He’s Here!! (Part 2)

…My SIL texted back saying she was so excited.

I woke Anthony up for good around 5:30 to let him know he would need to find a replacement to speak for him in the other ward.   

At 6:22 am I texted my SIL again letting her know that the contractions were getting much closer together and that I hoped she had left already.  After all, my labors are pretty quick. 

PSH!!  That’s what I thought anyway. 

She wrote back saying that she would be getting her son and hubby up and going right away. 

I hadn’t slept all night despite trying.  I was able to lay down for about an hour and a half but the contractions wouldn’t allow for sleep.

The girls had all been invited to join us in the delivery room if they chose.  They’ve known for weeks now.  K was a definite YES, A was a maybe and H was a definite NO!!  When I woke them up to let them know I was in labor and heading to the the hospital soon (6:30-ish) they were all super excited.  A decided though that she would stay home.  K was up and at ‘em right away.  She couldn’t wait! 

My mom, dad, sister and brother headed over around 6:45-ish.  The surges were definitely getting harder and I was having to breathe through them.  Since I was planning on doing this whole thing without the relief of an epidural it made great practice.  I had read the Hypnobirthing book and thought it made a lot of sense. 

By the time my dad got back from buying donuts for breakfast (that’s the kind of breakfast you get when Grandpa’s in charge ;)) I was ready to head to the hospital.  Surely I was dilated to a 5 or 6.  This was exactly how it felt when I was in labor with B and I was a 5 1/2 when I got to the hospital. 

Anthony phoned his sister who had just left and I was just hoping she would make it.  It was just after 7:00.  She had been invited to be in the delivery room as well. 

Then we left, the boys still sleeping and the two younger girls ‘trying’ to sleep.  Grandpa and Uncle Parker were in charge. 

Upon arrival, I was obviously introduced to the classic hospital gown.  I would be allowed to labor in my own clothes once my cervix was checked (I never did change out of the gown).  At this point I had no idea which midwife was on call for the day.  I asked the nurse as she walked us to our room if she knew.  Of course it was one of the three midwives I had never met, there are nine total.  It’s one of the things I had worried about. 

Lucky for me, she was AMAZING!!  Had I met her before in the office I think I would have hoped for her anyway.  We really ended up liking her a lot! 

She came in, introduced herself, and then checked me…

Three…

WHAT!?  Three?  That’s it?  UGH!

However, I was completely effaced except for a paper thin layer.  Hooray!!

So, my options…….. I would not be allowed to stay if I hadn’t made any progress in the next little while.  I could either go home and then have to come back when things started rockin’ and rollin’ or I could have my water broken or get pitocin.  I chose to walk the halls in hopes of getting things rollin’.  After monitoring the baby for a while, I went and walked for about half an hour.  At that point, they wanted to have me checked again.

THREE!!  Again!

Are you kidding me??

My options had slimmed at that point.  Either have my water broken, pitocin, or go home.  Walking the halls was no longer an option. 

I didn’t like any of those options but I chose to have my water broken… oh how I hate the feeling of peeing the bed over, and over….. and over!  But I suppose it was going to happen at some point.  During surges I would have Anthony push with the heel of his hands underneath my knee caps and push my legs up.  It worked to help alleviate the contractions a bit.

 

After more monitoring of baby’s heart rate, I was allowed to walk the halls again.  But not before going in to the restroom to do the hula over the toilet.  The midwife suggested it to try and release more of the amniotic fluid.  It would make walking the halls less… messy.  ;)

We made two loops without a single surge and then… they hit!  And they hit hard!!  I was no longer able to just think of something else and stay upright.  Suddenly, I was having to grab Anthony’s arm or the hand rails in the hallway and really concentrate.  Mom, Kortney, and K had gone to get something to eat in the cafeteria.  But returned shortly.

Another check… 4 to 5!!  Yay!  We love progress.

Shortly after being checked, my SIL walked into the room.  And shortly after that my mother-in-law and another SIL walked in.  At that point I was ready to try the tub.  I had heard that the warm water feels really nice.  Little did we know that the tub would take a year and half to fill.  Holy crap!!  I was forced to endure more bed surges.  But once the tub was filled, I was IN IT!! 

It didn’t really feel all that great.  I’m guessing it might have had something to do with the fact that, I had a gargantuan belly that didn’t quite make itself under the water with the rest of me.  I labored there for… not very long.  Just a few surges and I was outta there! 

More monitoring…

I had no idea how long it had been.  I was just concentrating on getting through each surge. 

At some point my MIL had asked Anthony how we would feel if she stayed in the room to watch the baby being born.  I hadn’t invited her.  My mom and my sister had been invited to each one but I’m comfortable with them.  This was the first birth that K would see and my SIL had been invited because she just makes me feel comfortable.  It didn’t feel strange to invite her.  Not that I’m uncomfortable with my MIL.  I love her but having her in the room wasn’t something I felt comfortable with. 

