So Elizabeth started doing this new thing where she refuses to nurse on my left side. Only, I didn't figure that out until last week. I would just try to feed here and she would scream and cry. I didn't understand. Last Tuesday was such a day. I couldn't get her to eat all afternoon. Tension was high. Then Isaac was whining about wanting something, I can't remember what, but I started singing the Rolling Stones' song "You Can't Always Get What You Want." I really thought I was just singing it to myself to keep from going crazy. I didn't think he was listening. Then about 15 min later my mom and I were talking and what do we hear in the background? Isaac in the living room singing "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Talk about a tension reliever!
Wed night I started vomiting and continued to do so all night. I tried to nurse Elizabeth at 4am when she woke up, but almost fainted. So I called my mom to come over in the morning and thankfully she stayed all day to help me. I don't know how I would've done it, because I couldn't stay out of bed for more than an hour. Keith came home and took over for her. Except about an hour or two after my mom left, while Keith was getting ready to give the boys their dinner, Isaac did a somersault out of his booster chair, landed flat on his face, and knocked his two front teeth loose. Lots of screaming on everyone's part, even Keith's. Lots of blood and panic. My nausea left me instantly as I scrambled to call my mother back over to watch Josiah and Elizabeth while we took Isaac to the dentist. Thankfully our dentist is an emergency dentist so he was able to see Isaac right away. X-rays looked good, the teeth weren't broken. Dentist said they would probably tighten up in a couple days (which I didn't know teeth could do) and if there was any damage to the roots they would likely turn black within months or a year. If that does happen we could have them pulled or have some kind of coating put on them. Gave us a script for an antibiotic. Told us to give him Tylenol or Motrin as needed. Soft diet. Home we went. Oh yeah, all this was happening as a blizzard was moving through too.
Fri am Keith decided to work from home due to the previous night's drama and the bad weather. Again, I am thankful because Isaac then began vomiting at 6:45am. So not only did he have a sore mouth to cope with, but also my stomach bug. He couldn't keep anything down all day long. Poor little guy. My dad came over to take care of Isaac and Josiah while I took Elizabeth to her hip ultrasound and appointment with her orthopedic doctor.
More bad news. The harness she's wearing for her hip dysplasia isn't helping much so far. Her ultrasound revealed that her hip is still sitting rather high in the socket and the socket is only formed at a 43 degree angle. It needs to be about a 60 degree angle. The treatment is to persist with the harness for now, but she can only wear it until she's 6 months old. After that she's too big. If her hip is not formed properly by then, she will be anesthetized, a dye will be injected into her hip, and an x-ray will be done to see if there is anything in the socket (ligaments, fatty tissue, etc.) that's preventing the hip from sitting in it correctly. If something is found, she will have surgery, and then be placed in a body cast that will immobilize her. If nothing is found in the socket, she will still be placed in a body cast that will immobilize her. Neither of these are good options so we are earnestly praying for divine healing. If it comes to surgery Keith and I will likely get a second opinion.
Ok so that was last Fri. Not much happened Saturday that I can remember. Sunday we went to church and were lucky enough to go out on a date. My mom, bless her heart, watched the kids for us again. We went to Taipei Tokyo for sushi, dumplings, and chinese chicken and vegetables. Yum. Oh yeah, on our way out the door Josiah fell down the steps. I'm tempted to say, "What else can go wrong?" but I know better. Things could always be much much worse. Josiah really only fell down a few steps and nothing was hurt but his pride. Keith was there to catch him before he fell to the bottom. Also, Josiah pretty much falls down steps on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
Here's to a better week!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
OVERWHELMED!
Overwhelmed is the buzz word for the weekend. Woke up 3:30am Sat. Fed Elizabeth, put everyone in the van, and headed back for Pgh. Made it home by around 12:30. Unloaded the van, unpacked suitcases and toiletry bags. Tried to organize toys somewhat. Remember, we never had time to organize Christmas gifts from our house and my mom's house before we left for Michigan, so we still had all that to do.
