonderful little boys and I can't believe God blessed me enough to take care of them plus one!

If I was really fantastically on top of things, I'd post pictures... but yeah... not quite there.

Oh to be a kid again!

This morning we made pancakes for breakfast, and as I was putting on my butter, I had this flashback of 3 or 4-yr-old me playing with the plastic pancakes and butter with my big sister.  Our play-food box was one of my favorite things.  I loved putting the pink scoops of ice cream in the little bowls and setting things up like we were really going to eat them. I can't believe we didn't lose that little square of pretend plastic butter!  My kids would have it buried for sure in the absolute wrong place in no time, but I guess the way I played and the way they play is very very different.  I was careful, and precise about my toys. I never wanted anything to get messed up or broken.  This is why I am so surprised at the way they play- so rough and haphazardly! Things are constantly getting broken and put in the absolute wrong place, but that is who they are.  No matter how much we talk about treating our things nicely, it just isn't in them to be exactly like me... they have so much of their daddy in them too!
When I was reminiscing about the plastic butter this morning, I thought for a moment how nice it would be to go back to that simple life. I miss being four, don't you? The simplicity, being taken care of all of the time, no agenda, no to-do lists, just living in your own imagination with your best friends who are stuffed with fluff! Now, I get to be on the other side. The mom who watches the childhoods unfold.  I love watching them do the unexpected, those things that you just couldn't make up if you tried.  They come up with their own ideas of who they want to be and how they want to play.  Though I still have major influence, they are independent, creative, and %100 boys!

Owen just woke up from a nice long nap for a change! He is very sweaty and glossy eyed.   He came out of the room, looked at me without saying anything, looked around the room, left and came back holding "my" pink plastic ring. He smiled and put it on my pinky, still without saying anything, and then went into the bathroom.  It's one of those hard plastic rings left over from a birthday party treat bag.  Owen seems to think that I should wear it all the time.  It kind of melts my heart at how sweet he is.  It was so funny how he thought of that first before anything when he just got up, but like I said, it's those silly little unexpected moments that just make my day.

I wonder what our third boy will be like, William, who we are now counting down the days for his arrival. Soon I'll have a whole pack of boys! I'm sure he'll look up to his big brothers and like some of the things that they like... superheroes, dinosaurs, and things that go.  But it will be fun to see what their differences are as well.

This is just a random Superman pic of Owen playing with his Superman figurine.

Superheroes definitely reign supreme at our house.  Owen makes an amazing Incredible Hulk.  This morning there was a spider that I asked him to get. He transformed completely into character... curling his arms to show his muscles and saying, "Hulk Smash!" in a monster-hulk sort of way.  I just cracked up! Between that and him bringing me the pink ring, he is the perfect balance of a true superhero.  I know I'll always be taken care of with my boys around.  Even if I'm not four anymore and I make the pancakes out of real batter, life is pretty great.  I still get to live in my imagination here and there, and I absolutely love watching them discovery the joy of living in theirs!