No more PAH in the house

BIG DAY IN THE CALVERT HOUSEHOLD.

Henry no longer uses his pacifier.


I've spent months (alright, years) worried about his pacifier.  Is it good? Is it bad? How am I going to get him to stop using it?  When do we start phasing it out? Am I going to be able to take it away? What happens if he goes to high school with a pacifier?  YIKES.

Then he got hand, foot, and mouth (again) and I guess using it hurts his mouth and he just stopped using it.  Hasn't even asked for it for 2 days.

I'll let you know if he needs it back, but I'm pretty certain we're just gonna ride this one out.  He can fall asleep without it.


YESSSSSSSSSSSS

Baby D Birth Story: Charles Kent

Watching TV waiting for that baby to be born

Last pregnant picture of me ever taken.

First family of 4 picture

  I was so ridiculously excited that Baby D was born. Words cannot describe the feelings of seeing your baby for the first time. There's a baby. That I grew. For 9 months. I just spent 6 months in nausea with shooting leg pains and random RLS and lack of energy and moderately bad heartburn and then took a huge needle in the back and still felt pain and pushed this big little guy into the world And NOW I get to hold him. (cue lots of tears because it's not like I gave those up real fast or anything.) If you have had a baby maybe you'll know what I'm talking about. If you have not, I sound like a crazy person. I'm alright with that.

I mean, this little guy was definitely different looking than Henry. People explained to us how surreal it is that when you have a second baby, it isn't the same as your first/oldest/other baby. Sounds dumb, but SERIOUSLY it was weird. I mean, how many times do you experience the same symptoms and have the same "disease" but with a different outcome? How is it possible to produce a different human? Again, I sound crazy, but it's the truth. This baby wasn't Henry. He didn't have a cleft chin and he had bigger hands and feet. It was a completely different human. So strange and so perfect.

After I pushed Charlie into this world they whisked him away to clean him all up and I stayed in bed (obviously) and kept saying stuff like "OH GOSH I'm so happy to not be pregnant any more. Hallelujah!" and I'm sure I sounded ridiculous. I have video evidence that proves the fact.
Also, side note: If I ever have another baby I want to hold it as soon as it's born, barring any major complications. No clean up necessary.

It felt like it took way longer for the nurses to bring Charlie to me. I started to get nervous because of the horror story people sell about not bonding and breastfeeding NEVER WORKING because you don't immediately hold baby ASAP but I got him and he was the cutest and I loved him so much. It felt 100% surreal that I finally had this little guy.

It was wonderful to spend the evening snuggling and loving this little baby. I was also running on that last 1% of energy that seems to last foreverandeverandever and I finally had to crash around 10 and slept like a rock until 6 hours later when it was time to feed Charlie again. Breastfeeding went waaaaay way waaaay (like 100x) easier with Charlie than it did with Henry, probably because of experience and probably because Charlie is overall more patient and calm than Henry was. He ate really well and actually woke up and was cranky to eat, which was something I never experienced with Henry.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Breastfeeding tangent ahead.  Please skip if you desire.
 And if you are going to breastfeed please do yourself a large favor and get a prescription for Newman's Ointment which is a steroid/antifungal/moisturizer that is safe for you and baby and will prevent terrible infections and things that can make nursing way harder than it needs to be.

Also, my most important piece of advice for any mother who is planning on breastfeeding, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LACTATION SPECIALIST BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOSPITAL.
Breastfeeding will be harder than you expect and if you're like me you're going to wonder why the eff it hurts so much/if you're doing it wrong/if baby is getting enough milk. Even if you're confident with your skill, it's nice to go for the reassurance that your baby is getting enough milk and you ARE doing it alright. And it's reasonably priced, I paid $30 because insurance didn't cover it. end of advice. And of the weird breastfeeding tangent of this blog.

It was surreal to have Henry visit at the hospital. Honestly, it was really hard to reconcile his existence to Charlie's when I was in the hospital, away from Henry. When Gabbe and Duck brought him to meet Charlie it seemed like he couldn't have cared less about a) seeing us and b)seeing baby Charlie. He put up with it though, and was interested enough in all the cool machines to hang around a little bit.  It was sad to see him go, but the time we spent in the hospital really felt like a vacation, and we were treated good in there.

