Sunday, March 15, 2015
Meeting the Big Kids
We got home from the hospital while the older kids were still in school. Ben's mom and sister, who were up stairs, came down to visit and then Ben left to grab a few things for me. He got home just before the kids did and did a good job of capturing their emotions when they first met Samuel.
They each took turns holding him and love in the room was thick enough to touch.
This little guy went from being the youngest brother to a big brother and he was so excited.
This fertility journey was not just my journey, it was shared with Ben and the kids. We prayed together for a new baby, we were heartbroken together when I had a chemical pregnancy, we were overjoyed together when we saw the ultrasounds and we cried together when he was finally home. Those big kids of mine sure have experienced a lot with us in those years and I know it made us all so much more grateful for Sam's safe arrival. Soren even bore his testimony recently and cried tears of gratitude over finally having a little brother after so many years. It was such a tender moment.I sure am grateful for the love and help these kids provide me and their little brother.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
His Birth Story
Sam's birth story is very special to me. He was my second fastest labor but the first one that Ben and I welcomed on our own. My parents had planned on coming up so my mom could be with me but my dad was having some medical issues of his own. He ended up having a stint put in the same morning I was having Sam. We really need to stop having medical procedures together. Gratefully my dad is doing much better but it made it so they couldn't travel quite yet. Ben and I are a really good team and did just fine by ourselves.
We arrived at American Fork hospital by 7:00AM and got put in a room and the induction process started. I was so grateful for my awesome nurse who made us both feel at ease and helped make me not miss my mom as much. Naturally my blood issues gave them all cause for concern and then to top it off my blood pressure was high throughout as well. I was already dilated to a 4 when I was first checked and then they started the pitocin at 8:00AM. The doctor came in and broke my water and the contractions started coming. I was trying to go without an epidural and breathe through them but it got to the point where they were right on top of each other and I was getting no breaks. After a couple hours of this I decided I couldn't do it any longer and requested the drugs. They checked me again and I was between a 5 and a 6. By the time I laid back down after the epidural was placed I was feeling so much pressure and so the nurse checked me again and I was at an 8. My contractions were so strong and coming so fast that the epidural couldn't get ahead of the pain and it took a while before I got any type of relief. The epidural did help bring my blood pressure down. The doctor was worried that I would need magnesium to help with my blood pressure and it was a serious concern but luckily it went down to a safer number. I finally felt some relief from the epidural but it was short lived. I started feeling a ton of pressure and soon needed to push. I was at a 10 and ready to go. The doctor came in and had me start to push but he became concerned about my clotting issues and how high the baby still was. He decided to let me just hang out and let my body work the baby down with the contractions. I, however, was not on board with that plan. It felt better to push, so the nurse let me do little pushes to help ease the pain and pressure. Through these pushes, I managed to turn Sam from anterior to posterior and bring him down to crowning, all in about 15 mins. The doctor came back in and after a little bit longer pushing, Sam was born at 12 noon exactly. He was immediately placed on my chest and Ben cut the cord. Ben stood my side throughout the whole process and was so supportive of me. He talked me through the pain and encouraged me through the pushing. And managed to keep all of our family updated and take pictures too.
One concern I had about my mom not being with me was who was going to take the picture of my baby on the scale. She has taken that picture for all of my other 3. Well Ben knew my worry and was right on top of it. Sam was a very nice 7lbs 10oz. and 20 inches long.
After he was weighed and measured and wiped down a bit, they put him right back on my chest for some skin to skin time. It felt amazing to have this precious miracle fresh from heaven so very close. He stayed there for a couple hours before they took him to the nursery to get cleaned up. Ben got to go with him and watch him get his first bath and do the footprints. I stayed behind and was cleaned up myself and then moved to my recovery room.
Soon Ben wheeled my little Samuel into the room and I lost it. He was just the cutest thing with a head full of blonde hair and I was so overcome with emotion. Ben and I had a quiet moment to ourselves and said a little prayer of gratitude. It was finally sinking in that we had another baby after all those years of trying and our hearts were full.
Throughout our hospital stay, every single person who came into our room commented on his hair. He was all the talk in the nursery too. No one could get over how much hair he had and what a light color it was.
We stayed 2 days so that I could continue to be monitored because my blood pressure was still a little high. They diagnosed me with gestational hypertension. The only downside was that the hospital was not letting any kids under 14 visit due to the cold and flu season so we couldn't have the kids come see their new little brother in the hospital. It did, however, give Ben and I lots and lots of time to just enjoy and love on our new baby by ourselves.