The Christmas tree stunk-but that's another story. So we put all children in their beds/cribs for naps while we undecorated. That pretty much took up the entire afternoon and part of the evening. We vowed to do it differently next year as about 5 ornaments got broken this year, and I ended up undecorating the entire bottom half of the tree about 3 weeks ago because the boys just couldn't leave it alone. Again, that's another story.
Threw dinner together (rice and vegetables-yum) and took Isaac with me to the grocery store. Didn't leave for the store until 6:45pm, so I didn't get home until around 8:15pm. Put Isaac to bed, again tried to organize and put away Christmas gifts some more, fed Elizabeth, showered, made it into bed around 11pm.
Made it to church this am-hooray! Came home, fed the boys lunch, then began a vast purging of toys upstairs and down. I think we ended up with at least 3 garbage bags full of old, worn, or unpopular toys to donate to Goodwill, plus some went in the trash, plus some were simply handed down to Elizabeth. Naptime came and I actually put the Cars movie in for Isaac while I prepared dinner, which took longer than I planned. After dinner I finally took out all of the Christmas gifts we brought home from my parents' house for the boys. Got almost everything out of the packaging and sorted it all out. We decided we're going to purchase another 9-compartment storage shelving thingy from Lowe's for the family room to keep the toys in order. I also kept a couple of things in the packaging to pull out at a later date for sort of a surprise new toy. Wish I would've done that with more of their gifts. Have to remember that for next year.
I ended the evening with a frigid walk outside with Maggie. It had to be done, and now that's it's over I'm glad I did it.
Now it's time to feed Elizabeth for the final time tonight, then get my shower.
This was the year of the matchbox car and all things wheels-Isaac got a total of at least 20 matchbox cars plus 4-5 bigger things on wheels. Josiah received about 15 matchbox cars in all plus at least 4-5 bigger things on wheels. Favorites? For Isaac I would have to say it's this bulldozer thingy that revs up and makes sparks. For Josiah it would be this big semi-truck with a back-ho (sp?) on it. While we are totally overwhelmed with how much stuff our children have, we are grateful to have such wonderful families who love our kids and do nice things for them for Christmas.
I haven't even gotten to Elizabeth's things yet though! Thank goodness she's not old enough to care.
The Christmas tree stunk-but that's another story. So we put all children in their beds/cribs for naps while we undecorated. That pretty much took up the entire afternoon and part of the evening. We vowed to do it differently next year as about 5 ornaments got broken this year, and I ended up undecorating the entire bottom half of the tree about 3 weeks ago because the boys just couldn't leave it alone. Again, that's another story.
Threw dinner together (rice and vegetables-yum) and took Isaac with me to the grocery store. Didn't leave for the store until 6:45pm, so I didn't get home until around 8:15pm. Put Isaac to bed, again tried to organize and put away Christmas gifts some more, fed Elizabeth, showered, made it into bed around 11pm.
Made it to church this am-hooray! Came home, fed the boys lunch, then began a vast purging of toys upstairs and down. I think we ended up with at least 3 garbage bags full of old, worn, or unpopular toys to donate to Goodwill, plus some went in the trash, plus some were simply handed down to Elizabeth. Naptime came and I actually put the Cars movie in for Isaac while I prepared dinner, which took longer than I planned. After dinner I finally took out all of the Christmas gifts we brought home from my parents' house for the boys. Got almost everything out of the packaging and sorted it all out. We decided we're going to purchase another 9-compartment storage shelving thingy from Lowe's for the family room to keep the toys in order. I also kept a couple of things in the packaging to pull out at a later date for sort of a surprise new toy. Wish I would've done that with more of their gifts. Have to remember that for next year.
I ended the evening with a frigid walk outside with Maggie. It had to be done, and now that's it's over I'm glad I did it.
Now it's time to feed Elizabeth for the final time tonight, then get my shower.
This was the year of the matchbox car and all things wheels-Isaac got a total of at least 20 matchbox cars plus 4-5 bigger things on wheels. Josiah received about 15 matchbox cars in all plus at least 4-5 bigger things on wheels. Favorites? For Isaac I would have to say it's this bulldozer thingy that revs up and makes sparks. For Josiah it would be this big semi-truck with a back-ho (sp?) on it. While we are totally overwhelmed with how much stuff our children have, we are grateful to have such wonderful families who love our kids and do nice things for them for Christmas.
