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.

37 Weeks

and I'm finally wearing a different shirt.

 

Currently I am 39 weeks, 2 days and have 2 days until I'm scheduled to be induced. Eek. Hopefully I'll get a picture up before then, but if not you can look forward to meeting baby D!

Easter Wrap-Up 2012

I have no idea what I did on Easter last year, so it was a little important to me to actually take pictures this year so I can remember our only Easter with just one baby!

The Easter bunny came early! He brought Henry some big blocks and a new pair of church pants, the Brothers' album by the Black Keys for Joshy, a JoAnns gift card for me, and even remembered a teeny purpled collared onesie for Baby D.

Henry loved the gummy Easter bunnies laying around.  It took him awhile to figure out that the eggs had candy in them, but was soon throwing the eggs (to get them open) like a pro. 

It's been a tradition for Mal and I since we've been at school to exchange Easter baskets...it's our way of keeping some of the surprise and fun in Easter because neither of us really know what to expect! Love you, Mal!

The three of us got dressed and headed down to Sugarhouse to spend Easter with Jacob, Abbey, Ben, Max, and Kate (later joined by Spencer's fiance, Hillary and her sister, Carley). It was sort of an ordeal because we had to pack an uncooked turkey, Honeybaked Ham (best part of Easter!), Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cake, 30 hard boiled eggs, and over 100 samples of urine and get to church in Salt Lake by 10:40 am.  Easter miracle, though, because we did it. 

  We never got a family picture of all of us, but I love these two of Josh and Henry before we got in the car!  Abbey was sweet and found this adorable green tie that is actually in Henry's size (he's been wearing 24+ month gigantic ties).  I also will state for the record that these are and probably will forever be my favorite church shoes EVER for Henry.  Josh has a matching pair, and these tasseled shoes just make me think of my Dad and his church shoes.  It's a family thing, I guess.

We had fun sharing a row with Jake and Abbey at church and they were kind enough to watch Henry (who had a cold which we found out the next day was also his first ear infection) so Josh and I could go visit Rachel and Chad in the hospital with their new baby girl!

It was fun to go to the hospital and see Rach, Chad, and Sierra Belle and prepare a little bit for the baby we'll be having in less than a month.  Sierra is sooooooo adorable!  Rachel is a champion child bearer and Sierra was born at 9 lbs 9 oz and 22 1/2 inches long.  She was adorable and didn't have any of that weird scrunched up newborn look...she just looked like an adorable perfect tiny little baby girl.  I can't even explain it.  It just made me really excited to meet the baby boy I'm growing.  We didn't get to stay nearly long enough, but it was great to visit.  Congratulations, Rachel and Chad!

 

The rest of the day in Sugarhouse was great.  Henry loves when we go there because he gets to chase after Ben and Max all day and have all new toys to play with.  We had fun setting up the Easter table, putting together an Easter egg hunt for the boys (and Kate), and getting all the food ready for dinner.  Jacob and my combined powers made the best turkey breast I've ever had in my entire life.  The Easter spread also included Honeybaked ham, deviled eggs, cheesy funeral potatoes, a Caesar salad, rolls, glazed carrots, and HONEYBAKED HAM.  Seriously, a Honeybaked ham.

I wish we had pictures of the food.

Dessert was this Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cake that is the most delicious thing.

Our party groups at the end of the day.  The Ladies and the end of an Era of Calvert Couples living in Utah together.  Party in the Northwest next year with Amber and Mike!

In all, it was a fantastic Easter Sunday. It was wonderful to spend with some of the family we have in Utah, and it was a good way to sort of start saying our farewells to Utah. I am so grateful that we have lived close to so many fun siblings through our time in Provo! I won't dwell on it too much (yet) otherwise I start getting sad to say goodbye. We so appreciate our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his sacrifice. Happy Easter.

Puh-regnancy

I think the worst part about pregnancy is the lack of desire to do things at night.  It's 7 and Henry is in bed (yet to fall asleep...hopefully that part happens soon) and I have 10 items on my "to do" list.  They're all fairly simple, but I would just so much rather sit at the computer or sit on the couch than do any of them.