I thought it was a little strange that she was looking at Anthony to ask the question.  After all, it would be MY body being exposed, not his.  I honestly didn’t think they would allow her to stay because I had already invited the ‘max’ that they supposedly allowed.  She ended up staying after the midwife said she didn’t care.  I’m sure if the midwife knew that I was a little uncomfortable with it she would have asked her to leave but what could I say at that point?  I have a hard time saying no. 

And it ended up being alright.  I’m still a little embarrassed when I think about it.  I don’t know why.  Just to think that she saw all my junk ‘downstairs’, ya know?  Just feels a little awkward to me.   

From this point on, I remember it all, but I only remember it from my crazy, surging body’s point of view.  I am sure that everyone else in the room could give more accurate details and paint a more accurate picture.

I remember getting on the exercise ball hoping that would be a little more comfortable.  The nurse, who had given birth naturally… twice (talk about pressure! ;)), told me some things that helped her.  Leaning against the bed and laying my head down on my arms.  Um, yeah, it wasn’t fun.  After only two surges (I think) I was DONE with that.  I remember vocally saying… possibly half yelling, “I think those HypnoBirthing people are full of CRAP!!”  The nurse agreed with me which made me feel better. 

I climbed back into the bed and decided that I was done.  I couldn’t do it anymore!!  I was sure that I was still only a 5 or 6. 

Surprisingly I was at an 8!! 

I asked how long it normally takes from that point.  If I was already an 8 surely I could make it the rest of the way… so long as it wasn’t going to be much longer ;).

The nurse and midwife both said that I should have a baby in my arms within the next 15-20 minutes. 

Ok, I could do it!!  I could stick it out that much longer. 

The midwife wanted me to try hands and knees for a bit.  More like knees with the bed sitting almost straight up and I would hang over the top.

 

That’s when it really hit!!  All of the sudden I was no longer just surging.  I was DYING!!  No longer able to breathe when the surges would hit, I became a frantic mess.  It was all I could do to catch my breath.  There came a point that I felt like I was no longer in my own body.  I was feeling all of the pain but my head just wasn’t right.  The pressure became unbearable and I yelled, “I’m either gonna fart or poop!!”  To which the midwife said was a sign that I was in transition and baby would be here within the next couple contractions. 

Then she wanted to check me… DURING a surge!!  I just have one thing to say… YOWSERS!!  That was the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life!!  Then she had me push hoping that pushing would help get the remaining cervical ‘lip’ to disappear (whatever that is!!!)

I was complete while surging except for that darn ‘lip’. 

But I was done!  I could feel myself slipping further and further away from myself and I HATED that feeling.  It sounds silly but I have no other way to describe it.  I needed relief.  I think I was entering shock.  And that 15-20 minutes they had said it would take had turned into an hour!  And those ‘couple of contractions’ had turned into more than I could count.  And I heard the midwife tell, I assume the nurse, “She can’t go on like this.  She should have had a baby by now.”  Something to that effect, anyway.  Anthony says I had the whole room in tears.

{It wasn’t until shortly before he was born that I started to feel ‘normal’ again.} – side note

The anesthesiologist was called and I had to endure a few more breathless, panic stricken surges.  He found it amusing that I was ‘going natural’ and yet, there he was… wisecracker!! 

After it finally kicked in, the midwife gave me time to rest.  I napped for about 20 minutes. 

Anthony and his sister had just left to head to the cafeteria but were promptly called back in because it was time to push.  They never made it to the cafeteria.

From my past experience I should have had a baby within just a couple of pushes.  Heck, with H I didn’t have to push at all!! 

Not the case this time.  I pushed for almost an hour!  And now we know why…

This kid has got a gigantic head!  It ended up being 38 cm… 97th percentile.  The midwife said that’s the biggest head she’s ever delivered in all her 30 years of midwifery!  And she said that it explained why he wasn’t here within the time frame they had given earlier.  

But he’s here!  4:32 pm.  Almost exactly 24 hours from the very first REAL contraction.  And I can’t get enough of the little… BIG guy!  My biggest baby in all aspects!

The neatest thing was that Anthony actually got to deliver him.  When we asked the midwife about that earlier in the labor process she got excited and started telling Anthony that he could deliver the whole baby (sounds funny, eh?) head and all or wait for the head to be out.  Then she started explaining that there is a whole process to getting the head delivered to reduce or eliminate tearing.  At that point Anthony said that he was ok with waiting for baby’s head to be delivered by the midwife and he would take it from there.  It was pretty neat to have him actually hand the baby up to me and put him on my chest.  Anthony is still talking about how neat it was.

 

One thing that I loved was that the midwife waited for the cord to stop pulsing before clamping it and having Anthony cut it.  Anyone that wanted to was able to feel the cord pulse.  I was too busy gazing at my new love!  However, I did get to see the placenta which I’ve never done before. 

WEIRD!!   

The nurse (or CNA?) that weighed him asked us all for guess on his weight.  We knew he was pretty good sized so we all started yelling out numbers.  8 lb 13 oz, 8 lb 15 oz, 8 lb 10 oz.  Somewhere in that range.  Then she held him up and bounced him a little and said, “I’m guessing nine six.”  (As in 9lb. 6 oz.)

