Finally Here!

It's a BOY!
Stormond arrived yesterday (4-15) at 11:06 a.m. He is 9 lbs 2 oz (huge compared to the other 2) and 21 inches long. Happy, healthy, and sleepy!

We could not have asked for a faster delivery, I was induced at 9:40 a.m., so literally less than 90 minutes. We had a great nurse named Rachael who believed me when I told her that I go really fast, and did everything to support our process. I feel so blessed that we had such great staff! Dr. Smith (as always) was supportive and very calm, but got us through the process even when the baby's heart rate started to drop.

We are all excited to finally have our new little guy here. I will post more soon, but for now here is a sneak peek of the new addition:

 He has a Walther head! Dr Smith said he thinks it was a record for his office for a natural birth! 37 cm.

 Bruised eyes look much better today!

Update...

So we are still here, no baby yet. The hospital we are delivering at is running very full this week so induction has not been an option. I am grateful for that in a lot of ways, I really don't want pitocin. However, this baby does not seem to have any intention of coming out. After spending the entire pregnancy on my cervix causing contractions it has decided my ribs are a better place to hang out. We just cannot make contractions stick.

We even went to the zoo today and walked. All we seemed to accomplish was making my feet and ankles more swollen. I am so ready for a water pill, lol! Of course that would just make the bathroom my permanent home, so that is probably not a good idea either. Oh well! I am such a whiner!

Sorry we have nothing more exciting to report...we really have not forgotten to call any of you! We will let you know as soon as we have anything to report, meaning the baby is actually here. We don't want to get anyone's hopes up (especially our own) at this point. Anyway, the new goal is to have the baby before my brother's wedding on the 7th of May. I think that is the most realistic goal I can set. Lol!

We love you all and hope all is well for you! Between waiting to hear from the doctor all week and C having a nasty virus we are not getting out to see anyone. Hope you are all happy and healthy!

The Induction debate...

So, tomorrow we are 39 weeks, and it is time to start the debate over whether or not to induce this baby. My gut instinct is NO! I did not enjoy pitocin with C and feel like it will completely defeat my goal of staying drug free with this delivery. However, we really do have to address how big this baby may be. Both of the other kids were over 6 pounds at 35 weeks. when we look at the fact that most babies gain between a 1/2 and a full pounds per week from week 36 on this kids is getting BIG! Bare minimum, if it was 6 at 35 weeks, it is now 8 lbs. That is a good size baby, but if we had one week where it gained a pound we are over 9 lbs! So, last week the doctor told us he is concerned that after all this time of keeping baby in we may end up with a Cesarean birth because the baby will be too big.

Okay, so there it all is... what do you all think? I am terrified to deliver a 10 lb baby after two 6 lbs babies, but I am sure it is possible. I am just not sure that having any interventions will not lead to more interventions. The doctor said we can start by breaking my water, but 90% of the time he ends up giving women pit even after breaking their water...We can get up to 2 minute contractions when I go walking, but the baby is not engaging in my pelvis, so eventually my body gives up on the contractions.

I am really torn, so I would love to hear from anyone with great ideas or experience!

38 Weeks...

Still here. Who would have ever thought we would see 38 weeks with a pregnancy? I didn't, the doctor didn't, Mike definitely didn't. Crazy how the body works. I have been trying to analyze how we got here, but the truth is I really have no idea. I have a few theories, but Mike says I am just grasping at straws trying to find an answer. That is what I love about him, he keeps me humble!

We see the doctor tomorrow, he is finally back from his 10 day Spring Break trip. I'm glad he got to spend time with his family, but oh so glad that the baby seems to be waiting for him to be in town. I know it sounds crazy, but I was really apprehensive about who we might end up with as an on call doc. I want this to be a pleasant experience for all of us, not a battle with staff over our preferences.

I have been reading a lot of natural birthing sites and natural birthing stories lately. I feel like it is always better to be over prepared, and I know things don't always go the way we want them to. But I am certain now that educating ourselves as women about the birth process and the options we have is important, whether you want a natural or medicated birth. I know some of the natural birthing sites and books can seem a little "hippie" or extreme, but I feel like we all have the option to glean good information from them and be ready for any outcome.

Anyway, just some food for thought as I try to get everything around here ready...or not. We will all make it through one way or the other :)

We took some Easter pictures on Sunday, I will hopefully post some soon. Unfortunately I am having a really hard time getting up on the bar stools at the computer, so it may have to be after the baby...

Life is fleeting...

Just found out that a friend from our last neighborhood passed away this weekend. He went out for a jog on his lunch break and never came back. Wow!

I am heart broken for his wife and their two small boys, ages 5 & 3 I think. They are a sweet little family, and he was a super cub master! I hope and pray that they will be protected and comforted at this time.

Take and extra moment to hug your loved ones today, you never know...

37 Weeks

Funny how this pregnancy suddenly feels anticlimactic! We waited and watched for so long to prevent this baby from coming, and now it is staying put. So, we are trying to be patient and wait it out.

I know most women are barely worried about delivery at this point in a pregnancy. I totally get that, but when you fight for so long to make it to a certain point it really starts to stink when you pass it and nothing is happening. Literally, contractions have almost disappeared unless I get up and move around a lot. Even then, when I sit or lay down they go away.

So, now I am trying to busy myself with my sketchbook and other odd jobs. Maybe I will even get a wrap to carry the baby in made this week. We will see...

Personally I am fine with waiting until next week, I have never had to deliver with an on-call doc, my doc is out of town. 

Anyway, that is the update for now. When I went to submit my portfolio to the Illustration program I found out that they have switched to an online system and I can only submit 10 images. I had many more than that ready, so here are a few:

The 2 above are two of my favorites and actually made the portfolio cut!

**UPDATE: No news to report. Saw the nurse today and everything is the same, except I am now measuring 40 cm. This little critter is in for the long haul I suppose! I think it knew I had plans for things to do in April and decided to mess them all up. Lol!

Dr. will be back Wednesday and I guess then we can start talking about when an induction becomes the option. I would still really like to avoid that, but as I huff and puff with every step I am becoming more and more ready...

Cleaning House

My kids have chores that they are supposed to do everyday. Lately with homework and other activities they are doing a weeks worth of chore every Friday. However, they are not so happy, because I am more mobile and able to check up on the success of their work.

Today I was checking a few areas they did yesterday and was not satisfied with their performance. They claimed I have never shown them how to clean those area, as if! It was just being ignored while I was out of commission.

Mike decided to take the lesson a step further, he helped M vacuum upstairs with Grandma's Rainbo vac. Then he let the kids see what was in the water tank. Funny how that little lesson could go so far. Suddenly it was as if a light went on for them and they understood what all of this effort is for. I am so grateful that we had this lesson now, before the baby arrives. Perhaps it will help them to understand when I get a little neurotic over how the house is kept while the baby is small.