Thursday

Today I took the first step back into our normal routine after having the baby. We attended our weekly homeschool bowling league. It didn't go too badly. Declan was oohed and aahed over, of course. Mostly I worried about keeping track of Zane and Aiden while taking care of the baby. Overall, things were fine.

I'd forgotten that the trickiest part about taking a newborn anywhere is managing his feeding schedule. I fed him right before we left home, but he was still a very hungry boy by the time we got back. I could have fed him there, but I'm glad he waited.

This evening, Scott helped the kids carve their pumpkins.

The finished result:

BIG brother

How is it that Zane could seem so little to me one day, and then Declan is born and Zane suddenly seems huge? LOL

One week new

7 days gone already. Sigh.

the birth story

Last Monday at this time I was having pretty much no contractions at all. I was uncomfortable, but resigned to the thought that I'd probably have another week to go.

I went to bed at midnight, and then up for a potty break at 1am. I settled back into sleep only to slightly move my legs a half hour later and feel an incredible gush of water burst from my body. Instantly awake, I reached across and started shaking Scott's arm. "Honey, my water just broke!" It took a couple shakes and then I heard a groggy, "Did it really??"

Umm...no. I just thought we'd do a trial run. LOL He woke up fully and we started getting ready for the hospital. I had only fully packed my bag the day before -- great timing, huh? We fumbled around a bit, trying to remember everything. I really wasn't in a hurry since I still wasn't having contractions. I took a shower, updated my blog and made sure Scott had the list of people to call or email.

Finally, I admitted I should call the doctor. She resisted my attempts to talk her into letting me stay home a couple more hours, and ordered me to the hospital. We arrived there at 3am. I finally began having a contraction here and there. Still not very strong. They sent me to a delivery room and had me change into the very attractive gown, and I overheard one nurse asking the other if they were admitting me. She answered that she wasn't sure, they needed to determine if my water really had broken. Hello...I didn't go in for a little seepage, this was a flood.

She checked me and quickly agreed it had indeed broken. At my doctor's appointment the week before, I was barely 1 cm dilated and since I'd not had many contractions, I expected to be at a 2 or 3 at most. So I was very surprised when she announced I was at 6 cm!

They let me get up and walk around awhile. This brought on a few more contractions, but they still weren't terribly painful. After an hour, they checked me again and I was at 7 cm. Usually once I hit 6 or 7 I go extremely fast up to 10 but this one was taking awhile.

My Dr. arrived, and she was scheduled to go off work at 7am so they decided to give me pitocin to hurry things along. And since I was progressing so slowly I agreed to an epidural. In past labors, the pitocin has brought on very painful contractions so I wanted to be prepared.

Once they hooked me up to pitocin and got the epidural in, the monitor stopped registering anything -- contractions or heartbeat. After fumbling with it for awhile, they decided to hook him up to an internal monitor. I could feel him moving around, so I wasn't too worried. However, soon after they got him hooked up, his heartbeat slowed way down.

They flipped me to my other side and put oxygen on me. His heart rate thankfully picked back up to normal. Poor guy! I went along like that until 9 cm. Unfortunately, the epidural did not take at all on my left side. I had that happen before, but since I had such a great epidural last labor, I thought I'd try again. Now I really wish I hadn't. So the contractions got increasingly more painful but I still wasn't quite at 10.

Finally I asked to roll to my back since nothing was happening on my side. Sure enough, the second I did that the doctor said the head slipped down more and I was at 10 and ready to push. For the last 3 labors, I have pushed maybe 2 times each. But this baby continued to be different. It probably took a good 8-10 pushes and he was out. It turns out he was face-up, which was what made the labor take longer.

They laid him on my stomach and oh, he was so beautiful!! No signs of Down Syndrome at all, praise the Lord! He nursed well from the beginning and also had a hearty wail.

The doctor exclaimed over his cord -- he had a perfect knot tied in it. See, this proves he was so very active in my tummy!

We had a very peaceful first day until he scared by throwing up bile. But it all ended well and I'm so thankful to have my precious baby home and our family complete.

Babymoon day 4

I find it hard to believe Declan has already been here 4 days! At this time last week I felt like I'd be pregnant forever. LOL

He is doing wonderfully. I took him to his regular pediatrician yesterday for a checkup and he said he looks great. He is down to 7lbs10oz but judging by the way he's eating, I think he will put the ounces back on quickly.

It's not quite been the quiet, relaxing, get-to-know-you few days I usually have after a new baby comes home. My parents came down the morning after Declan was born and my dad started looking for a project he and Scott could work on while my mom helped me with the kids.