Henry's favorite hospital toy.

In all, Josh and I spent 2 days agonizing over Charlie's name.  In the end, Charles Kent won.  Charles because we liked the name and it fits with our other old man, Henry.  Kent because of a) my father and b)Josh's middle name (and simultaneously a family name) and c)It's a one syllable middle name.  Which I've got going on in my family, and I like the ring of a double single syllable name.  We picked his name the day we discharged, and hung out all day because we didn't have to leave until 6.  Abbey had Henry that night, so we were in no rush to get home, and ended up staying until around 6:30 because our nurse liked us and wanted to make sure we got dinner before we left.  It was sweet, and when we left I felt a little more prepared to do this crazy adventure all over again.

Birth Announcement for Baby D

Alright, ya'll. Here are the stats on Charlie boy. It's been a million years since he was born and we figured we sorta missed the window on sending out birth annoucements...but I need one for Charlie's baby box, so here it is. Enjoy in all it's glorious internetness. And keep posted for the Baby D follow-up: The Birth of Charles Kent. It's coming. Love!

Calendar Date Boy Birth Announcement

Shutterfly has personalized baby birth announcement cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

No Good Reasons

I have run out of reasons to delay this return to the bloggersphere.  We are officially moved in to our new apartment (minus a box here or there) and I have both boys in bed and have spent too many nights perusing Hulu to see what shows I should watch while I wait for fall TV to start up again, so....

We're Back.

I am re-capping the summer for my conscience with some pictures with captions.  The format will probably be terrible but once this is done maybe I can start the blogging with some current events.  

The size of my babies when we left.

Mal getting married and all

More wedding

So proud of our little girl.

Mal and awesome woman who made it all possible. (sort of...but seriously Alyssa is the best)

Cuter cousins could not be found

Working magic on the 4th of July

Fun with Gpa Williams

SLEEP!

Played with Alaina this summer.

Saw a deer in Grandma's backyard and it changed Henry's life

Also a sucker for Chevy's cause we ate there 5 times in 4 weeks.  Free dessert?

Watched lots of Olympics till swimming and gymnastics ended

The story of Kino's summer.

Oregon City Trolley

Henry at his cutest.

Went on a fancy date with Abbey and Jacob.  Also enjoyed living closer to them than we may ever live in our lives.

Henry starting to play with Charlie.  So sweet.

ANNIVERSARY GETAWAY HALLELUJAH. (3 years! Heaven and my first night away from children since Henry's birth!)

Melts your heart sort of.

Just hanging with the VS pink dog at the mall.

Yes I crafted this from a nail polish covered dark wood table.

Lots of walks with Grandma Calvert

Sleep!

Charlie super excited that Josh has a stethoscope. (so proud of Josh and that Med School has finally started!!)

Learned how to color.  Is allowed to do whatever he wants at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Aunt Nat the Great.

I will miss living with Nat...we'll be reunited at Christmas!

Henry is all about trucks, ALL THE TIME.

Birth Story: Baby D and the Birth

I have only experienced such relief a handful of times in my life.

Official hospital bracelets

 In case you missed the last blog, I was an emotional wreck the 14 hours prior to actually getting in a hospital room.  Once I was in and thankfully started on an IV (never been so grateful for a needle in the arm) the party began.  I was strep B positive with Henry and with Charlie, which means they need to pump 2 bags of antibiotics in me before I birth a child so he doesn't get sick.  This means we had a good 3 hours of hanging out, drinking free cokes and cookies and crackers (because Becki was awesome and let me eat because I was starving but don't tell the Doctor) and hearing all kinds of awesome stories from our favorite nurse.  It was an awesome, awesome date away from that tiny ball of energy named Henry.  And, I'll be honest, it was great to have a reason to lay in bed and make other people do things for me.

10:40 AM - I had to do the antibiotics for three hours before they would start me on Pitocin. I was only dilated to a 2+ when I entered the hospital, but since labor progressed so fast with Henry the doctor wanted to make sure I got my full rounds of antibiotics before he broke my water and started pitocin.
Then we had 3 hours of hanging out and trying not to feel hungry.  This time I actually wish we'd packed a movie or something to do, but we basically hung out and listened to Baby D's heartbeat and Josh tried to make me laugh because it makes the HR monitor go all nuts.

