Some Right-before-Samuel-Arrived Pictures

And the only Easter pictures we have this year. :)

(I'm just excited to have so many pictures of my beautiful oldest children.  They've been sadly neglected lately.)

Samuel

I am warning you up front.  This is the story of Samuel's birth.  If you are uncomfortable with that, feel free to dispense with reading this post.  But I don't mind putting it up for my friends who are far away and want to know the story, and I want to record it as the miracle that it was.  However, since I'm recording for my own family history purposes, it's long and detailed, because that's my favorite way of writing.  Like I said, you've been warned.

I'm going to tell you from the get-go that despite the number of children I've actually given birth to, the whole birth thing is really terrifying for me.  I don't cope well with pain, and I have a tendency to get really anxious, panicky even (Bob's translation here would be something akin to "She goes totally nuts!").  We've decided that had I lived in any other era of medicine, or even in some of the poorer regions of the world, I would have died in childbirth.  My anxiety makes me really tense and draws the whole process out.  That means that with my oldest I labored for 12 hours, with my 2nd for 24 hours, and with my 3rd for 36 hours.  Remember that the 4th is adopted--best birth for me ever!  My 5th was an induction and it was ... extremely hard--let's just say that I labored for 9 hours--the first 7 hours NOTHING happened, and then it ALL happened way too fast in the last 2 hours.  And did I mention that the only child who came before her due date was Sariah, and that's because she was induced?

The point of all of this is to tell you that I spent this pregnancy with our 6th child trying to figure out how to make things easier, and trying to mentally prepare myself for whatever might come.  I read a bunch of books by midwives and a bunch of books about natural birth and a bunch of books about coping with labor.  The conclusions I came to are that 1) pain medicines are evil, and 2) you have to "ride the waves" of labor (whatever the freak that means), and 3) you have to stay calm.  Here's where I start laughing hysterically.  Okay, in reality, I came away from all that reading with a lot to think about.  I had no idea how to stay calm, but I knew I needed to.

That's when I started praying.  With past births, I've prayed a lot before, but usually about things that were just outside my influence, like which doctor was on call (it's always worked out to my satisfaction; if you know my doctor's practice, you know what this means), whether I had a c-section or not (I've never had to have one), whether I could make it without an epidural (whatever).  Nothing wrong with praying about those things, I'd wager.  This time around, I knew what I wanted, and I asked Heavenly Father to help me figure out how to get that, always with the condition that we went with His will.  I didn't really want to add that condition, but I did it anyway.  ;)

So here's what I wanted: a birth that I could remember.  This because my last 3 epidurals were a little overdone.  They had to wake me up to push with Lizziy.  Or with Caleb, the details are a little fuzzy since I had just come down with a full-blown sinus infection and thought I was going to die before the contractions started coming.  I didn't want that to happen this time.  So, in my mind, this time around, that meant no epidural (ha!), and no freak allergy-related illnesses at the last minute.  I wanted to be able to stay calm, like all the books said, so that I wouldn't top all the other labors with like a 48-hour labor or something equally dreadful.  I wanted it to be a truly beautiful and spiritual experience.  The books talk about that, right?  Oh yeah, and though I didn't mention this in my prayers because I absolutely knew better, a super-short labor, a less-than-gargantuan newborn, and a timely arrival (i.e. not 2 weeks late) did cross my mind.

I did not stay calm, but it was a memorable (and short) birth, and it really was beautiful and spiritual.

I had been feeling very discouraged, because I'd been to the doctor on Thursday, and nothing had changed.  Still dilated at a 1, and the baby hadn't even inched downwards at all.  Dr. P set me up to be induced, I guess because he didn't think the baby would show up any faster than my other babies did either.  I was excited about setting the date, even though I wasn't too hip on being induced again, but I was really disappointed that all of my praying and working on relaxing through Braxton Hicks contractions hadn't accomplished a blimmin' thing.


Hindsight being 20/20, on Saturday, I should have figured out that the baby was coming.  I had a backache the entire day, and then I couldn't sleep that night because my belly was so uncomfortable and tense.  Silly me!  I really have given birth 4 other times, I swear.

I finally went to bed at 3 a.m., but woke up whimpering 45 minutes later with a decent contraction.  My labors never start with decent contractions.  Bob happened to be awake, and as I was laying there, my eyes popped open, and I jumped out of bed.  "Hmm, that's interesting!" and I ran to the bathroom.  My water had broken!  I hoped.  Eight.  Days.  Before.  My.  Due.  Date.  Wow.