I haven't even gotten to Elizabeth's things yet though! Thank goodness she's not old enough to care.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Hello 2010!
Keith and I were just discussing this morning what a big year it would be for each of our kids.
Elizabeth: by the end of this year she will likely be walking and talking, perhaps even imitating some of the things we do like talk on the phone. She will hopefully love books as much as her brothers do too. I kind of hope she'll still be nursing a little, but I bet she'll be onto sippy cups too.
Josiah: by the end of this year he will be 2 1/2, so he may or may not become interested in the potty. He will definitely be speaking in sentences and paragraphs, mimicking us even more. He will likely learn to sing songs like his big brother does now too, and will probably recognize at least some of his letters and numbers, should recognize his colors and shapes too.
Isaac: Keith and I pray earnestly that Isaac will be potty trained by the end of 2010! In fact, we're beginning anew when he turns 3 in a few weeks. We've been practicing saying, "Good-bye diapers, hello under-bunder-boos!" This morning Isaac put his pants on all by himself and it made me realize he may very well be dressing himself by the end of the year. I bet he'll become a master of letters and numbers, and may even recognize some words. He already recognizes his name, which is cool. Who knows what else? We plan on buying him a bike this summer. I bet he needs the training wheels for a while, but it will still be exciting to see him ride it!
How could I forget the biggest, most important, and perhaps the most challenging resolution of 2010...TO NOT GET PREGNANT! I always say over and over again how much I truly believe that children are a wonderful blessing and gift from God, and I'm so thankful for our fertility, but I sure could use a break! Keith and I look forward to a new phase in our marriage-the phase where I'm actually not pregnant!
Elizabeth: by the end of this year she will likely be walking and talking, perhaps even imitating some of the things we do like talk on the phone. She will hopefully love books as much as her brothers do too. I kind of hope she'll still be nursing a little, but I bet she'll be onto sippy cups too.
Josiah: by the end of this year he will be 2 1/2, so he may or may not become interested in the potty. He will definitely be speaking in sentences and paragraphs, mimicking us even more. He will likely learn to sing songs like his big brother does now too, and will probably recognize at least some of his letters and numbers, should recognize his colors and shapes too.
Isaac: Keith and I pray earnestly that Isaac will be potty trained by the end of 2010! In fact, we're beginning anew when he turns 3 in a few weeks. We've been practicing saying, "Good-bye diapers, hello under-bunder-boos!" This morning Isaac put his pants on all by himself and it made me realize he may very well be dressing himself by the end of the year. I bet he'll become a master of letters and numbers, and may even recognize some words. He already recognizes his name, which is cool. Who knows what else? We plan on buying him a bike this summer. I bet he needs the training wheels for a while, but it will still be exciting to see him ride it!
How could I forget the biggest, most important, and perhaps the most challenging resolution of 2010...TO NOT GET PREGNANT! I always say over and over again how much I truly believe that children are a wonderful blessing and gift from God, and I'm so thankful for our fertility, but I sure could use a break! Keith and I look forward to a new phase in our marriage-the phase where I'm actually not pregnant!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Final Blog for 2009-Stream of Consciousness Style
Today the screaming and crying on Josiah & Elizabeth's part, and the disobedience on Isaac's part, made me want to lock them in a padded room, put my New Balance on and run far, far away.
All in the same day I can feel like running away, crying for joy, crying for help, despairing, the elation of a tender moment of brotherly love when Isaac hugs Josiah good morning and then comes over to kiss Elizabeth and tell her he loves her, the frustration of having to "put out fires" all day long to keep the kids from melting down, and the sweetness of watching them sleep peacefully each and every night when I check on them before going to bed myself. Ah, the beauty of motherhood. That's what it's like when you have 3 under 3.
One thing that gives me total satisfaction is that after Keith returned from a two-week trip to China for the second time just before Christmas, my mother told him that she has a new respect for me. My kids stress her out.
