Family

I've had a few request for pictures and updates, but I did have surgery 2 weeks ago and I have family in town, so I haven't been on here much at all, much less long enough to post anything. I have a bunch of pictures and updates, but not the time right now. Once things settle down and we've got a "normal" routine, I'll be back.

Our Birth Story...

I had a doctors appt on Monday at 3:50, but a friend who works at the hospital, encouraged me to call when they first opened on Monday a.m. to see if I could get my appt changed. I called and was able to get my appt changed to 10:10 am. We got there, got checked and waited for the doc to show up. He gets in there and couldn't believe I still hadn't had her. He checks me and I HAD NOT CHANGED. I asled him what my options were. I had 3 choices...1) go over to L & D and break my water and see if that changes anything, 2) have a c-section and it will all be over, or 3) wait until Thursday or Friday and see if I go into labor on my own and if not, do a c-section (with the other doc). Of course, option 3 was out, I wanted my doc!! So we selected option 1, knowing that there was a good chance we'd end up with a section, but I wanted to try for the VBAC first.



We got to L & D where they had everything already for me, but of course, I had to make a couple calls first. I get in my bed, hooked up to the monitors, get my I.V. and then my doc came over about 11am and broke my water with the fetal scalp monitor (and there was meconium, which was something I was concerned about, being 6 days late, just like Christian, who had meconium). I started having contractions, no regular pattern, but they were there. She looked great the entire time, handling the contractions. I dozed on and off. Steve and the boys were there for a little bit and then they left to get some stuff and feed them. My friend showed up with her kids for a little bit, but she had to get her foster daughter from school, so they had to leave. There was peace and quiet...and then my doc showed up. About 4:45, he came in and checked me and there was NO CHANGE! So, I told him it was time for surgery.

I was prepped, talked to by the anesthesiologist (which was really nice to know that it was a guy we used to go to church with, especially after my previous-horrible-experience with the spinal). Things moved fairly fast and we were still SANS the daddy and friend who would be watching the boys. They showed up, the nurse got finished and off I went to the O.R. Roger put the spinal in and immediately, I knew it was different than the first time. I told Roger about my experience and he said it sounded like they used to much medicine. Roger was even kind enough to give me a numbing medicine before he administered the spinal. GOD BLESS ROGER!!! It was such a laid back O.R. The whole experience, the whole team were awesome. There was joking around in the room, even with me. Steve came in and sat at my head and was told that if he wanted to watch the operation, he could. He wanted to sit with me and make sure I was ok, but he did stand up to take some pictures and was able to see what was going on. He was able to take some pictures of her over the sheet and got a picture of my stomach open. Way cool! Don't worry, I won't be sharing them!

Doc pulled her out of my stomach, as she was pooping *LOL* got her to the warming table, where she continued to poop. She was getting the meconium out of her system early. It was nice for Steve and I...we never had to deal with any of it this time. She got checked out, brought over to Steve to hold her and then I was able to look at her, touch her and kiss her and then Steve and Dr. Stacy (our AWESOME pediatrician) walked her back to our room. I got finished, sent to recovery (for 45 mins as apposed to 3 1/2 hours with Zachary) and then I was on my way to my room and our little girl.

We named our daughter ELIANA RUTH (pronounced el-ee-ah-nu). She weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz., 20 inches long. She's perfect and beautiful!! Eliana is named after my 2 grandmothers and named by her daddy. My dad's mom died when I was 10, so she never got to see her grandchildren grow up. Her name was Lena. My mom's name is Ella. I told Steve that Lena had to be part of the name somehow. He came up with Eliana and it means "God answered". Her name is perfect for my perfect little girl!

Here's the first picture of my 3 kids together. These 2 boys LOVE their baby sister and can't get enough of her!!

Here's Eliana in her going home outfit. This is very similar to the face that Zachary made in his going home picture. Some day, when I'm in the mood, I'll get the picture and I'll put the 2 side by side for you to see.

I was waiting for my guys to come get us, laying in the bed, holding the baby, when in popped Christian and then Zachary, just a little differently than when I last saw them. I immediately lost it. It's grown on me since, but man, was that a shock to the system.