Let's just say that I hadn't packed my bag or anything for the baby.  We had just set up the crib that day, and I'd finally washed his coming-home outfit.  In fact,  I kept telling Bob we had plenty of time; last time my water broke, I still had to have help getting that baby here.  And besides, what if I'd finally just peed my pants; I was 9 months pregnant after all.  Blah, blah, blah.  He completely ignored me.  How did he know?!  He got in the shower, and told me to pack my bag.

He was smart.  I was having contractions every 5 minutes, and I was beginning to have an inkling that this baby was showing up faster than the others.  We called beautiful Lorna at 4:freakin':30 in the morning, and got her all set up to do Easter with the kiddos.  (I'm still sad that I missed that; Sariah's at just the right age for hunting Easter eggs!)

We're at the hospital by 5, praying that they will keep me.  They check me, and I'm dilated to a 3 and 70% effaced, but the nurse warns me to wait to see if my water is really broken.  I'm doing a mental happy dance though, because I've never made it to the hospital at anything but a 1.  They were keeping me, even if they didn't think so yet.  I had already started asking for my epidural.

I know, I know.  I said no epidural.  But by then the contractions had jumped from 5 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart (and they were still wondering whether to keep me??), and they were getting more intense.  I just knew that I was going to need the epidural.  And besides, I'd gotten to a 5 now without one so I was progressing in my pain management efforts, right?  I'd never gotten past about a 3 without an epidural, unless you count Sariah's birth, when the epidural didn't actually work.

Getting the epidural was the painful part.  It took the poor guy 4 tries, because I was shaking so badly and couldn't stop.  He told me to, but I couldn't.  The nurse told me later that's because I was in transition and didn't have any control over it.  I was lucky to get my epidural at all, she said.  But once I got it...yeehaw!  It was the best epidural ever.  Just right.  Worth all the trouble.  Took the pain away, but I could still feel my legs, and it didn't make me drowsy.  The anesthesiologist said he knows he got it right because I was smiling and laughing.  Somebody asked me later if I knew how fast the baby was going to come, would I have gotten the epidural?  Heck yeah!  I love me my epidurals.  But they are a fine art.  I'm still blowing kisses to the anesthesiologist today for doing such a good job.

Then, for a brief moment, all the doctors and nurses were gone, and Bob and Hannah and I were alone together in the room.  Bob looked at me and freaked out, because where the second before there had been smiling and laughing Tracy, now there was crying Tracy.  He must have thought something was wrong, but I had gone all teary-eyed because things were going so well and so differently from all the other times.  Without a doubt my prayers were being answered, though what I did to deserve it this time, I don't know.  I looked out the window and the sun was up and shining; it reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures: "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Ps. 30:5).  That happened when Hannah was born, too.  It felt like we were coming full circle.

And then right before 8, as happens with hospital births, the room filled up with people.  Pretty soon, Dr. P shows up, and he looked wiped out tired.  He says, "They called me about you at 5:30 this morning, and I rolled over and went back to sleep.  I figured I wouldn't see you until at least noon."  That's what I thought, too!  One and a half contractions, not very many pushes, and a few minutes (oh yeah, and a whole conversation about our children's names, ending with Dr. P's prediction that Rex's nickname with the girls will be Sexy Rexie) later, out came Samuel into the world.

Of course he was beautiful!  Just the right color, even if he didn't really want to cry much.  Lots of dark hair.  At first, he reminded me of Sariah, but then it became Caleb and Hannah.  Oh wait!  Our kids are cookie cutters.  Except for Elisabeth.  She broke the mold!  Anyhow, Samuel survived the knot in his cord (which Dr. P untied before the student nurse could look at it), and weighed in at 7'3"--my smallest baby by an entire pound, and 2 whole pounds smaller than the last baby.  He was tiny!  (If your babies were smaller, there is no need to comment--this is the only little baby I get).  And he's perfect in every way!!!  More pics coming soon.  It wasn't exactly the way I planned it, but it was the perfect answer to all our prayers.

P.S.  It only took me two weeks to write this.  LOL!

Put It in Perspective

Isn't it fascinating how the toddler that just days ago you thought was so small and young and little seems so grown up all of a sudden?

He's a Keeper!