Like a first time mother, I rode in the back with Samuel on the drive home. He cried some but seemed to enjoy the vibrations of the car. We didn't sleep much those first few nights as we tried to adjust to everything but I can't imagine him not being here and I am thankful beyond words that he arrived safe and sound.
We arrived at American Fork hospital by 7:00AM and got put in a room and the induction process started. I was so grateful for my awesome nurse who made us both feel at ease and helped make me not miss my mom as much. Naturally my blood issues gave them all cause for concern and then to top it off my blood pressure was high throughout as well. I was already dilated to a 4 when I was first checked and then they started the pitocin at 8:00AM. The doctor came in and broke my water and the contractions started coming. I was trying to go without an epidural and breathe through them but it got to the point where they were right on top of each other and I was getting no breaks. After a couple hours of this I decided I couldn't do it any longer and requested the drugs. They checked me again and I was between a 5 and a 6. By the time I laid back down after the epidural was placed I was feeling so much pressure and so the nurse checked me again and I was at an 8. My contractions were so strong and coming so fast that the epidural couldn't get ahead of the pain and it took a while before I got any type of relief. The epidural did help bring my blood pressure down. The doctor was worried that I would need magnesium to help with my blood pressure and it was a serious concern but luckily it went down to a safer number. I finally felt some relief from the epidural but it was short lived. I started feeling a ton of pressure and soon needed to push. I was at a 10 and ready to go. The doctor came in and had me start to push but he became concerned about my clotting issues and how high the baby still was. He decided to let me just hang out and let my body work the baby down with the contractions. I, however, was not on board with that plan. It felt better to push, so the nurse let me do little pushes to help ease the pain and pressure. Through these pushes, I managed to turn Sam from anterior to posterior and bring him down to crowning, all in about 15 mins. The doctor came back in and after a little bit longer pushing, Sam was born at 12 noon exactly. He was immediately placed on my chest and Ben cut the cord. Ben stood my side throughout the whole process and was so supportive of me. He talked me through the pain and encouraged me through the pushing. And managed to keep all of our family updated and take pictures too.
One concern I had about my mom not being with me was who was going to take the picture of my baby on the scale. She has taken that picture for all of my other 3. Well Ben knew my worry and was right on top of it. Sam was a very nice 7lbs 10oz. and 20 inches long.
After he was weighed and measured and wiped down a bit, they put him right back on my chest for some skin to skin time. It felt amazing to have this precious miracle fresh from heaven so very close. He stayed there for a couple hours before they took him to the nursery to get cleaned up. Ben got to go with him and watch him get his first bath and do the footprints. I stayed behind and was cleaned up myself and then moved to my recovery room.
Soon Ben wheeled my little Samuel into the room and I lost it. He was just the cutest thing with a head full of blonde hair and I was so overcome with emotion. Ben and I had a quiet moment to ourselves and said a little prayer of gratitude. It was finally sinking in that we had another baby after all those years of trying and our hearts were full.
Throughout our hospital stay, every single person who came into our room commented on his hair. He was all the talk in the nursery too. No one could get over how much hair he had and what a light color it was.
We stayed 2 days so that I could continue to be monitored because my blood pressure was still a little high. They diagnosed me with gestational hypertension. The only downside was that the hospital was not letting any kids under 14 visit due to the cold and flu season so we couldn't have the kids come see their new little brother in the hospital. It did, however, give Ben and I lots and lots of time to just enjoy and love on our new baby by ourselves.
Like a first time mother, I rode in the back with Samuel on the drive home. He cried some but seemed to enjoy the vibrations of the car. We didn't sleep much those first few nights as we tried to adjust to everything but I can't imagine him not being here and I am thankful beyond words that he arrived safe and sound.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Belly to Baby
Now that a month has gone by, I'm finally getting a chance to blog. But only a short and sweet one. This was the first pregnancy where I tracked the size of my baby bump. I used instagram and the hashtag babybrownbellybump. It was so fun to see how I changed over the course of this pregnancy.
And then of course after all those belly bump pictures I was proud to post a picture of what I was cooking up in there...
Welcome to the world, our family, and now the blog...Samuel Teddy! He was 7lbs 10oz and 20in long. Life has been totally turned upside down but in the most amazing and joyful way and we wouldn't change a single minute of it.
(Birth story and a million more pictures to come)
And then of course after all those belly bump pictures I was proud to post a picture of what I was cooking up in there...
(Birth story and a million more pictures to come)
Friday, January 2, 2015
A Look Back at 2014
2014 was quite the year. Our family went through so many changes and we have had a lot of ups and downs. Let's take a look back at what a year we had.
