Here's a sideshow of little James' first week with us...
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
This is Chiara
I only have a few minutes. I am still in the hospital. I received two units of blood yesterday. Hopefully that will make me strong enough to start recovering. James is amazing and we miss the big brothers so much! Thank you to my friends and family who have visited and helped out with my kids. You have no idea how much your support has been needed during these last fe days. It means the world to me to know that people out there care for me so much.
He's a great pic i got off Eppie's blog. Now it is back to bed for me.
He's a great pic i got off Eppie's blog. Now it is back to bed for me.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
At Last! We Have A Name!
James Sinclair Yeates
Now before you scratch a hole in your cranium, call CPS to report us for the abuse he's bound to get having this name, laugh, cry, pee yourself, or do whatever else it is you do when you hear 'Sinclair', let me tell you why we chose this name.
His mother.
You see, yesterday I went through a bit of a traumatic experience where one of the possibilities, however remote it was, was that one or both of the ones I loved would not come back through that door. (I know, I know, I'm being melodramatic. But hey. I'm the one writing and you're the one reading. There's always a critic. May your monitor short out, blow up, and make you poop yourself.) Furthermore, my first son is named after me. (Once you're four generations deep with a name, it's kind of an obligatory thing that must continue. Ok, maybe not, but hey, I'm not going to be the one to test those waters. Go ahead and call me a gutless wonder, and may your monitor short out, blow up, and make you poop yourself.) Our second son is kind of a conglomeration (man I LOVE dictionary.com) of both sides of the family. This is also definitely going to be our last journey into the adventures of pregnancy, and considering we have all boys, I decided I wanted our newest little addition to have a namesake relationship with his mommy.
Ok... Now all I need to do is find a masculine version of 'Chiara'...
...
...
Wow. Thanks for giving me a challenge here pops-in-law... You couldn't have named your daughter something simple like Patricia, Carrie, Jodi, Andi, Alexis, Jaime, Riley, Hayden, Regina, Nicolette, Michaela, or any of the gazillion other gender-neutral names that are out there?!
Hmm... What does Google have to say about this?
...
...
No, I don't speak Italian...
...
Wow. There really isn't much out there. Wait a sec! Here's one! LITERALLY one suggestion!!! Sinclair. Hmm. Kinda weird. But I like it! French for "Saint Claire". Now "Chiara" is the Italian equivilent of "Claire" so this is perfect a perfect fit! It's traditional, which we like. It's rare, which is also good. And it's also the name of an oil company with a large chain of gas stations!!! (After all, we do live in Texas!)
So there you have it. James Sinclair Yeates. Like it or not, that's what it is! You can send your complaints to the management, but they won't listen... Now for a gratuitous baby picture!
BTW - Chiara would like me to remind all of you that
And now another gratuitous baby pic...
Baby James with his "Saint"Saturday, January 24, 2009
Announcing... {yet-to-be-named-baby}
Ok Ok. After today, I guess I have to eat some of the words I said yesterday... Hospitals do have their merits (let's see if I can remember this when the bills start coming in). First things first...
Here is the newest addition to the Yeates family, at only 12 minutes old. We haven't decided on a name yet (we can't come to an agreement on something we both like, and if this continues, we'll probably go the Switzerland route and name him James Vernon), but we are happy to announce that he is a healthy little boy. He is 6 pounds 10 ounces and 17 1/2 inches long. He has blue eyes from his daddy, and his hair is darker than his brother's, which probably comes from his mommy. He's more of a mix of mommy and daddy than either of his brothers were, which is nice. Here are more pictures...
Good lungs...
Male-patterned baldness (hopefully it doesn't stay this way)...
Tiny and short.
Despite hospital policy, and thanks to the "video" setting on my phone looking identical to the "camera" setting, I nabbed these as well...
He came to us via an emergency c-section, which was needed due to a lot of blood loss because of a placental abruption. Everything was going well. Petocin was doing it's job, Chiara was having good, consistent contractions, and was making decent progress. The doctor came in around noon and broke her water, and as expected the contractions intensified. After five or six of these, Chiara suddenly said she felt like she was wetting herself and she asked to check to see what was going on. (Yippee!!! I get to peek under the sheets to look for pee!!! HOLY CRAP!!! THAT'S RED PEE! WAIT! THAT'S NOT PEE AT ALL! THAT'S BLOOD! AND A LOT OF IT! THE CULLEN FAMILY COULD FEAST FOR WEEKS OFF THAT! GROSS! WHAT THE HECK AM I THINKING?! GROSS! THAT'S A LOT OF BLOOD! WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO AGAIN? OH YEAH... UM... GO GET A NURSE... WAIT! LEAVE THE SHEETS WITH CHIARA AND THEN GO GET A NURSE!) The nurse comes in all relaxed and easy-going, saying that a little blood is normal and that it's nothing to worry about... and then she peeked under the sheet. I swear I saw at least for different a siren's and alarm bells materialize over her head after she peeked at the exhibit of red under the sheets! She then coolly and contradictorily said that everything was fine. (NOTE: Whenever the first words out of somebodies mouth are "Everything is fine," chances are that everything is NOT fine.) She then smiled and said "That's a little more blood that we like to see."
