Kate's birth story.

Sorry if you've read it already, but figured I'd post it again for anyone who didn't get to. Since its her birthday and all..:) Happy Birthday sweet girl!!!

Thursday morning I woke up like any other preggo day and set about my routine of getting the kids breakfast and doing cleaning. Got into a good rythem and ended up vaccuming, sweeping, mopping, cleaning out a crate that the dog had decided to take a huge load in(uck!), and still felt pretty good physically. However, I was still upset about not having her yet even though I wasn't officially due yet...Made a few rants about her not being here, felt better afterwards. Made lunch, and decided I wanted naptime to be a little bit earlier today..I was feeling the cleaning I had done by now..so I had Liv lay down with me and put Noah in his bed. We all went to sleep pretty quickly thankfully. At approx. 4 I woke up with a nice contraction...umm..this one felt different..but I have had soo many false starts I wasn't about to get excited about one contraction...thought maybe I needed to potty..so went to the bathroom..didn't feel any better...laid down again cause Liv was still asleep. Another one hit...7 minutes from the first. Woke Liv up with my breathing through it..I waited and couldn't lay down through the next one. 7 minutes later. At 4:30 I called Luke cause he had been working with Joel that day..Luke said he was excited at the prospect of labor and was already on his way home.

Called my mom and told her I thought I was in labor...she decided to head this way as quickly as she could. Worked through a few more contractions and Luke made it home...He called my midwife and I requested 30 minutes before she needed to come because I wanted to be sure it was the real deal, but he quickly knew this wasn't the pansy contractions I'd been having so he told me to go get in the shower to help the pain(I love a man who knows how to help a woman in labor!). He set about calling people who needed to know..and called the midwife back to tell her to go ahead and come. He also called two friends and my sister..

Worked through lots and lots of contractions in the shower till Luke reminded me that we needed the hot water for the pool, so I got out...ugh. Not as good out of the hot water. Barely made it down stairs to the couch and more kept washing over me. Luke started filling the birth pool and we turned on the t.v. for Liv to watch some shows to distract her. (Noah was still sleeping at this point). Poor Luke was running around trying to get everything ready while trying to keep my focus during the contractions(I handle the pain MUCH better when I have someone staring right into my eyes during it.). Debi, my midwife showed up and started unloading her stuff..I decided I needed to go to the bathroom, so I got up and went..asked Debi to check me then and she said I was just about 8 cm's...yay! Progress...I was worried I was still in early labor..but here I was in transition. Pool was finally deep enough by now to actually get in, so I got in and sat down...it wasn't as hot as I like it, but it did feel oh so good. I really almost immediately started feeling pressure with each contraction but I was determined not to push yet, I really really wanted that urge to push because I never had that with my other two and it made pushing worse for me. Debi got birth stuff ready, while Luke helped me and occasionally updated his facebook status. haha..



I decided I wanted to move to a hands and knees position because I wasn't dealing with the contractions as well sitting back..Luke walked off to do something, and me and Debi worked through some contractions. (At this point, Noah had gotten up and they were watching t.v. and coming in and out of the room(we were in the kitchen)). During one contraction, I felt LOTS of pressure and went with it...and gave a really good push and felt her move down some...Debi hollered to Luke to COME, and I quickly panicked about pushing cause I didn't want to swell my cerviz by pushing before it was ready...so I just yelled, "Debi, check!"...thankfully she knew what I meant and said all I had was a tiny little lip(same thing happened with Noah...must be the way I dialate), at this point I really needed to push and she said she would just hold it up while I pushed...once she did that I felt the baby move down a lot and immediately started feeling the lovely burn of a crowning baby. Decided I wanted to push past the pain anyways...better to push and be done with it, then continue with the pain..haha..however I felt panicky, so I just stopped and I reached down and felt a slippery head and told Debi to "please break it"..(I thought my water hadn't broken yet and I wanted it to be!), but it had already broken apparently. Luke and Debi said I had her out to her ears...so I gave one good push and out her head popped, such a great feeling, but she still felt like I was having a watermelon, so again I just stopped and I just remember saying that I didn't want to push. We let her sit that way for what felt like minutes, but I know it was only a matter of seconds...it felt to me like they were pushing her head up, and I kept telling them to "stop pushing" on her..course Debi kept reminding me she wasn't even touching the baby..haha..the baby apparently was trying to rotate her shoulders some and thats what I was feeling. I was also prompted to reach down and feel her head at this point to reassure me she WAS coming out. This gave me enough incentive to push again..

