YAY = MY MOM IS HERE
my mom is going to be here for 5 weeks, along with my "little" brother Buzz, and my dad is coming the last week
YIKES = IVY IS COMING HOME
a wonderful friend has graciously taken care of Ivy since Benjamin was born, and she is coming back tonight... should be interesting.
1.30.2008
1.29.2008
Benjamin's Birth Story
If you hate these kinds of things please feel free to skip this post (although I promise not to give too much info), but for the few that have asked... here you go. :)
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On Tuesday the 22nd, I had a doctor's appointment at 2pm. (Remember, this was the day my car died while merging onto a 6 lane road... gotta love it). The doctor said I was 4cm and 100% effaced and that she was on call until 7am... and she would love to deliver the baby. :) (I wanted her too, because I really like my doctor and I didn't like the one who was on call the next day :). Thankfully we stopped on the way home to get the hospital bag out of my car which was still being fixed. At 5pm I started feeling contractions (I had had about 5 hours of false labor that morning from 1-6am). At 10pm or so they started getting intense and had been coming about 5 minutes apart for an hour. Call me silly, but I wanted to wait until midnight to go to the hospital because they bill from midnight to midnight, so I didn't want to pay for an extra day when I was only there at 11pm! So at midnight we called my doctor and she met us at the hospital at about 1am. I was 6cm at that point. So for the next 5ish hours Andrew and I walked the halls and toward the end the rocking chair became my best friend. :) I don't know when I started pushing, but not much before 6am, because after 2 pushes my water finally broke and then push 3 Benjamin made his appearance at 6:08am on the 23rd. Although I wouldn't call it fun, it was an amazing experience, and with Andrew's help I was able to make it all the way through without any medication. We are so glad he is finally here! We are so blessed and amazed by our little miracle.
L
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On Tuesday the 22nd, I had a doctor's appointment at 2pm. (Remember, this was the day my car died while merging onto a 6 lane road... gotta love it). The doctor said I was 4cm and 100% effaced and that she was on call until 7am... and she would love to deliver the baby. :) (I wanted her too, because I really like my doctor and I didn't like the one who was on call the next day :). Thankfully we stopped on the way home to get the hospital bag out of my car which was still being fixed. At 5pm I started feeling contractions (I had had about 5 hours of false labor that morning from 1-6am). At 10pm or so they started getting intense and had been coming about 5 minutes apart for an hour. Call me silly, but I wanted to wait until midnight to go to the hospital because they bill from midnight to midnight, so I didn't want to pay for an extra day when I was only there at 11pm! So at midnight we called my doctor and she met us at the hospital at about 1am. I was 6cm at that point. So for the next 5ish hours Andrew and I walked the halls and toward the end the rocking chair became my best friend. :) I don't know when I started pushing, but not much before 6am, because after 2 pushes my water finally broke and then push 3 Benjamin made his appearance at 6:08am on the 23rd. Although I wouldn't call it fun, it was an amazing experience, and with Andrew's help I was able to make it all the way through without any medication. We are so glad he is finally here! We are so blessed and amazed by our little miracle.
L
For Missy & Mom
Or any other Benjamin Fans out there. :)
For Missy... proof that she has held Baby Ben. :)
Ok, not a great picture, but my mom wanted one that had his eyes open. So here you go... Budda or Ben
Some Daddy & Ben time. :)
For Missy... proof that she has held Baby Ben. :)Ok, not a great picture, but my mom wanted one that had his eyes open. So here you go... Budda or Ben
Some Daddy & Ben time. :)1.28.2008
All You Can Do Is Laugh
From the Tales of First-time Parents
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9pm – Ben pooped, overflowed his diaper – Changed clothes - Outfit #2
10pm – Ben woke up crying, and he was all wet. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, until I changed his diaper. In my lack-of-sleep-induced stupor I had not changed his diaper properly before and had left his thingy pointed up. :) So, he had peed and soaked himself from head to toe… his diaper was totally dry though. :-P Outfit #3
3am – Andrew wakes up quickly when a fire hose hits him while trying to change Ben’s diaper. Outfit #4
7am – Feeding Ben and feel an explosion “down there.” He had exploded out the sides and up the back. When just about done cleaning… and the fire hose starts again, this time hitting the changing pad cover, the changing table and the wall (not to mention me). :) Outfit #5
We are considering changing his name to Whizzer. :)
All that to say: So far life has been good. I am so thankful Andrew had a few days off, and we can just take life as it comes… Read: 2 hour eating increments. He has also been sleeping pretty well at night, he will sleep 2 - 2 ½ hours a time, eat and then do it again. He also had his first doctor’s appointment today and he completely checked out, he is eating, sleeping, pooping and peeing with the best of them.
