Emilee's Birth Story

Emilee's labor had been starting and stopping since the last few days of August.  Finally, last night the pressure waves/contractions decided to continue instead of subsiding like all the weeks before. 

Around 6 pm the waves started getting more consistent.  They had been quite real throughout the day, but were anywhere from 20 minutes to and hour apart.  By 6:30 I got in the shower and took some of the waves with the shower beating down on my back.  The pressure and heat of the shower felt very good.  At 6:45 I was texting Megan, one of our friends and birthing assistants, that things were starting up again and that I hoped it wasn't still just practice that wouldn't fade away when I laid down.  Spent the next several waves in the bathroom since every one made me have to pee.  Around 8:15 Gregg and I started to plan out when we would decide to leave, waves were around 7 to 10 minutes apart.  Gregg said we should wait a couple hours, but I was more convinced that things were progressing.  By 8:30 Gregg and I had decided to monitor them for another hour before calling in our sitter and Megan who each had a 30 minute drive to our house.  Our second friend and birthing assistant, Dawn, just lives a couple blocks away so we would pick her up along the way.  We didn't quite make it an hour when the waves got 4 to 5 minutes apart and I told Gregg to make the calls to Megan and Ioana.  That was about 9:15 pm.  I sent a 'get ready' text to Dawn. 

Since all previous labors had been long and I had never been more than 4 centimeters dilated when getting to the hospital, I decided I would text my mom and sister after getting to the hospital and seeing how much progress we had made and if we would be admitted. 

We left the house at 10 pm just shortly after Ioana and Megan getting there.  We headed over to Dawn's house and picked her up.  I was talking and joking with them on the ride, pausing in the conversation each time a wave rolled in.  Leaving home the contractions were about 7 minutes apart.  We decided to stop for gas half way up to Hudson Hospital since I said I had to go to the bathroom.  Ended up all four of us had to go.  I had a pressure wave in the bathroom and then after the other three went (it was a really crapy gas stating with one not so clean restroom), I went again and had another wave.  I then tried to walk very quickly out of the gas station since the waves were getting strong enough that I could not walk through them.  Over the past week we had 60 to 80 degree weather but low pressure was coming in and it was starting to rain and only about 36 degrees outside.  I got another wave half way from the station doors to the car and had to hold onto Gregg.  Gregg, Dawn and Megan were all standing there shivering, but I wasn't even feeling cold.  Was just wearing a t-shirt and a thin zip-up sweatshirt.

We continued along the way.  Megan was keeping track of the contractions and said they were about 4 minutes apart when we got to the Hudson ER enterance.  We got out of the car and I had another wave.  I leaned my head against the van and breathed through it.  I giggled at the end cause we could all hear Gregg's teeth chattering.  I had called ahead to the hospital so they knew we were on our way.  But there was still a little check in to do.  As soon as we were checked in we headed down the hall.  Didn't make it to the first turn before I had to stop for another wave.  I agin used the wall for support.  Then we continued on stopping two more times for contractions.  One time I leaned my head against the wall so fast that I sort of hit my forehead on the wall.  We all laughed a little.  We actually beat the nurse to the room, but I had to pee so I went straight for the bathroom, stopping first for a wave. 

The nurse came in and gave me the monitoring band to put around my belly and offered a gown, but I had brought my own laboring skirts and tanks.  Still using the skirts I sewed for Alivia's labor.  I quickly changed and sat down on the bed for the nurse, Brooke, to check me.  7 to 8 centimeters she said.  She went to page Dr. Hartung.  We asked her to start filling the labor tub quick too!  Megan made a joke that I still had 15 minutes to get the baby out on my sister, Janna's, birthday.  She said 10 minutes to complete and 5 minutes to push.  We all laughed. 

The waves continued to come quickly.  I was leaning on Gregg and having him wrap his arms around me and push on my hip bones durning contractions, but I was finding that I needed to concentrate and breathe and he was holding me too close.  So Megan and Dawn took over the back pressure and I leaned on Gregg.  Time was now about 11:50 pm.  

