Happiness

This is the story of the birth of our last and final baby. Going into this Pregnancy, I knew things would be a little different. At our first appointment, my Dr mentioned that I would probably get induced around 39 weeks. Having had a wonderful natural childbirth (via Hynpobabies) the previous time, I was struck with a feeling of amazement coupled with a little bit of fear and trepidation. I don't like to go against what Doctors and professionals advise me to do.  And so, after not feeling good about this Dr, I switched to a practice that had midwives. Around 32 weeks along, one of my Drs also mentioned that it was their practice to always induce Moms who were 42 years old at 39 weeks. I did not want to get induced. I didn't like the idea of using drugs to get labor started and I knew that it would make it ten times harder for me to go natural. I knew that I could just stay at home and not go in for my induction date but I did not feel good about that. I ...

  This was taken the day before I went into Labor- 40 Weeks and 3 days- Done Loading!     The Contractions (or birthing waves) started around 7 pm on Wednesday night (the 16th). I was 3 days over due. The night before I had strong contractions on and off but they were gone by the morning. I realized later that they must have helped me progress because things went pretty fast! I had just finished organizing one of the kid's toy bins (a burst of energy) when the contractions started. I got on my birthing ball and bounced while the kids got ready for bed. Josh was talking with Elizabeth and I had to tell him "Let's get these kids to bed!" After they were in bed, Josh read to the boys while I turned on my "Fear Release" Hypno-babies soundtrack on my phone and relaxed into the contractions on the couch. They were definitely stronger and had more kick than the ones I had before, so I knew this was my birthing time! I was slightly worried that...

I have no new news to share with you all today, so I've decided to go over the boys birth experience with you all, my blog audience. On a side note, all four kids are sleeping currently. Jonah and Elizabeth are both sick. This morning I could not find Jonah anywhere. I kept calling his name and when I couldn't find him, I called 911! Needless to say, he was where any sick child would be, hidden deep within his huge blanket, on his bed. Luckily I found him and called 911 back to let them know. An office still stopped by, but that was okay. Poor Ethan started getting nervous and Asher wanted me to hold him the whole time I searched up and down the house for him. Our house is too big. Just so you know. Now, without further ado: Ethan and Jonah's - the twins- Birth Story You boys were born early- at 34 1/2 weeks along, or 5 1/2 weeks early. Too early! You weren't ready to come out. Plus, you had twin-to-twin transfusion (where one twin takes the other twin...

In light of the fact that we just obtained a new niece and cousin yesterday- a baby girl for Aaron and Marrisse- six weeks early!- I am posting Elizabeth's Birth story. I went into labor early Sunday morning- the day after my due date (Sep. 14, 2002). It was 2 am and I woke up with contractions! I was so excited! This is it!! I thought. (Little did I know that you would be born 2 days later.) I woke up your Dad and had him time the contractions- 8 min., 10 min., 7 min- they were all over the place. We called your Uncle Doug around 8 am- who was in Medical school. He said if we had more than 6 contractions an hour to go into the hospital- so we did. They sent us home (irregular contractions). We missed Church and went for a walk. The contractions started coming only every 30 minutes. I was discouraged. Josh said that they would probably not stop- it would just take a while. My visiting teachers came over and taught me. Later, after dinner, Jen and Ben (your Aunt and Uncle) came over...