I gave another good push or two and the AWESOME release of a baby leaving your body finally happened, Luke caught her and helped her to the surface and around my leg so I could sit back and take her in my arms. Luke and I both immediately looked between her legs and Luke announced- "Its a girl!!"....which I could NOT have been more happy about. I had been secretly hoping for a girl the whole time..she was so cheesy and I remember thinking, well she's not late thats for sure. There is an indescribable feeling that you get after having a baby..its a natural high that I know designed and its the BEST feeling ever...I was just so happy to be finally holding her after all the fake labor and long almost 10 months. :) She needed some suctioning and stimulation, but she was breathing and healthy and thats all I could ask for.



Sat in the tub for a while admiring my baby, all the while we realized the kids had been at tub side for the whole birth. I didn't prepare Noah at all really, so I'm so glad I didn't scare him with all my birthing noises, but neither he nor Liv looked traumatized, so we went with that. (Debi's assistant showed up right before I started pushing for detail sake). Her other apprentice showed up right after Kate was born and so did my sister..Kate waited for no one. :) Placenta finally decided to come about 7:06ish(Kate was born at 6:42pm). We hung out in the pool till the cord stopped pulsing(my first time waiting!) and then we cut it at 7:14...We passed off baby to Luke and the ladies got my upstairs(stairs after giving birth aren't ok..:) ) Got me showered, dressed and in bed. I was brought some crackers till dinner was ready and I tried nursing Kate, however she was less then interested at this point. I was examined and we found NO TEARS, praise the Lord! Better then my first two where I had at least some "skid marks".. Then Kate got her exam, she weighed 10 lbs. even, was 21 1/2 inches long, her head was 14 1/4 inch, and her chest was 14 7/8 inches. Such a big girl all around!

Around 8:49, Kate finally nursed for the first time...Kate was having some breathing issues, but these resolved themselves after about 24 hours. Just seems like she had lots of fluid that she needed to get up because she wasn't squeezed very long in the birth canal.



My mom showed up around 9:00 sometime and then we all went about relaxing and just chatting..it was so laid back and wonderful and such a GREAT birth experience.

Homeschooling..

Originally we had planned to put all of our kids in school for K-1st grade, I really wanted them to get the basics in before homeschooling, but due to where we live it just isn't a reasonable option...maybe when we move that may be an option but at that point I may not see the need to put them in school if I've already been doing it...

Olivia is starting Kindergarten(maybe I pronounce this wrong, but why does this have a T in it? It should be a D.) this fall. I'm already feeling overwhelmed and under prepared to take on the task. I don't understand how my days could get any busier, and I've never been a scholer(not that I can't learn) but I'm highly intimidated by this process. The whole reporting it to the school system and what not, been trying to look for a support group with some mama's who might take me under their wing and teach ME what to do. So far I haven't found anything promising. I have found the curriculum I want to use, but I'm unsure about the requirements that GA puts on what you HAVE to teach them and what's available for her age. So much I don't understand...

And like I said, I don't think public schools are the end of the world..but for us we've decided to go this route and though the task is daunting, I'm thankful to have her home longer. Though a break from 3 would kind of be nice for a time each day, I also can't imagine not having her here most of the day, and I know my time with my children is SO short...I want to protect her for as long as I can. I know finding a co-op would be nice for her so we could do field trips and socialize with other children her age(although still encouraging her that talking to adults is perfectly normal TOO). :)

Hmmm..

