Journey Through Motherhood

Nov. 18, 2009

Blessings Abound!

My heart was pounding.
I looked in the first window, you know, the one that tells you if it's working properly.
Then I watched the second window.
Sure enough.
It was working.
The second little blue line appeared confirming a positive test result!
I went upstairs to my bedroom and sat quietly in my rocking chair.
Back and forth...contemplating.
After a few quiet moments, my husband came in and he knew.
He knew that in a few short months we'd have another cuddly little bundle to hold!

Yep!
Baby #7 is on the way!!

I'm already 12 weeks along and due the first week of June.

We kept our news to ourselves for a little while this time because we were feeling quite overwhelmed.
My other 'little baby' is only just 13 months and so I wasn't really ready for this kind of news. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE babies around here and they are truly a blessing. I just wasn't expecting this so soon and needed time to adjust to the idea before we began telling others.

It still doesn't feel real yet, except for the nausea.
Although it's tapered off a bit now, I've never had nausea this bad with my other pregnancies.
And the tiredness!
I need a nap just about every day!
I'm amazed that such a teeny tiny baby can make you so tired!!
As for cravings, the only thing I've really craved is milk.
And, of course, with every pregnancy, I crave ice-cream!
My pants are already beginning to get tight, which is freaking me out just a little.
With my first pregnancy, I don't think I started showing til I was 18 weeks!!

So. we'll have to juggle around the bedrooms again and figure out how we're all going to fit in our van, but those are minor adjustments. I'm just thankful we have a house to put them all in!

And June is a lovely time to have a baby(we already have 2 June babies). We'll get a good year of school in before the sleepless nights ensue.
And I'll have given birth before the heat of the summer.

So that is our Happy News!

Thanks for stopping by!

Oct. 27, 2008

A Birth Story

You've heard the news, you've seen the photos, now here is the story:

This birth story actually begins the day before he was born(Tuesday, Oct 7, 08).
I was feeling really ready to have this baby! I was already a week overdue. I was emotional and having almost constant lower back pain. I went to see my doctor.
He told me that he would be away for the weekend(it was our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend) and if the baby came then, he wouldn't be available to deliver.
He also said that on the following day(Wednesday) there was one opening left at the maternity ward for an induction and if we wanted, we could book it.
We decided to go ahead and book it.
Being induced didn't bother me, like I said I was really ready!
So, he stretched my cerv*x and stripped the membranes and I went home and vacuumed my house from top to bottom!
I vacuumed under furniture and under couch cushions. I cleaned my kitchen, got caught up on laundry...etc.
You might say I was 'nesting', but I also knew that keeping myself active would help bring on contractions!
I also ate about 6 Reese's Peanut Butter cups!! (Just in case the rumor was true!)

Well, later that night, at about 2am I was awakened by contractions.
They were strong enough to keep me awake, but not strong enough that I thought I needed to go to the hospital. They came at about 10-15 minutes apart and I kept hoping they would stop because what I really wanted was a good night's sleep! (see here)
I had had contractions that had stopped with other babies, so I was expecting that these would too.
Well they didn't!
In fact, by about 5am they were getting more intense. I was having to breathe through them. I knew that Hubby would be awake at 6am because we had to be at the hospital by 7:30am anyway. We had babysitting for our kids already planned and I wanted to labour at home as much as possible.
When Hubby got up, he was surprised to see me in labour, and I was in a hurry to get to the hospital.
We called to let them know we were on our way and I was having contractions, but I don't think they realized how intense they were until they saw me. I couldn't walk from up to the ward, Hubby had to get me a wheelchair!
The nurses got me into a room quite quickly!

I was a little disappointed to find out that I was only 5cm dialated! I had wanted to be more than that, I just wanted to get to the 'pushing part'!
Anyhow, they got me all settled, hooked up the fetal monitor, an IV(because I'm a VBAC) etc.
My Dr came around 8:30am to break my water. I also asked for 'drugs'. I knew that the contractions were only going to intensify and I wanted to be prepared! They gave me a little phentalon(sp?) and only a little, because I had said that I was feeling light headed. It helped me relax in between contractions, which by now were beginning to feel like one looong contraction.
I was having back labour and the pain didn't go away in between.