On a positive note, this has been the best visit to Grand Rapids we've ever made. Because we've been here for the entire week, there was no rush to run around and fit all of our visits in. I truly wish that Keith and I were from the same town, so that all of our family were in the same place. I really wish we saw more of Keith's family. I really want my kids to know them. I don't just mean Keith's mom, dad, and Nana's, I mean aunts, uncles, and cousins too. Everyone.
It's been so long since I've blogged, will anyone even read this? Is anyone even following my blog anymore?
As usual, I haven't met a single New Year's resolution for 2009. One of them was to lose weight. I'm not making excuses, but I did get pregnant and just give birth 2 1/2 months ago. Another was to read at least 2 books a month. Again, I was doing quite well with that one until Elizabeth was born. I'm still in the middle of a book called Floods Upon the Dry Grounds. It isn't that it's not a good book. I literally get no time to read at all. I have almost finished the December issue of (How to Be a Bad) Parents magazine, however. I remember one of my resolutions being to come up with a house cleaning schedule. Yeah, right. Also, to get caught up on my kids' scrapbooks. Whatev.
Resolutions for 2010? I will carry over the resolutions to get in shape and read an average of 2 books per month. Why? Because my weight has reached an all-time high while my fitness level has reached an all-time low. Also because I love reading and I believe that it's important to read to learn new things. I will always strive to keep a clean house-no need for a resolution there. I am giving up on scrapbooking temporarily though. My friends who scrap are just now doing their 6-year-old's baby books. I'm letting go of that one.
What else can I say besides I love my husband, I love my kids, I love being a stay-at-home-mom and a housewife, and I'll never give up on being the absolute best mom and wife there is in the whole wide world.
All in the same day I can feel like running away, crying for joy, crying for help, despairing, the elation of a tender moment of brotherly love when Isaac hugs Josiah good morning and then comes over to kiss Elizabeth and tell her he loves her, the frustration of having to "put out fires" all day long to keep the kids from melting down, and the sweetness of watching them sleep peacefully each and every night when I check on them before going to bed myself. Ah, the beauty of motherhood. That's what it's like when you have 3 under 3.
One thing that gives me total satisfaction is that after Keith returned from a two-week trip to China for the second time just before Christmas, my mother told him that she has a new respect for me. My kids stress her out.
On a positive note, this has been the best visit to Grand Rapids we've ever made. Because we've been here for the entire week, there was no rush to run around and fit all of our visits in. I truly wish that Keith and I were from the same town, so that all of our family were in the same place. I really wish we saw more of Keith's family. I really want my kids to know them. I don't just mean Keith's mom, dad, and Nana's, I mean aunts, uncles, and cousins too. Everyone.
It's been so long since I've blogged, will anyone even read this? Is anyone even following my blog anymore?
As usual, I haven't met a single New Year's resolution for 2009. One of them was to lose weight. I'm not making excuses, but I did get pregnant and just give birth 2 1/2 months ago. Another was to read at least 2 books a month. Again, I was doing quite well with that one until Elizabeth was born. I'm still in the middle of a book called Floods Upon the Dry Grounds. It isn't that it's not a good book. I literally get no time to read at all. I have almost finished the December issue of (How to Be a Bad) Parents magazine, however. I remember one of my resolutions being to come up with a house cleaning schedule. Yeah, right. Also, to get caught up on my kids' scrapbooks. Whatev.
Resolutions for 2010? I will carry over the resolutions to get in shape and read an average of 2 books per month. Why? Because my weight has reached an all-time high while my fitness level has reached an all-time low. Also because I love reading and I believe that it's important to read to learn new things. I will always strive to keep a clean house-no need for a resolution there. I am giving up on scrapbooking temporarily though. My friends who scrap are just now doing their 6-year-old's baby books. I'm letting go of that one.
What else can I say besides I love my husband, I love my kids, I love being a stay-at-home-mom and a housewife, and I'll never give up on being the absolute best mom and wife there is in the whole wide world.
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Promised Post
Promised a friend I'd blog soon-so here goes!