For the next few waves I was back and forth between the bathroom and outside the bathroom door.  The nurse was trying to position the monitors and attempted to get a IV in my hand.  The first IV attempt didn't go in correctly.  I said I needed to use the bathroom again.  It was just shortly after midnight.  While in the bathroom I started to have the urge to push.  The nurse could tell my breathing had changed and asked if I was pushing.  I said I was starting to get that urge and wanted to get in the birthing tub.  It was 12:13.  Megan put pressure on my back while Gregg changed into his swim suit.  I felt most comfortable leaning over the side of the tub and on my knees.  Dawn got the fan pluged in and blowing on me.  Gregg was great about reminding me to keep any vocal breathing low instead of high pitched whiched made the pressure and pain in my back much more tolerable.  I asked Dr. Hartung about better positions for the back pain.  He suggested trying other positions to see.  I attempted to get into a squat position instead of on my knees, but the back pain was much worse.  I decided to widen my knees some.  The nurse got Gregg as stool to sit on to make him more stable.  Gregg later told me when I widened my legs it helped pinned his more steady to the side of the tub.  He said he was pushing so hard on my back that he felt like he was going to go head over heals!  Glad he didn't say that at the time!

Around 12:40 Dawn started to help Gregg push on my back.  I need constant pressure, even inbetween contractions.  And Megan did exactly as I had asked her to do and kept snapping pictures!  I didn't have extra energy for talking so Dawn helped repeat anything I said, since it came out quiet and under my breath.  Mostly just the words, water, up/down and harder when referring to the back pressure.   Megan was awesome on keeping the water jug when coming in when I needed it.

Sometime before one I said outloud that I was feeling the burning and I could tell she was there.  Dr. Hartung was periodically checking progress and told me to feel, that the bag of waters was bulging out.  It was an awesome experience at that point to be able to feel the very slippery sac and knbeow it wouldn't be too much longer.  I remember asking Dr. Hartung if we needed to break the bag or if we could just let it be.  He said he could break it if I wanted him too, but that it was fine.  So we just left it.  I had read somewhere that it relieves some of the cone head effect if the baby's head is born with the sac intacked.  I was able to get in a couple pushes with each surge.  Then I would feel the sac and her head sneak back up as I waited for the next surge.  Dr. Hartung was gently helping with the streching to minimize/prevent tearing.  A few uterine surges/waves later she was born and the sac of waters did not break until her shoulders were born.  Dr. Hartung said it was a sac of steel.  Just like her sister Alivia. 

She was born at 1:03 am.  She did not come out screaming, just making a few slight sounds.  Dr. Hartung rubbed her bath as I told her Happy Birthday!  Seconds later when she let out a louder cry I could hear the happy comotion of the nurses and Dawn and Megan. 

Gregg cut the cord about 1:15 am.  She still had a lot of vernix, even though she was over due.  We laughed about a huge chunk that was floating in the tub (bottom right of picture above :) ).  We also think she may have been posterior for part of the pushing since I had a lot of back pain, or maybe just cause she was born semi-quickly, but her forhead was quite blue, bruise-like after birth. 

I transfered to the bed, our nurse Brooke checked Emilee out and dried her off quick as Gregg got out of the tub.  Then Gregg got a chance to hold her.  Then the nurse cleaned her up quick and we nursed for a short period of time.  Megan kept close watch on her as I was pushing the placenta out to make sure I didn't hold her to tightly as I was 'gently' pushing ;)  It was now about 1:35. 

Emilee weighed in at 9 lbs and 9.3 ounces.  She was 21 inches long and her head circumference was 15 1/2 inches.  Wow!  She beats her brothers and sister (Garett 8lb 3oz, Elijah 9lb 8 oz, and Alivia 9lb oz).  And no stiches for me, amazing what a body can handle!

Megan and Dawn got their chances to hold and cuddle Emilee before they headed home.  We are so thankful for their help.  There were definetly moments where I needed Gregg and both of them!  Meg and Dawn headed out around 2:30.

Around 3:30 or so we transfered rooms, the postpardum ones were full, so we ended up in the Med/Surg wing.  Not a big deal except there was no bathtub in that room.  But now was time for bonding and sleep anyway!  Gregg fell asleep fast, I got some Ibprophen for the contracting down contractions; there is definetly truth to the fact that they get worse with every baby!  Emilee and I worked on nursing and dosed in and out.  The nurse had put on a white hat with a little pink pom pom hat, but her head was so big it kept falling off and exposing her full head of hair.  Just ready for me to stroke and touch as she was nursing.  So far she has been a nursing champ, my best one yet for getting the hang of it so quickly!  Hope that continues. 

I am so very glad to have another wonderful birth experience.  I feel so blessed with the great support between a awesome loving husband, great friends, an excellent gentle doctor and great hospital staff.  Can't wait to show our beautiful gift from God off to everyone!  I love you Emilee!

