A few days after Faye was born, I just had to visit my favorite little fabric shop. I have never been so happy looking at girly fabrics. The first project is finished: the cutest crib sheet ever.
I think she likes it.
Up next, I want to do some fabric wall silhouettes, like this. But I'm having trouble deciding what shapes to do. Not a giant rooster. I thought of doing several small flowers, or birds, or something, but I can't settle on an idea that I love. Ideas, please?
This was the first year we made Valentines at our house. What would we do without blogs for quick, easy ideas? We gave bouncy balls (from Everett), and Carson made his tootsie pop cards. I love how fun those picture cards look.
Even though nursing her made me sick for the first two weeks of her life, resulting in me finally showing up at the doctor convinced I was about to die. The antibiotics work like a charm, and we're hoping to never hear the word 'mastitis' around here again.
There are a lot of nice babies out there, but we're pretty sure Faye is one of the prettiest of them all.
I really, really did not want to be induced to have this baby. I am one of those believers in a woman's body knowing what to do as far as carrying and delivering a baby are concerned. But after the due date came and went, and after spending a day sick from taking castor oil and trying every other natural induction technique under the sun, everyone seemed to agree that it was time. So the date was set, and in we went to the hospital at 4 p.m. on January 26th. I felt pretty nervous the whole day. I've had two exciting, natural deliveries, and this whole business of showing up at the hospital and having my labor artificially started for me was still unsettling and disappointing to me.
Since I am GBS positive, it was important for me to receive an antibiotic for at least four hours prior to the delivery. (Neither of my baby boys were able to get the full dose of the antibiotic because those labors were too fast, which puts the baby at risk for pneumonia, meningitis, etc.) So, at about 6 p.m. I was started on the antibiotic and given the tiniest bit of pitocin. This made for a very boring four hours! Rick and I caught up on the latest episode of Biggest Loser and just enjoyed being together. At some point, Rick gave me a blessing, which helped calm me and reassured me that this was a good way for this baby to come to us.
At 11 p.m., it was time to get things started. Up until this point I had really only been feeling a few tiny contractions. My doctor came in and broke my water, and they turned up the pitocin a bit more. About a half hour later, the contractions started to become more intense. I was able to take the monitors off for a while and labor on the birthing ball, with Rick massaging my back during each contraction.
At some point I got back in the bed, just breathing through those intense contractions. I think the doctor checked me and I was dilated to a 6, and I knew that those last few centimeters could go pretty quickly. The contractions really intensified, and they turned down the pitocin, letting my body do the work now. As transition came, I just had to change positions again, and I jumped up on all fours on the bed. (Thank you, Rick, for not being embarrassed of me!) That position really helped me get through those last strong contractions. I stood up and hung on to Rick for maybe just one more contraction, and then the urge to push came suddenly, really just taking over my body and making me push.
The doctor suggested I avoid having the baby on the floor and get back into the bed. Rick was all suited up and ready to deliver the baby, so he moved down to the end of the bed, and I grabbed the nurse's hand and breathed with her as the pushing started. This was at about 1:30 a.m., and I was so exhausted and worried about having the energy to push this baby out. The nurses were great cheerleaders, and I loved being able to look up at Rick and push the baby towards him. It was like we were working together; I did my job, and he did his, and we both encouraged each other. (Ok, so my way of encouraging him was to angrily yell something like, "PULL IT OUT, RICK," but I think he can forgive me since I was in the middle of something pretty painful at that point.) Rick did a beautiful job delivering, no episiotomy or tearing, and the baby was placed on my chest. I was pretty emotional at this point and just so happy to finally have this baby in my arms. Then somebody said it was a girl, and if I said I was emotional and happy before, this brought things to a whole new level. I just couldn't stop crying and saying, "We have a girl!! I can't believe it's a girl!! Rick!! We have a girl!!" I'm pretty sure everyone else in the room was laughing at me, and I was just wrapped up in this moment of realizing that I will forever be the mother to a beautiful girl.
In the end, it was a perfect delivery. I am actually grateful that I was induced. Perhaps this little one needed those four hours of antibiotics, which I wouldn't have been able to get if I had had another fast delivery. I am grateful that my boys were being taken care of by Carrie, one of their favorite people in the world. I am grateful that my labor was during nurse Rhonda's shift. When she walked in the room and said, "now I want to make this experience exactly how you want it to be," I knew she was one-of-a-kind. I am grateful that I was induced in the afternoon, because Jamie and Meghan were able to make it to take some priceless photos. I am grateful that Dr. Namak was my doctor, and that she allowed Rick to deliver his daughter. I am actually grateful for the late-night delivery, because the exhaustion sort of forced me to relax and close my eyes between those intense contractions. This little girl was worth the wait, and the worry, and the pain, and now the sacrifices of comfort and sleep. She is just perfect, and I wouldn't have her any other way.
This little girl slept and ate like a dream all day yesterday, and then she really turned up the volume at night! We have our work cut out for us here. It's funny how she's still so easy to love even when she's demanding so much.
The girl kind! We could not be more thrilled. This morning, the resident who was at the birth said he's never seen someone so excited to have a girl. I will admit, I was sort of freaking out when she was a born at 1:46 a.m. She is 8 pounds and 2 ounces of perfection, and we love her a lot. Details to come. Like a name, if we ever choose one.
The baby's room. With my mom's help, I got a whole lot more comfortable with sewing while making these curtains. The mirror is a yard sale find, spray painted. The beautiful desk (now changing table and dresser) was Rick's parent's desk.
The opposite wall has this couch. The very day that I mentioned to my mom that I wanted a couch to nurse and snuggle the baby on, she was going to put this out at a yard sale! I think I will make more of a picture collage on the wall once we know the baby's gender and name.