9 lbs. 7 oz!!!  I guess she’s done this a few times ;)  22 inches long.

I tore only a little (not quite a 2nd degree) which is pretty good considering…

LOVE this baby!!  Not quite sure what to call him on the blog because he shares a first initial with B. 

And for the record, I am not in any way disappointed in myself for choosing an epidural in the end.  I endured as long as I possibly could and am so grateful for medical technology.  To be able to get that kind of relief when it’s needed is nothing short of a miracle, in my opinion.  Had it been any of my other babies I am positive I could have done it naturally (in fact I did once, just not on purpose).  This sweet baby and his gargantuan head… 

But I look at him and see a tiny little baby.  I don’t have anything to compare him to.  It’s hard to remember how little the others were.  Anthony slipped into the nursery once during our hospital stay and said that seeing our handsome boy next to the others was quite the shock.  He really IS big!  He kept asking the nursery workers if the others were preemies.  To his surprise most of them were average 7-8 pounders. 

I have to say that I absolutely LOVED having a midwife this time around.  Why didn’t anyone ever tell me how great it was before?  I would highly recommend this experience to anyone.  The midwife was even willing to walk my SIL through every little thing.  My SIL is a nurse in Idaho but has never done labor and delivery.  She was asking all kinds of questions.  She was even able to check my cervix early on.  And she learned all about tears and stitching them back up. 

IF and when (but bigger IF) I ever do it again I will absolutely choose a midwife again.

I was nursing in this picture which is why you don’t see the baby.

  

My mom on the left and Anthony’s mom on the right.

 

My sister and me.  She took most of the pics.  The nurse thought we were twins!  I wish we would have been smart enough to have included Anthony’s sister in this pic. :(

 

More pics to come…

He’s Here!! (Part 1)

4:48 pm… First contraction. 

Things really started rockin’ from there. 

Got to the hospital later that night and just after midnight Baby B was born…. without an epidural!! 

Oh wait…

That’s how it would have gone in a perfect world.

This is what really happened:

Picture it… my cousin’s wedding reception.  There had been bets about me going into labor after The Chicken Dance.  If you know me at all you know that The Chicken Dance is my favorite dance of all time.  It’s my theme song!  It doesn’t matter where or when it’s played.  If I’m within hearing distance, I’m gonna dance.  Just the way it is!  I’ve been known to make a fool of myself in awkward places. 

However, this time around, it didn’t sound so appealing.  Not after the pelvic issues I’ve been dealing with.  I just couldn’t picture myself Chicken Dancing… 9 months pregnant (looking more like 11 months), though I had found a few things that helped with the pain.  Helped, not cured by any means.  Sitting on a donut helped take some of the pressure off my pelvic area.  I could only sit for short periods of time but it helped.  Walking around was the most helpful but then I would swell from being on my feet all day.  Also, some exercises I found online seemed to help as well. 

But there I was, sitting at my table and the music started.  Not The Chicken Dance music.  I believe it was the YMCA.  I’m a sucker for any kind of dancy tune.  Anything with actions that I know.  At that point I couldn’t help myself.  The part of me that was so sure I would just be sitting there watching changed it’s tune.  Before I could stop myself I was up YMCA-ing.  This after I had just been complaining to one of my cousin’s about my pelvic bone being in such agony that I could barely move some days. 

Luckily, I was having a good pelvic day! ;)

A few more fun songs came on and then there it was… THE CHICKEN DANCE!!  I shook my little tail feathers til they couldn’t shake any more.  Everyone was amused at the pregnant lady on the dance floor.  But wasn’t about to be the only nut so I dragged my sister out on the floor with me along with Anthony on the songs he was comfortable with.  Kortney didn’t get a choice.  If she wanted me in labor before she had to leave for her next work shift (she’s a flight attendant) she was gonna have to boogie the night away with me! 

She was so worried that she would miss it because of that shift. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t in labor after all that boogie-ing.  Pain?  Yes!  Labor?  No!  My pelvic bone was truly in agony the next morning. 

So, Kortney (who is a massage therapy graduate) came over the next morning to do her ‘voodoo’ magic and try to put me into labor. 

She got some pretty regular contractions going and I rubbed some clary sage on my belly to hopefully move things along.  I also took a capsule of it with some water. 

Things were looking good.  Then the contractions would fade away to nothing. 

Anthony’s sister from Idaho was also hoping to be here for the delivery so she had called saying that she had the day off and was feeling like she should come down just in case it happened.  I told her not to bother because nothing significant was happening.  I would hate for her to drive 6 hours just to have to turn around again and go home. 

Then it happened…

Anthony was getting ready for the Utah game.  He had scored a free ticket from a guy at work and planned to take C with him.  Then I saw that one of my facebook friends was giving a ticket away.  Got a hold of her and scored that one for A.  Wouldn’t you know it, just a few minutes later K had been invited to go with a friend a couple houses down because they had a ticket that wasn’t going to be used. 