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9pm – Ben pooped, overflowed his diaper – Changed clothes - Outfit #2
10pm – Ben woke up crying, and he was all wet. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, until I changed his diaper. In my lack-of-sleep-induced stupor I had not changed his diaper properly before and had left his thingy pointed up. :) So, he had peed and soaked himself from head to toe… his diaper was totally dry though. :-P Outfit #3
3am – Andrew wakes up quickly when a fire hose hits him while trying to change Ben’s diaper. Outfit #4
7am – Feeding Ben and feel an explosion “down there.” He had exploded out the sides and up the back. When just about done cleaning… and the fire hose starts again, this time hitting the changing pad cover, the changing table and the wall (not to mention me). :) Outfit #5
We are considering changing his name to Whizzer. :)
All that to say: So far life has been good. I am so thankful Andrew had a few days off, and we can just take life as it comes… Read: 2 hour eating increments. He has also been sleeping pretty well at night, he will sleep 2 - 2 ½ hours a time, eat and then do it again. He also had his first doctor’s appointment today and he completely checked out, he is eating, sleeping, pooping and peeing with the best of them.
1.27.2008
Ben Pics
Well, we have just been enjoying our first few days and attemping to get some sleep. I don't think he has been put down yet. :) Here are a few pictures from our time so far. :)
Coming home from the hospital outfit. I always thought I would have an 8+ lb baby so he was drowning in his clothes.
Eskimo baby.
Coming home from the hospital outfit. I always thought I would have an 8+ lb baby so he was drowning in his clothes.Sweet baby stretches. I think this could be my favorite time, right after he has finished eating in his little "milk coma." Such a sweet baby. :)
1.24.2008
1.23.2008
Announcing the Arrival of:
BENJAMIN ASHER
Of Benjamin he said,
"May the beloved of the LORD dwell in security by Him,
Who shields him all the day,
And he dwells between His shoulders."
-Deut 33:12
All these were descendants of Asher—
All these were descendants of Asher—
heads of families, choice men,
brave warriors and outstanding leaders.
-1 Chronicles 7:40
Arrival Date: January 23, 2008 (the day before Daddy's birthday)
Arrival Time: 6:08am
Weight: 6 lbs 9 0z
Length: 19.5 in
Looks: Lots of dark brown hair, and a thin layer of fur on my back, shoulders, arms and legs :) Got mama's nose and chin and daddy's eyes and desire to eat.
Pictures to come, I promise.
1.22.2008
Not Exactly the Plan
Well, I had a few contractions this morning (1-6am) and was just starting to get my hopes up when they disappeared. So, today Drew and I were just two blurry-eyed people going about our daily business.
To fill up my day I decided to do a few errands. Grab some milk, eggs, medicine for the dog etc. Nothing huge, just busyness. It all started with the grocery store... I was pulling into the parking lot and... my faithful, amazing, Honda died on me... thankfully I just turned it off and on again and it ran fine.
I continued on, and heading home I was coming off the highway and merging onto a 6 lane road when... it happened again. :( Thankfully the guy behind me slowed down in time, but it is not my favorite experience... so I called the mechanic and poor Cord is sitting there waiting for some wonderful person to figure out what is wrong. (So far they can't figure it out).
Meanwhile we are still waiting for Baby Z, although the doctor said today it could be any time. Hopefully we will get our car back with the car seat before Baby arrives...
To fill up my day I decided to do a few errands. Grab some milk, eggs, medicine for the dog etc. Nothing huge, just busyness. It all started with the grocery store... I was pulling into the parking lot and... my faithful, amazing, Honda died on me... thankfully I just turned it off and on again and it ran fine.
I continued on, and heading home I was coming off the highway and merging onto a 6 lane road when... it happened again. :( Thankfully the guy behind me slowed down in time, but it is not my favorite experience... so I called the mechanic and poor Cord is sitting there waiting for some wonderful person to figure out what is wrong. (So far they can't figure it out).
Meanwhile we are still waiting for Baby Z, although the doctor said today it could be any time. Hopefully we will get our car back with the car seat before Baby arrives...
1.21.2008
The Absent Minded Baker
Oh how true it is that you are more forgetful and absent minded when pregnant!
Plan A - Saturday, while Drew was away, I decided to make bread. So I read the recipe for Potato bread, called my mother-in-law to clarify a few things and was just about to start dumping when I realized I didn't have buttermilk, which it called for.
