mini photo shoot

Anderson's Birth Story

Brian’s mom came to stay with us from 8/16- the morning of the 8/23 incase I went into labor. On the 23rd we made plans with my parents to take the boys til hopefully a baby was born. My calculated due date based on my lmp was 8/23/11 but my 7 week internal sono dated me for a due date of 8/31/11… my 26th birthday. We met up with my parents on the 23rd, and had a nice lunch. They took the boys and we went home, cleaned a little, and took off to hang out with some friends- the Lystrups. We had dinner together. Little did I know that would be my “last meal”.

I woke up at 6:30am on Weds 08/24/2011. I thought I had a contraction. I got up, went to the bathroom and laid back down. I had another contraction when I laid down. I laid in bed til about 7:15am and had a couple more mild contractions. I woke Brian up at 7:30am and told him I thought I was having contractions. I also texted my doula- Chris to let her know too. Brian got up and sat and talked with me while I took a shower. The contractions started to get more intense. I timed a couple and they were 3-5 min apart lasting about 45sec.

We went downstairs and Brian made French Toast. I ate about a half of a slice and felt sick and shaky. I couldn’t eat any more. I got on facebook to talk to Chris and I also got to talk to Britta. I told her what was going on and she urged me to call the Dr. Some of the contractions were REALLY intense at this point so I thought I would call and get checked. By this time it was 10am. Janet, one of the midwives, wanted me to go to the hospital, so Brian loaded up the odds and ends—toiletry bag, French toast, ice water, and put towels on my seat. I waddled out to the car.

We arrived around 11:15am. Found a spot at the top of the parking garage and grabbed the elevator. We stopped on a floor and another laboring mom got on. As we arrived, Janet was calling to see where we were. She was worried something happened. We were standing at the desk when she called. The hospital was so busy that we were sent to a labor./delivery room right near the OR.. one that is hardly ever used- for triage! I was checked- by Janet at 11:28a and was 5, almost 6cm- 90%effaced- and -3 station. I told Chris to come whenever. Michele another doula sister was going to come but she was actually picking up her new car and so she wouldn’t be able to make it, but she was totally there in spirit.

I laid in bed while getting the initial monitoring strip and IV antibiotics (I was strep b pos this pregnancy). A contraction would start and I would lie limp in the bed. I focused on my breathing. I let the pain go. The nurses kept saying "I can't believe you're in labor" & "You're SO CALM". I got unhooked after a bit and started walking around. Brian stayed in the room and recorded a couple videos to the baby. Contractions were about 2min apart and I wanted to get into the big whirlpool tub. In the tub, I did the same thing- focusing heavily on my breathing. I kept saying over and over in my head: "Let it happen. Let your body do it. Let your body do what it knows how to do" I was giving up control to my body. I only let 2-3 contractions “go” that I couldn’t stay on top of. I arched my back in pain and bent my legs. I wanted to be done. I told myself to stay in control and regained control for the next contraction. By this time I was feeling tons of pressure. I knew the time was coming. I kept telling myself after the next surge, I’m gonna get out and back to the room to be checked. Then after the contraction I wanted to just lay there and enjoy the break. After a couple more, I got out. When I stood up- my mucus plug plopped into the tub below me. I had never seen it before. It looked like a scallop with a little red vein through it.

I had about 2-3 contractions in the hall and they were almost unbearable. I leaned against the railing and put my head on the wall, swayed my hips and blew away the pain. I had to pee so bad! I thought I wasn’t going to make it back to the room. Luckily, I did. I sat on the toilet, peed and then pushed. “Chris! I gotta get checked now!” She was trying to ask me if I pushed bc I was pushing or pooping. I was so focused on staying in control and trying not to push that I couldn’t answer.