4:48 pm… First REAL contraction!!  I had Anthony call her sister to give her a heads up.  I worried about Anthony leaving to the game with the kids and leaving me with H and B.  What if I really was in labor and couldn’t get to the hospital? 

Two hours later I still hadn’t had another contraction.  Not one!  A few Braxton Hicks but nothing that felt like the real deal. 

They left for the game and had a great time (except for the fact that the Utes lost :()

Meanwhile I was at home and at 9:38 I had a contraction.  Another at 10:17 and a third at 10:51. 

It was a late game so they wouldn’t be home until just after midnight.  But I knew after that third contraction we were in early labor.  It was only a matter of time. 

Anthony had been assigned to speak in a ward the following morning but I told him as he got home from the game that he would probably NOT be giving that talk.  I don’t think he believed me.  This labor was already moving a lot slower than any of the others.  Skeptical that I might not even be in labor he said that he would still plan on it. 

He headed to bed… I labored. 

At 2:50 am I texted his sister to let her know I was indeed in labor and she should head on down.  I thought for sure I’d be having a baby fairly quickly with my past history and all. 

But it wasn’t to be… (To be Continued…)

SPD–What fun!!

I try not to complain too much, I really do.  The fact is, I have really great pregnancies… or at least I used to.  Aside from a preeclampsia scare with K, the first three of my pregnancies were amazing!!  No morning sickness, no abnormal pains, nothin’!  So maybe I gained a bit too much weight but let’s not talk about that ;).

And then I got pregnant with C.  Still no morning sickness (thank goodness) but for the last several months of my pregnancy I had pains that I had never felt before.  I got shooting pains down my groin area, the sciatic nerve was a mess, and I felt like my pelvic bone was broken!  At night I would have to have Anthony push me or pull me in order to roll over in bed.  My bone felt like it was being crushed.  And getting up from a sitting position was never fun.  I never mentioned it to the doctor because I figured it was me just being a baby.  Maybe it was normal… maybe?

Then I got pregnant with B.  Things went along smoothly until the very end, maybe just the last month or so.  Pelvic pain, again!!  Only this time it was for much shorter period of time and not nearly as painful. 

This pregnancy has been a bit rough with the sciatic nerve thing and the groin pain but nothing I couldn’t handle… until now.  For the past few days my pelvic bone feels like it is crushed, just like with C… only WORSE!!  Seriously, I thought I was going to die for the past couple of days.  It’s the kind of pain that you don’t even know how to describe.  The kind that, when trying to describe it to others, you are sure they are looking at you thinking, Oh brother!  Get over it!  You’re pregnant and that’s just part of it.

But when it stops you dead in your tracks,

Standing up from a sitting position causes you to just about buckle over and fall to the ground,

Having to stand there, after gasping, for several minutes in a room full of people you don’t know at a bridal shower,

Mustering up just enough strength to keep from crying out in pain… crying real tears,

Just to have the pain subside enough to take the short walk to change your son’s poopy diaper in the other room,

Everyone stopping what they are doing to make sure the extremely pregnant woman is alright,

Wondering if she’s having contractions…

It is sooo real!!  And so not fun!

And that night I cried real tears three times just trying to stand.  Anthony tried to help me up but it didn’t make much of a difference in the pain.

It had started just a couple days before and I had done some research. 

What was this pelvic pain I was having?  Was it common?  Was it real?  Does it have a name? 

Indeed, it does!!  SPD… aka Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or Pelvic Girdle Pain. 

Yesterday was spent in my bed… the whole day.  It’s the only time I felt relief.  Now trying to roll over from one side to the other was not fun at all but as long as I was still, things were happy! 

However, today (Monday) I would not be lucky enough to have Anthony home with me to pamper me and take care of the kids while I hung out in the bed.  So, early this morning I sent him to the store for a donut! 

Not one that you eat, silly, the kind you sit on.  I thought maybe if I could sit without pressure under my pelvis it would help.  It has helped somewhat but I also called the midwife’s office to find out if there was anything that could possibly be done. 

After talking with one of the midwives, I found out that it is too late in the game for physical therapy but she gave me the number to a chiropractor that deals with this sort of thing on a regular basis.  The appointment is set for tomorrow and I can’t wait!!  Never been to a chiropractor before.  I just know I am willing to do whatever I possibly can to help my poor pelvic area feel better.  Even just a little bit! 

I’m thinking that getting this baby out would be a GREAT option but it doesn’t look like that’s happening soon enough.  Still barely dilated to a one and no effacement whatsoever.  UGH! 

 

Have you ever dealt with something like this?  Any chiropractic help or anything? 

Halloween

This year when we asked the kids what they wanted to be for Halloween, C was the only one that said something and stuck to it. 

Santa Claus!!

Of course, we got to choose for B since he’s too young to really understand what it’s all about.  We used an idea we had seen on Pinterest a few times.  A Bum! 

The girls changed their minds several times before finally deciding on something. 