Love,
Mommy

Pregnancy Update

So far, so good.  Baby has stayed head down, and seems to be saying face backwards now.  So hopefully no posterior delivery!   11 days to due date!  I almost thought we were going to have a Labor Day baby, but my 4 to 5 minutes apart contractions slowed down a lot after laying down!  Although I thought how cool would a 9/3/12 birthday be!  Although I had to explain to dear hubby that I thought it was cool cause 9+3=12 :)  He laughed and told me how I was a math geek!  It's okay, I'll embrace it!

For now, we wait :)  None of the other three have come early, they have all been 4 and 5 days late, so we won't get to excited yet!

Family Pics

So I was beginning to get nervous, since the photographer we have been using can't get us in for Maternity Pictues until Sept. 10th.  I have done pictures with the other three and was worried this little one might come early.  Yeah I know none of the others have been early, but you never know. 
So anyway, my friend who lives by us on a farm has a nice camera so I asked if we could come and have her take a few 'just in case' pictures.   Here are some of the ones she got!

Pregnancy Update and Swimming Lessons

Thirty-four weeks today and starting to get uncomfortable.  Nausea has been back now for about a week and lasts throughout the day.  When I do feel good enough to eat, I tend not to stop and then feel over full.
Our crazy little Emilee is still laying in my tummy occupit posterior (at least as of yesterday morning).  Although by the pressure on my pelvis that started after some good movement yesterday afternoon, she could possibly have spun!  Let's hope.
Last night Alivia had her first Toddler/Parent swim lessons followed by Eli's first day of Red Cross Level 1 swim lessons.  Alivia had a blast, although she wasn't too happy when we moved to the 'baby pool' (about 1 1/2 feet deep).  She likes the real pool and swimming with Mommy.   I think most of all she likes the half hour of just her and Mommy time!  She soaked it in and smiled and giggled and I enjoyed every minute of it.  We continue each night for the rest of the week. 
Eli on the otherhand was quite nervous.  He loves jumping in and having someone catch him, but he is very unsure about front and back floats and won't relax his body when floating with his arms over a noodle.  With time, he'll get it :)  Meanwhile, I'll enjoy his growth and cute little shyness!

{posterior baby}

So for two weeks now baby #4 has been laying in my belly in a posterior position.  When I was in with the midwife at 31 weeks with cramping they did an ultrasound and saw the baby's sunny-side up position.  I didn't' worry about it since I was 'only' 31 weeks along.  I have just been telling myself to be more consistent in doing my pelvic rock exercises (recommended in Bradley Birthing Class).

But when I went to my Hudson physician on Thursday (got to meet one of the midwives there) and she said the baby was posterior but told me that wasn't a problem, it got me thinking I better be more proactive about this!

So after a little research and a message left for my good friend (who happens to be my chiropractor too!), I spent the evening with Garett and Alivia  (Eli and Gregg had a father-son Twin's game outing last night) watching Land Before Time in a 'playful puppy' position!  Livi thought it was really fun.  Then after a little bit became a little mommy asking me if I was okay and rubbing my back!  Then back playful Livi who decided she should climb on my back and try to ride me like a horse...which hysterically ended up as more of a mommy slide since the point of the position is to have your head down and your butt in the air! 

And for those of you who maybe wondering why I care as long as the baby is head down.  Here is why.  A posterior baby usually has a harder time tucking her chin into her chest as she is coming down the birth canal.  This causes the head to present in a way that has a much larger circumference than need be.  And since my babies have been on the larger side in the past :

• Garett : 8 lb 3 oz
• Elijah : 9 lb 8 oz
• Alivia: 9 lb 6 oz

I really want the head to present in the smallest way possible :)

So, 33 weeks along today, and it looks like some more fun nights of goofy positions.  I have an appointment with my midwife at Mayo on Monday!

P.S.  One suggestion I found suggested scrubbing your floor on your hand and knees.  I am into multi-tasking, but I think that one must have been written by a man!

Excepting another decade...even if I'm a year late!