Elizabeth is now 1 month old. She is a pleasant little baby. I could use some longer sleep stretches at night, but I won't complain. She sleeps between feedings, what more could I ask for? She is also still wearing her little body harness for her hip dysplasia. Another ultrasound is scheduled for 12/11.
Isaac is such a big boy, but still not interested in potty training at all. He loves music. In fact, he and Josiah are enrolled in a Kindermusik class right now. It's so funny to see how all of the girls in the class do exactly as they're told, and all of the boys are totally marching to the beat of their own drum. Such a contrast! But they love it. Isaac's favorite toys right now are the vacuum cleaner (the real one), the lawn mower (the real one), and pretending that some of his toys are vacuums and/or lawn mowers. Oh, and anything Josiah is playing with automatically becomes his favorite toy too. Occassionally he pretends his wagon of blocks is a tiller too. Also, all he ever wants to do is go to PappyGa's (my parents' house). He throws major fits when it's time to come home. Breaks our hearts. Finally, he's been dealing with night terrors. He wakes up screaming, we find him stnading in the middle of his room, but he's not fully awake. I've delegated dealing with night terrors to Keith since I'm already up 3 times a night with Elizabeth. We pray for him. Supposedly it's something he just will grow out of and never remember.
Josiah is in full "cherub" phase. He says many words now like amen, vacuum, milk, cheese, apple, blankie, pumpkin, money, please, and thank you. He also loves music as I mentioned above, and he's a pretty good dancer too! His half-birthday is coming up at the end of the month so he'll be 18 months old. Loves his little sister, still terrorized by his big brother.
I have no time at all for anything, let alone reading. However, I am currently in the middle of a book called Floods Upon the Dry Ground, which is very good, just have to find the time to finish it. Also, Keith and I are in the middle of a book called Sacred Marriage which we were reading for our Homebuilders group for it got postponed. We continued reading anyway. It's really great, we just struggle to find the time for reading.
Lots of good shows on TV that we watch though! We never miss The Fringe, The Office, and Stargate Universe. When we can though we catch House and Lie To Me on Monday nights, NCIS on Tuesday nights, and then Flash Forward comes on before The Fringe on Thursdays. In 2010 new episodes of 24 and Lost will begin. Don't know how we'll fit it all in!
Two things to leave you on...the first is that motherhood can be lonely, and make you feel quite alienated at times. Don't ask me why but sometimes I actually feel lonely when I'm up in the middle of the night feeding Elizabeth. The second thought is that childrearing is bringing me closer to God than anything else has ever before.
That's all I can put together for now! Until next time....
Elizabeth is now 1 month old. She is a pleasant little baby. I could use some longer sleep stretches at night, but I won't complain. She sleeps between feedings, what more could I ask for? She is also still wearing her little body harness for her hip dysplasia. Another ultrasound is scheduled for 12/11.
Isaac is such a big boy, but still not interested in potty training at all. He loves music. In fact, he and Josiah are enrolled in a Kindermusik class right now. It's so funny to see how all of the girls in the class do exactly as they're told, and all of the boys are totally marching to the beat of their own drum. Such a contrast! But they love it. Isaac's favorite toys right now are the vacuum cleaner (the real one), the lawn mower (the real one), and pretending that some of his toys are vacuums and/or lawn mowers. Oh, and anything Josiah is playing with automatically becomes his favorite toy too. Occassionally he pretends his wagon of blocks is a tiller too. Also, all he ever wants to do is go to PappyGa's (my parents' house). He throws major fits when it's time to come home. Breaks our hearts. Finally, he's been dealing with night terrors. He wakes up screaming, we find him stnading in the middle of his room, but he's not fully awake. I've delegated dealing with night terrors to Keith since I'm already up 3 times a night with Elizabeth. We pray for him. Supposedly it's something he just will grow out of and never remember.
Josiah is in full "cherub" phase. He says many words now like amen, vacuum, milk, cheese, apple, blankie, pumpkin, money, please, and thank you. He also loves music as I mentioned above, and he's a pretty good dancer too! His half-birthday is coming up at the end of the month so he'll be 18 months old. Loves his little sister, still terrorized by his big brother.
