31 August 2010
Grandma & Grandpa Time
Grandma & Grandpa Lamb were so great and took Andrew and Josh for a few days when Connor was born...
30 August 2010
Connor's Eviction
Connor Joseph Lamb
August 30, 2010, 8:59 pm
8 lbs. 5 oz., 21 in.
8 lbs. 5 oz., 21 in.
Connor's Birth Story...
I say that Connor was evicted because I have my doubts this child would have come on his own. Either my body didn't know how to get with the program or Connor was just too comfy in there! On August 30, five days past his due date, I went in for a prenatal visit. Randy stayed home with the boys and told me that I wasn't allowed to come home without an induction date! We were both worried that he would be too big if we waited much longer (Andrew and Josh were induced at 39 weeks and were both over 8 lbs.).
At the prenatal visit, my blood pressure was high. It hadn't been high during the entire pregnancy. My midwife took it again 15 minutes later, and it was higher. So...she said I needed to head upstairs to labor & delivery to induce labor! I called Randy's mom so she could come pick up the boys and I called Randy to get their bags packed because we were going to have a baby tonight!
At 6:15 pm, the pitocin was started to get my contractions going. The nurse increased it every half hour until it got to a 7. The monitor wasn't picking up the contractions very well, but I was feeling them pretty soon after the pitocin was started. At first it was tolerable, but then they got evil. I'm sure the nurses thought I was a pansy because the monitor wasn't picking them up! The midwives had a shift change at 7 pm, and I didn't meet the new one until around 7:45 pm. I told her the contractions were pretty strong, but she didn't check me because it was still early. We talked about getting an epidural and some other pain management options. We also talked about turning the pitocin off to see if my body would do the rest. She said that I should eat something and brought me a sandwich. She had other patients having babies, so she left for a little bit. At this point, the contractions were getting worse. I couldn't eat the sandwich or really concentrate on anything else. The only thing I wanted to do was go to the bathroom! By the third bathroom trip, Randy said I'd better get that epidural, so he called the nurse.
The anesthesiologist came in at 8:51 pm (this was documented on the computer). I told him that I didn't know how on earth he was going to give me the epidural because by that time I was in a lot of pain and the contractions were close together (still not showing up very well on the computer, so I think everyone still thought I was being a pansy). My midwife came in and said, "Are you ready to take a little rest now?" I told her I was, but I didn't know how we were going to do this! She got me through the next contraction by doing counter pressure (she pressed on my knees, Randy pressed on my back while I was lying on my side). This felt so good! After the contraction, my midwife got paged and I told her to not leave me! I wanted her to keep doing the counter pressure with me. She said she'd get me through the next contraction and then she needed to take the call. I sat up on the bed to get in position for the epidural, then the next contraction came. They did counter pressure again, but in the middle of the contraction I yelled, "I'm pushing!" My body just took over from there. This baby was coming out, ready or not!
My midwife hurried and checked my progression. I was complete and the baby was crowning. She looked over at the anesthesiologist and said we wouldn't be needing him. There were many people in the room at that point and everyone was scrambling to get the party started. I was terrified and screaming (I'm sure I convinced many undecided mothers on the floor to go ahead and get that epidural!), it was so hard for me to surrender my body. The nurses, especially my midwife were great. I just did my best to listen to them and do what they asked. It was crazy and insane, but 8 minutes later (from the time the anesthesiologist came into the room), Connor was here. I had an unplanned pitocin-induced, med-free labor. I am woman, hear me roar. Connor's apgar scores were 8 then 9. We have been so blessed.
I say that Connor was evicted because I have my doubts this child would have come on his own. Either my body didn't know how to get with the program or Connor was just too comfy in there! On August 30, five days past his due date, I went in for a prenatal visit. Randy stayed home with the boys and told me that I wasn't allowed to come home without an induction date! We were both worried that he would be too big if we waited much longer (Andrew and Josh were induced at 39 weeks and were both over 8 lbs.).
At the prenatal visit, my blood pressure was high. It hadn't been high during the entire pregnancy. My midwife took it again 15 minutes later, and it was higher. So...she said I needed to head upstairs to labor & delivery to induce labor! I called Randy's mom so she could come pick up the boys and I called Randy to get their bags packed because we were going to have a baby tonight!