I'm thirty-one today.  Last year I tried to stay twenty-nine.  I still to this day remember my sweet grandma always saying she was twenty-nine and a half, so I figured I could stay there too! Garett (5 at the time) said if I wasn't having a birthday, then I couldn't have cake.  I told him that was just fine :)  I wasn't completely bothered by the number 30 or anything, but just the concept of it in my head.  The thought that I had years back.  The thought that told me that my twenties were for learning and making mistakes and that when I was thirty I would have life figured out and under control!
But when I turned thirty, I was not to the place in my life.  In fact, I was farther from it than when I was 21 and graduating college and starting a great job at IBM and marring a great man with tons of potential!  I was laid off from my "great job", just had my third baby, and my hubby was still trying to find the right niche for him in his business.  I desperately wanted to stay home with my kids but my husband didn't yet have the income to support our growing family.  So I was job hunting and trying to be a great mom and feeling like I was failing at both.  On top of moving into a new house and trying to find a new place for everything.  Pampered Chef was still going swimmingly, except for the one problem of a recruit who also happened to be babysitting the kids while I was job hunting was robbing us blind little by little.  All in all, I just didn't feel like I had my life figured out, and therefore wasn't ready for a milestone birthday. 

Perhaps the comment this year from my six year old, Garett, was payback.  Payback for when I was a little myself and told Grandma that she must have been born on leap year since that was the only way she could be only 29 1/2!  I think Garett was a bit harsher though when he talked about my birthday and I again said I wasn't having one.  He said, "Mom, face it, you are going to be THRITY-ONE!"  I wasn't sure if I should laugh out loud or send him to his room for his choice of words!  But maybe that six year-old little has a point.  Maybe I need to embrace my thirties and make them great!  So, in looking back over those past three decades are definitely things I have learned and reasons I'm glad to be in my thirties! 

Things I have learned:

I have learned that family is everything, they should be put first and not be taken for granted!


I have learned that even though I think putting on make-up everyday is a waste of time, putting on a little lipstick and fixing the bags under my eyes does make me smile when I catch a glimpse of my face throughout the day.

I have learned there are women out there that are not catty and mean but wonderful.  Ones that truly care about me and my husband and my littles.  Ones who are cheering for you to succeed.  Ones who aren't childish and competitive.  And I am lucky to call some of those women my friends!

I have learned that taking time for a bath or a foot soak is so worth it!


I have learned that taking time to cuddle and watch a movie with my hubby is something we need to do more! 

I have learned that negative feelings never help or fix a situation, looking for the good in things does!

I have learned that you cannot change or redo your past, but you definitely control your present and write your future!

I have learned that 'stuff' isn't important and just clutters your house.  My family is happy just being together.

I have learned eating healthy maybe more expensive, but everyone is so much happier when you fuel your body the best you can!

I have learned that I enjoy photography, pictures and creating with them. 


I have learned that an "I love you" or unprompted hug from my children in mid-day can make my heart melt and make me cry. 

I have learned a positive attitude is the key to good days!

...and I think I will stop teasing my six year-old about being only 29 and finally except that I am today, 31!

First really high fever!

So last night we went for pizza in Zumbrota.  We were waiting for our pizza to get done, the kids were being pretty good and Livi was sitting nicely in her high chair.  Then at about 6:30 she all of a sudden looked like she was going to fall asleep or maybe get sick.  Gregg and I both stared at her for a bit, felt her head and asked her if she was okay.  At that point the only thing that seemed wrong was a snotty nose and the fact that she may fall asleep at the table!  She felt slightly warm but since it was pushing 90 outside, we all felt warm!
As we were packing the kids up she seemed to be getting warmer, so Gregg dropped me off to get some baby Tylenol since we weren't sure if we had it at home.  When I got back into the car Gregg said she coughed something fierce and threw up a little.   Cleaning her up quick with some baby wipes we headed home and got her some Tylenol.  Tried to give the kids a quick bath and got the boys off to bed.  Gregg was holding Livi and she seemed to be breathing heavy.  I took her and said she was burning up.  Gregg took her temp under arm and it was 103.3. 
My kiddos don't get fevers often at all.  Since I work for Mayo Clinic, I resort to calling the Employee nurse line.  After a load of questions, the nurse decided she should be seen in the next hour since she had a cough with the fever and heavy/fast breathing. 
Of course at 9pm during my half hour drive to the ER I trying calling every mom friend I know, especially the ones who have fever prone kids!  And of course...no one is home or answering.  After all, it is Friday night!  As I'm almost to the hospital, Megan calls me back.  At first, she tells me not to panic to much about 103.3.  But a few more sentences into the conversation she discovers that was under arm temp and Livi has a cough.  Sometimes I think Meg was a pediatrician in a past life, cause she immediatley says, "She probably has pneumonia!"   I start thinking we won't be leaving the hospital tonight cause every kid I know that has had pneumonia as been admitted, I was thinking that my kids don't have any breathing issues otherwise, so that wouldn't be the case here!
Anyway, Meg graciously comes and sits with us for 3 hours in the ER to find out that she was right, Livi has pneumonia and with the economy the way it is, there is no longer a 24 hour pharmacy so we would have to wait until morning for antibiotics.  Luckily, after being in the ER for an hour or so, the resident ordered Motrin and by the time we left Livi was a different girl. 
We are still laughing about the resident.  Megan and I (and Livi for the matter) weren't too sure about him to begin with.  He came in and tried to play peek-a-boo with the privacy curtain.  Meg said she wished she had taken her phone out for a picture because Livi was making this face at him like she was way to cool to fall for any peek-a-boo trick.  He finally gave up and examined her.  But as we were getting packed up to leave and she had a good hour of Motrin in her, she actually ran up to him and when he asked for a hug she obliged.  (We did give him a break since he said his only daughter was just 8 months!)
Here's to dealing with the crazy fever thing!