I have no time at all for anything, let alone reading. However, I am currently in the middle of a book called Floods Upon the Dry Ground, which is very good, just have to find the time to finish it. Also, Keith and I are in the middle of a book called Sacred Marriage which we were reading for our Homebuilders group for it got postponed. We continued reading anyway. It's really great, we just struggle to find the time for reading.
Lots of good shows on TV that we watch though! We never miss The Fringe, The Office, and Stargate Universe. When we can though we catch House and Lie To Me on Monday nights, NCIS on Tuesday nights, and then Flash Forward comes on before The Fringe on Thursdays. In 2010 new episodes of 24 and Lost will begin. Don't know how we'll fit it all in!
Two things to leave you on...the first is that motherhood can be lonely, and make you feel quite alienated at times. Don't ask me why but sometimes I actually feel lonely when I'm up in the middle of the night feeding Elizabeth. The second thought is that childrearing is bringing me closer to God than anything else has ever before.
That's all I can put together for now! Until next time....
Monday, October 26, 2009
My Birth Story-Before I Forget
On Monday October 12 I had contractions about every 10min. apart all day long, beginning around 10am and never really stopping. They never picked up in intensity or frequency though, even though I did all of my laundry, aerobics, and rotated some toys from the downstairs to the upstairs and vice versa, and I had a lot of false labor in the weeks leading up to this, so I just made a mental note and figured I'd be talking about it with my midwife in two days when I went back for my next prenatal visit. I showered and got into bed around 10:30pm.
I was awakened by much stronger contractions at around 11:30pm. Keith heard me breathing through them, so he woke up too and I labored in bed with him for about an hour. He was great. He prayed with me and sang Amazing Grace to me. I then decided we'd best wake my parents up as my dad was going to stay with the boys. Keith made the call while I went to the bathroom. While in the bathroom my contractions went from 8 min apart to 3 min apart. I had difficulty calling the midwife as I couldn't exactly talk very well during a contraction. Thankfully my parents arrived quickly. Keith did a great job gathering all of my stuff for the hospital. He even put my shoes on for me. I climbed in the back of my mom's van and we were off! Not really sure what time it was at that point, but I'm guessing about 1:30am.
Because it was the middle of the night there was no traffic, and we got all green lights. I only know this because the van pretty much never stopped. I was facing backwards in the very back seat of the van, looking down the whole time, breathing and groaning through the longest and strongest contractions. I do remember telling myself not to panic, that this was normal and natural. I also remembered reading that it's more helpful to let out deep, low-pitched groans than high-pitched shrieks. Hence the groaning. I also recalled one verse that's always so inspirational to me. It's 1 Corinthians 9:24. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."
We arrived at Forbes ER and I must admit, it was the best service I'd ever received in any ER anywhere. They wanted absolutely nothing to do with me! So they called a nurse from labor and delivery right away. At this point I could barely stand, and I was still groaning and breathing through contractions that seemed to have no end or beginning. They all ran into one another. I got into a wheelchair, but couldn't sit. I was kind of kneeling sideways, but bracing myself on one of the footrests so I wouldn't fall out when they wheeled me up. I don't know what time it was, I'm guessing around 2am.
They had a nice new LDRP suite ready for me right away. I never looked up at anyone's face. I just stripped and got up on the bed, still kneeling. The midwife wasn't there yet, so the nurse checked me and I was complete, but my water hadn't broken yet. Because the midwife hadn't arrived yet they didn't want me to push, but I had to. Luckily she arrived about 5min. later, broke my water, and we were ready to go! I tried pushing on all four's, but didn't really like it. So I did flip over onto my back to push. At this point, the contractions weren't so bad, but I was surprised (I don't know why) at how much it did hurt to push her out. That really stings!
I don't know how many times I had to push, but I think it was only about 15min. or so. Then baby Elizabeth was born at 2:44am! She was delivered by Gretchen Cohen. She weighed 6lb. 13oz. and was 20in. long. She looked, and still looks, very much like Isaac. She's also the first baby that seemed to recognize my voice as soon as she was placed on my chest. She seemed to calm down when I talked to her. Her full name is Elizabeth Marion Victoria Drudy because we couldn't narrow it down to just one middle name. Well, I think Keith could have, but I couldn't. Marion is my middle name and my grandmother's (maternal) first name. Victoria is Keith's mom's name. And actually I got the idea to name my daughter Elizabeth from the heroine in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett, not from the Elizabeth of the Bible, even though my boys have Biblical names.