At 6:15 pm, the pitocin was started to get my contractions going. The nurse increased it every half hour until it got to a 7. The monitor wasn't picking up the contractions very well, but I was feeling them pretty soon after the pitocin was started. At first it was tolerable, but then they got evil. I'm sure the nurses thought I was a pansy because the monitor wasn't picking them up! The midwives had a shift change at 7 pm, and I didn't meet the new one until around 7:45 pm. I told her the contractions were pretty strong, but she didn't check me because it was still early. We talked about getting an epidural and some other pain management options. We also talked about turning the pitocin off to see if my body would do the rest. She said that I should eat something and brought me a sandwich. She had other patients having babies, so she left for a little bit. At this point, the contractions were getting worse. I couldn't eat the sandwich or really concentrate on anything else. The only thing I wanted to do was go to the bathroom! By the third bathroom trip, Randy said I'd better get that epidural, so he called the nurse.
The anesthesiologist came in at 8:51 pm (this was documented on the computer). I told him that I didn't know how on earth he was going to give me the epidural because by that time I was in a lot of pain and the contractions were close together (still not showing up very well on the computer, so I think everyone still thought I was being a pansy). My midwife came in and said, "Are you ready to take a little rest now?" I told her I was, but I didn't know how we were going to do this! She got me through the next contraction by doing counter pressure (she pressed on my knees, Randy pressed on my back while I was lying on my side). This felt so good! After the contraction, my midwife got paged and I told her to not leave me! I wanted her to keep doing the counter pressure with me. She said she'd get me through the next contraction and then she needed to take the call. I sat up on the bed to get in position for the epidural, then the next contraction came. They did counter pressure again, but in the middle of the contraction I yelled, "I'm pushing!" My body just took over from there. This baby was coming out, ready or not!
My midwife hurried and checked my progression. I was complete and the baby was crowning. She looked over at the anesthesiologist and said we wouldn't be needing him. There were many people in the room at that point and everyone was scrambling to get the party started. I was terrified and screaming (I'm sure I convinced many undecided mothers on the floor to go ahead and get that epidural!), it was so hard for me to surrender my body. The nurses, especially my midwife were great. I just did my best to listen to them and do what they asked. It was crazy and insane, but 8 minutes later (from the time the anesthesiologist came into the room), Connor was here. I had an unplanned pitocin-induced, med-free labor. I am woman, hear me roar. Connor's apgar scores were 8 then 9. We have been so blessed.
And this little guy was so worth the wait.
24 August 2010
19 August 2010
Movie in the Park
Each year, student housing invites its residents to a movie in the park, which is just a hop, skip & jump from our place - they also provide the popcorn, cotton candy, and soda. This year it was "How to Train Your Dragon."
16 August 2010
Distractions....
We got together with some friends at the Gateway to play in the fountains today....
I'm listening to a great book....
And tomorrow I'm off to the fabric store because sewing makes me happy...
I'm listening to a great book....
And tomorrow I'm off to the fabric store because sewing makes me happy...
Nine days until my due date. He'd better not be late.
10 August 2010
More Goodbyes
Living in student housing, we've met and said goodbye to many many friends. This year was definitely the roughest. I have special memories and experiences with each of these ladies - each one of them has taught me so much by their example. It's been a lonely summer not having them around.
Julie Randall, Jennifer Sunseri, Me, Jenny Martin
(Pictures taken the end of May)
Back row: Jenny Martin, Julie Randall, Mandy Halverson, Me, Kristl Nelson, Rachel Holman, Sherrie Crawford, Claire Hogue
Front row: Maggie Minson, Danica Loveridge, Annette Brown, Shellie Wilson, Jessica Lowe
Julie Randall, Jennifer Sunseri, Me, Jenny Martin
(Pictures taken the end of May)
Back row: Jenny Martin, Julie Randall, Mandy Halverson, Me, Kristl Nelson, Rachel Holman, Sherrie Crawford, Claire Hogue
Front row: Maggie Minson, Danica Loveridge, Annette Brown, Shellie Wilson, Jessica Lowe
09 August 2010
Going Green
Our little patch of grass was looking pretty pitiful the beginning of April:
So we planted some new grass seed, and this was the result 6 weeks later:
The boys like to eat their lunch on this little patch on most days. I wish that I could say that our lawn looks this lush now, but 90 degree weather and pregnancy have made it suffer a little. It's amazing what water will do for living things.