We recently had a dishwasher leak in our kitchen and it made a small section of the floor warp, so they decided to redo our floor. The plan was to knock it out before me and Declan came home. However, the best-laid plans, right?

They came across a couple obstacles so I ended up coming home to a bit of disarray. As in, my stove and dining table were in the living room, my dishwasher was in the front yard...you get the picture.

My dad and Scott definitely work fast, though. I had a new floor by evening. The next day they worked on a new pantry and today was finish work.

Thank you, Mom and Dad!

So while not relaxing, this week has been productive! LOL My parents left for home today and so me, Scott and the kids will now settle into our new family life. Dear friends have been bringing meals and that has been such a blessing.

Here's a few shots of our newest member:

With proud big brother:

Sooo tired:

Ah, that's better:

I'm really not getting much sleep, but I know it's just for a season and I'm loving the quiet moments in the middle of the night alone with my guy.

We're home

Just a quick note to say both me and Declan are home, safe and sound. =)

I will post more pictures soon.

Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes!

Breaking news...this just in...

Thank you to all for your prayers. Declan is starting to do well. He made it through the night without spitting up. The doctor looked at him this morning and slowed his IV down to a 6(?). He has been sleeping most of the morning. At about 11am., he woke up and wanted to eat. He nursed for about 40 minutes total. They removed the tube from his nose, but left the IV for now. Then about 2:30pm, he was ready to eat again. The doctors/nurses said they should be able to slow the IV to a 3 and possibly remove it by night time so he can be in moms room.
Robin's parents came down for the week to help out "poor ole tired dad" and mom of course, when she comes home.
Robin is going to stay another night in the hospital with Declan so they can watch him thru out the night. If all goes well, both mom and baby will be coming home tomorrow.
I will keep everyone updated until Robin can take over the Blog. I wanted to Thank everyone for their prayers, help, and wonderful support we've been getting.
Until next time...
Scott &

Prayer Request

At about 8:30 this evening, Declan had to be admitted to ICU cause he was spitting up green bile. They weren't sure why, so they inserted a tube in through his nose to pump fluid from his stomach, they also took X-rays. At this point they are thinking he most likely swallowed meconium. They are monitoring him closely overnight and Robin is not allowed to feed him, so they inserted an IV. By morning, if all goes well, they will unhook him and try breast feeding again. Worst case, if he continues to spit up green bile, they think it can be that his intestines may be twisted. If so, they would immediately transfer him to another hospital for surgery. Your prayers are very much appreciated and I will update when I can.

Scott

Well here it goes...
We arrived at the hospital about 3 am this morning and got mom all checked in. Robin was only dilated at 5 to 6 cm. and wasn't in too much pain. Her Dr. was on call until 7 am and REALLY wanted to deliver the baby, so she wanted to speed things up. Declan Scott was born at 8:19am., weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 oz., 21" long. He is a very healthy baby boy and already took up nursing.
We both want to Thank the Lord and every one for their prayers. Mom and the baby are doing well, and should be home either tomorrow or the day after. Depending on the "rest" she can get at the hospital.
Robin will update (with pictures I'm sure) as soon as she can.


Scott &

He's on his way!!

Well, we are off to the hospital ... I had mild contractions yesterday but nothing to get excited over. Then before bed I just felt extremely uncomfortable and couldn't seem to sit still. I went to bed about midnight and slept well until 1:30 when my water suddenly broke.

I'm still not having many contractions but I called the Dr. and they need me to go in to make sure the baby is handling things okay.

So sometime today we should meet our little guy! I admit I'm worried it could take awhile since I wasn't dilated at my last appointment and the contractions are just not there.

Prayer for a quick delivery and healthy baby are much appreciated!!

Btw, those of you that have my cell phone number can feel free to call and check our progress -- Scott will keep my phone on him.

I will have Scott update the blog as soon as he can...

Officially Due

Okay, here is my official 2nd due date. I'd have to say it was closer to the mark -- I've had some contractions over the weekend. Nothing too big, but at least things feel like they're finally happening.

I kept pretty busy the last couple days -- doing a lot of gardening mostly. I also walked all through Walmart grocery shopping and stood in their ridiculously long checkout lines. Anything to get this labor going!

I go to the Dr. Wednesday for a non-stress test and we'll see if there's any progress...

fall fun

Since this baby doesn't seem to be arriving anytime soon, we ventured out on a field trip today to a farm. I thought some walking couldn't hurt, right?

We stuck to the petting zoo and wagon ride, though, and skipped the 6mile corn maze. =)

Zane liked looking at the animals but when I gave him feed for the goats, he'd throw it from a safe distance rather than get too close. LOL

This is a baby alpaca. So sweet.

The kids enjoyed scouring the field for their perfect pumpkins.

