Stay at the Hospital

Aaron's birth story luckily is very boring.   As soon as the pitocin started working things went really fast.   I probably waited too long to ask for my epidural  but once the meds started working they really worked.  In fact they made me a little loopy but loopy is better than feeling those contractions.    Around 5:00 pm the nurse checked me and I was completed dilated and ready to push.  A call to the doctor was made.    Once she arrived they got me ready to push.  I remember feeling  a little out of it that I was nervous I wasn't with it enough to push.  With Bart at my side I started pushing and moments later Aaron was born.   The first feeling I felt was instant relief like taking off a very heavy backpack.  I'm sure my body was so happy to lose the 10 pounds of baby and all the fluid.   With this delivery I was overwhelmed with the miracle of birth and so grateful when they placed this beautiful baby on my stomach.

Aaron had a hard time warming up so he was put under heat lamps for a while and they delayed giving him a bath until the next morning.  This time I was able to watch Bart give him a bath.  It was such a precious moment for me.

We enjoyed all the visitors we had in the hospital.  Jane and Emily were so excited to finally meet their brother.  For months they would always give me two hugs.  One for me and one for baby Aaron.   Now they enjoy giving Aaron his own hugs!

  I'm very grateful for the time Aaron and I were taken care in the hospital but it was also such a relief to leave and start our new adventure with Aaron at home.

Meet

Aaron Judd Richards
Born: Sept 27, 2012
Time: 5:59 PM
Weight:  9 pounds 12 ounces
Height: 21.5 inches

Welcome to the family Aaron!

Eviction

Today is the day to meet our little guy.  (cross our fingers  it's not longer than that)  I really wanted to go into labor by myself.   Judging between Emily and Jane's birth I'd pick Jane's where I came into the hospital contracting and things went so well.  But with being almost 41 weeks and this kid is measuring really big my doctor recommended getting induced to avoid other problems.    Last weekend I started having early contractions.  Each night since then I swore I was  going into labor but I'd wake up the next day feeling great.  I guess there is something to bed rest. 

I arrived at the hospital a couple hours ago.  The doctor checked me and I was dilated to 4 so they immediately broke my bag of water and hooked me up to  Pitocin which should be kicking in any time now.    Sorry my little one,  I know you really like it inside me but it's time to be evicted!

It's the simple things

We finally moved into our new house.  What is my favorite thing about my new dwelling?  Well it's being able to eat a meal without anyone having to touch each other.   

A huge thank you to Bart's family for helping us move and Raquel for tackling the disaster upstairs!    Hopefully we will never ask for that favor again.  We are staying put!

Nesting without a Nest?

With less than a couple of weeks to go until this baby boy joins my family I have fleeting feelings of nesting and getting things ready for this baby.  But the truth is my nest is not ready for us to move into, which makes nesting a little hard.  We've been lucky enough to crash at Bart's parents house.   I feel so spoiled right now,  I try but Pauline won't let me do much of anything,  and my girls are loving all the attention from their grandparents.   In my head I want this baby to stay put so I can get into my new house and get a little settled but then night comes and I'm a big swollen emotional mess pleading to this baby to make his appearance.    It's so funny how I've endured 9 months yet I feel like making it through these last couple of weeks is going to kill me.   I keep reminding myself of my theory that God makes the last few weeks so difficult that when you are up all night with a newborn exhausted it's easier to endure because the alternative of the baby staying inside is way worse.

I am proud of myself for finally buying a package of diapers and thanks to some generous gifts this kid will have something to come home from the hospital in!   It's a good thing this is my 3rd and I realize a baby doesn't need much of a nest only a mommy, daddy and a couple excited big sisters.  Oh yeah and a car seat so they let you out of hospital.  I guess if needed Bart can dig that out of storage!


I switch between feeling like these two cartoons.  Dang Hormones!

Muddy Mud

This labor day we headed out to Thousand Lakes Mountain.  This was the year we were supposed to go to the Dark Valley Cabin but I think I influenced others to be on my side due to Thousand Lakes is only an hour away from the a hospital and going to Dark Valley on that bumping road I swear would send me into labor.   My dad was the hardest to convince and justified that my sister Ally the OB could easily deliver this baby.  Allyson replied with no way am I cleaning up that mess besides I forgot my gloves.

 We got there during a huge thunderstorm.  It quickly died down but left the place a big muddy mess.    It ended up being pretty warm with continued scattered showers. That didn't stop the kids from playing in fact I think the mud made for more entertainment.   I love watching my girls play with their cousins outside for hours.   They also enjoyed more time being William's entertainment.

Jane digging in Grandma Becky's signature stash of candy

Jane is such a pro at making Willy laugh!

Raquel leading the little kids in duck duck goose

I wish I could have captured the worst of the mud but that was during the time Bart and I were getting dinner ready.  But look at Bentley's feet and you'll get the idea

1st Day of 1st Grade

Emily is back in school at a new school.    When I dropped her off I was so nervous for her but she didn't act a bit scared to go to a new school.   I hoped all day she would make some friends.  When I picked her up she was so happy and told me all about the new schedule.  She was so excited that she was chosen to be the teacher's special helper all day.  She also talked and talked about how the kids in the class can earn points to go in a special little door and play with surprises.    I asked her about if she made any friends and she casually said sure but I don't remember their names.

I think the teacher and this class is a great fit for Emily.  She continues to be excited to go to school each morning and is happy when I pick her up.  Who knows what I was nervous about.