Our hospital stay was very nice. We did want to go home a day early, but Elizabeth was jaundiced. We actually had to be readmitted a day after going home so she could go under the bilirubin lights. I would definitely recommend Forbes for labor and delivery. The suites were spacious and homey, the nursing and housekeeping staff were so very friendly and helpful. The food wasn't terrible after I emptied my salt packet onto it, but who goes to the hospital to eat, ya know? Everything was great there.
So I finally got my natural childbirth! Not that I really had any choice. It was definitely too late for anything. I will say though that Keith mentioned to the nurse that I had intended to go without any drugs or IV's and I did confirm that to the nurse that I didn't want anything. So I didn't even try to get out of the pain! I will say to all of my friends that went without epidurals all along that if for any reason they ever did get an epidural, they will be AMAZED at the difference! You barely feel a thing with an epidural, and you feel EVERYTHING without. However, though Keith and I are not planning on having any more children, if I do get pregnant again in the future, I would go with a natural childbirth again. I prefer laboring mostly at home, and it was great not being hooked up to any IV's or anything. The pain is stupendous, but it's only temporary and quickly forgotten.
Elizabeth will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. As of last Thursday she was up to 7lb. 8oz. already. She's nursing like a champ. She does ok at night too. She definitely wakes up to eat, but she sleeps in between which is nice. The boys are doing great with everything too. They actually seem to like Elizabeth, which I was very pleased with! I was nervous about that. They haven't acted jealous at all so far, and they're as cute as ever!
I also want to say...what would we do without our family? I don't know what we would've done without my parents nearby to take care of the boys. Keith's mom and sister came to town as well the weekend Elizabeth had to be readmitted. What a blessing. And we've received so many gifts and meals and well-wishes from so many people. It's wonderful!
I was awakened by much stronger contractions at around 11:30pm. Keith heard me breathing through them, so he woke up too and I labored in bed with him for about an hour. He was great. He prayed with me and sang Amazing Grace to me. I then decided we'd best wake my parents up as my dad was going to stay with the boys. Keith made the call while I went to the bathroom. While in the bathroom my contractions went from 8 min apart to 3 min apart. I had difficulty calling the midwife as I couldn't exactly talk very well during a contraction. Thankfully my parents arrived quickly. Keith did a great job gathering all of my stuff for the hospital. He even put my shoes on for me. I climbed in the back of my mom's van and we were off! Not really sure what time it was at that point, but I'm guessing about 1:30am.
Because it was the middle of the night there was no traffic, and we got all green lights. I only know this because the van pretty much never stopped. I was facing backwards in the very back seat of the van, looking down the whole time, breathing and groaning through the longest and strongest contractions. I do remember telling myself not to panic, that this was normal and natural. I also remembered reading that it's more helpful to let out deep, low-pitched groans than high-pitched shrieks. Hence the groaning. I also recalled one verse that's always so inspirational to me. It's 1 Corinthians 9:24. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."
We arrived at Forbes ER and I must admit, it was the best service I'd ever received in any ER anywhere. They wanted absolutely nothing to do with me! So they called a nurse from labor and delivery right away. At this point I could barely stand, and I was still groaning and breathing through contractions that seemed to have no end or beginning. They all ran into one another. I got into a wheelchair, but couldn't sit. I was kind of kneeling sideways, but bracing myself on one of the footrests so I wouldn't fall out when they wheeled me up. I don't know what time it was, I'm guessing around 2am.
They had a nice new LDRP suite ready for me right away. I never looked up at anyone's face. I just stripped and got up on the bed, still kneeling. The midwife wasn't there yet, so the nurse checked me and I was complete, but my water hadn't broken yet. Because the midwife hadn't arrived yet they didn't want me to push, but I had to. Luckily she arrived about 5min. later, broke my water, and we were ready to go! I tried pushing on all four's, but didn't really like it. So I did flip over onto my back to push. At this point, the contractions weren't so bad, but I was surprised (I don't know why) at how much it did hurt to push her out. That really stings!