Check out these completely amazing pictures of Samuel.  Thanks to my sweet friend Amber at fifephotography for her amazing patience and for these incredible memories!

Blessed

He's here, he's here!!!

Samuel arrived on Easter morning, weighing in at 7 lbs, 3 oz, with a head of dark hair. He was a little unexpected. I want post more and some pictures, but I can't quite yet. I need a working wireless connection to do so. Be patient, but know that he's here, all is well, and we are very excited!!

Bobcat!

Caleb received his Cub Scout Bobcat award this week.  Even though he did all the work for it last March, I am a bad mom and failed to take care of things until this March.  Next month, he will receive his Wolf award, and then he'll be a Bear!  Whoa, time flies.  In the mean time, Mom got to paint his face, and he got to "pin me."  It was lots of fun, and I'm really proud of all the hard work he's put in to get things done!

All City Orchestra Concert

I've said this before, but every year about this time, I am completely impressed with our school district's instrumental music program.  They put on all-city band and orchestra concerts.  They are at the Lloyd Noble Center--you know, where OU plays its games.  In the picture above, that's the entire floor of the LNC filled with all of the city's orchestra students, grades 5-12.  Not a great picture, but you get the idea.

The cool thing about the concert is you get to see how far your kids have come from the 5th grade.  Each grade plays one song apiece, so it doesn't drag on foooooorrrrrever.  We paid especial attention to the 5th graders, who actually get to play 3 very short pieces, and the 7th graders.  Wow!  What a difference 3 years will make in orchestra performance.  Am I a bad mom, though, to admit that it was really the 8th graders rendition of the Pink Panther that made my whole evening?

Then, at the end, all of the orchestra students perform a specially arranged piece.  This year, it was called Songs of America, and featured and unfurled American flag, complete with a few streamers.  It really was pretty awesome.

Meanwhile, one of my daughters was not too pleased to have her picture taken:

But at least she didn't hide like our friend Cheyenne did (she's the waving folder behind Lizziy in the following picture):

And in the end Lizziy gave up battling and let me take a favorite picture (anything to make your pregnant mom happy, right?):

Check This Out!

My friends April and Mindy threw me and the baby boy a totally fantabulous shower last weekend.  My generous friends provided us with all sorts of baby items that are NOT pink--this is an important detail since I'd gotten rid of bunches of baby things, and so was lacking in the blue department, but let's not go into the cultural mores of blue versus pink and all that jazz.

In any case, the most amazing part was the cake made by my friend Jewel.  Isn't it awesome?  She spent like 9 some-odd hours on it, because obviously, she has far more patience for detail than I do.  It was very intricate and this picture does not do it justice, but one, I played with Photoshop for awhile to see what I could come up with, and two, I did manage to save the little guy on top from my ravenous and devouring children and take a close up of him, just so you could see it.

Sariah did eat the arms off of him not too long after I took this picture.  Even now, looking at the picture, she says, "That's Samuel, and I like his arms.  Yum, yum, yum!"

Anyhow, don't I love you all?  And by the way, the cake was really yummy, too!

Grammy, This Post's for You

My mother has been asking if we've reached the Short Pencil Phase yet.  After she explained herself, I knew what she was talking about, but I really believed we were safe.  Ha!  My son is very proud.

Lest My Pride Become Unbearable

In the interests of preserving my meekness and humility (ROTFL), my husband has been diligently photographing me to help me remember how "small" I am with this pregnancy.  I ask you, though, if I am small this time, how freakin' big have I been in the past?  No.  Nevermind.  Don't answer that.

Look, he even took pictures with another person to give perspective.  If you look closely at either picture you can see all the places where food missed my mouth.  This happens regularly whether I'm pregnant or not, but now my belly is big enough to graciously catch everything for me.  I cut off my own head on purpose, just so you know.  My mouth was hanging open because I can't breathe through my nose half the time (hello, allergies).

Like I said, I'm not really feeling the "small" thing.

Meet the Cousin

At Caleb's birthday party, we finally got to meet the new cousin, Savannah.    I got to hold her first, despite my impossibly big belly, but then Bob just stole her away from me, like he does all the babies.  In any case, Savannah sure is a cutie, and Sariah was thrilled to hold her ... we hope this lasts through the next several months.

