Monday, July 1, 2013

Hazel's Birthday - April 16

(warning: birth details you may not want to read. There, I warned you.)
(this picture should have gone with the last post)
Right before leaving to the hospital

Once I was in the hospital triage I told them my water had broke. They checked to see that it was "grossly" ruptured. They don't like to check to see how dilated women are because it's a greater chance for infection once the water is broken apparently.

After I got all settled and check into triage they told me they needed to get a room ready and I could go and walk around a bit. So I did. At this point I called Logan (Jana had already talked to him while I was talking with the doctors, etc). For a second I was thinking he could fly home and then stay a day or two and then fly back to DC. It really was a silly thought. We had kind of decided Sunday over the phone that he would just stay at his conference the whole week - that's why he had already purchased his return ticket home for Friday afternoon. Chances of him coming were slim to none. I was okay with that. Because Logan wasn't going to be there, I wanted to make sure it was easier for me. I decided I would get an epidural. I remembered Trevor's painfully long labor (contractions every 7 minutes apart) of 7 hours of being in the hospital. I didn't want to feel anything and be able to enjoy talking to my sister while she was here.

After walking for about 10-15 minutes?? My contractions were getting closer together and starting to be really painful. I figured I was a 6 at this point and wanted to go back to triage and see where my room was.

When we got back to triage I asked them to check me. I like to know how things are progressing so I can mentally get through things. There was a midwife there who checked. She said I was about a 5-6. yep, I was right. Things were getting painful and I asked the resident if I could get my epidural soon. He said he would go check on that and see if it could happen soon. This was 11 am-ish. (I check into the hospital at 9:30am).

My contractions were getting worse and so they finally started my IV and were waiting on a room. It all seemed to go pretty quick really. I was fine and then a contraction would happen. I loose sense of time when I'm in the moment. I guess about 12? we started walking to the room I had to stop 3 times in the short walk for painful contractions. When we got to the room the Anesthesiologist was there for the epidural. I didn't want them to use a catheter so I used the bathroom right as I got in. I had 4 big contractions while I was in there. I came out and sat at the end of the bed and began listening to how I needed to stay while I was getting the needle stick. They assured me the pain would go away but I would feel pressure.  I was so confused as to when I would know when to push. I had never had an epidural before and my water always breaks at a 10 - right before needing to push. This was not anything like my two boys. I was feeling so much pressure and having so many contractions as he was doing the epidural. Okay I take that back. He was quick and I probably had 2-3 contractions but they were long and close together. When he was done I felt the exact same. I was waiting for some miracle to happen. As I was laying down - to even out my body so the numbing could happen evenly - I had a huge contraction. I was in a weird position and wasn't sure what they wanted me to do. Could I stop and continue sitting during this contraction or did I have to lay down right then?? This was so unknown and I was in pain and no husband. I was kind of panicking in the moment, I guess.  During the contraction I had the hugest "cramp" if you will in my left hip flexor. It was the worst pain. But I couldn't call it pain because they wanted to know pain from pressure. It just hurt. It was pressure I came to realize. Huge pressure, in my hip flexor. It didn't really go away. I was so uncomfortable. More so then before the epidural.

Then my doctor walked in for the first time. It wasn't "my" doctor, but the doctor on call for the group practice. He came with the resident and they looked and said I was ready to push! Just my luck. I always hear storied of friends getting epidurals right before they have to push. I always thought how silly. What's the point of getting an epidural that late in the game. I had thought I was going to be waiting hours for this baby and didn't want pain. Had I gotten the epidural when I wanted it I would have been waiting 2 hours with no pain. The pressure I felt while I was sitting was the same pressure I was feeling now that I was laying and I was ready to push. I was ready to push before I got the epidural. The problem to me (mentally in this labor situation) is that I had no idea how I was dilated!!! In the past I have known along the way because they check to see. I had been checked 2-3 hours ago.

So I could push they said. Every time a contraction came I started to feel it in my left hip flexor. In fact I felt the contractions the most there. It was the most annoying and painful thing. Not like having a baby at all. It was like I went for a run and had the largest hip flexor cramp. It was seriously bizarre.