{growing up}

Tonight as I was sitting at Garett's Dance Rehearsal for Hip Hop, I became very aware that I now have a school age child.  It was bittersweet.  There are several of his friends from school that are also in dance classes and when he wasn't dancing, he was watching them dance, sitting with them, and just plain having a good time with his friends! 
I love that he is becoming independent and outgoing!  But for a moment...when I was sitting in the auditorium row all by myself...I was a bit sad.  Remembering just a few years ago when he was sitting on my lap after his class rehearsed, begging me to stay for just one more performance practice!  But the sadness faded quickly as I watched him soaking in the performances with his little friends -- William, Sydney, Melanie and Kaitlyn.  How they got excited when the older ballerinas came out and Garett recognized the helpers from his Hip Hop and Tap Classes and a older friend from church and turned around to tell me so!
Even though I miss the stages of the past, I think I will forever being saying...ooh, I love this stage because...{fill in the blank}.  So for now...I'm enjoying this crazy stage!

Mother's Day

This morning after breakfast, my boys were running around with Daddy before church whispering and trying to get the Mother's Day gift all put together so it would be ready after church. 
Church was 1 1/2 hours today because of confirmation, so it was hard for the little kiddos to sit through. 
When we got home the boys immediately ran to get the present and were so excited to see me open it.  The card had Goofy, Donald and Mickey and I could tell Garett was trying to to burst with the surprise that was inside the bag.  He was so excited when I pulled it out.  He said...Mom, it matches the card.  I had said I wanted a new nightgown and he had picked out a Mickey nightshirt.  I love my littles!

Spread the love

I think it is so amazing to have family and friends who love your little kiddos as much as you do.  Was so touched this morning reading a comment by my sister on a facebook (which I barely ever check...so luckily for some reason her comments get emailed to me!) picture that my awesome friend Lindsey posted of little Eli at her wedding.
Janna wrote: "He is SOOOOOOO Cute! Takes after his Aumie :) I miss him soooo much...got so used to having 3 kids living with me for a week!"
We are going out to visit Lindsey and Michael in California in June -- can't wait to hear about about their new married life and more about her dreams of littles of her own!  They are so sweet, we had a box waiting for us when we got back from vacation and they had added little presents from Disneyland for each kid, wrapped up in beautiful ribbon.  Wish I would have taken a picture of them opening them.  They were so excited. 
Even though it makes tough scheduling sometimes, it is so wonderful to have both sets of grandparents and a wonderful Aumie (Janna lived with us and was Garett's nanny from when he was about 1 month to 17 months and he called her Aumie when he started talking...we assume a mixture of Auntie and Mommy...but either way...it stuck!) who want to take 3 kids when you go on vacation for 10 days!
I hope my kiddos grow up knowing how much everyone loves them!

Baby #4

I am so incredibly thrilled to have the ultrasound today show a healthy baby...and a girl!  I love having a sister and I am so happy that Alivia will have a sister too.  Even if they fight has little ones, you have a built in friend for life! 
I have never been nervous during any of my pregnancies, and I'm not sure why this one is different.  Maybe it is because Gregg already had surgery and I know this is our last, maybe it is just because we have three awesome healthy kids...a few allergies, but otherwise healthy.  Why am I so lucky! 

Even thought an ultrasound can't show everything...I have a sense of comfort from the fact that everything looks great so far!  Baby is growing at a perfect rate and we even think we caught her sucking her thumb!   

I still like the name Violet and Gregg is still in love with Reagan, so I'm thinking this will be another compromise like we had with Alivia.  Scrap the ones we like individually and just pick from the ones we both agree on :)   Maybe I'll have a grandchild named Violet someday!