As a beginning sewer, I am quite proud of this little curtain. My first ruffle! And the lamp below as well as the sparkly pillow above are from my new favorite store, World Market.
I also made a few onesies. This one is for sweet baby Haven.
And some more onesies. You can't see the contrasting colors of thread around the shapes, but that's my favorite part.
Oh, still no baby? Guess I will make some more onesies.
A new chevron pillow for the couch. I am waiting on some fabric to make one more pillow that I am very excited about. It's a large floral print that has the blue and the red in it and will brighten things up a little.
And finally, there has been no shortage of making food around here. In preparation for baby, I usually cook extra and freeze some dinners. The freezer is full and so is that 40 (41 tomorrow) week belly.
I was a little tired after all that cooking. And I have the best little snuggler ever.
Rick is at a meeting. Carson and Everett are playing some game where they are "buying" onesies and diapers. And I am thinking that it is about time to have this baby.
I had decided that I wasn't going to be set on an early delivery. Just because my other kids were born at 37 and 39 weeks doesn't mean this one will follow suit. But as my due date approaches (Wednesday), I can't help but feel surprised that I am still pregnant!
This pregnancy has really been enjoyable, and I am going to miss it. Continuing to run (jog) all the way up until the end has made all the difference. I attribute my feeling great and not even experiencing any of the usual third-trimester tiredness to getting up early to exercise. I am so lucky to have two friends who are equally excited about meeting at 6 a.m. when it's 30 degrees to jog through the neighborhood streets.
It has also been so fun to talk about being pregnant and having this baby with Carson and Everett. Carson has felt the baby kick and frequently talks about when it will "burst out." (He came up with that expression.) Everett rubs my belly and says, "gentle, baby," and lately when I tell him I want the baby to come out, he knocks on my belly and watches it, as if a little door will open up.
I will miss this baby's gentle movements in my belly. But really, I am about to applique another set of onesies, and after that I just don't have much more to do to prepare for this baby! So hopefully recording these thoughts on this lovely pregnancy will bring on an equally exciting delivery!
A few final pictures of the belly.
Taking down the Christmas decor, and the baby's tiny stocking.
38 weeks.
Ok, this one makes me look REALLY big. It's just the shirt; I promise.
Starting at the beginning of the year, our Carson became an official graduate of the nursery at church. He now attends Primary, where he in the Sunbeams class. We really had no worries about this boy transitioning to the big kids' class; he certainly thrives on structure and organized activities. Isn't he a cute sunbeam?? And a "sun" has become his new favorite breakfast.
A couple of days after Christmas, we were delighted to have some visitors: Ashley and Tim, and then Grandmama and Pappy. (This is my kind of Christmas... no traveling, and the family comes to US!)
We got to do presents all over again with them, and then that very afternoon we received some amazing packages from Grandma GJ and Grandpa Sam. Our boys were in heaven with all the presents to open!
My outfit is proof that I went running that morning. Thank you, thank you.
One of Everett's favorites. Thanks, Reagan!
Love the fresh jammies!
Both boys love this book, where the reading is recorded by their Grandpa. I am getting used to hearing my father-in-law's voice very often!
I think Rick might get more excited about new clothes than I do. Thank goodness for his mother, who will always be the expert in picking out clothes for him!
Everett in another cozy outfit from Grandma GJ.
Pappy took the boys for a little sled ride just before they left to go back home.
But they'll be back soon... just as soon as this baby decides to make an appearance!!
It was just our little family for Christmas, and I LOVED having my boys all to myself!
After a fun Christmas Eve party with friends, we came home, put some excited boys to bed (Everett, of course, had no idea why he was excited), and played Santa. We watched Little Women while putting together a large wooden firehouse, wrapping little gifts and stuffing them into stockings, and consuming Santa's cookies and milk. What fun!!
The stuffed stockings.
Carson was actually a little disappointed that Santa left some of the cookie.
The BIG gift of the year: the rescue station! It is sort of my dream come true, too, since it's the closest I can get to a dollhouse with boys.
I haven't had time to make covers for the bean bag chairs yet, but these are for the reading corner in the boys' room. Although they have been used much more for jumping, diving, and wrestling than reading so far.
The boys loved their books from Gram (my grandma). Carson's is called I love you Stinky Face: such a cute book!
Our boys are so blessed to have lots of loving family and had plenty to open with gifts sent from Utah and Virginia. Here Carson models one such gift: perfect for my little helper!
Part of Christmas was that Carson was allowed to watch Toy Story! He is definitely a fan.
Christmas Day's lunch was a special feast. Carson had requested foods, "like the snack foods on the airplane and the car." The boys enjoyed fruit cups, pretzels, and little hot dogs. Real special, huh?
The snow started to fall just as we were finishing opening presents. It was a perfect day.
This little Everett boy is quite a hoot. If you can't find him, he just may be standing alone in a dark bathroom with a drum and drumstick in hand, banging away. He will cry for his entire naptime instead of sleeping if you don't read him Curious George. He will play outside by himself for as long as you'll let him, even if it's 30 degrees outside. If you really want to laugh, ask him to snort like a pig. If you give him a football, he will run around and around in circles and fall down, yelling, "TOUCHDOWN!!" He doesn't have a preference for which thumb he sucks when he's tired, but the opposite hand is always stroking his ear. This boy and his brother often call back and forth to each other from their beds, "marco! polo! marco! ..."
This little Everett melts my heart, and I am just feeling a little sad that these are the last few days he will be my baby!
Up next, I want to do some fabric wall silhouettes, like this. But I'm having trouble deciding what shapes to do. Not a giant rooster. I thought of doing several small flowers, or birds, or something, but I can't settle on an idea that I love. Ideas, please?