A LITTLE MORE!? THERE'S ENOUGH THERE TO GO SWIMMING!!!
She ran to go grab the Doctor while another nurse came in to change Chiara's pad. (NOTE: When short-handed, hospital policy does seem to allow for husbands to fill in as orderlies and janitors, and since they are in relation to the patient, giving them gloves and stuff is costly, and therefore unnecessary. GREAT!!!)
We changed Chiara's pad, and just as we had it in place another contraction hit. It was kind of like watching Niagra Falls through red-tinted sunglasses while laying on your side.
We need a new pad.
The Doctor came in and checked things out. She calmly said, "Everything is ok. (Oh Great!!! Now She's doing it too!!!) The baby's heart rate is good, mommy is doing fine, but we may want to consider doing a cesarean at this point."
...
YA THINK!?
After another pad change, the aforementioned peanut gallery came into the room to prep Chiara for the procedure. Amongst the chaos, a person (I don't know who it was because they were all green, and wearing masks and stuff) tossed a bundle of scrubs at me and told me to put them on. Somebody else, I presume it was the QB -err, I mean the Doctor filled me in on the game plan. They were going to get Chiara into the delivery room, give her an epidural, and then bring me in to be there for the main event. Sounds good.
Crashing down the hallway with the gurney and just prior to entering the arena, the Doctor (By this time I figured it out it was her because she's wearing a different facemask than everybody else. Cool. Upgrades.) informs me that the plan has changed and that I am to sit down outside the doors to the "game room" and wait for reports of what's going on, and that as soon as the baby's out, I can go with the baby and the presidential escort to the nursery.
I refuse to sit.
Seconds turn to minutes, turn to hours, turn to centuries...
Report one: The baby's fine. We'll keep you posted... Have a seat.
Eons later (I WILL not sit).
Report two: The baby's fine. We'll keep you posted... Have a seat.
I WILL NOT SIT!!! I sincerely appreciate the update on the baby, but last time I checked, there was someone else in there that I was somewhat concerned about as well...
Still standing in the exact same spot I was when the universe was young...
Report three: Do you hear that? That's your son! He'll be out in a minute.
(As she turns to run back in) WHAT ABOUT MY WIFE!?
Oh yeah... She's fine too. She's asleep. They didn't have time for an epidural, so they used general anesthesia. Everything's fine. They're both doing okay.
This time I believe her.
Moments later out comes the cutest little thing... She's pushing a cart with a bundle of blankets in it. (LOL!!! That was TOTALLY inappropriate!!!) Wait a sec... That's my son in there! Off we go to the nursery. Suddenly everything is the world has disappeared. Time has stopped. As we move down the hallway past the waiting room full people and kids I see nobody. Past the screaming and the laughter and the intercom and the beeping I hear nothing. My entire world has disappeared, or rather, my entire world has just been filled with the tiniest, most beautiful little boy. I can't really explain what I felt in that moment. A singular love so powerful that nothing could compare to it. Everything that I feared, every worry that I had, all the stress and the tension that had built up in me since heaven knew how long, were all gone. Wiped away in an instant, by a little boy smaller than my forearm. Now that's magic. What's more, this is not the first time in my life that I've felt this way before. I'm suddenly flooded with memories of my past. My awakening, my mission, my wedding, and the births of my other sons, Kenny and Nathan, swirl through my mind in a perfect symphony of happiness and joy. Now that's a miracle!
Wait a sec! Where's my wife and how is she doing!?
I run down the hall to her room and she's not there. I guess she's still being worked on. Moments later the doctor comes in. She explains to me that everything went well, that she examined the placenta and that it was healthy, that the cord was attached to it perfectly, and that it had a tiny little area (4 - 6 cm long) where it appears to have started to detach from the uterus.
Thank God for Doctors! Especially this one! She kept everything in my world in it's place, and I will be forever grateful for her for being so good at doing what she does.
Chiara comes in, groggy and moaning, and I inform her everything is ok. "Ahhh-daaa-maa-baaaa-daaa..." She's out cold. One of the nurse's tells me I need to leave, and before I can get mad at being separated from my wife YET AGAIN she suggests I go back to the nursery. OH YEAH!!! I have a son!!!