Plan B - flipped over to the oatmeal bread recipe... buttermilk free! So I cooked the oatmeal and was just about to start going when I realized it said to let the oatmeal cool for "several hours to overnight." Ack. There goes that plan.
Plan C - start in on Raisin bread. I actually managed to follow through on this one! I even made a cinnamon and sugar swirl on the inside. Go me! I also saved the oatmeal and made 4 loaves yesterday afternoon, so now we have 4 loaves of each... yummm!!
Plan A - Saturday, while Drew was away, I decided to make bread. So I read the recipe for Potato bread, called my mother-in-law to clarify a few things and was just about to start dumping when I realized I didn't have buttermilk, which it called for.
Plan B - flipped over to the oatmeal bread recipe... buttermilk free! So I cooked the oatmeal and was just about to start going when I realized it said to let the oatmeal cool for "several hours to overnight." Ack. There goes that plan.
Plan C - start in on Raisin bread. I actually managed to follow through on this one! I even made a cinnamon and sugar swirl on the inside. Go me! I also saved the oatmeal and made 4 loaves yesterday afternoon, so now we have 4 loaves of each... yummm!!
1.17.2008
The Crib :)
Ok, it is not the greatest picture of the crib, but it will do. It is beautiful solid wood, and we bought it at a yard sale!! It was the "crib at grandma's house" so although there are a few dings and scratches it is not totally worn. So there you have it... Baby Boy's room... ready and waiting.
The Baby Room
Well, it has been "finished" for a few days. Although, we did add the little bookshelf and lamp last night. The chair is a place holder, we have yet to pick out a rocker/recliner. That will come with time. :) And I know it is lacking wall decor and curtains, but we are still holding out hope that the house will sell, so we don't want to do too much. :-P
The little bucket on the floor are all the board books. This is looking from the doorway.
And here is the amazing consignment shop changing table that Missy found me. There are buckets for onesies, clothes, burp clothes/blankets, diapers, ointments and socks/hats/misc!
The little bucket on the floor are all the board books. This is looking from the doorway.
And here is the amazing consignment shop changing table that Missy found me. There are buckets for onesies, clothes, burp clothes/blankets, diapers, ointments and socks/hats/misc!OK, blogger hates me... so check back soon for a picture of the crib. :) Another great (read: cheap) find!
L
1.16.2008
Is he here yet?
I am ready for Baby to be here.
OK, so my bag is not packed and in the car, but that should happen tonight.
The crib is ready.
The changing table stocked.
Car seat installed.
Childbirth class complete.
Laundry all folded.
BABY IS THE ONLY THING MISSING.
I am 37 weeks 4 days. And I figure the sooner it all happens the less he will weight... isn't that a good thing? It doesn't help that my doctor told me today, "I am on call today, Saturday & Sunday... maybe I will see you!" It does nothing for my resolve to be patient and wait (which there really isn't much of) to know that she thinks I could go any time! Andrew will be gone Friday night-Saturday night, so pray Baby doesn't come then... but anytime after 8pm Saturday works for me! Let's just get this show on the road!
OK, so my bag is not packed and in the car, but that should happen tonight.
The crib is ready.
The changing table stocked.
Car seat installed.
Childbirth class complete.
Laundry all folded.
BABY IS THE ONLY THING MISSING.
I am 37 weeks 4 days. And I figure the sooner it all happens the less he will weight... isn't that a good thing? It doesn't help that my doctor told me today, "I am on call today, Saturday & Sunday... maybe I will see you!" It does nothing for my resolve to be patient and wait (which there really isn't much of) to know that she thinks I could go any time! Andrew will be gone Friday night-Saturday night, so pray Baby doesn't come then... but anytime after 8pm Saturday works for me! Let's just get this show on the road!
1.15.2008
Artsy??
I have never considered myself artistic. I can't draw worth beans, I don't have a clue how to decorate or how to put colors together (which is why my wedding was all black & white and my house is all neutral-blah) and craft projects/creative memories projects intimidate me. I am even left handed, which usually means you have more a creative side... but I must have missed that part of the package (I got all the rest, I can't even cut with my right hand!).
However, as I was cooking yesterday I was thinking about how that may be a way I am creative. I enjoy cooking, but HATE HATE HATE baking. I do not like to measure. Measuring is for the birds. I prefer the dump, sprinkle, pinch, smidgen, pour-in-whatever-I-have, sort of cooking. It is always a surprise and you don't have to remember whether you put in 3 or 4 cups of flour. I also like baking bread, which again, is not an exact science. If you add too much flour, you add more water, and visa versa.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out in being a parent. I hope this baby gets a little creative-think-outside-the-boxness, but there is precious little between the his two first-born parents. I will teach him to play piano, but it will be songs from a book, I haven't a clue how to make it up as I go. I plan to sing to my baby, but I don't see myself making up songs. Just as I see myself reading him tons of books, but I have never been able to make up a good story to save my life. I just hope he isn't scared for life. :)
Where do you fall on the creative scale?