Shopping run :)

Was looking forward to tonight all week.  Planned earlier in the week to go on an IKEA run with my friend Meg who I haven't gotten to hang out with in a while.  We left right after I got done with work.  She suggested Good Earth for dinner, I had never been there, but since the morning sickness has subsided this week, I was game for anything!   I had the most tasty nachos and Meg had the tune melt...which may sound boring, but was absolutely delicious (cause of course we had to share a few bites!). 
After a great meal and a lot of chatting we headed off to IKEA.  Bummer is the store was under construction and one worker told us over 90% off their stock was gone until they completed the renovation in May.  SAD!  We did find about half the items on my list and a cute little setup for Meg to make a little herb garden off her deck!  All in all a wonderful night!

How do you teach kids tactfulness?

I love how kids just say what is on their mind.  They have true honesty, which can be such a precious gift.  But at what age is it not cute anymore? 
My just turned four year-old tonight was having trouble understanding just how far away September is from now.  I tried using our daughter's next birthday as a comparison which just happens to be within days of my due date with our 4th.  So I mentioned to Eli that the event would happen around Alivia's next birthday and he responds with, "Oh, you mean when you get really fat?"  Which I actually thought was cute and funny, but then realized maybe I should be correcting his words.  I don't mind at all if he calls my belly fat, but by no means want him to tell any other pregnant or even non pregnant women they are fat! 
Of course, my first thought is do I use that word, where is he getting it from?  But the real root of the issue is how to teach him not to hurt others' feelings.  How, in my everyday life, can I show him to be kind?  Since I have learned, showing is so much more effective then telling!
The more my children grow, I realize more about myself, good and bad.  I see things they do and say and think, wow, I do that too and never realized it until I watched them!  It is amazing how much these little people can make me want to be a better person/mom/wife/daughter/friend.

Wonderful lunch today!

Today I got to spend my lunch hour with my dear friend, Leigha.  Leigha and I were introduced by my co-worker (coincidentally, Leah!) at IBM when we were both pregnant with our first.  Our due dates were within weeks of each other.  I am pretty sure it was July of 2005.  I distinctly remember our first conversation.  I stopped in her office and asked her if she was planning on breast-feeding her baby (and at that time...I didn't consider myself that outgoing!).  But my office-mate, Jess, during my co-op at IBM had her first baby in January of 2003 and was a leader of Le Leche League (LLL), unfortunately that week was the first of the 4 month (1 a month) session and Jess would not be there.  I wanted to breastfeed (mostly because my mom said I probably wouldn't have enough milk because she didn't) but didn't want to go by myself! Leigha said she was planning on it and would go and we were instant friends.  When I asked were she lived so I could pick her up, it was amazing, because she lived a block away...literally could almost see her house from the street outside mine! 
Our first babies are 16 days apart, our second ones are 2 months apart and the third are a little over 9 months apart.  And the order is boy, boy, girl for both of us!
Anyway...since my layoff from IBM 2 years ago and us moving 25 minutes north last year...we don't get to spend nearly the time together that we used to.  So I so much treasure our far and few between lunch dates!  I love hearing about her family and how they are doing and growing.  Since her hubby helped watch Garett after my sister moving home, our oldest boys are such good friends.  They always thought they would go to school together, so since we moved right before they started Kindergarten this year, we try to get them together whenever possible!  It is just so nice to have friends around you that also love your kids :)

Famous Last Words!