I had planned on starting this saying how little I had to say, but in thinking about what I wanted to type out, that isn't really true. :)

Tried 3 new recipes this week.. I don't always like cooking dinner. I LOVE baking, but meal planning/cooking isn't always my favorite...so I usually get stuck in a rut of a few things I know I can cook without a recipe and in little time..But this week we decided to try and shake things up a bit. Marinated Steak was one, Quich, and a Santa Fe Chicken cassarole...we have had everything except the quich and its because Luke decided to take me out to dinner kind of last minute last night. We rarely get to go out...mostly due to just not having the money to, but we know its soooo important to our marriage to be a COUPLE and not just parents and co-inhabitants of the same house. So we try and work it in when we can possibily fit it in. We ate at Olive Garden and I had to use smarts to know what what a low calorie/fat option..not easy at a Italian resteraunt(and I got water, though it was not what I wanted..haha)..It was so much fun. We laughed, and had good serious talks too..I picked the last movie we went and saw, so Luke picked this time and decided on Iron Man 2..which was fine with me since I had wanted to see it too. I thought it was pretty good...

I also watched The Young Victoria yesterday and it was really good I thought. It was rated PG and pretty darn clean...and I like Emily Blunt so that made it better. :)

Anyways, we are gearing up for Kate's birthday. Went the other day to Party City and picked up a few things to decorate with and plates/cups and the such. Our friend Carol is making a cake for us with Kate having her very own mini birthday cake for her to dig into. We've NEVER given her anything that sweet before so it should be quite interesting to see her dig in. I can't wait to get pictures. :)

Worked out yesterday for the first time in about a week and a half. It felt good and I found it was easier to do after all my 5k training...though I am REALLY feeling all the lunges and squates I did...I'm pretty sure that Jumping lunges and squates are evil.

God knows when..

Is a good time to bring provision. Some months are easier then others, this month came down to the day before bills were due before money showed up. But Praise God they got paid...the next leap of faith is that unemployment compensation runs out in a matter of weeks and then we are solely on our own. I know lots of people are able to do this, but it makes me nervous, because it was like a cushion, something we knew would be there even if Luke couldn't find work that week...so this is a new ground in which to really see how strong our faith in Him is...but I KNOW He's good, I KNOW He provides for His children, and I KNOW we have not because we ask not...and we've asked. :)

I can't thank Him enough for sustaining us thus far...and I'm so thankful that I have such a faithful and loving Father to which I can depend upon.

Well...

Thursday we went and picked Strawberries. It was fun, the kids loved being able to pick the produce off the plants and there were SO many ripe and sweet berries just waiting for little hands to pluck them. It was super hot, but worth it. We did a picnic lunch there and then headed home...



A recap...to date I've lost 7 solid lbs, the rest seems to flucuate by a lbs. or so..not the best for how long I've been watching what I'm eating, but I'm so thankful for any at all that this is ok with me. I am gaining a whole new perspective on food and I feel like I'm in the healthiest place mindset wise that I have been in who knows how long. I feel better and even if I'm not sure how physically it appears, I have a better appreciation for my body and all that it is capable of.

My race was yesterday..I carbed up the night before but failed to eat anything race morning. This was probably not the best idea...by the time I got to the race I was really nauseated and even at only 8:00 in the morning it was already muggy and humid out..since this was my first I really didn't know what to expect, where to stand and what to do...so I just made sure I was good and stretched out and waited in line with everyone else...I never did hear an official go, but everyone in front of me started running so so did I...I only made it like a block before I was feeling my stomach reeling. Thankfully I made it the whole race without chunking in some person's yard but the sick feeling made me walk way more of the race then I really had wanted to. It was really discouraging at first cause there was like 1,000 people in this race and I had started near the front, so person after person kept passing me. It was so disappointing, but I picked someone out that was walk/running like me and decided I wouldn't let her beat me...so I just tried to stay up with her or in front of her. It felt soo much longer then when I run on the treadmill and I think it would have helped had I run it with someone who could have pushed me some. I ended up finishing it in 40 minutes and some odd seconds(Luke said I was almost in the 39 minute mark). I could have probably done better, but thats my best time yet for that distance so I can't be unhappy about that and I'm just proud I finished it...the kids and Luke enjoyed all the goodies at the finish line while waiting for me. I'm so thankful they all drug themselves out of bed to come and be with me that morning. I don't think I would have been nearly as motivated to finish if I hadn't known they were waiting for me at the end. :) I'm uber sore today but thats ok. I'm giving myself a couple days to let me muscles chill out and then I plan to start the training process all over again, Luke said he'd like to run one with me, so we may pick one in the coming months and do one together.



