Welcome Baby!

He finally made his entrance! Colton Graham was born Monday night, July 16 at 11:24 pm. He weighed 7 lbs 15 oz and is 22 inches long. All is well and we are home. Hard to believe he'll be one week old tomorrow! Time flies when you're sleep deprived!

Warning: Labor story following...

On Monday, I wasn't feeling great and was a little grouchy and tired. The boys and I drove out to pick up my last baby necessity- a new pump. When we got home, I decided to take a nap. After waking up I had the feeling that maybe my water was leaking. My water had broken with Biggest Brother, so I knew what that felt like. This was different. My doctor had said to call even if I wasn't sure. So, I made the call. My doctor was out and it was an on-call doctor. She said it was probably nothing, but to head to the hospital just in case. So, the boys grabbed their bags and we grabbed ours. (I also washed out a few drawers in the fridge, just in case we didn't come back home!) The boys went to the neighbor's house, but we told them most likely we'd be back soon and this probably wasn't "the real thing."

We got to the hospital around 5pm. They checked us in and settled us in a room and tested the fluid. Thank goodness we had gone in- since they discovered I had a leak somewhere in the bag of waters. This was it- "the real thing". I started out at 3cm dilated and 50% effaced with mild contractions I could barely feel. They made us walk the halls until 8:30 and checked again. Not much progress. I was still laughing and nice to everyone- so they figured I wasn't in true labor yet. I was still 3cm and now 80% effaced. So, they wanted to start pitocin. I had had that with my previous 2 babies and was determined to avoid the medical interventions this time. So, we talked the doctor into breaking the rest of my water instead. She didn't think it would do much. But, by 9:05 I had my first true painful contraction. From that point forward I had contraction after contraction about 30 seconds long and just 1-2 minutes apart with increasing intensity.

I had been told to head to the hospital when my contractions were 5 minutes apart lasting 1 minute for an hour. Since this never happened during my labor at the hospital I was convinced I wasn't progressing very quickly. However, the nurse brought in the baby warmer and was setting it all up for the baby. She told me get into the jacuzzi tub for 10 contractions. I couldn't understand why we'd go through all that work for 10 lousy contractions. I don't think I had 10, but it was getting so painful and she and Kevin had to drag me out (because at this point I wasn't laughing and nice anymore!). She wanted to check my progress. I was convinced I'd only be at like 6cm or something- but she said she knew it would be more. By the time I was on the table, she checked and I was 8 1/2. They called the Dr in and the next contraction I was 9cm. With 2 more I was 10!!!

I asked what time it was. They told me 11 something. I couldn't believe this little boy was coming so soon. It took about 4, maybe 5 pushes and he was out!

This was my first delivery without and epidural and medications and inductions. I thought it would be more calm, less chaotic, and would give me time to relax in between contractions. And though that wasn't the case, we had taken a great birthing class and for that I am grateful. We had packed our bags full of supplies and things to help in the process. But, every time Kevin would start to walk away to get something to help, I would start calling him back as another contraction would start.  I had a lot of back labor and Kevin would push really hard on my back. He honestly couldn't have pushed hard enough for me, but it did relieve some of the pain. I knew we'd both be sore the next day! Though it was a fast and crazy delivery, both of us were calm since we knew the process.

I guess I wouldn't describe myself as calm. The nurse told me later that the lady in the room next to me was planning on an unmedicated birth, but after she heard me she was reconsidering the epidural. The nurse said I was good advertisement for the epidural!!! Overall, it was what I hoped for- a healthy fast delivery of a healthy little boy!

The next morning, Kevin brought the big brothers up to meet their new little brother. They were pretty excited to see him. Nathan said, "Is that really our baby?" Brennen ended up holding him and soothing him for close to 2 hours straight. 

He had his first bath with the nurse in our room so the boys could watch. He didn't particularly love it!

Then, we got our first family photo. More to come soon!

Full Term!

I'm 37 weeks today! This little guy could come any day now. In some ways I hope he comes sooner than later, but that is scary too!