So we planted some new grass seed, and this was the result 6 weeks later:
The boys like to eat their lunch on this little patch on most days. I wish that I could say that our lawn looks this lush now, but 90 degree weather and pregnancy have made it suffer a little. It's amazing what water will do for living things.
08 August 2010
Andrew's First Tooth!
Andrew lost his first tooth yesterday! It was hanging by a thread and I finally convinced him to let me give it a good yank.Grandma Mary made him this cute pillow for the Tooth Fairy. It took him awhile to fall asleep becasue he was too excited. The Tooth Fairy left him a gold dollar.
07 August 2010
Getting Ready for Baby
At my 37 week appointment this week I was dialated 2 cm, 60% effaced, and the baby is at the -2 station. Progress! I'm Braxton Hicksing and cramping when I'm up and active, but nothing that a rest on the sofa with a drink of ice water can't stop. I'm fat and swollen, but otherwise feeling good. We've got 20 dinners in the deep freezer, the house is as clean as it's going to get, the baby's clothes are washed and put away, and we are stocked in all the supplies we need (I hope at least!)
Here are some pictures of the baby's room and the things I made. I'm a novice sewer, so I'm pretty proud of the projects I completed. I'm taking a hiatus from any new sewing projects until after I update my blog.
(Nevermind the toy rats you see in the room. And yep, that's the hospital bag on top of the changing table.)
The brown thing behind the swing is a fabric book sling to hold the little guy's little books.
I couldn't resist the pink and flowery print of this fabric, so I made a nursing cover with it!
And I didn't want the boys to feel left out, so I made them these blanket bags (a.k.a. quillows):
Here are some pictures of the baby's room and the things I made. I'm a novice sewer, so I'm pretty proud of the projects I completed. I'm taking a hiatus from any new sewing projects until after I update my blog.
(Nevermind the toy rats you see in the room. And yep, that's the hospital bag on top of the changing table.)
The brown thing behind the swing is a fabric book sling to hold the little guy's little books.
I couldn't resist the pink and flowery print of this fabric, so I made a nursing cover with it!
And I didn't want the boys to feel left out, so I made them these blanket bags (a.k.a. quillows):
26 July 2010
Downtown Fire Station Tour
We were able to take a tour of the downtown fire station (around 10th South and 9th East). It was awesome! They did a really good job. We learned the difference between a "fire truck" and a "fire engine." They had both at the station. A fire truck is huge with a big ladder attached - it takes two drivers to steer the thing (one to drive in front, and one to steer the back end). Even though fire trucks are huge, they're actually easier to maneuver in tight spaces. A fire engine is smaller and has a water reserve. It was blasting hot that day (I don't venture out beyond my 68 degree townhouse or from under a shaded tree, so I was dying!), but the fireman let each kid operate the water hose and the kids got soaked!
09 July 2010
.....and too short.
Randy's Aunt Lisa has this quote in her email signature and I love it!
"Life is too short for negative drama & petty things. So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly! From one unstable person to another... I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty good in mine!"
Sometimes I find myself being too judgemental or offended by another person, but when I take the time to get to know someone, I find out that we all have our stuff we have to deal with in this life. Most of us grew up with some sort of dysfunction in our family, and most of us have scars from past heartache. All of us have trials and insecurities.
"Life is too short for negative drama & petty things. So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly! From one unstable person to another... I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty good in mine!"
Sometimes I find myself being too judgemental or offended by another person, but when I take the time to get to know someone, I find out that we all have our stuff we have to deal with in this life. Most of us grew up with some sort of dysfunction in our family, and most of us have scars from past heartache. All of us have trials and insecurities.
I was talking to a good friend today about my own personal heartache over one of my family members. She said to accept love wherever you can receive it, and you will find that the Lord will always overcompensate. How true is that! I have been so blessed. I married a good man that loves me and puts up with me. His parents treat me like I'm one of their own, although I'm sure they've wondered a time or two why the heck Randy married me in the first place. I have friends that I am bonded to for life. I have children that are so dang cute and love their mama. And my family loves me.
04 July 2010
This Is How We Roll
This picture represents our summer well. Josh in his jammies. PBS Kids on the TV and Facebook on the computer. Very lazy days.
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