Anyhow, I think they expected me to take a while to get fully dialated. Every time my Dr hinted that he might leave and come back, the contractions seemed to get stronger!
When I finally got that 'urge to push', I felt like I wasn't going to be able to do it. I even said that! But my Hubby was very encouraging and prayed with me.
It only took about 3-4 pushes and he was out. It was 9:58am.
They put him on my tummy and I was so releived it was over, excited to see my baby, and exhausted!
I hardly had enough energy to push for the placenta!

I remember asking if he was a boy. Nobody announced it when he came out. I have to confess that we knew it was a boy, but I wanted to know for sure.
I also remember being very hungry!
I hadn't had anything to eat since dinner, the night before! Thankfully they had saved my breakfast tray and I had my handy-dandy trail mix!
I was so glad that I had gone into labour on my own. At least I was half way there by the time we got to the hospital! I also had no tearing or stitches and so I felt really quite good!

I had a student nurse in on my delivery. Actually she was in on just about everything! The Dr. and nurses were getting her to do almost everything to give her hands-on experience. It was her second day in the ward and my baby was her very first delivery! I totally didn't mind, in fact, I was excited for her!

I was so glad that my Dr. was able to be there. He was there for all of my other babies. He's a Christian and he always prays with us. He popped in later in the day, when our kids had come to visit, and prayed. It was a special time with all of our family there.

My 4yr old kindly pointed out that I still had a fat tummy! And he thought that 'the new baby looked like Yoda'! (He's never seen the movies, just pictures in books.)

One thing that I must share is that 6 years ago on October 8, I had a miscarriage. And this baby just happened to be born on the anniversary of that date! I said 'just happened', but I know that it was planned by God. Here I was, a week overdue and waiting to have this baby and God already knew what day he would be born on. A definite testament of Hope and His Faithfulness!

It has taken me a while to get this typed up and posted, needless to say, I'm a little busy right now! But all is going well. I consider myself real lucky if I get a nap and a shower in the same day!! Chickadee is a big help.
Hubby has been great too, cooking dinner and doing dishes.
He's always in awe of the birthing process and is amazed at what I endure to deliver a baby. He's been buying me treats like this

and this.

(I had commented on this cute moose in a flyer and Hubby came home from work one day with it!! A perfect red accent for my living room!)

Thanks for stopping by and reading this lengthy post.

Sometimes when I'm nursing, or burping my Wee One, I'll be around and read your blogs. I don't always comment though, because I don't like to type with one hand.

Blessings!

Oct. 15, 2008

One Week...

My Wee One is 1 week old today!
It doesn't feel like a whole week, only just a couple of days and yet it also seems like he's always been a part of our family!
Here are some pictures as promised:

Stay tuned for his Birth Story!
Coming soon...

Oct. 14, 2008

A wee bit busy...

It's amazing how one tiny, little 7lb human can consume almost all of one's time and energy...leaving everything else, like dishes, laundry and blogging, to fall by the wayside!
I will try and post a picture and his birth story later today, but in the meantime, all is going well. I feel great-except for lack of sleep!, but I love this newborn stage and so I'm soaking up every minute of it.

Some of you have asked about a name. I don't share my kids' real names on my blog, but he does have one. However, Hubby and I have had the hardest time deciding on a middle name. You can pray for that, because I think I need to be the one to bend in this area.

Well, Baby is sleeping and so I need to buzz around the house getting some housework done while I can. I'll try and get back here later today.
Thanks for all of your kind comments and well wishes!
Blessings!

Oct. 9, 2008

He's Here!!

It's a BOY!!
Announcing the long awaited arrival of our new baby boy!
He arrived yesterday, October 8th at 9:58 am and weighed 7lbs 10 oz.
Thank-you all for your prayers and well wishes!
My labour was reasonably short and swift and no stitches!
I will post more of the birth story and pictures later. We have only just got home from the hospital, but I wanted to share my happy news.

Oct. 8, 2008

Something's Happening...

It is 4:18am as I type this.
I'm having contractions that are strong enough to keep me from sleeping, but I don't think I need to go to the hospital yet.
I'm scheduled to be induced later this morning anyway.
I'm a little grumpy because I'd rather be sleeping!
Pray for me!
Something is finally happening...
Woo-hoo!