What a beautiful fall day!

new due date

Okay, so mother's intuiton wins out. =) My original due date for this baby was October 20th. At my first ultrasound, they changed it to the 12th but I've always felt the 20th was more accurate. My doctor insisted on the 12th until today. She finally conceded that maybe the 20th is more likely.



So I've changed my ticker and will NOT consider myself overdue until after Monday. LOL She asked if I'd like to be induced next week but I really want the baby to come on his own. So I have an appointment next Wednesday and she'll put me on the monitor to see how baby's doing. If all is well, she will give me until the beginning of the week of the 27th but she said that is final. LOL



So I feel like I have a bit of breathing room to let this baby and my body decide when they're ready. I'm only 1cm dilated and not having many contractions so it's not time yet.

Nada

Still no news...I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday so she'll give me my options then. I think she'll want to set an induction date while I really want this baby to come on his own. We'll see...

Today's the day!

NOT. Lol. Sorry -- this baby has decided he's nice and comfy and not ready to go anywhere. We've had a mellow weekend with almost no contractions.

We're just continuing to get a few odds and ends done around the house this weekend so we're prepared when he does arrive. I will be packing my bag for the hospital later today. See -- I never expect my babies to come early!

I'm also trying to get in as many snuggles with Zane as I can. He won't be the baby much longer. =(

Fantastic Fourteen

My oldest "baby" turned 14 today. I'm saddened by how quickly time flies by and yet so very blessed to know the young adult he's become. He's my right hand when it comes to Zane, and I know they've formed a bond that will last a lifetime.

He wasn't home for most of the day, as Fridays he attends FACE. Scott snuck down and decorated his doorway last night, and I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We gave him one gift before he left. Then I showed up during his lunch break with cupcakes and had his friends sing Happy Birthday. Not sure he appreciated that one! =)

We took him out to dinner at his choice of restaurant -- he picked Chili's. Here he is with his dessert.

At home, he opened gifts. His main one this year was an iHome for his room.

We love you, Conner!!!

39 week appointment

Baby is deciding to settle in for the winter, lol. He is low, but no lower than last week. My cervix is thinning, but still not dilating.

The doctor says she will let me go until the 20th, but beyond that we must talk induction. Ick, I really hope he comes on his own.

Prayers for something to start happening are appreciated. =)

In the meantime, we have the baby's room all ready, except I have one load of newborn clothes that were Zane's to launder and put away. I love how tiny they are and the sweet smell of Dreft. I had packed a couple of his newborn diapers with the clothes and the kids were amazed at how teeny they are.

I will show Scott how to post on the blog so he can let everyone know when baby finally does arrive.

catch up

Well, we're in the home stretch now. One week to go according to the doctor. About 2 according to me. =) We'll see who is right. I finally started having some light contractions this weekend. With my previous pregnancies, I've had contractions for 1-2 weeks before the kiddo showed up.

I am definitely at the end of my energy. Everyday tasks are taking much longer and much more effort on my part. And baby boy has moved his big, heavy head directly onto my pelvis in the last week. Yeouch! But overall this has been an uncomplicated pregnancy so I shouldn't complain.

In other news, both Brenna and Aiden are doing well in their Options program. Brenna absolutely loves her sign language class, although she really enjoys all her classes. Aiden is doing wonderfully in his Kindergarten class. I think one day a week is just right for him.

Conner and Chase are doing well at FACE also, although Conner doesn't really enjoy all the homework that comes along with being in high school. =) He is really learning a good lesson in time management this year.

Zane is growing so fast and putting together new words everyday. I'm finding it so hard to believe that he will no longer be the baby around here!

We had a very busy weekend, Saturday was MOPS. This is the first meeting I was able to attend this year and it was so good to see everyone. We had quite a few new ladies which was wonderful. Then I went to a friend's house and had a nice chat. In the afternoon, Conner and Chase went to a birthday party, so I dropped them off and Scott picked them up.

Sunday Brenna went with her Girl Scout group downtown to hand out water bottles at the finish line of the Race for the Cure. Scott and the kids went to church while I had an unexpected surprise. A friend I hadn't seen in 2 years was in town and I got to have breakfast with her. It was so nice to catch up with each other!

Then I took Aiden to a birthday party and then church choir. It's been a very full weekend and it's gone so fast. Guess it's good to keep busy in these last weeks, right?

I plan to show Scott how to update my blog so he can post when baby does arrive.

fall colors

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is take a drive into the mountains to see the glorious colors. Unfortunately this year we can't seem to find the time. All is not lost however. Scott and Chase went camping with the Boy Scouts last weekend and took some pictures for me. Almost as good as seeing it for myself.