After it was all decided, C was going through each costume in his mind… out loud.  “H is gonna be a pirate, I’m gonna be Santa Claus, and B’s gonna be a butt!  **Pause** Mom, why does B have to be a butt?”

I laughed hysterically.  Actually I’m surprised it didn’t put me into labor.  :)  Apparently, he was hearing ‘bum’ and interpreting that as a butt.  (I really hope it doesn’t offend anyone.  It was just a cute costume… not to mention FREE!!)

It really was a fun Halloween.  My family came over for carving pumpkins the night before and on Halloween night we went to our ward Trunk or Treat.  OH how I adore those!  Get all the candy in a fraction of the time and get on with your night.   

We also hit a few houses in the neighborhood that don’t attend the Trunk or Treat but have their houses ready for Trick or Treaters. 

We came home to dinner that my mom had made. I don’t remember what it was called but OH MAN it was delicious!!

 

 

This is one of the few pictures I got of Santa after he was fattened up.

 

My sister was kind enough to be Santa’s reindeer per his request.

Choices?! You mean I have real CHOICES?

Ever since I decided to try this whole natural labor thing I’ve discovered a few things. 

I realize that this is baby number six and in theory I should know a few things about laboring and delivering.  Sadly, I am ignorant. 

Ignorant to the fact that I actually have choices!  Real ones!!

The choice to wear a hospital gown (so unflattering ;)) or wear my own clothes once I check into the hospital.

The choice to have an IV (ouch!) or NOT to have an IV… that’s a choice?  Yes, it is!

The choice to drink (water and juice) and, dare I say, EAT during labor!!?  That’s right my friends, I can eat something if I choose to.  Kind of thinking that I won’t be making that choice.  Who can eat with all that laboring goin’ on?  Pretty sure I won’t be hungry.  Now afterwards… that’s a whole different story.  Bring on the Big Mac, fries, and the chocolate shake!!

The choice to delay the cord clamping… did you know that it is beneficial to let the cord stop pulsating before clamping and cutting it so as to allow the blood to make it back to the baby?  Hello!!  Makes total sense but I am just now figuring this out. 

The choice to delay or refuse the eye ointment they usually immediately rub into the baby’s eyes.  I need to do a little more research on this in order to make the most informed decision…. delay for sure, refuse maybe or maybe not.

Anyway, the point is that I had never done my research.  I just assumed that ‘this’ (as in the way the hospitals do it when not given any instructions) is the way it’s done and it’s the only way to do it.  There were no choices. 

Some of you are probably laughing at my ignorance.  You were probably smarter than I and did your research beforehand.  Go you! 

Heck, some of you probably even chose to have a homebirth.  I admit I used to think that was the most absurd idea I had ever heard.  However, after all my research I’ve changed my tune.  It’s a great idea!!  One that I would never consider for myself only because of our experience with little C.  We almost lost him and he had to be resuscitated (I admit I totally had to google that word to figure out how to spell it).  Very scary!  It seems that I tend to produce very short cords and he was wrapped up in his only once around the neck.  It was so short that he couldn’t come down the birth canal.  I was literally strangling him with each push.  For that reason alone I am too chicken to ever consider a home birth.  But I think it’s a beautiful idea for the majority of women who have low risk, healthy pregnancies. 

And now for my update on this little one growing inside me…

 

It appears that he shows no sign of wanting to make his appearance any time soon.  I am exactly 36 weeks today (the 26th) and I am dilated to ‘maybe a one’ according to the midwife…. maybe a one?  Maybe? 

And no effacement whatsoever. 

Sounds like another B situation.  B was a stubborn little thing too and came only one day before his due date.  And that was after having my membranes stripped the day before.  Who knows if he would have come on his own. 

Unfortunately, the midwives won’t strip the membranes… UGH!  Maybe I can have Anthony do it?? 

Ok, maybe not. 

All I know is that I do not want to have this baby on Thanksgiving!  He’s due the day after so… it’s highly likely.  We’ll see. 

Are there any other ‘unknowns’ that I should know about heading into this natural delivery I’m attempting?  Please share!!

 

Winner! ABCmouse.com Giveaway

Congratulations to Marissa N. for winning the ABCmouse.com full year subscription. 

Thanks so much to all that entered to win. 

It’s Official: I’m Insane

I am an absolutely reasonable person.

Just ask me, I’ll tell ya.  ;)

Crazy extreme sports and activities are NOT my thing.  Skydiving, parasailing, bungee jumping, mountain climbing… Umm, no thanks! 

My idea of extreme is a roller coaster.  That’s right, I’m a big, fat chicken!  You can say it, I’m boring. 

And when it comes to having babies I am the biggest wimp ever.  Seriously, with my first I was still scared to death of having my blood drawn.  Anthony went with me to my first appointment and had to hold my hand while I tried to convince the phlebotomist that there was really no need to draw my blood.  She assured me that it was necessary. 

Who knew that was part of the whole having-a-baby process?  Not me!  (One of the many things you are never told before getting pregnant.)