Back at the nursery, I watch through the windows as nurse checks my baby boy out and gives him is first bath. Yes it's a little bittersweet to watch and not do, but at this point I'm too emotionally drained, and too caught up in the symphony of joy going through my head at seeing my little boy again, to really notice...
Chiara's recovering nicely, and the baby is doing really well. He's a pro at nursing. (Something that my other two boys flunked.) I am grateful to be where I am right now. Being a dad is awesome! Now if I could only nail down the whole provide-for-my-family-thing I'd be set! Oh well... Maybe in another decade...
Now if we can only settle on what to call this kid...
Here is the newest addition to the Yeates family, at only 12 minutes old. We haven't decided on a name yet (we can't come to an agreement on something we both like, and if this continues, we'll probably go the Switzerland route and name him James Vernon), but we are happy to announce that he is a healthy little boy. He is 6 pounds 10 ounces and 17 1/2 inches long. He has blue eyes from his daddy, and his hair is darker than his brother's, which probably comes from his mommy. He's more of a mix of mommy and daddy than either of his brothers were, which is nice. Here are more pictures...
Good lungs...
Male-patterned baldness (hopefully it doesn't stay this way)...
Tiny and short.Despite hospital policy, and thanks to the "video" setting on my phone looking identical to the "camera" setting, I nabbed these as well...
****WARNING****
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH(S) CONTAIN(S) DESCRIPTIONS OF MEDICAL STUFF WHICH SOME PEOPLE MAY FIND GROSS. YOU BUNCH OF WUSSIES. (Just kidding. But seriously, I am going to lay out things as they transpired, including the mentioning of things like blood. If you are squeamish, grab a bucket before you read.)
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH(S) CONTAIN(S) DESCRIPTIONS OF MEDICAL STUFF WHICH SOME PEOPLE MAY FIND GROSS. YOU BUNCH OF WUSSIES. (Just kidding. But seriously, I am going to lay out things as they transpired, including the mentioning of things like blood. If you are squeamish, grab a bucket before you read.)
He came to us via an emergency c-section, which was needed due to a lot of blood loss because of a placental abruption. Everything was going well. Petocin was doing it's job, Chiara was having good, consistent contractions, and was making decent progress. The doctor came in around noon and broke her water, and as expected the contractions intensified. After five or six of these, Chiara suddenly said she felt like she was wetting herself and she asked to check to see what was going on. (Yippee!!! I get to peek under the sheets to look for pee!!! HOLY CRAP!!! THAT'S RED PEE! WAIT! THAT'S NOT PEE AT ALL! THAT'S BLOOD! AND A LOT OF IT! THE CULLEN FAMILY COULD FEAST FOR WEEKS OFF THAT! GROSS! WHAT THE HECK AM I THINKING?! GROSS! THAT'S A LOT OF BLOOD! WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO AGAIN? OH YEAH... UM... GO GET A NURSE... WAIT! LEAVE THE SHEETS WITH CHIARA AND THEN GO GET A NURSE!) The nurse comes in all relaxed and easy-going, saying that a little blood is normal and that it's nothing to worry about... and then she peeked under the sheet. I swear I saw at least for different a siren's and alarm bells materialize over her head after she peeked at the exhibit of red under the sheets! She then coolly and contradictorily said that everything was fine. (NOTE: Whenever the first words out of somebodies mouth are "Everything is fine," chances are that everything is NOT fine.) She then smiled and said "That's a little more blood that we like to see."
A LITTLE MORE!? THERE'S ENOUGH THERE TO GO SWIMMING!!!
She ran to go grab the Doctor while another nurse came in to change Chiara's pad. (NOTE: When short-handed, hospital policy does seem to allow for husbands to fill in as orderlies and janitors, and since they are in relation to the patient, giving them gloves and stuff is costly, and therefore unnecessary. GREAT!!!)
We changed Chiara's pad, and just as we had it in place another contraction hit. It was kind of like watching Niagra Falls through red-tinted sunglasses while laying on your side.
We need a new pad.
The Doctor came in and checked things out. She calmly said, "Everything is ok. (Oh Great!!! Now She's doing it too!!!) The baby's heart rate is good, mommy is doing fine, but we may want to consider doing a cesarean at this point."
...
YA THINK!?
After another pad change, the aforementioned peanut gallery came into the room to prep Chiara for the procedure. Amongst the chaos, a person (I don't know who it was because they were all green, and wearing masks and stuff) tossed a bundle of scrubs at me and told me to put them on. Somebody else, I presume it was the QB -err, I mean the Doctor filled me in on the game plan. They were going to get Chiara into the delivery room, give her an epidural, and then bring me in to be there for the main event. Sounds good.