January- We started the year with Ben still unemployed after being laid off in 2013. I refocused my stress and worry to working out and joined a biggest loser type group. We just plugged along with life, praying and hoping that we would be guided down our right path.
February- This was the month that turned our lives upside down. Early in the month, we decided to throw caution to the wind and surprised the kids with a three day trip to Disneyland. It was one of the best vacations we have had so far. It helped us reconnect as a family and it was exactly what we needed after all the stress of job hunting. Then right after Valentine's Day, Ben got a call about a job offer in Lehi, Utah. We had decided that we had wanted to try to move north but I guess I was kind of in denial about it actually happening. Little did I know, the Lord had great plans for us once we sacrificed and moved. So in the middle of February, Ben moved in with his brother and started working while I stayed in Henderson and packed and helped the kids. We were separated for 2 weeks before the kids and I made a trip up to see Ben.
March- Ben and I spent the first weekend in March together and then were apart for pretty much the rest of the month. It was probably one of the hardest months of our marriage and my motherhood. I really struggled being a single mom and it was like the kids knew how to make it even harder on me. Some how we managed to make it through. I think my long walks and hours in the pool helped keep me from going absolutely insane. It also helped my lose 35 pounds in 3 months! My sister gave birth to my adorable niece in March too. I turned 31 the last weekend we lived in Henderson and Ben came down to help us finish packing and load up to move. I was pretty happy to have survived March and be reunited with my husband and have my family back together.
April- It was a month of adjustments. The kids started their new school 45 minutes from where we were living. We all were squished into a one bedroom basement where Ben and I had our bed in the main living space. We were far away from my family and surrounded by new family. It was a crazy transition for us.
May- May brought warmer weather and our family getting life figured out. We seemed to settle into a good routine and felt like being up in Utah was exactly where we needed to be. Ben was still working, I was still driving forever to get the kids to school and then walking up to 7 miles everyday, and our family was enjoying getting to know our Utah family better.
June- For the first week of June, the kids and I headed south to Henderson and spent some much needed time with my family. It was a great time away. After we came home, I was shockingly surprised with a positive pregnancy test. Luckily, it was summer and we spent our days being very lazy. Both of my boys had a birthday and we spent an amazing day in the temple with all of Ben's siblings and parents.
July- We felt confident in the pregnancy and made our big announcement. It was so nice getting so many excited well-wishers and being able to spread our joy around. But July also brought some rocky times with Ben's job. We muddled through and moved into our current basement apartment toward the end of the month. Ben and I also celebrated the 14 year anniversary of our first date.
August- We started the month with Soren's baptism. It was such special day for him and our family. We were so grateful for all the family that drove near and far to share in his day with us. August brought more adjustments as we worked on our new home and got ready for school to start. We also received the exciting news that we were adding a little brother to our family.
September- We continued to try and figure out this whole basement and Utah living. The kids made even more new friends and loved their teachers. We spent a great day at Lagoon for Ben's work day. Then we ended the month with a trip to Henderson. I finally have a picture of me pregnant as the same time as one of my sisters and we welcomed home my cousin Zack from his mission. I can't believe how much my kids grew over the two years while he was away.
October- This month brought some struggles for us. Ben's job started running out of work as the winter weather moved in. But we got more of our apartment finished and the kids had a great homemade Halloween.
November- In November, we welcomed a little snow, another new niece, a birthday girl, a bigger belly, and all of Ben's family for Thanksgiving. We were also forced to welcome unemployment once again and lots of stress and worry. We had many moments where we just couldn't figure out why we were so strongly urged to move to Utah, only to have so many trials. Honestly, we still haven't figured it out yet but are trying to have the faith needed to keep moving forward, hoping for good things to come.
December- As my belly grew so did our worry and stress. But gratefully, like I blogged recently, we have had many angels watching over us and we were extremely blessed the month of December. We had a really good Christmas despite it all and some gorgeous snowfall.
As we leave another year behind, I'm eager to see it go and then discover what this new year has in store for us. We are so excited to have our life turned upside down by a newborn joining our family in just a few short weeks. We are constantly praying for a new job for Ben and for life to balance its self out for us. I feel like we received so many blessing this past year but also so many trials. Our faith has been tested and the struggles have been real. Satan has really tried to get to us but we continue to fight and hope that we will come out of this trial all the better. My biggest goal for the new year is to find peace and be still. It's almost laughable knowing we are having a baby soon after a 8 and a half year gap but I want to be able to step back and find that peace and reassurance that He has got it all in control. I hope this New Year finds all of our family and friends happy and healthy and blessed.