Dr Berry arrived and checked me as soon as I got into bed—at 3:52pm. My water broke. Fully dilated and effaced. Ready to push! I was -1 station but she wasn’t worried at all about it. I heard Dr Berry say something like ‘We don’t have time to break the bed’. And the nurse called for preadmittance of baby over the loudspeaker. Holy Crap! I’m gonna meet my baby, I thought over and over. I pushed and within a couple mins the head was out. I was told to stop pushing and Dr Berry was saying something about a compound. I thought “Oh my word! It's shoulders are stuck!!” Nope. Baby came out with the hand up by the head. The cord was wrapped around the tiny fingers. She unwrapped the cord. And baby was born minutes later… at 4:02pm. They put the baby right on me and covered it up. I laid there for about a second before looking. Another little boy! “Awww, I knew you were a boy!” I exclaimed happily! We are so blessed. Dr Berry was leaving the cord intact until the placenta was out like I asked but then after a couple min, I was okay with it being cut. She milked the cord some more and Brian cut it. She put the placenta in our container and we put it on ice waiting to go home. (My parents ended up putting it in our freezer for us) I kept saying “wow, I can’t believe it’s over already!”

Anderson weighed in at 8lbs 5oz and was 21.5in long.

I had some problems with bleeding afterward and was almost considered hemorrhaging. It was a little scary but Dr Berry was great at giving me my options and being proactive.

I am so grateful for my support system. The office of Dr Berry and Associates, my doula Chris and my husband Brian. I can honestly say, I got everything I wanted in my birthplan!

2nd VBAC SUCCESS!

Parker and Carter saw the baby an hour or so after being born. Brian asked them what they thought and Parker said “It’s a boy! I know it was a boy!” They were incredibly sweet—hugging and kissing the baby. They wanted to take the baby home now and show the baby Yogi. (They are camping there with my parents right now) Parker said he was gonna share his toys with the baby. Carter showed the nurse the baby’s eyes, nose, and ears. They got on a stepstool and watched the nurse examine the baby. It could not have been any more picture perfect. Parker wanted to hold the baby so daddy helped… and then Carter wanted to too. I had tears in my eyes. Such a tender moment. I knew that having the boys see the baby first- as soon as possible- just us- was the right thing to do. This was our new member and they had the right to know about the baby first. I think they could honestly tell how special they were.

Miracle Worker

We don't know if we are having a little boy or a little girl (we are waiting until he/she is born), I dug out the baby blessing outfit both Parker and Carter wore. When I removed it from the closet (where it had been kept for over 2 years) and saw the bright yellow formula stain- I cried. I so desperately wanted child #3 to wear this same outfit for their baby blessing. I jumped on google and facebook posted to see what worked for people. A bunch of people suggested soaking in Oxiclean before washing it to help. One lady even suggested using boiling water (as long as the garment wouldn't bleed colors or shrink). So, I tried it. Boiled some water, soaked the outfit, and washed in Tide. HOLY MOLY was I shocked. The stain was COMPLETELY gone. I was a believer.

2nd Annual Campapalooza

*4 days

*3 nights

*4 adults

*5 kids under age 5

*8 embroidered tie-dyed shirts

*2 cameras

*1 sliver

*6 wagon rides with Yogi

*30 mini boxes of cereal

*dozens of s'mores

*67 hours of lifetime memories

Pictures to come!

New Baby... updates

People have been asking what I need for the baby. You'd think that with the 3rd kid (most likely boy) that I'd be all set.

There are some things I definitely DON'T need:

We have strollers, carseat, swings.... I've got newborn/0-3mon gender neutral sleepers coming out of my ears. We have a bumbo, a breastpump, and a boppy. I've been handed down some glass bottles (thanks Beverly) .... Most of the basics are covered. Phew.

I also got the cutest take home outfits for baby.

OR

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This child, whether boy or girl will need clothes. 2 boys can really do a number on clothes. For nb- about 18 months Carter's is hands down my FAVORITE :)


I usually use disposable diapers for the first week or so. I like Pampers Swaddlers Newborn size WITHOUT drymax. I like the Pampers Sensitive Thick Care wipes to use with them (for the first couple poopy diapers)

I would love a new diaper bag. I've got my eye on this one. Skip Hop Studio in Black. Nice spacious stroller bag.