Now this is my take on epidurals - only my opinion from what I've experienced with my past two labors without an epidural - they are awful when it comes to pushing. I've heard people say that you can still feel push. I beg to differ. Yes, you can feel the pressure and you can feel when you're having a contraction because of the increased pressure. But where to push for me was hard. I could feel the pressure of the resident and doctors hands directing my push - but it was hard. After a few pushes there was no baby and I felt like I wasn't being productive. Where was this baby already? It was my third shouldn't she just pop out with the first push? (jk. . . kind of). In between contractions I could feel the resident stretching my skin out. They could see Hazel's head the whole time but I wasn't pushing enough to get her to come out. It felt like an eternity, but it really only took about 8 minutes. Still, that seems long for a third, to me.  Hazel was born at 1:28pm.

Come to find out - in my opinion -  it was a good thing it took so long for Hazel to be born because the resident was able to stretch my skin enough that I wouldn't tear. If I didn't have an epidural I believe I would have pushed her right out and torn a lot. Of course just my opinion because I will never know otherwise. I also hated having tingly legs and the anesthetic was wearing off. Kind of like when you get back from the dentist and the numbing cheeks on your face get itchy. It was like that but all over my legs. I had a really hard time sleeping or getting comfortable because of it. Next time (if there is a next time) I will probably opt out of an epidural (if conditions are ideal of course - no 30 hour labor).  Just like I wanted to this time if Logan were around.

Hazel was born and taken away by the nurses. I didn't want to hold her because I always get to shaky and my body goes into shock like state. Jana did however go over and watch them wipe her off and get her vitals. She was healthy and happy with a good set of lungs. I was able to shed some tears. Mostly tears of relief that I was done, tears of joy for the birth of my baby, and tears of sadness that my husband wasn't there. I was pretty emotional.

For the next few hours I was so weak and shaky. I was scared to hold Hazel. I felt bad that I didn't want to hold her because I wasn't really "with it" yet. I was so dizzy. I kept telling my nurse I didn't feel right. . . but I guess that's normal.

It was so nice to have Jana there and know that someone I love and someone who loves Hazel was holding her. Jana didn't mind one bit. She had never been to a birth besides her children and was happy to be there for this little miracle.

My friend who was watching my boys brought them about 6pm. I was still dizzy and so tired. I wasn't able to sleep because my legs were still so itchy! I couldn't help corral my boys at all. I just sat there and talked and held Hazel (for a bit).

The first thing Trevor did when he came into the room was walk directly behind my chair and peek up over and say, "peek-a-boo". It was pretty cute. Of course Trevor was all over the room and discovering new things. Brennan wanted to see his little sister and the baby would were going to take home.  Both of them were all over my meal tray and wanted things to eat :)

After their visit Jana left with my boys to go home and sleep with them at home that night. I was left to the hospital by myself with the nurses and the nursery to watch over Hazel and I. I've never been more nervous to see my baby leave the room :( with someone else. But the sleep at night was great! They would bring her to me every 3 hours or so and then take her again so I could sleep. It was nice.

Jana had to leave for home Wednesday evening and so a friends husband stayed with my boys at home that night. The hospital where I delivered required 36 hours before the baby is discharged. So instead of leaving the next day like I hoped. I had to wait until Thursday (Hazel was born on Tuesday).

I have the best friends in the world that helped arrange child care for my older boys after Jana left and while I was in labor on Tuesday. There were awesome and so willing to help.
 Hazel right after birth
 After her bath



 First Brother visit on her birthday. They were only there for about 15 minutes or so. They were too wired and it was their bed time.
 Wednesday visit with brothers. One day old.


Brennan was so excited to hold and see Hazel. Trevor wanted nothing to do with sitting on that chair! ha! He was into my meal tray (pictured below). I had so much more energy this day and was able to walk around and take pictures. I even held Trevor and felt more like a useful person - rather than have people wait on me hand and foot.



Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Logan's conference - Hazel's complicated (if you will) appearance.