Lizziy also spent some quality time with the newest family member:

Elisabeth was very eager to hold the baby.  She was shocked when we told her that when her brothers were little, she would hold them for about 30 seconds at a time and then just drop them whenever she was done.  She staunchly declares that this will never happen with the coming new baby.  Probably not, I would have to agree.  I suppose she's gotten a little more responsible than a 2 to 4-year-old since then.  :)

The Amazing Modern Woman

I feel like we are doing a decent job in bringing up our girls. I find a lot of joy in being a mother and a wife and a homemaker (notice that I haven't said it's "practically perfect in every way").  But I am also a girl who grew up in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and I take a great deal of pride in being able to address and hopefully resolve my own problems.  And so it has tickled my fancy to see, in a just few days time, Sariah happily helping her dad install the new (quieter and improved) dishwasher.  If we'd known how happy this would make her, abandoning her TV, talking like a magpie, and animatedly locating tools for Daddy, we would have replaced the dishwasher a long time ago.

But she can also attack the household chores with gusto.

I suppose we could analyze the difference in the looks on her face, but I really think that's taking it a bit too far, don't you?

I feel like I should add that I would probably never install a new dishwasher, because I'm far too lazy to do so, but I probably could if I had to.  And also, if Sariah's carrying around a duster, it's more likely because she's following her father's example than mine, because I'm far too lazy to dust regularly.  Wait!  I'm seeing a pattern here....

Happy Easter

Last Wednesday was Activity Day for the 8-11 year-old girls at church.  They made hippety-hoppety cupcakes for their families, and I was pretty proud of Elisabeth's, if I do say so.  They were really yummy, too.  Sometimes I wish I had time to be more creative in this way, but really I'm not detail-oriented enough to pursue the thought of producing something like this.  So I'll just continue being proud of my daughter!

And Purely for Love of Cuteness...

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

How quickly time flies--wait!  I said that last year, too.  I'm not really all that creative in expressing how one day you're holding a tiny, sleeping little baby, and the next you are trying to figure out what happened to that little one.  I really love last year's birthday post (not that I've done any others for the rest of my kids; yes, I have mother guilt over this).

My oldest baby boy turned 9, and had a party to celebrate.  I think fun was had by all.

This last picture was the part where Caleb's friend Tanner told him to blow out the candles ... before we had sung the birthday song or Caleb had made a wish.  Sounds like boys, right?

What We've Been Up To, Part 5

And have I mentioned that for enrichment in the fall, Hannah took some basketweaving classes?  Strange for enrichment, but true.  The thing is, though, that she's fantastically good at it.  Her baskets are sturdy and gorgeous.  I begged for a long time, and so for Christmas she made me a basket.  What a good daughter she is!

I tried to talk her into the pink basket because I liked the bright color, but alas, it was not to be, and so I will settle for the brown one, which though not brightly colored, is bright and beautiful in a prominent spot on my bathroom counter.  I smile to think of Hannah every time I see it!

Thanks also to Hannah for the pics.  She did a much better job than I would have.

What We've Been Up To, Part 4

Also in February, Rex and I went to visit his birth father and grandmother in another metro town.  Usually, they are able to come down this way, but Joan's health has been iffy lately, and she had to miss Rex's birthday party, so we went to see them.  Rex had a grand 2nd (or was it 3rd?) birthday celebration, and got lots of totally cool Star Wars goodies.

Here he is with Joan and Sassy:

And here he is with Josh (who, incidentally, is not usually so ... well, bald).

What We've Been Up To, Part 3

Way back in February, Rex was a tree in the first grade production of The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  He had a much easier and less memorable line than the beleaguered little boy before him who spoke of one of the goats "cwossing the wickety, wackety bwidge."  Nevertheless, Rex was appropriately cast since the trees were quite smart-mouthed throughout the play, and he played his part with gusto.  My friend Danielle pointed out on facebook that I can add "tree hugger" to my mother repertoire.  LOL!

What We've Been Up To, Part 2

The rarely photoed in the wild and ever elusive Hannah-girl has been captured on film.

She went to a birthday party at the new Paul Mitchell training school here.  It took 3 hours and lots of styling product.  Hannah's hair just doesn't curl well; mine didn't either back in the day (you know pre-pregnancy-and-children hormones).  And of course, the girl was practicing so it took a while.  In the end, though, it turned out fabulously, we were all suitably awestruck!  Here's a view of all the curly glory.

Since she was cooperating with the camera, we had to take even more pictures: