Truman Gabriel

Introducing Truman Gabriel

Documenting moments in our life is one of my favorite things, and I love to look back on pictures or notes that I've written, so writing down my kids birth stories while they are still fresh in my mind is important to me. If you are like me and are a sucker for birth stories, you can read about Reagan's here, and Calvin's here, and Lincoln's here.

On Saturday March 17, we woke up and planned a normal day. We were going to go to town and just do some fun shopping with the boys. I got dressed and the boys mocked me that the shirt I put on was flannel and they laughed and said I looked like daddy. We went to town, got a few groceries, finally went to the new Hobby Lobby in town, and went out to eat. We came home and played with the boys, cleaned and did some laundry. We then dropped the boys off with Matt's parents and went to our small group. I was having a lot of contractions during it, but thats nothing unusual for me as I'd had consistent contractions for months. When we got up to leave, we joked with the others that they might not see us at church the next day. We then went to pick up the boys, and again joked that they might get a call in the night.

Little did we know that the joking was true.

I woke up at 4am and wasn't feeling well. I instantly recognized it as the "cleansing" effect going on with my body that I had with all my other boys. About a half hour later I noticed some slight cramping, and that it was following a pattern. I knew I was in labor, but it seemed slow, and after my last lightning fast labor, I didn't know if it would pick up really fast at any moment, or be drawn out.

I laid back down to just listen to my body. I was contracting consistently with strong cramps, so about a half hour later I woke Matt up and filled him in. I told him not to call his mom yet, and that I was going to take a shower first.

My go-to labor symptom is a bloody show. With all of my children, that is always my first symptom that gets the ball rolling and then I know that I am for sure in labor. I hadn't had that yet, so I was still holding off heading to the hospital.

Around 7am I texted my mom to fill her in. She was on her way down to a different hospital for a family emergency. Good timing, Truey.

I woke up Matt again, and said he should probably call his mom so we can get moving, as the contractions were getting stronger. I packed bags, and got ready myself ready, while he showered.

His mom arrived around 8am, and we packed up the car. I hugged and kissed the boys and told the what was going on, and then I used the bathroom one last time before heading out. And BOOM! There was the bleeding that I was waiting for to confirm the labor for me.

I texted my mom on the way and updated her. Nothing had really changed, which kind of discouraged me, because at this point with Lincoln he was already born! But I was thankful that I wasn't going to be having the baby in the car, which was a fear of mine the whole pregnancy.

We got to the hospital, and they did all their normal triage stuff. I was 3-4cm dilated and contracting about every 5 minutes. I was admitted, and we got settled in our room. I couldn't believe how slow everything seemed to be moving.

Matt and I joked, we walked around, watched The Office, and I munched on bubble ice. A few hours later I was 6-7cm, and the contractions had definitely picked up. They asked if I wanted any meds for pain, and I said no. They asked if I wanted my water broke, and I also said no. I knew if they broke it then the contractions would pick up in intensity, and I didn't want that to happen yet since I was only 6-7cm dilated.

About an hour later they checked me again and said I was "maybe 7." This time I was discouraged. I knew there was something wrong with his positioning that was preventing my body from progressing, but I didn't know what, and I didn't know how to fix it.

The contractions started amping up in intensity. They again asked if I wanted meds for pain, and I said no. I knew I didn't like the way an epidural made me feel, or the rough recovery after it wore off, so I really wanted to go unmedicated, like I did with Lincoln's delivery.

They checked me about an hour later, and I was "about an 8." I couldn't believe how long this was taking.

Each contraction was grueling. He was curled up on my right side, and still so high up it felt like he was in my ribs. With each contraction I would bare down and push with my hand against his body, trying to move him down...to what seemed to be no avail. I turned to Matt and said I didn't know how much longer I could do this. He said "oh, I bet this baby will be here in 3 hours." He was trying to be encouraging, but I about died....3 more hours seemed like an eternity.

