1 month!!

I can hardly believe it's been a month... well, a month and a few days, but regardless! Eli is getting so big... I brought him in to get weighed today and he was 9 lbs, 8 oz!! That's more than 3 pounds in a month- he doesn't even look like a newborn to me anymore *sniff*sniff*

Too much TV

So since the arrival of Eli, Bryson and Dallin have been watching a little more TV than usual... it's a easy distraction when I'm occupied feeding Eli...

Well, this morning at breakfast, Bryson was a walking TV commercial... for Lysol Deep Reach- it's a toilet bowl cleaner... they have commercials on Noggin or Nick Jr or some other kid friendly channel and Bryson was explaining ALL about how "if you're brushing the toilet and there's icky germs and you're brushing and brushing, you need Lysol Deep Reach to get rid of the germs and make it real real clean" all the while doing the appropriate hand motions for cleaning a toilet... Maybe I'll find a new distraction for while I'm feeding Eli...

Hallelujah!

Do you hear choirs of angels singing? I do... Eli slept ALL NIGHT last night!! I fed him at 10 and he slept until 6- when I woke HIM up.... I was a liiiiiittle uncomfortable- I just wish I'd have gone to bed at a decent time to get in on more sleep!!

He's getting so alert and loves to hold his head up and look around when he's over my shoulder.

Giving mama a kiss!

Caution: HOT!!

I love my husband. He makes me laugh so much- I got an email this morning with some 'hot' pictures of him...

Ooooh Baby!

Oh Ya!

Smokin'

Mmmmm-Hmmmmm....

PS: Bryson was the photographer....

multi-tasking

Right now I am feeding Eli, eating ice cream (thanks Nathan) and blogging at the same time- I'm a mom.

Oh Brother!

Dallin loves his big brother so much... Often when he sees Bryson doing something, he gets a big smile on his face and does just what Bryson does... not so great when Bryson is being naughty! Thus I'm teaching Bryson (frequently!!) about being a good example. The other day, Bryson was very focused on a book, and Dallin searched until he found a similar book, climbed up on the couch, (a feat, considering the size of the book!) and 'read' the book just like his brother was doing...


Bryson's new favorite thing is to build 'trains.' I finally got so sick of having the contents of baskets and bins emptied out and other random items drug from everywhere in my house to be part of the train, so we rounded up some boxes for his train. Tonight, he and Dallin were in the 'good night cars' of the train going 'nigh-nigh' as Dallin said (over and over and over *grin*) It was too cute. I love it when they play so well together.... it's such a rare occurrence some days unfortunately!

Little Eli-

I'd better call him little while I can because with how this boy eats, I fully expect him to out grow Dallin in a few months- or at least be wearing the same clothes...
A rare moment where Eli is asleep and NOT in my arms... quite unfortunate (for Eli) that the third baby wants to be held all the time- when Bryson and Dallin were tired, they wanted to be put in their cribs so they could go to sleep! They rarely slept in my arms, which is odd to me now, considering the cuddle-bug Bryson is now.

A few things I've learned about Eli in the last [I can't believe it's been] 3 and 1/2 weeks...

1. Nothing repulses Eli more than the feel of a clean diaper on his bum. He is so disgusted, that he instantly poops. Now, I know that eating and having their little bums wiped is supposed to make them poop, but not Eli- sneak a clean diaper under his rear and watch out! I've gone through FOUR diapers in a row, ie: I didn't even get them fastened around his middle before he'd soiled them... and YES, I was waiting for him to finish, but you can only wait so long before their little fire hose resets and turns on.

2. He has got some appetite! Before he eats, he often says to me, "I'm a pir-ah-na!" (to quote Doree from Finding Nemo)

3. Getting a burp out of Eli is a major feat. I've burped quite a few babies (I worked as a NICU nurse remember) and NEVER have I had one that will hold on to a belch like this kiddo

4. Probably related to #2, Eli doesn't spit up much. It's nice, but then leaves you quite unprepared (without a burp cloth) when he does...