Crashing down the hallway with the gurney and just prior to entering the arena, the Doctor (By this time I figured it out it was her because she's wearing a different facemask than everybody else. Cool. Upgrades.) informs me that the plan has changed and that I am to sit down outside the doors to the "game room" and wait for reports of what's going on, and that as soon as the baby's out, I can go with the baby and the presidential escort to the nursery.
I refuse to sit.
Seconds turn to minutes, turn to hours, turn to centuries...
Report one: The baby's fine. We'll keep you posted... Have a seat.
Eons later (I WILL not sit).
Report two: The baby's fine. We'll keep you posted... Have a seat.
I WILL NOT SIT!!! I sincerely appreciate the update on the baby, but last time I checked, there was someone else in there that I was somewhat concerned about as well...
Still standing in the exact same spot I was when the universe was young...
Report three: Do you hear that? That's your son! He'll be out in a minute.
(As she turns to run back in) WHAT ABOUT MY WIFE!?
Oh yeah... She's fine too. She's asleep. They didn't have time for an epidural, so they used general anesthesia. Everything's fine. They're both doing okay.
This time I believe her.
Moments later out comes the cutest little thing... She's pushing a cart with a bundle of blankets in it. (LOL!!! That was TOTALLY inappropriate!!!) Wait a sec... That's my son in there! Off we go to the nursery. Suddenly everything is the world has disappeared. Time has stopped. As we move down the hallway past the waiting room full people and kids I see nobody. Past the screaming and the laughter and the intercom and the beeping I hear nothing. My entire world has disappeared, or rather, my entire world has just been filled with the tiniest, most beautiful little boy. I can't really explain what I felt in that moment. A singular love so powerful that nothing could compare to it. Everything that I feared, every worry that I had, all the stress and the tension that had built up in me since heaven knew how long, were all gone. Wiped away in an instant, by a little boy smaller than my forearm. Now that's magic. What's more, this is not the first time in my life that I've felt this way before. I'm suddenly flooded with memories of my past. My awakening, my mission, my wedding, and the births of my other sons, Kenny and Nathan, swirl through my mind in a perfect symphony of happiness and joy. Now that's a miracle!
Wait a sec! Where's my wife and how is she doing!?
I run down the hall to her room and she's not there. I guess she's still being worked on. Moments later the doctor comes in. She explains to me that everything went well, that she examined the placenta and that it was healthy, that the cord was attached to it perfectly, and that it had a tiny little area (4 - 6 cm long) where it appears to have started to detach from the uterus.
Thank God for Doctors! Especially this one! She kept everything in my world in it's place, and I will be forever grateful for her for being so good at doing what she does.
Chiara comes in, groggy and moaning, and I inform her everything is ok. "Ahhh-daaa-maa-baaaa-daaa..." She's out cold. One of the nurse's tells me I need to leave, and before I can get mad at being separated from my wife YET AGAIN she suggests I go back to the nursery. OH YEAH!!! I have a son!!!
Back at the nursery, I watch through the windows as nurse checks my baby boy out and gives him is first bath. Yes it's a little bittersweet to watch and not do, but at this point I'm too emotionally drained, and too caught up in the symphony of joy going through my head at seeing my little boy again, to really notice...
Chiara's recovering nicely, and the baby is doing really well. He's a pro at nursing. (Something that my other two boys flunked.) I am grateful to be where I am right now. Being a dad is awesome! Now if I could only nail down the whole provide-for-my-family-thing I'd be set! Oh well... Maybe in another decade...
Now if we can only settle on what to call this kid...
Friday, January 23, 2009
What About Dad?
So Chiara, Nathan, and I just got back from pre-registration at the hospital. It was a wonderful event. Nathan and I played "Lightning McQueen" while Chiara was "processed". Processing entails gobs of paperwork... legal forms, releases of liability, blood work, AIDS tests, terrorist screenings, animal sacrifices, an so on...
...done in quadrouplicate...
...you forgot to initial sub-paragraph j of section 3, part f, subpart 17, line-item 20...
...we need you to attach your signature, a thumb print in blood here, and your first-born attached here...
...Now let's move on the the paperwork for your baby...
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!! Apparently now kids come out of the womb with a law degree of some sort. Either that, or the hospital is extremely paranoid about...
...come closer, I'll whisper it to you...
...you know... the "L" word...
Liability.
Nah... Hospitals and Insurance companies are more than happy to listen to your concerns, and address your needs. All you have to do is ask. They are more than happy to listen, and then address your concerns... by telling you "NO. Sorry, our policy bla bla bla bla bla..."