Oct. 5, 2008

The Wait Continues...

And the wait continues...
Yesterday I scrubbed the bathroom from top to bottom(except the bathtub, which I couldn't bring myself to do!) and I made this lovely loaf of Irish Soda Bread,

does that mean I'm nesting? I don't know, I was exhausted by the end of it.
I think I may need to redo my nails...

Sep. 30, 2008

Waiting...

And waiting...

Yes, that's my pregnant self!
Don't you like how I co-ordinate with our Coca-Cola shower curtain?

The top photo is my hospital bag, all packed, complete with trail-mix! All I need to add is a the camera and a few toiletries.

I ordered that diaper bag from Land's End when we had our first baby. I don't actually use it for a diaper bag any more(too big), but it makes a great overnight bag.
My hubby liked it because it didn't have bunnies or teddies on it, so he could carry it and still feel manly!
Designs have changed since then. (How can you tell that I don't have much to do-let me rephrase that; I do have lots to do, if I wasn't so big and achey! My point is that I'm babbling on about diaper bags! It's a slow news day around here!)

And as for the car seat, well, I keep finding my 2yr old's baby dolls in it!

What I am wondering is, what will my baby counter say when the 40 weeks are up?

Sep. 9, 2008

Pregnancy Update

My baby counter tells me I have 3 weeks left!
Where did the time go?
My body is definitely getting ready for the big event. My hips are dislodging themselves, making walking seem like a chore at times, and stairs, well I have to be really motivated to go up stairs!
Like I've mentioned before, God made the gestation period of 9 months just long enough so that you'll do anything, even go through a painful labour, to get the baby out!
I'm at the point where I just want to get to the pushing part. At least then I feel like I'm actually doing something and I know it won't be much longer till I can see my baby!

I am beginning to get the baby stuff out, but I'm a bit panicky that I'm not completely ready yet. I still have to set up the bed, something I want to do this week. I have dug out the newborn clothes and have begun to wash them, but I don't have the dresser for them set up either!!

I did find a stroller at a consignment store that has the car seat that fits onto it. I was very excited to find it! My old stroller was, well, old. I wanted one that the car seat could attach to so you don't have to wake the baby when getting in and out of the van!

Speaking of van, we won't be able to travel as a family in one vehicle after the baby is born. We thought we had some bench seats lined up to install and turn our 7 passenger into an 11 passenger, but that fell through.

Hubby bought me some fruity soap for my hospital bag. Mmmm...it smells like lemonade! What else do I bring to the hospital? Trail mix! You never know what time that baby is going to come and the food at our hospital is horrible. Even the nurses tell you to get somebody to bring you in something else to eat!
And sour candies. After all of that breathing I always have what I call 'deadmouth'. Nothing wakes it up like sours!
I also bring my own pillow. I might not get very much sleep while there, but at least I can be comfortable!

I guess I'm babbling a bit...but there's not much to report on...just aches, pains, and preparations!

Aug. 14, 2008

Pregnancy Update

Well, I have 7 weeks left and I'm starting to feel it!
The hot weather probably isn't helping. Going up the stairs is starting to wear me out, never mind going on errands!!

My kids are in swimming lessons right now. I go in the pool to help my 4yr old while the teacher works with the older ones and then we switch off. So, I get a nice dip in a refreshing pool every day. I can't complain about that!

I've only gained about 23 pounds! I feel like I can eat ice-cream guilt free!
I've felt more emotional lately too. I guess it doesn't help when you go shopping for nursing bras and you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror! I don't know why they don't use more flattering lights in stores!?

I did buy some new pajamas for the hospital. That's one thing I always do before I have a baby. I buy something new and comfy, in a size larger than I usually am(because we all know that you don't 'shrink' right away!), that I can wear when people come to visit. I pack it in my bag and don't wear it till after the baby is born. Those hospital gowns just aren't flattering!
I also buy some new fruity soap for that first shower.
After giving birth, it's a nice pick-me-up.

I had a check-up today and the doctor said that the baby was posterior. I sure hope it moves before labour, so I don't have the added back pain! I had that with one of my babies already. He was posterior for the whole last month of the pregnancy and it made even walking difficult!