5. Did I mention he can EAT??

6. Whoa he has stinky poops- you'd think he eats nothing but eggs... sorry.

7. He is such a cute little bundle that fills me with so much joy.... I remember when I was pregnant with Dallin (#2) I was very concerned because I honestly thought I could not love him as much as I did Bryson, and that all the little moments couldn't be as special as they were the first time with Bryson... boy was I wrong! And it's just as sweet and special the third go 'round.

Breakin' the law

Is it breaking the law if you're not making physical copies?? I just have to share how cute these turned out!

They sure love their baby brother... Eli tolerates them...

What was I thinking?

So I did something really stupid today. Well, several actually, but I don't feel like posting on all of the others right now...

I was at Eli's doctors appointment for his 2 week check up (2 weeks already??) and I was feeling pretty good about how I'm looking post-baby so I hopped on the scale..... big mistake. Note to ANY woman who will give birth at any point in the future: DO NOT WEIGH YOURSELF FOR A VERY LONG TIME AFTER GIVING BIRTH- NO MATTER HOW GREAT YOU THINK YOU LOOK!!

It's not so much how much I weigh, I don't really care about the number, it's that I only weigh 6 (six) pounds less than I did the day before I delivered! WHAT?!?! How is that possible when Eli weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces, plus the placenta (it's huge) and all that water..... I mean ya, the girls are probably carrying 5 pounds each, but STILL!! It's just not right! Sheesh.

This is my journal

That being said, this entry is more for me- I know I'm probably too lazy to write it by hand, so I'm going to type it here. It's my birth experience with Eli, a little more detailed... you may not want to read it, especially if you're a guy...

I already shared that I felt as if my doctor somewhat pressured me into being induced the next morning after my 39 week appointment... obviously it was my choice, but he put enough of a fear of a home birth into me, that I was at the hospital February 21st at 6am (it's not like I'd have been sleeping anyway!). Julie, the nurse that admitted me, was great- she concurred that 'when I go' it would be fast... I was having contractions every 6 to 7 minutes, but I could hardly even feel them. When she initially checked me for dilation, she said I was at least 6 cms, maybe even 7(!) and 85-90% effaced... as a result, she had her husband get everything set up in the hall for a delivery (Her husband is also a nurse on the unit- the only male L&D nurse I've ever heard of, but he's great...) since Dr. Smentek was coming in around 7 and would probably break my water. She did my health history, started my IV and was generally ready to go when Dr. Smentek arrived at 7:10(ish). He couldn't break my water just then because the membranes/amniotic sac was right up against Eli's head, so there was nothing to hook- and he didn't want to push his head up to let a little water collect just then because he didn't want to dislodge his head which wasn't completely engaged, so instead, he started me on a teensy tiny amount of pitocin (1 miliunit per hour) to help my uterus push him a little further into the birth canal.  The plan was that when Dr. Smentek returned in an hour (or so), he could push the baby up a little and then be able to break my water. So shortly after 7:15, the pitocin was started and within minutes I was noticing contractions every 2-3 minutes. Julie went off shift at 7, and my new nurse Artie was very sweet. She sat in my room and talked with Nathan and I for a bit about everything from childbirth to the hospital food to kidney stones (similar to childbirth!) While I couldn't walk the halls while on pitocin (it requires constant fetal monitoring), I could get up and momentarily disconnect myself from the monitor to use the restroom... especially nice considering that here the hospital is civilized and lets laboring mommys drink water during labor (no such convenience in Kentucky). So I got up around 7:30 and used the restroom. Shortly after returning to bed, the contractions went from being 'noticeable' to being uncomfortable- my mom said she could tell when I was having a contraction because my face would change, or I would slow down talking, etc... just minor things that told her I was getting progressively more uncomfortable... but the contractions were still manageable for the next 1/2 hour, during which time my mom and dad arrived.