January- We started the year with Ben still unemployed after being laid off in 2013. I refocused my stress and worry to working out and joined a biggest loser type group. We just plugged along with life, praying and hoping that we would be guided down our right path.
February- This was the month that turned our lives upside down. Early in the month, we decided to throw caution to the wind and surprised the kids with a three day trip to Disneyland. It was one of the best vacations we have had so far. It helped us reconnect as a family and it was exactly what we needed after all the stress of job hunting. Then right after Valentine's Day, Ben got a call about a job offer in Lehi, Utah. We had decided that we had wanted to try to move north but I guess I was kind of in denial about it actually happening. Little did I know, the Lord had great plans for us once we sacrificed and moved. So in the middle of February, Ben moved in with his brother and started working while I stayed in Henderson and packed and helped the kids. We were separated for 2 weeks before the kids and I made a trip up to see Ben.
March- Ben and I spent the first weekend in March together and then were apart for pretty much the rest of the month. It was probably one of the hardest months of our marriage and my motherhood. I really struggled being a single mom and it was like the kids knew how to make it even harder on me. Some how we managed to make it through. I think my long walks and hours in the pool helped keep me from going absolutely insane. It also helped my lose 35 pounds in 3 months! My sister gave birth to my adorable niece in March too. I turned 31 the last weekend we lived in Henderson and Ben came down to help us finish packing and load up to move. I was pretty happy to have survived March and be reunited with my husband and have my family back together.
April- It was a month of adjustments. The kids started their new school 45 minutes from where we were living. We all were squished into a one bedroom basement where Ben and I had our bed in the main living space. We were far away from my family and surrounded by new family. It was a crazy transition for us.
May- May brought warmer weather and our family getting life figured out. We seemed to settle into a good routine and felt like being up in Utah was exactly where we needed to be. Ben was still working, I was still driving forever to get the kids to school and then walking up to 7 miles everyday, and our family was enjoying getting to know our Utah family better.
June- For the first week of June, the kids and I headed south to Henderson and spent some much needed time with my family. It was a great time away. After we came home, I was shockingly surprised with a positive pregnancy test. Luckily, it was summer and we spent our days being very lazy. Both of my boys had a birthday and we spent an amazing day in the temple with all of Ben's siblings and parents.
July- We felt confident in the pregnancy and made our big announcement. It was so nice getting so many excited well-wishers and being able to spread our joy around. But July also brought some rocky times with Ben's job. We muddled through and moved into our current basement apartment toward the end of the month. Ben and I also celebrated the 14 year anniversary of our first date.
August- We started the month with Soren's baptism. It was such special day for him and our family. We were so grateful for all the family that drove near and far to share in his day with us. August brought more adjustments as we worked on our new home and got ready for school to start. We also received the exciting news that we were adding a little brother to our family.
September- We continued to try and figure out this whole basement and Utah living. The kids made even more new friends and loved their teachers. We spent a great day at Lagoon for Ben's work day. Then we ended the month with a trip to Henderson. I finally have a picture of me pregnant as the same time as one of my sisters and we welcomed home my cousin Zack from his mission. I can't believe how much my kids grew over the two years while he was away.
October- This month brought some struggles for us. Ben's job started running out of work as the winter weather moved in. But we got more of our apartment finished and the kids had a great homemade Halloween.
November- In November, we welcomed a little snow, another new niece, a birthday girl, a bigger belly, and all of Ben's family for Thanksgiving. We were also forced to welcome unemployment once again and lots of stress and worry. We had many moments where we just couldn't figure out why we were so strongly urged to move to Utah, only to have so many trials. Honestly, we still haven't figured it out yet but are trying to have the faith needed to keep moving forward, hoping for good things to come.
December- As my belly grew so did our worry and stress. But gratefully, like I blogged recently, we have had many angels watching over us and we were extremely blessed the month of December. We had a really good Christmas despite it all and some gorgeous snowfall.
As we leave another year behind, I'm eager to see it go and then discover what this new year has in store for us. We are so excited to have our life turned upside down by a newborn joining our family in just a few short weeks. We are constantly praying for a new job for Ben and for life to balance its self out for us. I feel like we received so many blessing this past year but also so many trials. Our faith has been tested and the struggles have been real. Satan has really tried to get to us but we continue to fight and hope that we will come out of this trial all the better. My biggest goal for the new year is to find peace and be still. It's almost laughable knowing we are having a baby soon after a 8 and a half year gap but I want to be able to step back and find that peace and reassurance that He has got it all in control. I hope this New Year finds all of our family and friends happy and healthy and blessed.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
A White Christmas
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)