These are some random pictures while Logan was at the ARRS conference in D.C. this April. I was still pregnant when he left and my sister Jana came to visit and stay with my while he was gone - ya know, if I were to go into labor and have a baby while he was gone or something crazy like that. It was so nice of her to take 3 days off work. Not to mention those days were days her husband was in Qatar and he own kids needed looking after!!
Throughout the week Logan sent me these text message pictures. Kind of random - but they remind me of that week.


The main reason Logan went to this conference when I was 38 weeks pregnant was because his research was accepted to be shared at the conference. We knew back in the fall that it would fall during the last few weeks of my pregnancy, but decided to plan on him going anyway.  Since the hospital was paying for this trip, he bought a one way ticket to D.C. and figured he'd just get a quick flight home if I went into labor. It was a relatively quick flight and my labors haven't been super quick in the past.
About a month before the conference Logan learned he earned an award for his research and they asked him to speak (no this picture is not of Logan speaking - ha!). Of course they wanted him to speak on Friday - the last day of his stay. Hmm, that made things interesting.. . .

Jana was going to be with me Saturday-Wednesday. She had to leave Wednesday night to be back to work on Thursday and Friday. Logan was asked to talk on Friday and had a plane ticket (he decided to buy his ticket Sunday of being in D.C.) to come home Friday late afternoon. Again I was a bit nervous of what would happen Wednesday night- Friday night. Sure prayed that things would be well.


Saturday and Sunday were great having Jana to hang out with. She was on vacation and I was just waiting - nothing planned for me. We went to the lake on Monday because the weather was beautiful. The boys played in the sand and Jana went for a 5 mile run. She was training for a marathon. When we got in the van to go home she asked if we could do the same thing the next day! Sure, why not?

That night we stayed up until 11:30? 11:45pm talking and me thinking my baby could come any time. 4am I woke up to use the bathroom and got back in bed. About 4:20am I rolled over once in bed and heard a pop and my water broke. My water has never broken with my first two boys. I didn't really know if that's what it was at first. I know I didn't wet my self because I had just used the bathroom. It wasn't a huge gush of water and so I was confused as to what to do. Of course in the middle of the night this happened. I did have some friends on call, but I wasn't having contractions or anything. I called the Dr on call and figured my water had broken. I told her I'd come in that day - but wasn't sure when. I got back in bed and about 5:30 contractions started. They were pretty intense right away! I was worried because #1 - my water has always broke when I was a 10 and ready to push with both boys and #2 - these contractions were pretty intense already. I didn't know how long I had. I know things are supposed to go quicker with consecutive kids.

I woke Jana up and 6am and then we got ready to go. I called my friend and she said she'd head over. My contractions settled down a bit (not has bad or as long) while we got ready to go and luckily my boys both woke up on their own and I could dress them and feed them breakfast while my friend was headed over.
Then we headed to the hospital :) I forgot my bag - wallet, insurance info, etc and realized it right before we pulled into the hospital. We turned around to get it at my house and then headed back to the hospital. They didn't even ask me for anything once I was there.


Easter 2013

 Easter at our house this year was a bit more fun as we're settling into some traditions.
 One of those traditions being: Pumpkin baskets for Easter Baskets. I guess using the pumpkin basket last year for Brennan-last minute-has turned into tradition for Brennan. He doesn't know any different and went to find it when I told him about a play group easter egg hunt this year. He even found Trevors basket. Great! I guess we (ie Easter Bunny) don't have to get them much in the future right?
 Dying the eggs. The boys LOVED this activity.
 Love these poses - who knows why he put his hands here, but he's pretty cute.

 Showing their eggs

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Mexico - Chichen Itza

 The sun shadow showing the snake climb down the tower. Snake head pictured below.

 2000 stripping warriors? Tower of warriors.

 Our hotel on the Chichen Itza property. It was pretty cute - old Mexican style.


 Hanging out at night. Checking out a page from the hotel book of the area we were visiting.