Over the course of having my five, almost six, children I have become much braver. 

Heck!!  I even let the anesthesiologist stick a gigantic needle, which I am convinced would even be too big for a mammoth, in my back in order to ease the pain of labor.  Oh how I love epidurals!!  They have been my best friends while giving birth. 

Ok, so there’s the occasional epidural that doesn’t work… like when I had A.  I ended up receiving a spinal headache and having to push with said headache… basically I had her naturally without wanting to.  Ended up needing a blood patch to relieve it.  Another story for another day.

Or there’s the time that I didn’t know I had *ahem* gas.  The poor anesthesiologist!  That’s kind of an embarrassing story.  Let’s just say it was LOUD!  And stinky.  And loooong!  The only defense I have is that when your body is going numb from said epidural it’s kind of hard to control the gas, ok?  That was with H.  I still get red faced whenever Anthony feels the need to tell the story to someone.  Oh Anthony… I love you!

But in my own defense, I have to guess that it’s happened to more than just myself.  Why would I think that?  Because the poor doc that was on the receiving end of my behind was unfazed.  He didn’t flinch.

I wasn’t going to tell that story but I’m good at embarrassing myself so…

Anyway, the point is that an epidural is just something I plan on.  I know ahead of time that it’s coming so I don’t stress the early labor. 

So, imagine my own surprise when at my appointment today with the midwife I started asking questions about natural birth. 

Say what? 

That’s right, I’m thinking about it which makes me insane.  I can’t even believe that I’ve even thought about crossing to the crazy side.  The side where all you crazy mommies who do things without meds are.  You’re CRAZY!! 

What has come over me? 

Honestly I don’t know what it is.  Maybe the fact that this is quite possibly our last baby.  I have to admit that the thought of this phase of my life being over makes me kind of sad.  (However, if our financial situation were to improve over the next few years I wouldn’t mind trying for more.)  I’ve only gone natural once and it wasn’t by choice.  I hear all the time that it’s something you have to mentally prepare for if it’s going to be at all a pleasant experience. 

Pleasant?  Pain?  Can those two words ever really coincide?

When I asked Anthony what he thought he said that he was on board.  (Of course he is!  It’s not him going through the labor!)  He said it would be like my marathon.  You know, because I don’t run… he does.  He’s crossed that off his bucket list (many times over!) and now he’s added a triathlon to the list. 

WHO DID I MARRY?  He’s a mad man! 

So, it has crossed my mind.  Strangely enough, crossing to the crazy side has actually crossed my mind.  Next thing you know I’m gonna be tandem jumping out of an airplane……..

or not… yeah, probably not!

Are you one of the crazies (Natural birthers)?  I could use all the advice and resources you’ve got!  Whaddaya got for me? 

P.S.  Have I told you how much I am enjoying going to the midwives?  I’ve only had to pee in a cup once (my very first appointment) and they let me choose my own schedule.  None of this pee-in-a-cup-every-stinkin’-time-you-come and having an appointment every 4 weeks for the first several months.  I got to go every six weeks instead being that I’m “an experienced mom” and all.  ;) 

Woodrow the White House Mouse–Review (& Apology)

So I was supposed to do this review back on September 26th. 

I forgot… totally spaced it!  (This pregnancy is really taking it’s toll on the brain… Did you know that it’s been proven that a pregnant woman’s brain shrinks by about 8% during the pregnancy?  True story!)

Anyway, I owe TLC Book Tours an apology.  I am so sorry!

But I do want to make up for it by giving my review now.  Better late than never, right?

My family really enjoyed this book.

I love how informative this book is at explaining what kinds of things the president does and goes through.  It’s simple enough that my seven year old understands it and my four and two year olds love the pictures.  All of the kids enjoyed the insight they received and the girls found joy in finding each of the Presidential Seals within each illustration.  I enjoy the extra tidbits at the end of the book. 

I’d vote for Woodrow for president!  ;)

Do I recommend this book?  Absolutely! 

**I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.  I’m sure they would have rather it been on the 26th of September but… what can I say?  I’m late!  Please forgive me!**

ABCmouse.com Review & Giveaway!!

We try not to allow too much screen time at our house.  I think a little bit is good but we’ve noticed that too much causes C to act out more than usual.  It makes him mean. 

But let’s face it… I’m as big as a hippo right now (seriously, I’m huge… people are surprised when I tell them I still have over a month and a half to go), I can’t keep up with the boys at this point (I no longer walk, I waddle… and my left hip is killing me!), and quite frankly I am a big fan of screen time and movies at the moment.  It’s the only way to keep those little boys of mine still for any length of time. 

I’ve seen the commercials for ABCmouse.com from time to time and thought it sounded fun.  So, I was excited to be contacted by Michelle who offered to let us try it in exchange for a review (all opinions expressed are my own).  I’d much rather they be doing something educational than just mindlessly watching the TV.  This was a great opportunity to help them get some basics down in a fun way. 

