My Boys

Our Little Negotiator

Joe took my can of pop and I said, "Just one sip, Joe." He smiled and looked at me and said, "No. Two sips." While playing at the Menards (which he calls, Benards) play area, I told Joe, "Five more minutes, Joe". He said to me, "Six minutes".

Joe-isms

Rich - "Joe, what did you just put in the dryer?"
Joe - "Just one of my guys"
Rich - "Joe, only wet clothes go into the dryer, not toys".
Joe - "It's only a pretend guy, Dad".

Me - "Joe, would you please go get me the fly swatter out of the garage?"
Joe smiled sweetly at me and said, "Only if you be's nice, Mom".

Delivery Day!

This is what I remember from my labor and delivery. (Stop reading this if you are sensitive to these kids of things.)

My parents arrived about 1:30 on the 19th. After visiting a bit, Rich, Dad, and the kids ran to Menards and L&M while Mom and I played a game of hand a foot. I believe she won the very close game - by 5 or 15 points only.

At 4:45 I called the hospital as directed and was told they had a room available for me. Rich and I headed into town about 5:40. Poor Joey sensed something was up and was crying and clinging to me a bit. It was hard to let him go but Mom offered him ice-cream with chocolate on top and he readily accepted that and forgot about me. I remember getting into the van and then running back into the house as I forgot to say good-bye to Olivia who was busy watching t.v. I also remember crying much of the way to the hospital. I was sad that I was being induced, scared about the labor/delivery, and overwhelmed at the thought of raising three children, one of whom would be a newborn.

The check-in went fairly quickly and we were escorted up to the labor and delivery wing of the third floor. We were given room #3 and the nurse introduced herself and had me get the hospital gown on. She hooked me up to a monitor right away and I was having contractions - just nothing hard or very consistent but I would have them every 10-15 minutes or so. I was hopeful that labor was starting on its own and I wouldn't need the cervitol. While I was supposed to have the cervitol inserted at 6:00 but it wasn't until 9:30. I was frustrated with the wait and cried about it to Rich but was told that they had just had a Mom deliver and they were quite busy with some other Mom's in labor too. They didn't want to start me on the cervitol and take the chance of starting my labor in earnest so they wanted to wait until things grew more quiet. Then, when they were ready, the pharmacy was backed up! Rich and I spent the waiting time watching t.v. and walking round and round in the hallway. Rich left about 8:00. The nurse finally came at 9:30 with the cervitol. She said I was still only dilated to a 1 1/2 and not effaced at all. So, there went my chances at a natural delivery. I was then told that they would start the induction at 5:00 and would come in shortly before that to start the i.v. I slept on and off and was up for good a little after 4:00. I washed and brushed my teeth and hair and then waited....and waited....and waited. I finally rung my bell at about 5:30 and reminded them that I was to be induced at 5:00. The nurse said that they were quite busy and that it would be a little while before they could get to me. Oooh, but I was so frustrated and again, in tears. I walked the halls a bunch and waited for Rich. He came about 7:00. I was very hungry but all they would give me was jello and juice. I think I got my i.v. at about 6:00 and at 8:00 (finally!) I was induced. I also got a new nurse about that time. Her name was Erin and she was the best! (She checked me before the pitosin was started and I wasn't even at a two yet and still not effaced at all.) I told her my plans for delivery and she was so supportive. We talked a lot about our kids, pets, and jobs, and found out that we knew some people in common. She knew Jim Dahedl and it turns out that her husband and father-in-law installed the new carpet in our house - both times!

Dr. Armstrong came at about 9:00. He confirmed what the nurse said about not being effaced and not even at a two for dilation. He installed an internal device for monitoring my contractions and broke what we thought at the time was my water. While I didn't loose a whole lot of liquid when he punctured it, he thought that was due to me being over-due but said we'd wait and see.

I had a contractions the rest of the morning but not real hard and hadn't dilated much more. I remember being at a four around lunch time and thinking I had a long ways to go. Rich went to eat lunch at Subway. I was jealous as I was hungry and wanted to eat too.

Dr. Armstrong came back in the early afternoon and checked me. Since very little progress was made he said he wanted to see again if my water was broke. Well, he broke it that time and that finally got things moving some.