However, as I was cooking yesterday I was thinking about how that may be a way I am creative. I enjoy cooking, but HATE HATE HATE baking. I do not like to measure. Measuring is for the birds. I prefer the dump, sprinkle, pinch, smidgen, pour-in-whatever-I-have, sort of cooking. It is always a surprise and you don't have to remember whether you put in 3 or 4 cups of flour. I also like baking bread, which again, is not an exact science. If you add too much flour, you add more water, and visa versa.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out in being a parent. I hope this baby gets a little creative-think-outside-the-boxness, but there is precious little between the his two first-born parents. I will teach him to play piano, but it will be songs from a book, I haven't a clue how to make it up as I go. I plan to sing to my baby, but I don't see myself making up songs. Just as I see myself reading him tons of books, but I have never been able to make up a good story to save my life. I just hope he isn't scared for life. :)
Where do you fall on the creative scale?
1.14.2008
Where would I be?
Where would I be without friends who take care of me?
Well, for starters:
Well, for starters:
- Baby Z's room would not be painted
- The chair rail would not be up
- I would only have 5 baby outfits
- I would not have 100+ outfits to wash and put away
- I wouldn't have had them all put away right now
- Baby's closet would still be a mess
- The changing table would still be in disarray
- The crib sheet would not be on, ready to welcome Baby Z
- I would not have 20 people praying this Baby doesn't come on a Saturday (while Drew is 2 hours away, from 4am-8pm)
- I would not have had money for a car seat
- I would have had cereal for dinner Saturday night
- AND SO MUCH MORE!
The LORD is good, and He give me good things, like amazing friends who pray for us, and generously give, and come over and help when I am overwhelmed.
I wish you could have heard my friend Jen sing in church yesterday, but you will just have to get by with the words:
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.
1.08.2008
Head Down, Chin Tucked
For those of you who are doctors, in training to be a doctor, or even thinking about being one, let me give you a piece of advise:
NEVER NEVER EVER EVER tell a woman she MAY be breech (meaning he is head up instead of head down), and that you will check at her NEXT appointment, TWO WEEKS FROM NOW!!!
Well, that was the case with me on December 27th, and try as I might I still worried and stewed over it, attempting to analyze every possible movement. Well, after a week and a half I couldn't stand it any more and called to move up my appointment. By God's good grace, Baby Z was head down, chin tucked, pointed at my right hip... just like he should be. :) I think he was just being like his daddy... not late, but just works on his own time schedule, and WILL NOT be rushed.
Time is moving on... I am less than 4 weeks from my due date! Hopefully I have at least another 2 weeks... his room is still half-painted, with no chair rail and everything is piled in the center, and we have yet to have our car seat installed. Not to mention we haven't been on our hospital tour or met the pediatrician yet. AHH! So much to do. But, if he comes early, we will just be glad he is here...
NEVER NEVER EVER EVER tell a woman she MAY be breech (meaning he is head up instead of head down), and that you will check at her NEXT appointment, TWO WEEKS FROM NOW!!!
Well, that was the case with me on December 27th, and try as I might I still worried and stewed over it, attempting to analyze every possible movement. Well, after a week and a half I couldn't stand it any more and called to move up my appointment. By God's good grace, Baby Z was head down, chin tucked, pointed at my right hip... just like he should be. :) I think he was just being like his daddy... not late, but just works on his own time schedule, and WILL NOT be rushed.
Time is moving on... I am less than 4 weeks from my due date! Hopefully I have at least another 2 weeks... his room is still half-painted, with no chair rail and everything is piled in the center, and we have yet to have our car seat installed. Not to mention we haven't been on our hospital tour or met the pediatrician yet. AHH! So much to do. But, if he comes early, we will just be glad he is here...
1.04.2008
Just call me the Wheat Queen
In at attempt to be healthier, spend less and use some of the time I have now that I am no longer working... I am making bread!
I used to make bread growing up, with 4 brothers I made 7 loaves twice a week. However, I no longer have my mom's amazing mixer. But my biceps will grow much faster this way. :)
My mother-in-law gave me 10 gallons of wheat, so yesterday I made 7 loaves of banana bread and TONS of whole wheat pancake mix, enough to last through 20-25 breakfasts for the two of us. (50 cups of mix!). My wheat grinder hasn't seen this much use in years.