Around 8:15 I decided I needed to go to the bathroom again... Nathan had just gone into the bathroom, but I decided to go ahead and get up, since it was a bit longer of a process having to mess with all the cords and lines- and time it between contractions... it didn't really take too long, because I remember standing at the door to the bathroom telling Nathan he needed to hurry up- a new contraction was coming and it was hurting a little more. He finished, I quickly pottied, and as I was getting back into bed, another contraction started- I had to pause on the edge of the bed because I couldn't sit until the contraction finished- it was definitely  uncomfortable now... My nurse Artie came in as soon as I was in bed to make sure everything was okay and she checked me again- I was 8+ cms and my membranes were bulging, ie: perfect conditions to break my water. She left to call Dr. Smentek and update him.

As soon as she left, I had a really really mind-numbing painful contraction... at which point I distinctly remember thinking, "oh no, why didn't I get an epidural!?!? I can't do this for another hour.... OR MORE!!" The contraction subsided and I felt fine... the next contraction was just beginning when I felt a awkward sensation- I believe my exact words were, "I think my water just broke... or maybe I just peed" followed by a brief pause as the contraction continued toward climax and then suddenly, "No, it was my water, the baby is coming NOW, get the nurse!!" My mom calmly left the room to get the nurse-- not what I intended, so I reached over and pushed the call button- I immediately got a response from the nurses desk and said (yelled, I think) "The baby is coming NOW, I NEED MY NURSE!" Nathan was at my side telling me to breathe- I vaguely remember that and tried breathing a little better, but the PAIN- it was strangely easier than the contraction prior to my water breaking because I knew that something was happening- I could definitely feel the happenings... my dad could sense what was going on- he'd delivered both my brother Dan and I, and he knew that birth was imminent... he calmly put his hand on my shoulder and as I looked up at him, my nurse walked in the room...

Fortunately, as soon as Artie had gotten off the phone with Dr. Smentek she decided that she'd better get everything into the room that had been set up in the hall- she knew it would go fast once he broke my water... so she was 1/2 way down the hallway to my room when my mom appeared and calmly (she said she didn't want to be an alarmist!) informed her that I thought my water had just broke... Artie picked up her pace a little. I don't remember anything visual after I saw her enter my room- I must have had my eyes closed very tight... But she entered just after my dad put his hand on my shoulder... apparently he was about to tell me that he may have to deliver my baby, but before he could, I told him he had to leave... and I threw the covers off me-- the baby was C.O.M.I.N.G.  Nathan was at the foot of the bed and as soon as I threw the covers off, he said the head was almost 1/2 way delivered... the call light was still on and the front desk said something to my nurse through it to which she yelled, "I NEED EVERYONE IN HERE NOW, THE BABY IS CROWNING" Artie was telling me not to push and at the same time I kept saying, "I'm not pushing, I'm trying not to push!" I remember saying that I felt like I was tearing- she told me I wasn't, and then it felt much better for a second- followed by more pressure and pain, and then I looked down and my little baby was lying on the bed!! My water broke and Eli delivered all in one contraction- Artie plopped him on my chest just as the delivery team/nursery nurse arrived- she threw a blanket over him and we rubbed him down... fortunately he was crying pretty much from the time he hit the bed since there wasn't even a bulb suction in the room!

Dr. Smentek arrived a few minutes later... It was all the 'aftermath' that I wish I'd had the epidural for! I had to have two sutures placed... the doctor did numb me, but it still was very unpleasant- kind of like flossing. Nice.

After everything was over, Artie and I looked back at the monitor to see the 'sequence of events' and it turns out, I got up to go the the bathroom eight minutes before Eli was born... ya. So thankful my water didn't break when I was in the bathroom- 'nuff said.

I am so glad I was induced-I am so glad I was induced-I am so glad I was induced-
All I could keep saying at first, was that I don't want to have a baby at home!! I am so worried about next time (assuming we have more!) and the fear of having a baby at home-- when my nurse practitioner Karen (I love Karen!) came by the next day to discharge me, she joked that they broke a vial of pitocin under my nose and out jumped Eli... well, pretty much!

Dirty words...