I couldn't believe how hot and thirsty I was the whole time. This labor was so draining on me. I don't think I have ever sweat so much in my life. I was also constantly asking for drinks in between contractions. I was annoying myself by how often I asked, but I was just.so.thirsty. Matt would give me a drink and then put the cup back on the table for a contraction, and then I'd ask for it again. After doing that for what seemed like the hundredth time, Matt made a funny face when I asked him for a drink again. I said "oh, so sorry to inconvenience you.." ;) That got a good chuckle from everyone in the room. Such a jokester I am when going through transition.

My midwife checked me again during a contraction, and immediately turned to the nurse and calmly, but sternly, said "go get the Ultrasound." She told me something didn't feel right. That was when I started to feel frightened. I was in intense pain, and my fears about something being wrong seemed to be accurate. She asked me if I knew the baby's positioning, and I said he had been breech up until about 35 weeks, but he had flipped. She thought he might have flipped back to breech.

When the nurse arrived with the ultrasound, it was confirmed he was head down, but was sunny side up. An answer to why my labor wasn't progressing! My midwife suggested that she break my water during my next contraction to force him down. That did the trick! The action of breaking my water during a contraction forced him down, and allowed him to rotate, all in one swift motion.

My contractions definitely amped up as soon as that happened. I said over and over again that I couldn't do it. They asked if I wanted pain meds, and I said something along the lines of "seriously, right now?" I knew it was too late, so I bore down, and concentrated on moving baby down with each contraction. And finally, FINALLY he was moving down! And moving down fast! My midwife told me that when he crowned I needed to push gently and slowly. Hahahaha! I was so done! When he crowned I pushed that sucker out as fast as I could!

Another giant Engels baby. 9 pounds, 6 ounces, 22 1/4 inches long. The nurses and midwife couldn't get over how big his hands and feet were. His feet didn't even fit in the little ink area for his records!

That instant relief, the fresh purple baby, the quiet calm squirms, and the newborn smell overcame me. There is nothing quite like that first hour after giving birth, it is a such a sweet calm time. Almost like time stands still. After the euphoria wore off I was in a lot of pain. Just like with Linc's birth I had a lot of pain afterward...a lot of pain in my butt. I need to stop having 9 to 10 pound babies, because they smash and squish everything on their way out, causing a lot of pain for me. But after I got some pain meds in me it was manageable. I tore slightly this time, which I haven't done since Reagan's birth, but the recovery from that hasn't been bad. The first week of nursing cramps were intense. It is absolutely true they get worse with each subsequent pregnancy. I would double over and cringe and try not to throw up each time he would nurse. Thankfully, that only lasted about a week.

My first two days home were also a little rough. This was BY FAR my hardest delivery, and by the 2nd day postpartum, my body showed it. My abs ached, my legs ached, my neck was sore, my back muscles were so weak that I wasn't even able to walk the distance from my bed to the bathroom. My whole body showed that it had worked extremely hard a few days prior. Finally, on the second day, I collapsed in tears on the floor from pain...and from fear that I wouldn't be able to care for my kids. That was a very hard night and morning. As soon as we could on that 3rd day, Matt and I packed our whole little family up and we went to get the pain meds that were originally prescribed to me, that I was sure I wouldn't need. After that, things went much smoother.

The boys have adjusted fine. None of our kids have ever had jealously issues when a new baby has come home, and we are so thankful. They all love to rub his head, and snuggle and kiss him, and Lincoln is CONSTANTLY wanting to hold/crush his hand. It's so sweet. I get so many comments about wishing for a girl, or how I must be sad I'm so outnumbered, but I couldn't be happier. I think having 4 boys is incredible and I love watching them grow up and become each others best buds. I think when they are all teenagers that our house is going to be so much fun!

Truey is an excellent nurser, but is definitely our fussiest baby. He wants to be held, or nursing, almost all of the time. He just got his first adjustment today, and I instantly noticed a difference in how he sat in his carseat, and laid on the floor. The chiro said he felt 2 spots in his neck and 1 spot in his back that were off, so I am hoping this makes him a little more content and happy.

We are sleep deprived. My body is squishy and is leaking all over the place. There is ALWAYS somebody crying in our house, and we spend about 15 hours a day feeding kids and wiping bottoms, but we are smitten once again. There is nothing quite like those squishy newborn cuddles, and they grow so fast. So despite the crazy life, we are trying to soak it all in and enjoy this new life the Lord has granted us the responsibility of loving and nurturing. We are thankful.