We had an ultrasound on Tuesday and they estimate him to be 6 lbs 15 oz already. I don't know why we can't just have a little guy this time around! My babies are bigger a month before my due date than many of my friends' babies when they are overdue! At least he's still looking healthy and growing. Can't ask for more than that.

I was 1 cm dilated and 50% thinned out. (Is that too much information for a blog?) I had my 1st at 38 weeks and was induced with my 2nd at 37 weeks. We'll see when this little one decides to come.

My friend did a maternity session for me on Monday night this week. She took amazing photos and even though I prefer to be on the other side of the camera, I decided I needed to post these...

This pregnancy has been so much easier for me than the others. In some ways, I was always on edge with the older boys. We'd done fertility to conceive them and went through losses and struggles. So, when I was finally pregnant I didn't trust that things could turn out well. This time around was a big surprise and it just seems meant to be. Of course I've had the common pregnancy issues- nausea, food aversions, heightened smells, swollen nasty ankles, back aches, etc. However, emotionally I've been much more relaxed and at ease. It's amazing how quickly time has passed and that this little guy will be joining our family any day now. 

I have noticed in the past few days a real change in my energy and stamina. It has gone down. Not sure if it's the ridiculous record heat we've had or signs that the end is coming near. Either way, I am grateful for my boys that are big enough to help out some and play together pretty well, as well as Kevin being home a lot more since his job is coming to an end this week. There's a lot of change happening around here and though it's overwhelming at times, God is giving me peace and helping me get through it all one day at a time- and I am grateful for that!

Oh, Hail NO!

We get some nasty storms here in the summers. A couple of weeks back we were hit hard by 3 hail storms in one night. We woke up all night long listening to the pounding hail. I was shocked we didn't have broken windows. The next morning, we woke up to this aftermath....

The kids had fun playing and digging in the hail piles and we had piles of leaves. The flowers and trees were looking so nice, but now are pretty pitiful.

For baby updates, my neighbors put together a little baby shower at a local breakfast place. We left the kiddos and enjoyed a couple hours of good food and good conversation. I feel honored to have such great friends and neighbors.

(One friend had to leave early. I am sad I missed her photo, but here we are after all the yummy pancakes and such!) I was 34 weeks along in this photo.

I am feeling great. I am 35 weeks now and though I get tired, not too much to complain of yet! We actually hiked 3 miles this weekend, including a good mile of climbing. Despite a few contractions, all went well! The biggest complaint I have is my swollen left ankle. It's at least double the size of the right and I swear I've gained 3 pounds from just the swelling in there!

We are still working on Baby's room, but getting closer. The big boys are settling into their new shared room (still need to get a photo on here). Every job has created more jobs, so we are busy organizing and cleaning and purging stuff! Kevin has been home a lot more with his job winding down and it's been nice to be all together hanging out and working hard this summer.

Baby Update, Vegas, and More

Being forever behind on the things I have to do and leaving no time for the things I want to do? I hope this isn't my new normal. Ever since I got pregnant I rarely pick up the camera. If I do, the pictures just sit there until I (rarely) get a second wind once the boys are in bed. Then, I download them. Every so often, I actually edit them and even fewer make it to the blog these days!

Today is just one of those days when I got the second wind and a few minutes of quiet to post a quick update.

On Leap Day (Feb 29) we found out we are going to be the proud parents of Baby BOY #3! We had a full room and a grouchy ultrasound tech, so there weren't any photos of the moment. However, I still want to remember the day. Kevin, my mom, and the boys were all there. We were so excited to find out whether this was Littlest Brother or Little Sister. The grouchy tech didn't even make it fun and just passed over it like it was a kidney! In fact, the boys didn't even hear her, so I had to repeat it. That's when Little Brother exclaimed, "It's like all my wishes have come true!" I didn't even know he was hoping so strongly for a Littler Brother!

Everything checked out well- he's growing well, got all the parts, and has a cute profile and feet!