So, that's where I'm at.
Probably next week I'll start airing out the 'newborn' baby clothes...oh, the little sleepers and the itty-bitty socks!

Jul. 23, 2008

Pregnancy Update

Today is the 30 week mark in my pregnancy!
Easy math and that's 10 weeks left!! Although I'll probably be a little late, none of my babies have been early.

I still feel reasonably good. I do get tired quickly, especially if I've been on my feet too much. I feel them start to get tight and I know I have to sit down.
At my last check-up I had only gained about 20 pounds, but it's all in front of me! Bending over is a pain. When something is on the floor, I look at it and determine how badly I really need it, or I ask one of the kids to pass it to me!

The baby has become really active in the last couple of weeks. It must have had a growth spurt or something! It also chooses bedtime to practice some gymnastics!

I always have vivid dreams when I'm pregnant. Last week I dreamt I found an abandoned baby. Hubby thought that was weird and sad, but in my dream it was a good thing. It was cute, chubby little baby boy and I wanted to take him home and look after him. I never got to find out if I was aloud to or not.

I have so much to do in the next 10 weeks! It's hard to imagine that it will be October, I might just have a Thanksgiving baby!
I think God made the gestation period just long enough so that you're ready to give birth by the time it's up.
I'm definitely not ready, but I do so look forward to holding my newborn...oh and the new baby smell!

Well, for most of these pregnancy updates, I've been using a the lovely photo above, which is not my belly. I have just been playing around on photobucket and here are the results:

Jun. 26, 2008

Pregnancy Update

My calendar tells me I'm 26 weeks. In 4 more weeks I'll be 30 weeks and once you hit the 30 week mark, 40 weeks doesn't sound so far away(even though October does sound far away!).

I went for my glucose test and because I haven't heard anything back yet, I'm assuming that I don't have gestational diabetes. Which is good because my craving continues to be ice-cream, especially the soft serve kind, but I'll settle for milkshakes too, anything cold and creamy!

I tend to have fairly easy pregnancies(I'm not bragging, I sympathize with those who don't.), but one thing I do get is leg cramps!! If I feel one coming on, I try to relax to keep it at bay.
I can tell when I've been on my feet to much and I have to sit with them up at the end of the day.

The baby calendar on my sidebar says that the baby knows my voice.(I will never forget one particular moment, right after my second baby was born. He was breech and so I needed a C-section. Although I couldn't hold him immediately after being born, they brought him up to my head for a little snuggle. He had been crying since they had pulled him out and has soon as he heard my voice, he stopped!! He knew my voice!) I told my kids that the baby can hear low voices better than high pitch ones and so when they talk to it, they always speak in a low voice. One thing this baby will be used to, is noise!

I've been having some interesting comments from my 4 year old. Like "Does the doctor open up your tummy and the baby just crawls out?"(I gave a gentle explanation of how I have to push the baby out, but the doctor is there to help.) and "You have a big, huge, fat tummy!"(What do I say to that? Ummm, 'Thank-you'?)

Over all, I can't complain. I actually enjoy being pregnant.
Nothing is as precious as those first few moments though, right after birth, seeing your new baby for the first time...
that makes me anxious for it to be all over.

May. 8, 2008

Pregnancy Update

We have movement!
Albeit, ever so slightly, and only when I'm still for a long time, like when I'm laying down to go to sleep or driving.
I actually felt it last week(around 17 1/2- 18 weeks) but sometimes those first few flutters are hard to distinguish.

I am now 19 weeks along, almost half way!!
The first half always goes by so fast!
I am definitely showing, although I only measured 14cm at my last Dr visit. It all falls forward when you stand up!
I also did not gain any weight during the last month! Huh? It must all be going to the baby!
I feel my worst in the evenings, my feet get sore, and sometimes it feels like I'm 6 months along already.

Next week I go for an ultrasound. I always love that! Not the full bladder part, just seeing the baby's shape and seeing it move.
Has anyone ever had one of those 3D ultrasounds done? There is a clinic close by that offers them.

My latest craving: soft serve ice-cream. Am I satisfying this craving? Not as often as I'd like!

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