This and that

-What a week in our house! The kids had 2 snow days a week ago Thursday and on that same day Sean started running a fever. Ethan soon followed, and for 8 days they had temperatures over 100. They had a cough and congestion in their chests. Sean got really sick and went to the doctor on Monday. He had the start of pneumonia and got started on antibiotics. Kaitlyn threw up and started a fever that same day. Fortunately they are all over this nasty stuff after 8 days of fever, 2 boxes of Kleenex, 1.5 bottles of Tylenol, 5 days of missed school, and lots of Lysol. We kept Nathaniel away from them and used tons of hand sanitizer. So far he has kept away from it, but we will keep an eye on him.

- Nathaniel has a gooey eye. I think it's just a blocked tear duct. It gets crusted shut when he sleeps and is just gooey. Has anyone else had this with one of their babies?

- I took him to his 2 week check up yesterday. When he was discharged from the hospital and at his appointment 2 days later he weighed 7lbs. 1 oz. In 10 days he gained almost 2 lbs. He now weighs 8lbs 12 oz. I'm guessing he is getting enough to eat :-)!

- I'm ready to cut my hair!! I've been growing it out for Locks of Love, and I have to have 10" to donate to them. I'm really close and so ready to cut it. I haven't had my hair this long since high school. It's hit the length where it just hangs there and does nothing. I will probably chop it in February and just have short hair for a while :-).

- So I'm already ready to fit back into my clothes. I've lost 23 lbs since he was born but have another 27 to go. Not all of that is from pregnancy- but I did gain 45 lbs. So I will be starting that lovely journey soon so that I will have clothes to wear and be healthy :-).

ummmm... that's it for now!

Moments to Remember

These are some of the moments from this pregnancy that I want to keep stored in my heart:

- Jarod and I discussing whether or not to have another baby. We prayed and sought God's heart for a month and then decided to try for another. I remember when we made the decision, and I got a twinge of excitement and nervousness at the same time.

- Telling Jarod we were pregnant. It was such a sweet moment that I don't want to share (sorry but it's for us to know!). But the look on his face and the moment will stay in my heart. I remember laying there holding my hand on my stomach thinking, "There's a sweet baby in there! Thank you Lord."

- Telling the kids we were having another baby. They were so excited and handled the whole 9 months so well!

-Telling family and friends. Everyone was surprised and excited for us. It totally surprised my family. Adam laughed :-). Sean went up to Matt and said, "Hey Uncle Matt guess what? My mom is going to have another baby!" I remember he looked at me and said, "Really?" with a great big grin. Such fun!

- The nausea. I had it really bad with Nat. The time I remember was when I was maybe 8-9 weeks along, and Jarod and the kids went grocery shopping with me. We were standing in the checkout when I went pale, started shaking, and felt like I was going to pass out. Jarod looked at me and asked if I needed to run to the bathroom :-). Glad he was there with me.

- The first sono when Nat was the size of a piece of rice. I had some spotting and was getting things checked out and seeing that heartbeat made me cry! I loved Nat from the moment we found out I was pregnant, and to see his tiny heart beating was a blessing!

- Finding out it was a boy! Jarod thought it was a girl, and I think deep down I thought it was too. I was surprised when she told us it was a boy! It took a minute to process and then we were in love with the idea of another boy. It just seems right, and especially now that he is here, he is the perfect addition to our family!

- God's peace and faithfulness when I was measuring big and was concerned something was wrong. His peace overwhelmed this sometimes- worry- wart. Turned out I was just measuring big, and we thank God all was well!

- Naming him Nathaniel. We were driving to Jarod's parents house when we thought of that name. I really look forward to having our Nat meet Nathanial Pearson. We called him when Nat was born- what a special moment! To name him after a godly man is an honor!

- God's provision for this baby. Everything from maternity clothes, to all the baby stuff, to doctor's bills, and more- He provided through people in some truly unexpected ways. We have all we need and more for this little man! We are so thankful for everyone's generosity!

- The last few weeks of pregnancy. Even though I was very uncomfortable and ready to see him, I did take the time to just marvel at the idea that he was in my belly. I loved my belly at the end and loved that it was so big! :-) Even the night before he was born I took time to just look at my stomach and watch it move. What a blessing and honor to have carried 4 babies! Thank you Lord for that experience and for the joy of being a mom!

- His birth of course! Just that moment when I first saw him. Just like with our other babies, I will never forget that moment.

-And finally, when the kids got to meet their new brother. They were so excited and all loved him instantly. They giggled and awed and held him. He is loved, and my heart runeth over!