The next day, Kevin and I headed to Las Vegas for a little getaway. My mom graciously stayed with the boys, spoiled them, tired them out and loved on them for 4 days, while we whooped it up in Vegas (as much as you can when you are 5 months pregnant!) And, just like I explained in the intro to this blog, I didn't take pictures of our trip. Kevin took one on his iPhone of me and an old teaching buddy I was able to reconnect with. So, here's my 5 month belly shot in front of Caesar's Palace!

Vegas was a fun time. We stayed at the Cosmopolitan. Ate at some great places: Hash House A Go Go (mmmm!), Cabo Wabo Cantina, Earl of Sandwich, Taqueira Canonita, and much more! Eating was somewhat of a hobby for us! We saw the Cirque du Soleil "O" show. It was absolutely amazing: every act got better and more amazing. Those people are seriously talented! We even sat just a few rows behind Owen Wilson and his date. My kids were rather impressed since they love the Cars Movies! Had some nice weather to lay out by the pool. I'm glad there were no cameras for that!!! I also gambled for the first time ever. We made $2 at the Roulette table after an hour. Then, Kevin talked me into trying BlackJack. I was terrified. I started with $60 and made $65 in less than 15 minutes. I had amazing luck, getting 20 and 21 on almost every hand. I figured my luck would run out soon and the rude drunk guys blowing smoke at me was enough- so I walked away with my winnings. Kevin says I didn't play BlackJack. He says they paid me to sit at the table. Nonetheless, it was fun!

And for the last update: I'm now a little over 24 weeks pregnant. Tonight the boys came down with pillows in their shirts pretending to have babies in there. It was a good reminder that I have very few belly photos so far, so we got out the camera to document the growth! The baby is kicking a lot. Most nights when I read to the boys he really gets crazy. The boys love to feel him kick and I think it makes it a little more real to them. They like to come up with names for him too. Let's just say I hope they let their future wives name their children some day!

As for me, I am feeling really good at this point. I am working hard to "recollect" all the baby gear I got rid of this summer. I have been hitting up Craigslist, Goodwill, and garage sales like crazy. It's fun to see what kind of bargains I can find. I have also finally succumbed to wearing maternity clothes. I had it in my crazy mind that I could just get away with my own stuff for the whole 9 months! I made it 6 months, but now I am opting for the comfy stuff! (Who was I kidding anyways?!)

Introducing Baby #3

The real reason my blog has been neglected since November is due to this little surprise.....

This was an ultrasound 10 weeks ago. I am now 18 weeks and counting. So, this little one has grown. Let's' be honest, I've grown too. I haven't been courageous enough to get any tummy pics. But, I don't think this belly will be getting much smaller any time soon! As you can see on the picture, my due date is July 19, but who's counting?

Funny story, I was at the gym working out last week (I try to go a few times a week just because I can this time. My pregnancies with the boys were much more complicated.) I was laying flat on one of those skinny little benches, when I realized I wouldn't be able to get up very graciously. So, I dropped my weights, and grunted my way up, while telling my friend, "I had better move to the inclined bench from now on." Some random guy next to me blurts out, "It's called working on your core. It would help you get up easier." To which I replied, "It's called being 5 months pregnant. I have no core left...." He stammered his way through a very lame apology and shut up. It was quite amazing that he would have the gall to say something like that to someone. My friend and I got a good laugh out of that!

We find out the sex in less than 2 weeks. Can't wait. I'm kind of a planner. If you know me at all, you probably knew that. So, considering this was a surprise addition to our family, I can't wait to find out boy or girl. At least it will help me to have some sort of picture of what our newly extended family will look like! 

It's not just my blog that's neglected. It's my house, my friends, my laundry, my everything else! I have just enough energy to buy some groceries, sometimes make meals, and take care of my boys. Outside of that, not much else is happening! First trimester, I was crazy nauseous most of the time and super tired. Luckily, the nausea is intermittent now, but the exhaustion is still there. I've just had to let go of my normal expectations of what I can do and accept what I do get done. 

So, now you know why it's past Valentine's Day and I still haven't uploaded my Christmas photos.