And guess what…

She’s letting me give one of YOU a subscription also… good for a WHOLE YEAR!! 

That’s a value of $79!!

We’ve been using our subscription for over a week and half now and have absolutely LOVED it!  C was able to create an avatar that looks just. like. him. 

Uncanny, no?

And I admit, even the girls (*ahem* and I) have enjoyed ourselves a little ABCmouse.com.  My favorite?… the fun songs!  That’s B’s favorite, too.  C really likes any time that he earns tickets.  He thinks it’s pretty cool and yells every time, “Mom!  I got some tickets!” 

There are so many different rooms and places to visit from the farm, the zoo, the classroom, and more that even C doesn’t get bored.  He’s usually all over the place with the computer because he gets bored easily.

 

I enjoy the fact that he really is learning.  B is still a little too young to do much of it on his own but C is able to maneuver his way through without any help at all.  He likes the puzzles, the lessons (of which I was able to choose the level at which to start him out at), and visiting the zoo. 

So, now it’s your turn!  There are several ways to enter to win a year long subscription.  Make sure to check back by Sunday, the 14th, to see if you won!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Homeschool–Curriculum

There is definitely not a right or wrong when it comes to choosing a curriculum for your homeschool.  It varies with each family and very often with each child.  I’ve only barely touched the surface with the list below.  We try to integrate both Thomas Jefferson Education and Charlotte Mason methods in our homeschool, neither of which are a ‘curriculum’ in and of itself.  We still choose what books and methods work best for us.  And quite honestly, it changes with circumstances.   

Popular Curriculum Choices:

A Thomas Jefferson Education

-A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille

-A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion by Oliver DeMille, Diann Jeppson, and Rachel DeMille

Charlotte Mason

-Charlotte Mason’s Original Homeschooling Series Vol. 1-6 by Charlotte Mason {These can be read online at http://amblesideonline.org/}

- http://www.charlottemasonhelp.com/

- http://milestonesacademy.com/

-A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning by Karen Andreola

Montessori

-Google “Montessori Activities”

Unschooling

-No direction, no structure. Learning is all child directed.

Sonlight Curriculum (Full Boxed Curriculum)

- http://www.sonlight.com/

K12 (basically public school online)

-Teacher from school district is involved in checking on progress.

-Absolutely free (including computer)

- http://www.k12.com/

Five in a Row

- http://www.fiarhq.com/

Classical Education

-The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education At Home by Susan Wise Bauer

- http://www.welltrainedmind.com/

Unit Studies

-Just Google “{whatever subject} unit study}”

 

Pictures, Marathon, Friends…WOW!

**WARNING:  High volume of pictures… and a video… but first there’s a whole lot of babbling!  Warned again.

It was one of those weekends!  Jam-packed and so much fun… yet so much drama! 

First off, I took the kids to get their pictures taken.  My mother-in-law had given each grandchild $50 for the new school year.  Since we homeschool and we don’t get the traditional school pics every year I decided to have some taken. 

That was an adventure!!  I was worried about doing it by myself with the boys… Anthony had to work.  When I had first mentioned having pics taken to C he asked if they would give him a shot. 

I opted not to tell him that pictures are sometimes called ‘shots’…

He was satisfied at ‘no’.  So, that morning we gathered up a few personal items to take with us for the shoot.  Each child brought something meaningful to them.  For C I chose to bring Anthony’s cowboy hat and boots since C is always wanting to wear them.  We brought B’s Utah jersey, a football, and Anthony’s UTE helmet because seriously, the kid LOVES football!  And he’s got a pretty great cheer for the Utes! 

The girls brought their own things; American girl dolls for K, gymnastics outfit and doll for A, and a stuffed Goofy for H. 

The photo session went remarkably well!  Boy was I glad for that!  The boys cooperated and thought it was so funny when the lady did her shenanigans to get them to smile. 

Shenanigans… don’t you just love that word?

Anyhow, then of course there was “The Sale”.  UGH!  How I hate that part!  She had to explain to me every stinkin’ package and show me every stinkin’ special effect they could do with the photos.  I told her I was very limited in my funds.  I wanted the $3.99 per sheet deal and I was NOT going to go over $50 total! 

She didn’t care… she still went on and on about how great this package would be and that effect would be.  I didn’t physically roll my eyes but in my mind my eyes were rolling all over the place.  I knew what I wanted already!

Meanwhile, the boys were getting extremely restless so I sent K to the front of the store (Target) to buy a pack of M&M’s for each of them.  But of course the rest of the kids can’t possibly sit patiently next to me and wait… Oh no, they had to go with her. 

She came back… leaving the rest of them at the checkout to ask if the M&M pack was the right size.  Like I care what size!  Just get the M&M’s and get back here!  Silly goose.  They finally come back, eat their M&M’s, lady is still going on and on, and the boys are out of control.  K was kind enough to follow them around for a few minutes and then….

Here she comes, crying… with a fan thing stuck in her hair!  NICE!  It just doesn’t get any better.  C had got this little candy fan stuck in her hair while trying to show it to her.  We had to cut it out.  Never a dull moment!