So, here's the 3 of them before we left the hospital. Also, notice the orange cast...after we left my hospital room, we went across the street and the cast is OFF!!! So, from now on, we won't have casts in the pictures!

Zachary LOVES being a big brother! He always wants to hold his sister and kisses her NON-STOP.

Christian's used to be a big brother, but this time it's different. He's older and now he has a sister. He wants to hold her all the time. I think this picture is too sweet not to share!

And there is purposely no pictures of me. Not that you're reading this and wanting to see me. It's all about the baby :-)

So there you have it...the birth of my daughter Eliana. Some details have been left out, but you got the over all idea. Now, just to give you heads up (I will not mention your names, but you know who you are *wink*), I will not be posting all the time. 3 kids, recovering from surgery, our Christmas play on Sunday, a few appts during the week, Christmas and then my parents coming...things are going to be pretty hectic around here.

5:41 PM :: 7 comments ::

RFamily :: permalink

Baby Girl

On December 12th, at 1744 in the afternoon, we added a beautiful baby girl to our family. She was 7lb 13oz and 20" long with red/auburn hair. Of course there is much debate about who she looks like, however, as her Dad it is obvious to me that she looks like her Mom.

Steph will probably not be home till tomorrow afternoon due the the late day C-section that she went through to deliver our girl. However, I will allow her to tell the story so that I do not leave out any important facts I will also let her tell the name for those of you who do not know what it is.

We will put up pictures tomorrow or Friday!

Baby news

No baby yet. 4 days late. Christian was 6 days late and Zachary was 2. Maybe today will be the day. All I can say is that I'm TIRED OF WAITING and tired of all the dumb, obvious questions that I get. The number one question I can't stand to hear is..."you're still pregnant?" No really, I swallowed a watermellon and for some reason, can't seem to pass it. Another question I can't stand to hear..."are you ever going to have that baby?" The answer, of course, is yes...when, I don't know. Only God and this child know when it's her time to come, I just pray that it's soon!

Thank God I'm not an elephant. I couldn't imagine being pregnant for 2 years and then giving birth to a couple hundred pound baby.

On Wednesday night, when people came up to me before they even opened their mouth I said "don't ask" and ran my hand across my stomach. You want to talk to me, fine. I'd love to talk to you. But don't ask me STUPID questions!

Do I sound hormonal?

Heading to Springfield today. Maybe more walking will help. Done everything else I can think of except ride my friends horse and drink castor oil (which I will NOT do!)

Doctor appt

I had my doc appt today. He stripped my membranes and pulled on my cervix, all very uncomfortable, but not painful. Nothing has changed as far as my body is concerned, same as Thursday. I go back on Monday, unless she comes before then. I also found out that my doc's last day until Christmas Eve is Monday. I told him he was not allowed to go on vacation until I have this baby cause I'm not about to deliver with the other doc! Good thing that my doc is on call this weekend! So, hopefully something will happen, VERY SOON. Cause right now, the only other option I can see, to avoid having the other doc, is to have a c-section before my doc goes out of town. Which, of course, I want to avoid also. That darn c-section...doesn't leave me very many options. GRRR!!!

And so the waiting continues..........

Just thought I'd share

A little of this and a little of that...

First...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST SIS/AUNT IN THE WORLD! I LOVE YA!!!

Just wanted to say that I'm really on the ball this year! All my Christmas decorations have been put out, since Thanksgiving was over and the boxes they are kept in are NOT in my house. Something very unusual for us. Normally they sit in here for a couple of weeks before we get them back out and then it's almost time to bring them back in to put them away. Not this year! Christmas presents are taken care of. All my Christmas cards have been signed, addressed and stamped (just waiting on the baby so that I can add her picture to them). My birth announcements are made and filled out, except of course for her birthday, weight & length. My house is clean, organized, ready for baby and ready for Christmas.

Man, this waiting stuff is tough! I'm not a patient person.