Nurse Becki.

1:30 PM - Still at a 2+.  Becki kindly called the CRNA before she brought in the Pitocin so I wouldn't have to wait in line and/or experience a disaster of contractions like I did with Henry after starting pitocin.  I'll be honest, too, I was terrified that she was actually starting me on Pitocin without an epidural.  Guys, I don't remember how bad the contractions were with Henry, but apparently my body did because I was crazy kinds of nervous.  And so relieved that I was going to have an epidural early this time!

Epidural line in my spine.  I wouldn't let Josh show me until we got home.

1:50 PM - CRNA showed up to place the epidural.  I experienced that slight moment of "YIKES" when he explained complications and I realized I was actually going to be mentally present for this (out of my mind in pain when I had my epidural with Henry) and how I really don't like needles, but proceeded because of the ever present fear of contractions.  And pain.
2:30 PM - Epidural complete.  It was wonderful.  I have this tendency to really really hype up my fears (like childbirth, epidurals, or PAP smears) and expect the complete worst thing to happen.  So far I've never experienced anything as bad as I expect, so I'm a very happy camper after these HORRENDOUS occasions are over.  Epidural went without complications and then I started to be get very excited about having a baby.
 Doctor came and broke my water.  That is the craziest and (sorry to be gross) one of the coolest, most awesome feelings ever.  I don't remember any pain from the actual breaking, not anything like
having my membranes stripped.  But, of course, I did just have an epidural.


2-3 hours of time disappear into a trying to nap but really really can't because I'm enjoying being at the hospital so much.  It was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. to be hanging out with just Josh and our favorite nurse. I was more comfortable than I had been for the last 6 months of life as a pregnant lady.  No weird shooting nerve or muscle pains in my legs and I got to drink tons and not worry about going to the bathroom (note: I love catheters) and I got to lay in an adjustable bed with four or five pillows all to myself and watch TV and chat with Josh.  I could have stayed there in that condition for at least 24 hours without complaint.  AND it was great because I still had moderate use of my legs and could move around on my own. 
5:00 PM - Dilated to an 8.  Nearly ready to start pushing.  The joke of the day had been that Becki only worked from 6am-6pm so I had to have this baby by 6 or we'd have a night nurse helping.  Not gonna happen if I had anything to do with it!
5:30 PM - 9 cm.  Call Doctor into the room.  I had less than 30 minutes (on my own time clock, not someone else's) to push Baby D out.
5:35 PM - Start pushing on contractions and all.  This was the hard part, because I started to actually feel loooots of pressure and dull pain.  My guess, now, is that the epidural wasn't working specifically where I was feeling pain?  I think that thing sort of happens.  All I know is, I pressed the medicine button every 5 or so seconds even though it gives a dose every 10 minutes (if you press it every 10 minutes).  And I actually was in tears about the pain, which was weird because I don't remember any pain with Henry.
As I pushed on contractions I remember saying things like, "Get this baby out of me!" and "Holy crap this doesn't feel good keep pushing," etc.  I had a mirror up so I could sort of see what was going on, but like Henry, it wasn't exactly perfectly placed so I didn't have to watch everything.  It's nice to know a little bit but not really have to view the horror the whole time.
5:58 PM - Baby D was born!  Celebration because we made it with 2 minutes to spare, and I was finally done pushing, and it felt so good!  Josh cut the umbilical cord and I let the nurses clean Baby D off before I held him.

Birth Story: Baby D and the Events Prior to Birth

First: Here are a lot of really unimportant details to anyone except me, so feel free to skip all this info and jump to the real birth in my next blog.  I promise I won't get into any details after being admitted to the hospital, ok?

---

At a 34 week ultrasound they estimated Baby D was in the 91st percentile...which didn't mean a whole lot to me except it meant I could be induced early if I wanted.  I wanted.  Henry was 8 days late and nearly 9 pounds (8lb 14oz)  and we have a lot of crazy things that have to happen this summer (moving, 2 weddings, etc) so I was anxious to get this baby here so I could a) not be pregnant and b) focus on things besides being pregnant and having a baby.  Also, my induction with Henry was easy peasy and I wasn't too worried about scary complications or anything.