Nathan informed me that the other day, he was watching a show that he 'probably' shouldn't have been watching (that scared me at first.... he probably should have said instead that he shouldn't have been watching it with Bryson in the room).  Anyway, Bryson was playing in the room as Nathan was watching this show and suddenly someone said, "I'm going to kill you, you son of a b****" Immediately, Bryson repeated it to his car... Nathan said that he turned off the tv and explained to Bryson that that was not a good show to be watching and that we don't say things like that because it's dirty, etc.  After his little lecture, Bryson looked at his daddy with a very somber face and said, "I'm sorry daddy, I won't say 'kill' anymore."

On having THREE boys...

So I don't think it was any secret that I was kinda hoping this baby was going to be a girl... especially considering my 'six things' post... Nathan certainly was hoping it was a girl to take the 'pressure' off of him.... pressure?? Experience natural childbirth, then you'll know pressure... Again, my motherly intuition failed me when I was actually kind of thinking this baby was a girl... I'm 0 for 3 now in the correctly guessing what the gender of my babies would be...

The last few weeks of pregnancy I was getting concerned that if this baby was a boy, that I would be disappointed... I am very thankful for the series of events that followed. The morning that I was (finally) setting up the baby's room, one of my dearest friends from Kentucky called me. I had been thinking of her and her sister a lot recently, knowing that her sister should have delivered her baby by now- a baby whom doctors had told her from week 20 that she should abort because of numerous problems with the baby... my friend herself has a little boy a few months younger than Bryson, who around his first birthday had 1/2 of his brain removed due to a rare syndrome which causes seizures and progressive brain deterioration. So here I was on this Saturday morning, talking on the phone, hearing about how my friends sister and her baby were doing, and setting up my babys nursery in the same fall back 'neutral' bedding we had purchased when we were expecting Bryson, not knowing if he were a boy or girl... I commented that after two boys, this bedding, while still very cute was sooo boy to me now and that I had bought some really really cute bedding in case it was a girl, but I wouldn't take it out of the packaging until the baby was born in case it was a boy... I then preceded to tell my friend all about how I had gone through the bins of girl clothes that I have and how cute the little girl clothes I have are and how I really really want this baby to be a girl and how I can't help but think I'll be disappointed if it's a boy.................. whoa. Wait a minute... it suddenly hit me, and with great emotion, just how stupid I was being. Heavenly Father is blessing me with a baby. A perfectly healthy precious gift from Him. Who cares what it is? Recognizing just how ungrateful and insensitive I was being, I profusely apologized to my friend, who acted like she thought nothing of it (what a great friend) and our conversation moved on. I reflected back on that phone call many times in the weeks to come, every time more and more grateful for the humbling lesson Heavenly Father taught me...

While I was in 'labor' (I use that term loosely *grin*)... ie: while the contractions were 'pretty uncomfortable' during that second 1/2 hour on pitocin, I had a very strong impression that this baby was a boy- strong enough that when little Eli jumped out onto the bed and the nurse (not at ALL concerned with his gender) placed him on my belly as she searched for clamps for the umbilical cord, I didn't even look for quite a while to see what he was... I just knew.  And in no way was I disappointed. I truly couldn't love this little man a single smidgen more if he were a girl. Maybe I'm just really trying to reassure myself, but I actually think that if he had been a girl, I'd feel guilty for the feelings that I had had, and worry that I wouldn't have loved a boy as much...

While in the hospital, I kinda had the feeling (I'm not saying it was revelation!) that our family would have a whole passel of boys... and if so, GREAT!! I love my boys- what a blessing to have a whole bunch of little pre-priesthood holders running around my house. Sure, I'm a little worried that a little princess (other than myself of course!!) will never grace the rooms of my home, that all of my pink shirts will forever have to be washed alone to keep them from turning grey (when washed with blue), that the drama my boys exhibit will be the extent I could handle (thus Heavenly Father would send me!), but I have made peace with that-- No, I'm not ready to give away my bins full of pink girl clothes, but rest assured, we WILL be finding out what the next baby is...