Any suggestions?

Also, this baby is coming May 3rd unless he decides he wants to get here a little earlier, which in and of itself is a terrifying possibility.  Every day I get a little more ready, mentally, for a new baby.  As I get lazier, the prospect of having a newborn sounds more and more appealing.  And definitely the prospect of a normal sized body with normal sized clothes sounds pretty great.

That's all.
k

Little Man of the House

It's been awhile since I blogged about Henry Rex.  Since his physical growth has slowed down, it seems like he is learning things sooooo fast!  It's weird to accept that my little baby is becoming a toddler and I can't stop it, and nor should I because the last thing I want (probably) is TWO babies.  Henry is growing up too fast, but I suppose it's better with this other babe on the way.  Favorite pictures, then some boring facts about Henry that I'm writing mostly for journal's sake, so it's not necessary to read.

Henry has discovered climbing.  He climbs on furniture and boxes and dishwashers and stairs, and anything that his brain believes is worth climbing.  He's also discovered his balance and can take steps up and down small stairs without falling (usually) and before turning around to descend a staircase, will take a few minutes to see if the banister or rail will help him descend without resorting to hands and knees.  It's adorable, but really really terrifying.  He also understands and can sometimes make sounds for a cow, chicken, sheep, elephant, monkey, dog, bird, and cat.  He says "balloon" regularly and before that, his favorite word was "ball" and now uses them fairly interchangeably.  It's probably my fault because all the balloons we have aren't actually inflated with helium, so they're pretty much really light balls anyway.  Henry will wave at the phone when he sees me talking on it, probably assuming Dad is on Face Time.  He has an adorable little wave.  He understands going outside and upstairs, and will start pointing at the front door making his "question" sound if he hears me mention any of the words.  He uses baby signs for: more, food, milk, nap time (or it could be his blanket), all done, and pacifier.  He likes to watch Little Einsteins and will pat/clap along with them (sometimes) and as of late, thinks it's hilarious to pat and raise his arms in the air because we say "Blast off!" when he does it.

His tantrums decreased in number, but we still have the occasional rough day.  I'm counting my blessings now because I know he has yet to hit the terrible twos.  Henry has 10 teeth (4 molars, what?!) and the longest eyelashes ever.  And don't worry, he still has plenty of head bruises.

Another Pregnancy 2 Post

Just came back from the Doctor with my last ultrasound! It was a different experience having a 3rd trimester ultrasound because, honestly, I couldn't make out a single thing the tech was "showing" us.  I feel like I do pretty good understanding and seeing stuff on ultrasounds in general, but this 3rd trimester (giant baby, apparently) ultrasound was just a blur of black and white.  That means I don't have to keep the picture of baby D's "feet" if I can't make out a single thing, right?  Oh, well.

That's me, 34 weeks pregnant. I can't decide if it's embarassing or cool that I'm wearing the same shirt in my 2 pregnancy profile pictures, but at least this way ya'll get a fair comparison. And it's fun to me to see that that baby is bigger now.  Now time for quick facts.

• Baby D is in the 91st percentile for weight, so u/s tech thinks he'll come early or right on time. Doctor says I can be induced at 39 weeks if I want. Hm.
• No heartburn as of late
• I finally understand the weird nerve pain/sciatica other pregnant women complain about, cause Baby D is definitely bringing it.
• I've lost my desire to eat vegetables. I don't mind eating fruit, but veggies seem like such a waste.
• Can't believe I only have 6 (maybe 5?) weeks left
• Also finding it harder to sleep during the night, and have to find time to take naps during the day instead.
• More stretch marks! Still don't understand those.
• Most terrifying of all, I'm starting to feel a little ready for baby #2.

End of the pregnancy talk. Now, on to more exciting things!

A little wish

Sometimes I find myself wishing I lived on the East Coast (or if I'm being absolutely honest here, more like the midwest) so I could coupon.  I miss those days of lots of free and really really cheap stuff.  Then I have to remind myself how silly that is and how much I love being close to family and familiarity here in the West.  My time will come.

(ominous music playing) 

My time will come.