I have been saying I would start writing things down that happen in our crazy little life for at least a year now.  Today is the day to take that plunge!
As a mother of 3 (soon to be 4), working full time, also carrying a successful Pampered Chef business and trying to be a good wife to her loving husband, I often get asked the question, "How do you possibly do it all?".  And I don't really have a good answer, I just do it.  I know a lot of credit goes to my wonderful family and friends!   But thinking back, I think I have just always been this type of person.  My husband Gregg and I started dating our sophomore year of high school.  I remember him asking me the summer before college when I would slow down.  I told him in college I won't get involved in everything!  I had decided to concentrate on my studies and have time to do fun crafting and things on the side.  I even decided to stop dancing to save some of my time.  Famous last words right.  By the beginning of sophomore year of college I was VP of Hall Council, working in the Math office, tutoring several students and one lab in Computer Science, and carrying 19 credits. (I'm sure there was more I can't remember now, 11 years later!)  By the end of first semester I was accepting an RA position I would keep through the rest of my time there!  He loves me despite my craziness and proposed on New Years Eve during that sophomore year.
Once finishing my 4 year degree, getting a job at IBM, getting married that summer, and starting my Pampered Chef business in the fall, I was so glad to be done with school I said I would never do anymore.  Again...famous last words!  Three months later my third line manager was advising me to go back for my Master's Degree, paid for by the company, before I decide to start a family!  He knew exactly how to pull out my "I can take on anything" attitude and there I was in school again while working full time!  It was scheduled to be a 5 year program while working full time, which would be fine since we weren't going to start a family for around 5 years anyway. 
Once Again...famous last words...During my third semester (1 1/2 years in), after many doctor appointments, we finally find out the pain in my side was being caused by a cyst left over from ovulation and I was pregnant!  Gregg and I are the oldest children and this would be the first grandchild on both sides.  Needless to say everyone was very excited even though we had not planned on it.  In fact, a few months before we were at our 5 year class reunion where a few friends already had kids and were asking us when we would start.  We threw out our 5 year time frame (yes...notice it hadn't moved to 4 years...we were still saying 5!) and left it at that!   Funny that at the 10 year class reunion...when we should have had 1 or been pregnant...we already had 2 boys -- but now I'm getting ahead of myself!
So our first born was a boy, we had no problem deciding on the name Garett (two t's to match Gregg's two g's) and he was a major blessing in our life coming in December 2005.  My sister, Janna, decided to go to massage school and we talked her into moving to MN to live with us and we'd cover her school cost while she worked as Garett's Nanny in return.  That was a huge blessing too.  We will forever miss having her living with or close to us!  Not long after she moved back to WI, Garett was 18 months old and we decided to have #2.  Well little did we know when we decided we were already there!  In fact I do remember a comment from Gregg to my Dad after a few to many beers saying "We never get to try!".  He still gets teased for that one!
Now through all this time I was still working on my Master's and little baby Garett was learning a lot about databases, because I had to multitask.  I read my textbooks aloud to him!  I know, poor kid is either going to be a computer math geek like his mom or completely hate everything that is computer related!  So my forth year I decided to double up on classes and get this master's degree done.  That urge to be done was then intensified by the onset of baby #2 news.  But I do what has to be done and I graduated and walked across that stage very pregnant in December of 2007!
Elijah (Eli) entered our family in February 2008.  With Garett I had no problem going back to work when he was 8 weeks old.  Eli wasn't a c-section so my leave was only 6 weeks long.  I was not ready to go back at that point.  I was finally getting the urge to be at home with my kids.  I did go down to 30 hours a week...but for a salaried employee it was never just 30 hours.  Although I did have my Friday's off with my boys.  When summer came we spent lots of time at the outdoor pool at the Athletic Center.  We loved it there.  We also loved the park and shopping.  It never phased me to pack up the two kids and head out! 
Gregg had transitioned out of his financial adviser role and into a leadership role training new financial representatives.  We had hoped this would cut back on his late hours, but it did not.  The good thing is that it provided a steady paycheck, which we did not have on commission.
In January 2010 we found out we were expecting again.  This one we did get to try for a few months!  Hoping for a girl, but Gregg warned we were done either way!  Just over 9 weeks I was walking into work and devastation hit. Just a couple weeks before at the first baby appointment the midwife thought she saw twins.  We decided to wait it out instead of going in for a big ultrasound at that point.  But now...at 9 weeks I feel leaking.  I quickly walk into the building and straight for the bathroom.  It was my fear...blood and lots of it.  It was just flowing like the first day of a bad cycle!  I somehow made it to my office but couldn't function enough to even get my computer on the docking station and turned on.  I tried calling Gregg with no luck...several times.  Finally called Eli's daycare provider.  Her husband was home so she said she'd call the hospital and say I was coming and come and get me.  Meanwhile, I walked out of my office and there was my manager...I remember saying..."I'm pregnant and hemorrhaging and I need to go to the hospital."  He very politely asked if I had a ride, which I did, and off I went.  I tried calling Gregg's work's secretary.  She eventually tracked him down and he got to the hospital before the midwife came in the hospital room.  By that point the bleeding has slowed...almost stopped.  When the midwife arrived the pulled in the ultrasound and there it was...one strong heartbeat.  Which to me was udderly amazing by the amount of blood.  The only explanation they could come up with was that I was carrying twins and we lost one.  I'm not sure anyone can understand the attachment a mom feels to a miscarried child without going through the situation.  I was a wreck.  I had one solid strong heartbeat in my belly to pull me through rather quickly.  I can't even imagine the heartache I would have felt had she not survived.  And all that attachment at only 9 weeks pregnant.  After that the pregnancy progressed smoothly.