Yesterday I treated myself to a Frappucino during the happy hour thing they've had going on till today. It was the first one I'd had for over a month and it was better then I remembered..haha..kind of glad they are back to full price now so they aren't nearly as tempting. Enjoyed walking around Target to pick up a couple things for Kate's coming birthday. Thankful to have had the money to do that with due to selling a few last cd'ing items. We then headed over to Erin and Wesley's house for dinner, it was oh so yummy and we just enjoyed hanging out with them..the kids REALLY love Lucy(as do we!) and love looking at her and showing toys to her..I know they'll love it even more when she can interact with them.




Today we've been pretty lazy outside of a grocery store trip. We've read books, played outside, napped and just been together. Its been an enjoyable weekend...:)

I can't fathom..

Life without my 3 children.

I can't fathom that even though pregnancy itself has been a literal pain for me, having never carried them, feeling them move, and giving birth to them.

I can't fathom what life with only 1 or 2 children would be like. Having a 3rd changed the world for us in terms of how we function as parents, but she's SUCH a joy to me and life without her wouldn't be as joyous.

I can't fathom being done having kids now. I'm 24, and though I already have 3, I cannot look at my children and imagine not having more of them.

I can't fathom functioning as a parent in life without the hope that is Christ...and being able to teach my children "in the way they should go, so that in the end they won't depart from it"...Sometimes this is a burdon, because we as parents shape how our children view God...but it is a blessing as well.

I can't fathom raising my kids without Luke. He is a help to me in SOO many ways and I'm so glad I have him to stand by me as we shepard our Children's heart's to the Lord.

Ever feel..

Like everything happens all at once?? Sometimes it seems like everything we deal with as a family happens all at the same time. People to go and see, stuff to do, physical and financial stuff...it all piles on and I'm left wondering how life can ever return to a "normal" state.

I know God is good, I know He promised never to give me more then I could handle...but like I tell Luke all the time, I wish sometimes He didn't think I could handle so much..!

Howdy..

Hmm...sorry, it seems that my blogging as taken a nose dive in frequency. Life seems more overwhelming and busy for the time being and it has left me with fewer "free" time moments...or perhaps I'm just using my time differently now.

Wednesday I ended up going down to Thomasville, went to Tally Thursday morning and enjoyed lunch at "The Broken Egg Cafe"..Mom didn't feel well and ended up being sick, so we didn't do a bunch that day other then our morning excursion. Friday morning my Mom had her breastfeeding group, it was bitter sweet. I'm thankful my sweet girl is still getting breastmilk, but since I'm not technically nursing, its almost painful to see what I'm missing out on when I wanted it to work so badly. But thankful for interactions with other mommies. Enjoyed lunch out at the best mexican place in T'ville....then went and bought Noah new shoes. We've been making the Crocs he's been wearing last a long time and his feet were busting out..so new ones were in order. Then I geared up to head to my husband's cousin(whom I've known since I was 4) Graduation/Housewarming party...Loved getting to see everyone, but knew I was going to have to drive back to ATL after the party cause we were invited to go to the a Lake House with Luke's parents and some of their friends..

So SOMEHOW I managed to deal with Noah and Kate( who did NOT sleep the whole time like I thought they would) all the way home by myself(Olivia stayed with my mother for the weekend). Got a few hours of sleep before getting back up to head back out to North GA to Lake Burton. It was SERIOUSLY wonderful. They just welcomed us in and made us feel like part of the gang. We ate well, had fun and got lots of good worship and Jesus time in too. I didn't realize how badly I needed to recoup from Life till I was there...it was only for one night, but it felt like longer because it was so refreshing. We left our two little kiddos with our friends...this was the first time I left Kate, but somehow after a few tears in the car, I was really at peace with her being at home....and I knew Tyler and Kelly would take super good care of them.





No weight gain this week, but no loss either. But thats not a surprise since I ate really weird for almost a week due to being at other people's house's...Hard to tell people that you can't eat certain things...but I'm hoping to get back on track this week, so far so good. :)