This morning (or rather, all day today) I have been making buttermilk wheat bread. The first 4 loaves just came out of the oven and they look amazing. I made 7 loaves. And I am hoping to get another batch of bread in tomorrow before Drew gets home! If you are in the area, you can stop by for some warm homemade cinnamon-raisin bread. :)
I used to make bread growing up, with 4 brothers I made 7 loaves twice a week. However, I no longer have my mom's amazing mixer. But my biceps will grow much faster this way. :)
My mother-in-law gave me 10 gallons of wheat, so yesterday I made 7 loaves of banana bread and TONS of whole wheat pancake mix, enough to last through 20-25 breakfasts for the two of us. (50 cups of mix!). My wheat grinder hasn't seen this much use in years.
This morning (or rather, all day today) I have been making buttermilk wheat bread. The first 4 loaves just came out of the oven and they look amazing. I made 7 loaves. And I am hoping to get another batch of bread in tomorrow before Drew gets home! If you are in the area, you can stop by for some warm homemade cinnamon-raisin bread. :)
1.02.2008
SPENT
I am Spent.
I can't really think of another word to describe it. And it is hard to blog when you feel so spent and drained. (Hense the lack of entries :).
The last few weeks have been a roller coaster, our lives have been turned in circles, we have had a few nose dives and a few slow climbs out of the pit.
A few weeks ago (after we sent out Christmas letters, for those of you who may have gotten them) Andrew's job went from fine to one-more-paycheck almost overnight. Since then it has gotten better (we have a few more paychecks) but trying to mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually deal with all of it has left us, well... spent.
Our house is still on the market waiting for a buyer, and Drew left to start his first weekend of graduate school today (3 days this weekend and every Saturday for the next two years), and Baby Z is due one month from tomorrow. We have also spent many nights laughing with good friends and family, celebrated our Savior's birth on Christmas, brought in the new year and celebrated FIVE amazing years of marriage on the 28th with a massage and a 24-hour escape (we are now officially old :). Although we still have no idea where we will be 1 year or even a few months from now God has given us an incredible peace about the whole thing. We are learning to literally rely on Him moment by moment... and for that I am thankful.
Here are the words to a song I have been playing over and over. My amazing husband got me all the Red Mountain Church CDs for Christmas. (If you haven't heard them, you need to.) They couldn't have come at a better time. They help to calm the soul... and being 8 months pregnant I need that often. :)
I can't really think of another word to describe it. And it is hard to blog when you feel so spent and drained. (Hense the lack of entries :).
The last few weeks have been a roller coaster, our lives have been turned in circles, we have had a few nose dives and a few slow climbs out of the pit.
A few weeks ago (after we sent out Christmas letters, for those of you who may have gotten them) Andrew's job went from fine to one-more-paycheck almost overnight. Since then it has gotten better (we have a few more paychecks) but trying to mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually deal with all of it has left us, well... spent.
Our house is still on the market waiting for a buyer, and Drew left to start his first weekend of graduate school today (3 days this weekend and every Saturday for the next two years), and Baby Z is due one month from tomorrow. We have also spent many nights laughing with good friends and family, celebrated our Savior's birth on Christmas, brought in the new year and celebrated FIVE amazing years of marriage on the 28th with a massage and a 24-hour escape (we are now officially old :). Although we still have no idea where we will be 1 year or even a few months from now God has given us an incredible peace about the whole thing. We are learning to literally rely on Him moment by moment... and for that I am thankful.
Here are the words to a song I have been playing over and over. My amazing husband got me all the Red Mountain Church CDs for Christmas. (If you haven't heard them, you need to.) They couldn't have come at a better time. They help to calm the soul... and being 8 months pregnant I need that often. :)
COME BOLDLY TO THE THROWN OF GRACE
YE WRETCHED SINNERS COME
LAY YOUR LOAD AT JESUS' FEET
AND PLEAD WHAT HE HAS DONE
HOW CAN I COME?
SOME SOUL MAY SAY
I'M LAME AND CANNOT WALK
MY GUILT AND SIN HAVE STOPPED MY MOUTH
I SIGH BUT DARE NOT TALK
COME BOLDLY TO THE THROWN OF GRACE
YOU LOST AND BLIND AND LAME
JEHOVAH IS THE SINNERS FRIEND
AND EVERYONE'S THE SAME
HE MAKES THE DEAD TO HEAR HIS VOICE
HE MAKES THE BLIND TO SEE
THE SINNER LOST, HE CAME TO SAVE
AND SET THE PRISONER FREE
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