Apparently, if you really want to have your concerns/needs addressed by large organizations, you have to either be wealthy, powerful, or you have to hire a lawer and sue (which also requires money). God bless America!!!
After all the paperwork was done, we asked if we could tour the facility to get a better idea of what to expect. The nurse nodded her head and said, "Yeah. That makes sense, but unfortunately, NO. We can't do that. All of our rooms are full."
Understandable... Adding more people to the peanut gallery that has full access to spread-eagled-popping-screaming-naked-women-writhing-in-pain is not something the hospital will allow. Good to know...
"What about the nursery?"
"No."
"Umm... any facilites???"
"You can walk around this room we're currently in."
"Gee, Thanks... Could we get at least get textual description of the facilities?!"
{thoughtful pause} "Ok."
HOLY CRAP!!!!
During this process it was brought to my attention that the Dr. would be performing the circumcision... Great. This is the same Dr. who laughed at me after my last son's birth because I asked her if I could be there with my son when he was circumcised. This is not going to happen. Oh well... I guess that will just have to be a special experience I share with just my first-born... At least I still get to do the other stuff... you know... like give him his first bath, brush his hair, dress him, and all of those other things I do to bond with my newly born child.
"No, you don't."
Apparently you have to be a trained specialist to do this in Texas, because when it comes to things like baths, there are too many security and liability concerns to let anybody other than hospital staff do this job.... Oh and Dad's are considered to be complete-freaking-morons, who can barely walk and chew gum at the same time.
"By the way, we also drowned your kitten, and shot bambi..."
So, I have a few special memories of getting to be involved with my oldest, a couple with my second, and I get to take pictures of other people handling my son this time...
"No. No pictures allowed in the nursery area due to privacy and security issues..."
HOLY #@&*!!!! (In case you were wondering, the # in that word doesn't stand for 'S'.)
Well... on the bright side, at least I've been forewarned that my Dad duties will be taken care of for me. I can at least spend this moment getting it out of my system, so that I can be there for my wife, which is my most important duty of all. (I don't really get how cheering "GO TEAM GO! helps the process out much, but I'll be full-on ready to do my part when it comes time! That is... IF hospital policies allow for it...)
Seriously, I am a little hurt and disappointed that so many of ways that I have personally bonded with my other boys have been squashed out of the picture for this go-around with such complete indifference. I was really looking forward to that stuff... I understand that I'm not like most guys because I really, really enjoy being involved from the very beginning. I know I'm being totally selfish right now and that I'm not going to be the one on the table in excruciating agony tomorrow, but I am the father, dammit, and I DO MATTER!
Thank you for bearing with me through this, and now that I have this off my chest, I can get back to my most important duty of all, supporting my beautiful wife while she brings our precious little boy into the world. She is truly amazing, and I love her with all that I am, and I am grateful that she puts up with these bouts of selfish tirades that I succomb to from time to time. I don't know how she does what she does, or how it is that she is able to tolerate me, but I do know one thing. I know that I am very lucky to have her.
...done in quadrouplicate...
...you forgot to initial sub-paragraph j of section 3, part f, subpart 17, line-item 20...
...we need you to attach your signature, a thumb print in blood here, and your first-born attached here...
...Now let's move on the the paperwork for your baby...
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!! Apparently now kids come out of the womb with a law degree of some sort. Either that, or the hospital is extremely paranoid about...
...come closer, I'll whisper it to you...
...you know... the "L" word...
Liability.
Nah... Hospitals and Insurance companies are more than happy to listen to your concerns, and address your needs. All you have to do is ask. They are more than happy to listen, and then address your concerns... by telling you "NO. Sorry, our policy bla bla bla bla bla..."
Apparently, if you really want to have your concerns/needs addressed by large organizations, you have to either be wealthy, powerful, or you have to hire a lawer and sue (which also requires money). God bless America!!!
After all the paperwork was done, we asked if we could tour the facility to get a better idea of what to expect. The nurse nodded her head and said, "Yeah. That makes sense, but unfortunately, NO. We can't do that. All of our rooms are full."
Understandable... Adding more people to the peanut gallery that has full access to spread-eagled-popping-screaming-naked-women-writhing-in-pain is not something the hospital will allow. Good to know...
"What about the nursery?"
"No."
"Umm... any facilites???"
"You can walk around this room we're currently in."
"Gee, Thanks... Could we get at least get textual description of the facilities?!"
{thoughtful pause} "Ok."
HOLY CRAP!!!!
During this process it was brought to my attention that the Dr. would be performing the circumcision... Great. This is the same Dr. who laughed at me after my last son's birth because I asked her if I could be there with my son when he was circumcised. This is not going to happen. Oh well... I guess that will just have to be a special experience I share with just my first-born... At least I still get to do the other stuff... you know... like give him his first bath, brush his hair, dress him, and all of those other things I do to bond with my newly born child.