We also are running low on diaper detergent. My goal is to buy 2-- to be prepared.

Parker hated to be swaddled, and Carter loved it. I want to try these Swaddling blankets. They make cotton (for warm weather) and fleece for colder weather. I think 2 of each of them would be good. Plus green is totally gender neutral.

I'd love to try this nursing cover.

I'd also like to get a couple soothie type pacifiers- you know the kind like at the hospital... both boys only took them for a couple months and then would spit them out. I hope this baby is the same way. :) They have boy and girl ones.

I need about 2 packages of breastmilk storage bags and 2 freezer bin to store milk in.

I've also picked out the bedding I would like for a baby boy and a baby girl.

Brian and I would like to get some more cloth diapers. :) We want to get the bumgenius 4.0 pockets... some with velcro and some with snaps. We've never had the snaps before, and I've heard great things about having them. OR The Flip Hybrid system... I've been thinking about trying that.

**UPDATES**

UPDATE: I bought a wetbag, and a flip cloth diaper to try. I also got burpcloths.

For dirty diapers we have always used a wegmans type- plastic bag. It has worked well, but I'd really love a wetbag. Size Small... and in the Chocolate Animal Cracker print. Adorable.

We need more burpcloths... Everyone knows prefold diapers make the best burpcloths.



UPDATE: I bought these 2 things :)
I'd like 2 small glass bottles so hopefully Brian can feed the baby sometimes.

I need a brown bundleme to match the carseat...

*Some of the links I have posted are to a local cloth diaper store named Basic Baby (Syracuse area). I'm hoping to be able to support this local business as much as possible when it comes to buying things that I need for this baby.

I'm not posting this so that people feel obligated to buy me something. More than material items- I appreciate the love and support you have given me and the prayers offered on my behalf... They mean more to me then anything material you could buy me!

anxiety...

I'm starting to feel a little anxious about the birth of this baby...

1. Fast Labor

I'm getting anxious knowing the hospital is an hour away. I mean, I should be able to get there in time especially since Brian is off for the summer... but I feel like I should have a birth kit in the car or the house just in case. Prompting or paranoia??

2. Childcare

I'm stressed about finding somewhere for the boys to go... My mom was going to be camping around here about the time of the due date but that's tricky because we never really know when the baby is coming, and I don't want to make her camp for like a month! She also has to go back to work on my due date... talk about stress. The plan is to get someone to come here and watch them until my mom/dad/brother can get here... It should take them about 2-3hrs. What if it's in the middle of the night? What if no one in Oswego can watch them and we have to wait for someone to get here... or drop them off on our way to the hosptial ((and have to take out the carseats, make sure they have a bag packed, etc))

3. Boy or Girl?

I'm not stressed but anxious to meet this little one. I really, truly have no clue what this baby is. I mean how would I?! But, I feel like it's going to be a boy... simply because I've always wanted a girl and I just feel like it's not in the cards for us. I know Heavenly Father knows the desires of my heart and I know that I will get the child that I am supposed to. Having a girl, is not about the dresses, bows, pink, etc to me. It's about the wedding preparations, helping her have her babies, and being the fun white-haired grandma that teaches the grandkids to make pies and cookies. I am grateful to be pregnant again and so grateful that the baby is healthy and strong. I am grateful for my two little boys who put a smile on my face like no one else can. I am hopeful that they will serve missions and be good husbands and fathers.

Any words of advice/encouragement are always welcome. <3

outlet fun

Britta, Beverly, and I went to the outlet mall today. It was surprisingly hot. I found some pretty good deals...

Oshkosh: Retail- 32 .... Paid- 9.60

Gymboree: Retail- 40.97 .... Paid- 19.97

Carter's: Retail- 130 .... Paid 27.47

It'll be nice to go shopping once the baby is here to get some clothes... about 2 months left!