Gregg very much enjoyed the job in leadership.  He loved getting new people started in their careers.  But the job soon became political and a numbers game.  He missed and longed for the time when he was out in the field. 
As Gregg was wavering on which direction he would go, IBM had a layoff.  This was getting all to common in the IBM world, but this time it hit our world.  In the morning of March 1st of 2010, I got the dreaded phone call from my manager.  "There is a resource action and you have been affected!  Your last day will be March 31st."  I was devastated.  I called Gregg and he said very calmly, "Its okay!"  I remember almost yelling back..."I don't think you heard me, I am getting laid off!".  Like any wonderful husband, he said it was a blessing.  I had been working every night after the kids went to bed, sometimes into wee hours of the night.  Some weeks doing 60 to 70 hours.
Now all of a sudden I was a stay at home mom with 2 growing boys and due September 11th.  Also, with pressure from myself and others around me to look for another job.  (Part of my layoff package included a career coach).  I was torn between working in the field that I spend so much time going to school for and staying at home with my kids where I felt I was being lead.  In April, I did get to take my 4 year old on an awesome trip just the 2 of us.  One we still remember and talk about!  But as the next couple months passed, I felt like I was a horrible stay at home mom.  I had some much time dedicated to resume writing and job hunting that I couldn't just be a good mom and wife! I had a couple interviews that ended with questions about my pregnancy (very obvious by now) but no offers.  I was very happy for summer.  The boys and I had a blast being outside and having time with friends and Daddy when he would get home at night.
Gregg decided to go back out into the field in September, opening an office 25 minutes north of us.  He kept his eye out for houses although I still wasn't convinced to move.  I loved out house!
In September 2010, our baby girl, Alivia, came.  Took us until she was about 3 hours old to agree on a name!  The boys adored their sister and I was really getting into the grove of the stay at home mom thing!  Also doing Pampered Chef shows to help our finances and working towards earning an awesome trip to Maui for Gregg and I. 
In January we closed on a house closer to Gregg's work.  We took a few months to move and were finally officially there at the end of March.  This is when I got the phone call with a full-time job offer.  I was excited and bummed at the same time.  We still hadn't rented out our old house yet and the money would help.  And part of me missed my mathematical job...but most of me knew I'd miss my kids more.  But, a job offer from Mayo Clinic comes with great benefits and good job security...so here we go again!  We found an awesome Nanny, who loves our kids and in April I was back to work!
Only now I was commuting instead of Gregg!
In May was our Pampered Chef vacation in Hawaii.  It was awesome.  I so wish I lived close to the ocean!  
The summer went by so quickly, but I was able to get my hours changed so I could be home by 5 instead of 6pm every night.  That made for some awesome evening trips to the pool and walks around out new neighborhood.  We were also able to get in our annual strawberry picking at a friend's back in Wisconsin.  In September, Garett started Kindergarten, Eli started his first year of preschool, and Alivia turned one!  It was chaotic and crazy, but what's new, right?   September 30th my dear friend from college got married and I was so blessed to be part of her wedding in California.  We had a great trip.
The fall tends to be busy for me with the Pampered Chef business and all the fun holiday things to do with the kids.  We love making apple orchard and pumpkin patch visits!   And then Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are here and gone before you know it.  Gregg also moved to a new office across the street in the early fall, he loves the new location!  Gregg also finally called for his vasectomy appointment in October.  He has said he was getting it done right after Alivia was born, almost a year before, but I said I wouldn't call for the appointment.  I wasn't sure I was done, but I support his decision, I just wasn't making the appointment.  Of course the appointments were already into the next year. His consultation was set for mid-January.  Then the procedure set for February 3rd.  In the last weeks of January, I finally felt content with 3 children.  We had a great family, traveled well, which we like to do often.  Then I thought I was getting the flu at the end of January.  It wasn't until I started talking aloud to Gregg that we looked at each other and he said, "There is a test in the bathroom, take it!"  Sure enough...one more 'famous last words' for you... we are expecting!  Due date - two days after our 3rd's 2nd birthday!
This winter had been a slight bummer for the kids with its warmth.  Only one sledding trip and one ice skating adventure was had.  Although I know next year will come all to fast!
Well, it has been almost a year since I started work again and I am finally going to move to .8 FTE in April.  I would rather half-time, but Fridays off is a good start!  I want to learn to slow down and take in all the small stuff.  Enjoy all the funny things my kids say!   Hopefully I can learn to simplify and this won't end up to be one of my famous last words!