The Story

Warning: birth story ahead. I finally have a moment to sit and write. I wanted to blog about Nathaniel's birth so that I would remember it here in a few months when my memory of it has faded. Last week was a good week before his arrival. I felt pretty good and didn't have very many contractions all week and was able to get everything done that I wanted to. Thursday I took the day off from the preschool and went grocery shopping in the morning, took Jarod to lunch, and spent the afternoon getting the house ready. I started to have contractions and just not feel right by that evening. Plus my emotions were all over. I was really nervous and anxious for the delivery and the pain that comes with it. Jarod's mom arrived that evening and just sitting and talking to her and knowing she was here to take care of the kids eased my mind. We went to bed around 10 that evening, and I slept from about 11:30- 3:30 and then was wide awake. We got ready and left the house by 5:30am.

On the way to the hospital we made our predictions of his size and what time he would arrive. I guessed 1:30pm and 8lbs 1oz. and 20". Jarod guessed 12:30 8lbs. 2oz and 19". We got to the hospital and got checked right into the room across from the nurses desk. My first thought was "Great they are going to hear me in pain." They got the monitors on me and I was contracting on my own every 5 minutes. So we think Nat was on his way that day anyway :-). After being poked 3 times the IV was started with the pitocin around 6:45am. The doctor came in around 7:15 and did a check (I was at a 4 and 70%e) and broke my water. So we were on our way.

The next couple hours was pretty easy labor wise. Jarod and I were talking, watching the sunrise over Tulsa (we had a great view of downtown), and waiting in anticipation. The pain was very mild and after a check I was at 6-7cm. So it started to get more intense where I needed my ipod and got into my zone for the contractions. I could breathe through them but could tell they were getting stronger and about 3 min apart. I had her give me some Stadol while she could to help me relax through a few contractions. That stuff makes me loopy! Jarod got a kick out of me trying to talk and saying that my head was heavy during it. It wore off soon and things were still progressing. At around 10 she did another check and I was 7-8 cm. I was past the point of no return for an epidural, and I'm glad b/c I wanted to do it without one again. The contractions picked up in intensity and got to where I was crying through some of them. Jarod was there encouraging when they were going away and holding my hand. I started to get hot and nauseous, so I knew things were progressing. After a little over an hour I knew it was close. A nurse came in to set something up and Jarod told her we needed our nurse to come do a check. I had one contraction where I didn't need to push. Another a minute later where I felt I might need to. Our nurse did a check and I was at 9cm. She left to call the doctor, and I had another contraction where I knew I needed to push.

The next ten minutes was intense! I was in so much pain and needed to push. Jarod had his arm under my neck holding me, and he and the nurse kept telling me to breathe. They were trying to keep me from pushing. I really felt like I was going to die it hurt so bad. I kept saying "I can't do it!" But I had to dig deep and get through the pain. I couldn't help but push and at the same time trying to wait for the doctor. She finally showed up, and they got the bed and me ready for delivery. I asked if he was close, and she said one more contraction and we were having a baby. So on the next contraction I pushed twice, and he was here. He came out with his hand under his chin, and I immediately felt no pain.

This is right after he was born and I love this picture:


I have to say that Jarod was my rock through this. I could not have done it without him, and my love for him grew even more. Now we have another precious baby to raise and love! I want to write more about the last few days, but for now a crying baby is calling my name! :-)

The end is near...

I went to the doctor today for my 38 week check-up. My weight, blood pressure, and measurements were all good. Apparently I had a "I'm done being pregnant" look on my face because the doctor asked immediately if I wanted to talk about getting this baby out. :-) Well sure since you asked! I didn't dilate or efface any more so I am still at a 3 and 70% effaced. But she said since my this is my fourth and I have had some contractions all week that they are fine helping things along when I am 39 weeks. So next Friday if he hasn't made his appearance yet, we are to check into the hospital at 6 am and have my water broken. So at the longest we have one more week till we meet this sweet, precious boy!

It's weird having a date set that he has to be here by. I've never been induced, and it's weird to know it will be over in a week. I'm making plans for next week like getting the house ready, grocery shopping, and taking some time off of work. Of course this could all be thrown aside with a surprise arrival! But if not, Jarod's mom is going to come Thursday night so she can be here with the kids on Friday. My doctor will be back from maternity leave by then, and it's MLK day on Monday so the boys will be home from school for an extra day that weekend. So it really is a good day to plan on having him. So sweet Nathaniel- we get to meet you soon! I'm ready to kiss your sweet face and snuggle you!!