"No, you don't."
Apparently you have to be a trained specialist to do this in Texas, because when it comes to things like baths, there are too many security and liability concerns to let anybody other than hospital staff do this job.... Oh and Dad's are considered to be complete-freaking-morons, who can barely walk and chew gum at the same time.
"By the way, we also drowned your kitten, and shot bambi..."
So, I have a few special memories of getting to be involved with my oldest, a couple with my second, and I get to take pictures of other people handling my son this time...
"No. No pictures allowed in the nursery area due to privacy and security issues..."
HOLY #@&*!!!! (In case you were wondering, the # in that word doesn't stand for 'S'.)
Well... on the bright side, at least I've been forewarned that my Dad duties will be taken care of for me. I can at least spend this moment getting it out of my system, so that I can be there for my wife, which is my most important duty of all. (I don't really get how cheering "GO TEAM GO! helps the process out much, but I'll be full-on ready to do my part when it comes time! That is... IF hospital policies allow for it...)
Seriously, I am a little hurt and disappointed that so many of ways that I have personally bonded with my other boys have been squashed out of the picture for this go-around with such complete indifference. I was really looking forward to that stuff... I understand that I'm not like most guys because I really, really enjoy being involved from the very beginning. I know I'm being totally selfish right now and that I'm not going to be the one on the table in excruciating agony tomorrow, but I am the father, dammit, and I DO MATTER!
Thank you for bearing with me through this, and now that I have this off my chest, I can get back to my most important duty of all, supporting my beautiful wife while she brings our precious little boy into the world. She is truly amazing, and I love her with all that I am, and I am grateful that she puts up with these bouts of selfish tirades that I succomb to from time to time. I don't know how she does what she does, or how it is that she is able to tolerate me, but I do know one thing. I know that I am very lucky to have her.
Baby Factory
My brother and sister-in-law Ashlyn had their baby girl yesterday. Emmaline Ruth- and she is adorable! I'm sure I've mentioned this on my blog before, but my family has been a baby factory this year. I did the math and there was one week in May when myself and all 4 of my siblings and my hubby's sister were all expecting. Of course, everyone but my sister last May had a girl.
Here's the run down (using my sibling's name as the parent):
May- Gavin (Marissa)
September- Hailey (Jonny)
November- Norah (David)
January- Lila (Margaret)
January- Emmaline (Mike)
and....
January- ME!
This will put my parents at 9 grandchildren and my in-laws at 8.
May- Gavin (Marissa)
September- Hailey (Jonny)
November- Norah (David)
January- Lila (Margaret)
January- Emmaline (Mike)
and....
January- ME!
This will put my parents at 9 grandchildren and my in-laws at 8.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
An End is in Sight
I honestly have no idea how I am still pregnant. I talked to my doctor this morning and she is a bit surprised as well. Anyway, unless my body figures out how this is supposed to work, I have an induction scheduled for Saturday morning. That is the earliest she feels comfortable given lung development. But she is worried that his movements have dramatically decreased even for this late in the game. The constant contractions are stressful on his body as well as mine. Even though they are mostly Braxton Hicks, they never stop and are never less than 20 minutes apart- usually closer- around the clock.
So Saturday, probably by lunch time. Who knows...maybe I'll go on my own before then (ha ha ha!)
So Saturday, probably by lunch time. Who knows...maybe I'll go on my own before then (ha ha ha!)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Nathan in Primary (Pics)
Enjoy!
Primary
I forgot to mention Nathan started Primary a few weeks ago. He wasn't terribly happy about it, but he goes without a fuss. And yesterday, Kenny gave his first talk all by himself. He stood up so tall, talked loudly and with confidence, and read his talk without help.
I sat in the back and almost started to cry. I could see Nathan sitting with his class looking so tiny even in the little chairs. And Kenny at the podium reading like a big kid. I don't remember giving my kids permission to grow up so fast! It makes me so grateful that my baby days aren't over and I get to have another little man. (Don't worry- I know I'll be blogging a different tune in a few weeks when I am severely sleep deprived.)
I sat in the back and almost started to cry. I could see Nathan sitting with his class looking so tiny even in the little chairs. And Kenny at the podium reading like a big kid. I don't remember giving my kids permission to grow up so fast! It makes me so grateful that my baby days aren't over and I get to have another little man. (Don't worry- I know I'll be blogging a different tune in a few weeks when I am severely sleep deprived.)