Oh yah. Steve bought me a present "just because I love you", he said. It was so sweet and I absolutely LOVE it. Of course, it'll be all used up at the end of the year, but I'm keeping one, maybe two, for my scrapbook. We'll see. Oh, what is it you ask? Well, for those of you who are fortunate to get a Christmas card and/or baby announcement from us, make sure you look at the envelope BEFORE you tear into it or you might just rip it. I will tell you this, NO ONE will have any like this anywhere!

For those who don't receive any, I'll post a picture of it after Christmas.

That's all in a nut shell. Meghan, I can't promise there will be an update tomorrow. I have a pretty busy day.

No baby yet...

Meghan, I had not planned on doing daily updates, but if I get a chance, I'll try and find something to post about.

As for the hospital stay, it's normally one night. I'm looking at either Tuesday or Wednesday when I have her so I'd be home Wednesday or Thursday (Friday at the latest, depending on what time I have her). And of course, that's not a guarantee either! But, that does not mean I'll be getting straight on the computer to post the details! I'll just have to play it by ear and see how I'm feeling cause I don't want the boys to feel left out either.

I didn't post anything yesterday because we were in Springfield with friends all day, LOTS of walking around a very crowded mall. Did I ever mention that I don't like malls? Yes, I know, I'm not a "typical" female. The only reason we went there was because I had to pick up our family Christmas pictures and I had a coupon for Children's Place (which was a complete waste of time). Why do they have stores for children's clothing but not enough room for strollers? Also, why do maternity stores not make enough room in between racks/aisles so that the pregnant women can maneuver without trying to "suck it in", which is impossible with a baby in it??? The only thing I can think of is that the people who designed these things are either 1) male, never been pregnant so wouldn't know to expand the space for the expanding mom-to-be or 2) male, having never pushed or had the need to push a stroller.

My husband just called me a male basher *LOL* Sorry to all the guys who read this. I'm hormonal and I'm ready to not be pregnant anymore!

So, anyway, no baby, and I'm extremely tired and my feet are sore! Oh good news for me...I've only gained 30 pounds with her. Less than I gained with the boys.

Until next time...

Christian's arm

Christian had another x-ray done on his arm this afternoon. It looks great! She was going to put him in a cast up to his elbows, but he didn't want to take this one off. But, when we go back in 2 weeks, the cast will come off for good!

After the doctor appt, I met up with a friend and her kids and we walked around the park, up and down hills. It seemed like we out there for a long time, but, we were only walking for about 1/2 hour or so. It was bitterly cold and the only reason I even put up with this ridiculous weather is because I'm ready for this baby!!! I'm tired of the "you haven't had her yet?", "you're still pregnant?", etc... I had one person tell me last night "you look miserable". Thanks a bunch.

But, what Steve doesn't know is that when he gets home in a little while, we're going walking again! So, hopefully the next time I'm on this thing it will be to give the announcement of my daughter's birth!

Tips on Healthy Living!

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer?
Take a nap.
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Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain?
Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
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Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
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Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good

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Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable
oil.
In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be
bad for you?
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Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the
middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You
should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
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Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO .. Cocoa beans ... another vegetable!!! It's
the
best feel-good food around!
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Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
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Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Doctor visit...

Saw the doc...nothing exciting to report. I'm 1-2 cm, still thick, but soft and mushy. I go back on Tuesday and he's going to strip my membranes. He explained to me how and what that is and I'm telling you, I'm not looking forward to that! So, LOTS of prayer for this baby to come out before that day! Here's the other problem. I had a c-section with Zachary and I'm going to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) with this one. He won't induce me because of my c-section. Inducing can cause some problems, which we want to avoid. Also, with the weekend almost here, there could be a problem if I go into labor. It was a hypothetical, but always possible story that he told me...

If a freight train comes through and there's a massive accident and the O.R. team is in surgery and then I come along (previous c-section, doing VBAC), he said it could take me an hour to round up another O.R. team. He wants to have them in place "just in case" I have to have another c-section.

So, I'm still pregnant and still very much ready to be done with the pregnancy.


Other news...we have a banquest tonight SANS children! Maybe I'll be so relaxed that my water will break. Won't my friends love that? LOL