Our guide from Chichen Itza was from Alma Tours - and LDS tour company. We took our guide and his family out to eat. Or should I say he showed us a very "local" place. It was fun to meet his wife and 4 year old son while eating dinner among his friends/extended family. The restaurant was so local it didn't have a sign up at all. It was on a residential street and only known to locals. The meal cost was a true Mexican rate - not some jacked up price because foreigners were eating there. Our meal for 6 people with 3 entrees each (yes, we tried many things) cost just under $30 (large tip included). $5 each! That's what I'm talking about. I had the best lime soup I've ever tried. I do have to say the "local" food might have caused some minor stomach issues with all of us. It's probably the fresh lettuce on the top? I think we could have been more cautions, but it wasn't too bad. Definitely noticeable though and no doubt from this meal.

Mexico - Coba

I don't have pictures of our week day activities (all on my sisters camera), but I did manage to take a few at Coba and Chicken Itza. We left the coast to travel midland for the weekend before we flew home. I was worried about leaving the cool coast air to 90's and humid weather of midland. It ended up being beautiful!!  It was low 70's with no humidity. Couldn't have asked for anything better. At night we were actually a bit cold - can you believe it?


(Logan above) Enjoying the beautiful weather and sites at Coba!
 The Ball court where the chosen athletes played.
The boys rented bikes to check out the sites. Beth and I got to ride on of the bike carts (pictured on the left). We had a nice relaxing ride.
The main tower in Coba where you can still climb to the top. Beth and I stayed at the bottom while the guys climbed up. I sure didn't want to miss a step and topple down with a 8 month pregnant belly. We were sitting on a bench on the lower left.


Mexico - Arrival and Tulum

Logan and I had planned a trip back in August with Beth and Jared. We wanted to #1 travel somewhere we had never been and #2 use our passports. Europe was out of the question because of cost and time needed (if we're flying that far away we want to be there for at least 2 weeks). We had originally thought of Guatemala, but our accommodations were booked (ie there were no more spots for us where we were going to book). we then thought Mexico. At first we thought Cancun might be too cliche, but the more we looked into it we figured it was a popular destination for a reason. We found a great place to stay just south of the city and figured we would rent a car and drive to all the surrounding places we wanted to visit (not the stay at the hotel/beach type vacation I think of when I think of Cancun).

Back in August I hoped I would be pregnant, but didn't know how pregnant I might be when planning Logan's time off and coordinating trip times with Beth and Jared. Ideally this trip 8 months pregnant would have been avoided, but it ended up being totally fine. My doctor wasn't worried at all and I felt great.  Logan's mom was able to fly up from Idaho and watch our boys along with Jana, my sister. It was so nice of both of them to give up their time to help us out.

I did have a cold? sinus/allergy outbreak the week we flew out - I have NEVER felt so much pain in my sinuses than these flights. My doctor told me to take Sudafed for the flight, but it did nothing. Nothing! I had to hold my right eyebrow for over 30 minutes as we were descending because it felt like I was having an aneurism or something. The pressure was so bad. Despite the fact I couldn't really breathe out of either nostril the entire week, the week was still wonderful and I'm so glad we were able to go.


At the airport waiting for my Beth and Jared to pick us up. It was hot and humid! Wow. We were delayed one day in NY because of the storm that came through and dumped snow on the east coast. We left 7 degree weather at 3am to 85+ humid weather in Cancun (I'll say it felt like 100). Logan and my belly!


Tulum - 
 We loved seeing these iguanas everywhere. They're like the park squirrel of US. 
 Ruins. I didn't take many pictures on my camera - My sister has most of them on her camera and I haven't gotten a DVD from her yet :(
 Logan and I (8 months pregnant - 30 weeks).
 The beach at Tulum. It was beautiful! Too crowded for the small portion that was open at the Tulum Ruins. We ate lunch/dinner in town and then swam at a public beach. Beautiful colors!

 I liked Logan in this picture, but didn't take the time to crop out miss yellow tank top.
 Our little trail crosser. His back right leg was also injured (along with the tail growing back).

 Beth and I.

 Heading out of the ruins.

 Lunch in Tulum.