A Little About Nathan
Sometimes I post an interview with Kenny. I can't interview Nathan because he doesn't understand what I'm asking. So I thought I would post a little about what our little Naters is like at almost 4 years old.Nathan's favorite food is cheeseburgers. he likes to have flavor in his food and he usually won't eat a lot od mac & cheese without salsa. His favorite movie by far is Wall-E. Lightening McQueen follows in a close second. Every night he prays for Jesus, Heavenly Father, Miss Rachel (his babysitter), and hot dogs.
He hates to be left behind if anyone is going anywhere. He loves to go to stores and restaurants.
He is one of those '"stay quiet in the the background" kind of kids, which usually means he gets away with things because he isn't in you face. However, when he is unhappy he has a scream that sounds like a ring wraith from Lord of the Rings. He has figured out if you hang quietly with the grownups you tend to get little treats and sips of sodas. Though his hair has darkened, he is still a little towhead. He has big bluish-green eyes, long lashes, pale skin with pink cheeks, and naturally pouty lips. If I let his hair grow out he has bouncing curls. He would have been a knock-out little girl. And let me tell you, he knows how to use those lips and eyes to manipulate! I have never seen a kid who can pout like he can.
He likes to play with cars, Star Wars with his bubba, and anything Little Einsteins. His life ambition is to ride on a school bus. And he thinks there is a baby in his tummy, only it is much smaller than mommy's (his words).
He's started trying to develop a sense of humor. He'll say odd little things and bust up laughing. Yesterday at church, he was looking at Papa (the bishop) on the stand and he suddenly used his fingers to pull his lips apart and stick out his tongue. Never done that before.
He's torn between wanting to be a big boy with the whole "I do it" thing and wanting to be the baby. We hope that having a new baby will push him into growing up, but I have a fear it may cause him to revert a bit. I guess we'll see.
This is Nathan, being Daddy.
I go to the doctor this afternoon. Hopefully my next post will have a picture of my three little boys!
I go to the doctor this afternoon. Hopefully my next post will have a picture of my three little boys!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Just when I thought I'd heard it all!
Having a blue tart on your roof is a magnet for contractors. They all basically say the same thing.
An example is this guy yesterday:
"So, anyone going to help you with your roof?"
No, we like it with a half torn tarp, thanks for asking.
"Well, we will get more money from your insurance company for you if we get the job."
They all say that.
We use the same software as the adjusters.
They all say that.
"We can get more so you don't pay part out of pocket"
We are happy with the settlement we received. It should cover the costs. We have already had a few estimates. (Especially if you deal fair- and I get the sense you won't.)
"Well, we have a guy who isn't a lawyer but he thinks like one. (What kind of sales pitch is that, ya moron!) I'll just ask you three simple questions and if we can get you more money we get the job."
Hmm, let me think....NO! Go away!!
Later that afternoon this other guy came to the door. Wow is about all I can say. Ken answered the door and I came halfway down the steps. Here's how it went down.
"Your mom home?"
"What?"
"I've got 12 crews of men ready and we can have you a new roof next week. Want us to get started?"
"Uh, we already have someone (we don't but this usually makes them back off). We are just waiting for the check to clear the bank"
"We'll start and you can pay us after you get the money. Why don't you tell your mom?"
At this point I pipe in and say, "This is our house."
He glances up at me and says, "There you are. I know. I was just telling him that we could get you a new roof next week." He glances back to Ken and back to me before he clues in.
"Oh, this is your house. You just look really young and there are a lot of retirees in the neighborhood. So, you want us to get started?"
NO! No, no, no, no, NO!!!!
Ken shut the door and we just stared at each other.
"Do I really look that old", I said.
"Do I really look that young?"
An example is this guy yesterday:
"So, anyone going to help you with your roof?"
No, we like it with a half torn tarp, thanks for asking.
"Well, we will get more money from your insurance company for you if we get the job."
They all say that.
We use the same software as the adjusters.
They all say that.
"We can get more so you don't pay part out of pocket"
We are happy with the settlement we received. It should cover the costs. We have already had a few estimates. (Especially if you deal fair- and I get the sense you won't.)
"Well, we have a guy who isn't a lawyer but he thinks like one. (What kind of sales pitch is that, ya moron!) I'll just ask you three simple questions and if we can get you more money we get the job."
Hmm, let me think....NO! Go away!!
Later that afternoon this other guy came to the door. Wow is about all I can say. Ken answered the door and I came halfway down the steps. Here's how it went down.
"Your mom home?"
"What?"
"I've got 12 crews of men ready and we can have you a new roof next week. Want us to get started?"
"Uh, we already have someone (we don't but this usually makes them back off). We are just waiting for the check to clear the bank"
"We'll start and you can pay us after you get the money. Why don't you tell your mom?"
At this point I pipe in and say, "This is our house."