And the lady STILL went on.

I was finally able to order what I wanted (didn’t go over the $50, hooray!) and we left.  PHEW!  Got that one out of the way.

Can’t wait to pick up my pictures tomorrow.

Now let’s talk friends… and a marathon.

Friday Anthony took the day off because we were going to Logan for a marathon on Saturday.  Lucky for us we have some friends that live there.  Even better is the fact that they live ON the route itself!  The very end of the route which means no driving for me in a town I know next to nothing about. 

It isn’t often that we are invited to stay at someone’s house.  I mean, really… we are a big deal!  And I don’t mean in the sense that we are really cool.  More like we are hard to take on.  We are very rarely even invited to someone’s home for an evening, let alone overnight! 

So when Kevin and Tiffany were generous enough to invite us to stay, along with some other friends of ours (that Kevin and Tiffany don’t even know), we were forever grateful.  They are seriously the coolest people ever!  Unfortunately, I got pictures of all the kids and all the husbands but not a single one of the wives.  WHAT WAS I THINKING??  This is a highly sophisticated one of Kevin.

C and their little boy were instant friends despite the fact that it’s been quite a while since we’ve seen them.  We met at the Brigham City open house before heading to Logan.  C and their little guy held hands for much of the tour.  I had originally planned on staying in the car with the boys thinking they would be asleep by then from the ride.  After all, it WAS nap time.  So, I wasn’t dressed in my Sunday clothes.  The boys were not asleep and they were not happy about staying in the car. 

We all went in… jeans and all.  I’m such a heathen! 

The temple was beautiful and C made sure to introduce himself to every usher we came across.  “I’m C!” 

Some of them were really cute about it and others just wanted to hurry him along.  I was shocked that both he and B did so well.  The last temple open house we tried was a bit chaotic with them.  My little boys are growing up! 

Oh wait… these are the same boys that ran around Target like mad men.

Anyway, after leaving the temple it was off to Logan. 

Tiffany immediately set to work making a spaghetti dinner.  Homemade sauce, breadsticks, salad, the works!  By the time it was ready, our other friends had just arrived.  He was also running the marathon.  They had a babysitter for their little ones.

Kevin and Tiffany insisted on serving us which I felt a little odd about.  So we sat… and as she brought the pot of spaghetti in she ‘TRIPPED’!  **GASP!**  She told A that she had tripped her and the food had spilled all over the table.  A’s face was beet red and I couldn’t help but laugh.  It’s like when someone falls and you immediately laugh but you don’t know yet if they’re hurt… like that. 

Then Tiffany said she might as well finish it off and dumped the rest on the table.  We were all laughing but not really knowing whether we should be.  Then Kevin reached over for the bowl of spaghetti in front of Anthony (minus the meat) and dumped it out, too! 

And then it all made sense… there were forks on the table but no plates.  It was all done on purpose. 

I SO WANNA TRY IT!  Who can I try it on?  I guess if you’re reading this I won’t be trying it on you ;)

We all gathered our portions in front of us and chowed down.  So fun!

The kids had fun playing before and after dinner as well. 

Sleep was much better than the last time we were away from home.

And Saturday was the marathon!  Anthony had taught me how to track him on Endomondo so I would know when to take the kids to the top of the street to watch for him.  That was about mile 24. 

It still weirds me out to think that people run that far… for ‘FUN’!  Really?  Is it really ‘fun’?  To each his own…

That 24 mile mark is also a water station so the K was all about helping any way she could.  That is until Anthony came by.  She planned to run the last couple of miles with him. 

H helped by handing out fruit. 

The other kids just played and waited. 

Then C realized what K was doing and wanted to join in as well.  I am so bummed that the video didn’t capture the cutest part.  Just after it rang (stupid 800 number!) and shut the recording off, a guy grabbed the water from C, thanked him, and C turned around and yelled, “You’re welcome!”  Then he walked up to me and said, “That guy said thank you, Mom!”  It was priceless.

 

The 800 number people couldn’t have waited another 30 seconds… REALLY?  GRR!

There were lots of interesting runners.  Like the barefoot guy and the blue hair guy. 

Finally, Anthony came by.  He surprised C and took a cup of water from him and ran off.  K was off as well. 

And that’s when we had a meltdown.

Apparently C thought he would be able to run with Anthony when he came by also.  Instead we had to head the other way to get to the finish line.  Anthony and K crossed and we were waiting for Nate.

 

That’s when C decided he was hungry.  He ordered a hot dog.  Unfortunately for him I hadn’t brought any cash with me at all.  My purse was at Kevin and Tiffany’s house.  So he just stood there with hunger in his eyes.  The lady finally gave him a pack of Starburst.  Anthony apologized for not having anything to pay with.

 

Nate crossed, we took pics, went to The Pizza Pie Café (gotta try it if you haven’t!), then headed home… TO THE UTAH VS. BYU GAME! 

More about that in another post.  I’m pooped!