I don't know how many times I had to push, but I think it was only about 15min. or so. Then baby Elizabeth was born at 2:44am! She was delivered by Gretchen Cohen. She weighed 6lb. 13oz. and was 20in. long. She looked, and still looks, very much like Isaac. She's also the first baby that seemed to recognize my voice as soon as she was placed on my chest. She seemed to calm down when I talked to her. Her full name is Elizabeth Marion Victoria Drudy because we couldn't narrow it down to just one middle name. Well, I think Keith could have, but I couldn't. Marion is my middle name and my grandmother's (maternal) first name. Victoria is Keith's mom's name. And actually I got the idea to name my daughter Elizabeth from the heroine in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett, not from the Elizabeth of the Bible, even though my boys have Biblical names.
Our hospital stay was very nice. We did want to go home a day early, but Elizabeth was jaundiced. We actually had to be readmitted a day after going home so she could go under the bilirubin lights. I would definitely recommend Forbes for labor and delivery. The suites were spacious and homey, the nursing and housekeeping staff were so very friendly and helpful. The food wasn't terrible after I emptied my salt packet onto it, but who goes to the hospital to eat, ya know? Everything was great there.
So I finally got my natural childbirth! Not that I really had any choice. It was definitely too late for anything. I will say though that Keith mentioned to the nurse that I had intended to go without any drugs or IV's and I did confirm that to the nurse that I didn't want anything. So I didn't even try to get out of the pain! I will say to all of my friends that went without epidurals all along that if for any reason they ever did get an epidural, they will be AMAZED at the difference! You barely feel a thing with an epidural, and you feel EVERYTHING without. However, though Keith and I are not planning on having any more children, if I do get pregnant again in the future, I would go with a natural childbirth again. I prefer laboring mostly at home, and it was great not being hooked up to any IV's or anything. The pain is stupendous, but it's only temporary and quickly forgotten.
Elizabeth will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. As of last Thursday she was up to 7lb. 8oz. already. She's nursing like a champ. She does ok at night too. She definitely wakes up to eat, but she sleeps in between which is nice. The boys are doing great with everything too. They actually seem to like Elizabeth, which I was very pleased with! I was nervous about that. They haven't acted jealous at all so far, and they're as cute as ever!
I also want to say...what would we do without our family? I don't know what we would've done without my parents nearby to take care of the boys. Keith's mom and sister came to town as well the weekend Elizabeth had to be readmitted. What a blessing. And we've received so many gifts and meals and well-wishes from so many people. It's wonderful!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Still Pregnant
I finished Baby Catcher last Thursday I believe. Loved it! Reading it made me want to become a midwife. I recommend it to anyone who is pregnant.
I am also still pregnant. 39 weeks. I am mentally prepared to go to at least 41 weeks as I absolutely do not want to be induced.
Haven't started a new book yet. I have two books about breastfeeding and one about natural birth control that I checked out at the library. I also have a few books in the Hitchhiker's Guide I need to read to finish the entire Guide. I am currently reading a book called Simply Christian by N.T. Wright for my mom's group. It's very dry, abstract, and philosophical. I'm not really getting a whole lot out of it. I've also been working my way through the Psalms, Proverbs, and Job simultaneously. Just decided to do that out of the blue while Keith was in China.
I am also still pregnant. 39 weeks. I am mentally prepared to go to at least 41 weeks as I absolutely do not want to be induced.
Haven't started a new book yet. I have two books about breastfeeding and one about natural birth control that I checked out at the library. I also have a few books in the Hitchhiker's Guide I need to read to finish the entire Guide. I am currently reading a book called Simply Christian by N.T. Wright for my mom's group. It's very dry, abstract, and philosophical. I'm not really getting a whole lot out of it. I've also been working my way through the Psalms, Proverbs, and Job simultaneously. Just decided to do that out of the blue while Keith was in China.
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