He glances up at me and says, "There you are. I know. I was just telling him that we could get you a new roof next week." He glances back to Ken and back to me before he clues in.
"Oh, this is your house. You just look really young and there are a lot of retirees in the neighborhood. So, you want us to get started?"
NO! No, no, no, no, NO!!!!
Ken shut the door and we just stared at each other.
"Do I really look that old", I said.
"Do I really look that young?"
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
37 Week Doctor Appt.
I went to the doctor this afternoon. I had called them earlier in the day because around 2:00am I started having some intense contractions every five minutes for about 40 seconds each time. I couldn't even rest between contractions because I was having back labor and that does not let up ever! This went on for about 5 hours. I wasn't sure if I should go to the hospital because though the contractions were very regular and border lining on really painful, they were not increasing in intensity over time. They just stayed the same. I knew if I went to the hospital that they would just send me home. The contractions finally fizzled out around 10:00 in the morning and became more intermittent and pattern-free.
The doctor said I am between a 4 and a 5. Most women would be in active labor in the hospital by this time, but not me. She said my body is trying to go into active labor, but it just won't yet. If I were having a girl she would break my water, but baby boys have more trouble with under-developed lungs and she doesn't want to force him out if he isn't ready. If I keep up the pace I am going at and considering my progress thus far, I could easily have this baby at any time so I need to be ready to dash to the hospital. I could also stay in this state for another week. Who knows? I got a prescription for a sleep pill to help get me through the night and I should take a supped-up Tylenol to get me through the days when I'm working.
In other news, my sister-in-law Margaret had her baby girl last night- 9 pounds, 21 3/4 inches. They think her name will be Lila Grace. Congrats!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Nathan Made Improvements
Nathan got some stickers with letter Ll and "L" words. He meticulously spent 20 minutes placing each one in the proper position on his sweater. He was very proud of his work and pranced around for about 10 minutes showing off afterwards. However, the novelty of being covered in stickers wore off and he decided that Piper was too plain looking with only a little bow in her fur.He decided to spruce her up.
She sat there and let him sticker all over her. Nathan was very happy with the improvements. I can't say the same for Piper, but she was very patient.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Email conversation with Kenny's Teacher
I wrote:The lessons you are teaching are certainly making an impact. Kenny was telling me about filling invisible buckets with kindness last night. Of course, in true Kenny fashion, he also reversed the logic. Every time I asked him to do anything he didn’t feel he should have to do- like clear his dinner dishes or go to bed- he would give me the meanest scowl and say, “Mom! You’re dumping out my bucket. That’s not kind. You have to be kind, Mrs. Wulf said!!”
Goodness, he sure can be creative. We are very grateful you are doing such a great job with him. He loves school and raves about you.
Have a good afternoon!
Mrs. Wulf's reply:
Well as funny as that is, I wish I could take the credit. Our school counselor, Mrs. Dunn, came into read a story and talked about the bucket filling up with good feelings and that our bucket can get emptied when someone hurts our feelings or doesn't do what we ask them to do.
I, then, have been saying that my bucket is either filling up or getting empty based on their behavior. Hehe. I laughed so hard when I was reading it....
This is too cute. Can I forward this to Mrs. Dunn?
Mrs. Wulf
I replied:
I don’t mind if you forward this. Kenny uses a lot of things he learns at school to try to get his way. He tried to use patterning to get out of taking a shower over Thanksgiving.
She said:
You make me laugh so hard....I assure you that I did not have any thing to do with that one!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Getting Ready for Baby
I reached 9 months!
We all went back to school and work on Monday. We spent last weekend getting ready for the baby. We went to a resale shop to get a changing table, a changing table pad, and a few little other things that didn't survive the other two kiddos. We went on to Target to register. I am having a a baby shower at work next week. Since I already have two boys people wanted me to register so they would know what I actually needed. We set up all the baby things, folded all the clothes, and organized the diapering stuff. We are ready!
I have spent the beginning of this week finishing prepping for my maternity leave at work. I made a little book detailing out every minute of everyday and how to teach my class. I wrote out where to find things and little tips about certain students. I also planned as much curriculum as I possibly could months in advance. I have written out my homework sheets until the end of March and I even typed out my Valentine's Day party list. I'm as ready in that area as I can be.
I went to the doctor today and I am 3 cm. I could stay like this for a few more weeks...or have the baby tomorrow. Who knows?!?
While waiting for the doctor, I got thinking. I have spent a sizable amount of the last two years pregnant. I has not been easy in many ways. I remembered all the visits to this same exam room that were filled with bad news. And now we are here- about to have the baby we have wanted for two years. What a wonderful blessing. We are so excited to have our new little man join us. And no...we don't have a name yet. But the list has narrowed down.
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