Erin kept promising me that we'd have a baby soon. I told her that at the rate I was going she wouldn't see it born - her shift was to end at 7:00.

Eventually the contractions got to a point that I could hardly tolerate them. I was on the bouncing ball some but went back to bed so they could check me again and stayed there. The baby's heartrate looked good the entire time. I watched the monitor a lot and watched my contractions. I tried breathing through them and really relaxing and not tensing up but it didn't seem to help much. I can't remember if the nurse recommended Stadol or if I asked for it but I was given just a half dose at first at my request. It worked right away and made me extremely sleepy. It made me so sleepy that I was able to sleep in between contractions. It felt so good to be able to do that so I asked for the other half of the Stadol dosage. I woke up for each contraction but was too tired to even make a noise. I got so hot and remember saying to Rich, "Rich. Fan. Suitcase". He got the fan and had it blow right on my face and it was just what I needed.

I labored for awhile and remember the nurse telling me I was at a seven and if I could just get to a nine, she'd have me push. (Since this was my third baby she thought I'd be able to push through a ten.)

The contractions were right on top of each by suppertime and they were very hard. I could hardly talk due to the pain but asked Erin when she came in for an epidural. I guess she looked at Rich and whispered that she didn't think I needed it - that I was getting close. I remember thinking and knowing that an epidural would take some time to get but I didn't care - I just wanted relief and to know that it was on the way.

Very soon after that I told Rich to get Erin as I felt like I need to push. He got Erin, she checked me, and I was at a ten! The doctor came in and they got all set up and talked me through pushing. I pushed a total of two times and Will was born! Rich had planned to cut the cord but after the first push the cord was wrapped around somethingsto the doctor ended up cutting it. Dr. A said, "It's a boy!" I remember Erin commenting that it was what I had predicted. Will was layed on my chest right on the skin and I got to help wipe him off with a towel. He was crying and I was trying to comfort him. I nursed him for a bit and Will was weighed and measured.

I called my parents shortly after he was born and I remember hearing Olivia in the background scream and say, "It's a boy!" They all came to visit me at he hospital later on.

It's A BOY!!!

Will Robert joined our family on 7/20/11 at 5:42 PM. He weighed 7lbs. 10 oz. and measured 22 inches in length. We are thrilled with the new addition to our family!

Due Date + 9

Yes! You read that right. I am nine days over my due date and no real sign of baby coming on it's own. After going for a check-up yesterday, the doctor said I am now dilated to a 1.5 cm (up a .5 from last Wednesday) and have dropped "a little" and effaced "a little". My blood pressure was good - it was the same as last week, and my weight has been maintaining at around 25-26 pounds total for this pregnancy. My doctor recommended inducing at this point as he said statistically babies who are delivered late do not fare as well as those that are on time. And, at 41 plus weeks, I have been pregnant long enough! Tonight I am going to the hospital to have cervitol applied to my cervix and then the i.v. of pitosin will be started early tomorrow morning. Mom and Dad are on their way up as I write this to watch the kids for us.

I am really apprehensive about being induced. I'd just really rather go on my own again. It's not what I envisioned for myself this time around so it's just all very disappointing. But, I have to tell myself that each baby and pregnancy is different. And, either way, we'll have a new baby to love and hold soon.

I tried dancing around last night in hopes of getting labor started on its own to no avail. I may ask my Mom for a foot massage as I've heard that can sometimes start labor too. Wish me luck. I only have a few more hours to get this going on my own!

Due Date + 4

Well, I had Joe four days after my due date so having a baby today is not out of the question. However, after my doctor's appointment yesterday, I am more discouraged than ever. (I got tons of sleep last night and slept the best I've slept in a long, long time so today would be a very good day to have a baby!)

My weight is still hovering around 26 pounds gained this entire pregnancy so far (about 10 pounds less than with my first two) but the doctor isn't concerned. And if he's not concerned I won't be either - less weight to take off after the baby is born! He said it is normal to fluctuate with weight, espeically for those of us that have a lot of water retention - and that definitely describes me!

My blood pressure was higher again - the highest it's been. It seems to be rising a little bit each week but again, the dr. is not too concerned since I'm not swelling in my hands or face.