Next some far back backstory:
Orem Community Hospital is the best.  With Henry, Josh and I went to a prenatal class at the hospital that was taught by a fairly irreverent and hilarious nurse, Becki (I have a good history with Becki's).  Turns out she was the nurse assigned to me for 2 days after H's birth and she was AWESOME.  Josh would probably marry her if she a) weren't married and b) I died.  She was funny and completely helpful and totally open about the gruesome after birth recovering stuff that nobody ever talks about.  And, seriously, when we found out I was pregnant again one of the first things we both were excited about was that we would get to go back to Orem Community and hopefully have BECKI as our nurse again!

Back to the "present":
Told my Doc we wanted Becki as our nurse, if possible.  Went to OCH and asked when she was schedule to work in the 39th week of my pregnancy, and set our date for Thursday the 3rd of May, putting me at 39 weeks 4 days, really hardly early at all but 12 days before when I would have delivered with Henry.  Take note.  Induction is set for 6:30 AM.

Monday (4/30) appointment I'm barely dilated which was normal and I did NOT want my membranes stripped because a) it didn't do anything with Henry except make me hurt and b) ughhh and c) We had babysitters and everything lined up for the weekend already.

Wednesday Night (5/2) the hospital calls and tells me they're really busy and they have to put me on "hold".  Expect a call sometime around 10 am or call in if I haven't received one.  Great news to an anxious and hugely pregnant woman.  I was an emotional wreck all night, slept terribly, and had to call Gabbe and re-arrange plans based on practically no information.

Thursday morning (5/3) I'm awake at 5:45 and trying to burn through this unbelievably slow morning.  I ate 2 bowls of Lucky Charms before 6:30 and that was it because I didn't want to be too full in case I threw up during labor if they called and wanted me to come in asap.
8:00 a I called the hospital to clarify if they meant I might need to be ready to GO IN at 10 or if they would just let me know what time to come in at 10 or what.   I explained my situation with trying to figure out what time to have my babysitters come for the 17 month old at home and if they can't fit me in today can I even be induced until next week? And the sweet nurse explained they were completely full but had a few people discharging later in the day, so try calling back at 10.
8:05 AM Had a good cry because I'm really pregnant and tired and frustrated
8:07 AM Text Gabbe and tell her she's off the hook until at least 10.
8:08 AM Cry some more
8:10 AM Hospital calls back and says to come in ASAP and they'll get me started on antibiotics (I was strep B positive) in some other room to wait until a room opens up.  Hooray!  I tell the nurse it'll be an hour because our babysitter has to come but WE'LL BE THERE!
Call Gabbe and tell her to get over ASAP and shower and prep like mad.
9:10 AM Ready to go.
9:45 AM Gabbe is waiting for laundry to dry.  My (sassy man) doctor calls and asks how soon we can get to the hospital because they're holding a room for me/doing a favor for him by holding it.
9:47 AM Cry
10:10 AM Meet Gabbe in the parking lot of DI, hand over Henry and his carseat (thankfully he's already reaching for and wanting to be with Gabs anyway) and drive real fast and furious to the hospital.
10:28 AM Get there, check in, and meet Becki!!!! She immediately is awesome and even though they had to give up my room to a real lady in labor Becki assures us she has it under control and goes to prep another room.
10:40 AM Still waiting in the lobby but we're super happy to be there and getting a room and Becki as our nurse.
10:50 AM  GET IN A ROOM

end.

More Shamelessness

I've been spending most of my days feeding Charlie and avoiding Henry disasters. There was a moment when I was sitting on the couch, nursing Char, and Henry jumped off the ottoman into my arms/on Charlie's face when I thought this was never going to work out (having two kids, gonna send hens to boarding school for a couple weeks) but since then he really has been a complete angel with Charlie. He likes to watch him when he's sleeping, and when I'm nursing Charlie he comes up and rubs his hair a bit before moving on to ear pulling and eye poking. He has learned a lot of facial features because it's much easier to learn with your very own mannequin.

I'm planning on posting the birth story, but be warned its really the opposite of dramatic and is quite short. But still kind of interesting. And I love being a mom of two. There is nothing like having a newborn.

Cheers!

Showing Off

Admire this new little guy and his plethora of sleepy little baby faces.