The heartbeat was good and strong but when he checked me, I am still dilated at only a 1 cm. He said, "Nothing is going on there". He then gave me two options: 1.) to schedule an induction for next week sometime (can't do one this week without any dilation!) or 2.) make an appointment to see him Monday and see where things are at then and go from there. I opted for option number 2. I'd rather not be induced if I don't have to be and just maybe, I'll have some progress by then and will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The doctor then wanted me to do a non-stress test to see if all is well with the baby. There was lots of movement, which was good, and all looked well with baby - a big relief. Also, they measured for contractions and I had one the entire time I was hookedup, about 20 minutes. But, it was so light I hardly felt it.

I totally feel like I'm in limbo. It's so hard to plan anything as I keep thinking I could go into labor at any time. So, the waiting game continues....

Due Date (and still waiting....)

It seems I always set myself up for a disappointment. After all, a due date is just that, a due date. Right? It doesn't mean baby will come on that day or before. But, after the last two pregnancies and being late, you would think I would learn a thing or too and not get my hopes up. Next dr. appointment is this Wednesday, the 23rd, and I'm hoping to hear that there's progress then. Who knows, maybe I'll deliver before then!

Two Days Before Due Date and.....

No baby yet. No signs of baby either. I had a doctor's appointment this morning and was sure I was progressing. However, I'm still dilated at a one cm. and no effacing. I did not gain any weight since my last visit (I've gained 26 lbs. so far this pregnancy - down about 10 lbs. from Olivia and Joe.) My blood pressure, while in the normal range, was higher again for me. The doctor thinks all is well though and said he's pretty sure I'll make it through the weekend without a new baby. Oh well, the longer it stays in there the better, I suppose. It was just all very discouraging this morning as I was sure things were moving. I've been so uncomfortable lately. Lots of lower pressure and hard to move around.

Me at 38 1/2 weeks.

39 1/2 weeks.

This is me at 39 1/2 weeks. Pretty much looks like I swallowed a bowling ball.

Pregnancy Thoughts

June 20th - At my dr. appointment the dr. said I was almost dilated to a one - "Almost but not really".

June 27th - I had lost one pound and was measuring 1 smaller than the week before. The dr. thought everything was OK but ordered an ultrasound for the next day just to make sure my fluids were where they were supposed to be, etc. My back has started to get really sore - mainly at night.

June 28th - The ultrasound tech. said that everything looked great and that there was lots of fluid in the womb yet. She said that the computer said the baby was weighing in at 7lb. 3oz., give or take a pound.

July 3-5. We were in Evansville over the fourth of July. It was busy and I was miserable. Hot and lots of pain. Just very worn out too. We came back on the 5th and I thought all day that maybe I'd have the baby that evening. No baby that day but my cousin, Shannon, had her baby that day. I've been experiencing insomnia lately. I'm up 2-3 hours at a time during the night.

July 6th - I had some brown spotting so thought today might be the day. It was not.

July 7th. I've felt the best I've felt all week but still am not sleeping well. Very tired but little cramping and pains today.

The Darndest Things

Kids do say the darndest things! The other day when I picked Joe up from pre-school, his teacher told me that Joseph shared with his class that his Mom has two babies in her tummy. When the teacher asked him if they were girl babies or boy babies he said, "One boy and one girl!" Uh, that's news to us!

Joseph Quote

A few weeks ago I was vacuuming out the van and Joseph said he wanted to help. I told him it would help me out a lot if he'd go into the house and get me a rag out of the bathroom closet. He came out, handed me a plastic bag, and said, "I couldn't find you a rag so I got you a bag instead". Umm, thanks Joe!

Kid Quotes

Joe: "Mom, you know everything!"
Me: "Yea, your Mom is pretty smart!" (I sure hope he still thinks this in 10 years!)

I was getting ready to go to a two day workshop and was telling Olivia that Mommy has to go to "school" for a few days. She said she wanted to come too but I said she'd be bored, explaining that I'd be in classes all day listening to others talk. She then said, "Don't you get recess?!"

2011 Perch Fishing Derby

Although we didn't win anything or catch anything, we still had fun. Our fingers got a little cold though as it was difficult to man the rods with gloves on.

Belly Picture at 22 weeks

This is me, dirty mirror and all, at 22 weeks. This is posted especially for Shannon!