Lincoln's Birth Story

Does anyone remember when I used to write on this old blog?

Seeing how my last post was Cal's birth story, that just goes to show how neglected this has been. And I honestly don't see a comeback anytime soon. Apparently 3 kids 3 and under keeps me pretty busy. 

But I did want to write out Lincoln's birth story. Not only for all you suckers out there like me who love birth stories, but also for my record while its still fresh in my mind, so when I get around to his baby book I have all my facts straight.

So without further ado: Lincoln's birth-day!

Fresh out of the womb!

Thursday morning August 11 - 4 days before my due date, I woke up at 4:15am and just wasn't feeling well. I rolled over hoping to alleviate some pain, and I must have fallen back asleep, because next thing I know I woke up to a contraction at 4:30am. I remember laying there thinking "ow, that kind of hurt" but I tried to go back to sleep as I had been having contractions for weeks leading up to that. However just a few minutes later I had another one and again I thought "ow, that kind of hurt...and felt more crampy than usual." I decided to get up and go to the bathroom to see if that would help. I had another contraction while peeing and again thought. "Yup. These are more painful than they have been." And sure enough I stood up and noticed I was bleeding. Almost identical to the time frame and series of events in Reagan's birth story. I walked back to the bed and told Matt what was going on and I had another contraction while talking to him. I told him I was going to call my mom and then take a shower. Looking back now only about 6 or 7 minutes had elapsed, but I had had 4 contractions in that time, so things were already moving quickly. 

I told my mom what was going on and she said she would head on over. I remember telling her that they weren't too painful and weren't too close together yet (yes they were!) and not to hurry. Good thing she didn't listen to me and headed right over. I had several more contractions in the shower. While I was getting dressed Matt showered and packed stuff up, and then my mom arrived. Reagan woke up and seemed confused as to what was going on, but I snuggled him for a bit and told him we were going to the hospital to have the baby! We had talked with him about this a lot beforehand.

Reagan was pretty smitten ;)

We left for the hospital at about 6am, and I remember saying I didn't want to have to sit in the car. Standing and walking through the contractions was so much better. Thankfully its only a 10 minute drive! The contractions were coming 2-3 minutes apart, and while they were definitely uncomfortable, they were totally bearable. 

We walked into ER, and an old friend met me in the ER triage, so we chatted on the way up to the OB floor. They put me in the OB triage room and had me change and go to the bathroom, and then wanted to hook me up to the monitors. Contractions were about 2 minutes apart, and very uncomfortable, but still not grueling awful. The one nurse wanted to get an IV into me (as they always do) and blew my first vein. She tried again and blew my second vein. (Those bruises are just now looking healed at almost 3 weeks postpartum!) She then said that she would let the fresh shift do it when they came in at 7am. It was about 6:45am by that time. She then checked me. Having contractions while having your cervix checked is the WORST! She kept saying it was tilted and way back there, and it took forever it seemed like. I joked with her and said I better be pretty far progressed. I said I would be so disappointed if I was at a 1. She said "well if you are then I just won't say anything." When she was done, she didn't say anything, so I was like "awww crap, my body hasn't made any progress!" I knew I felt like I should be closer to 5 or 6cm, than 1! So then the other nurse came into check me and said I was 6cm! Yay!

They told me I was staying (obviously) and I asked if I could get off the monitor now. They said I could because I had been on for 20 minutes and we started walking down to my labor room. I had 2 contractions on the 20 foot walk, and by the second one I turned to Matt and said "I need to push" and then I turned to the nurse and said "I need to push!"

My nurse then told another nurse that they needed to call the doctor.

They got me into the room and things started getting a little more frantic. I think they realized how quickly I was progressing. Now with each contraction I was definitely feeling like I needed to push, and I told them that. About this time I started getting slightly nervous. I remember turning to the one nurse and saying "he is too big, I am going to want meds, I feel like its too late to get any meds." And she said "oh honey...its too late..................but you can do this!" To which I replied "no, I can't! I know he is too big!"

Again a nurse asked if the doctor was on his way, and another said yes.

They still hadn't even got an IV in, so a few more nurses tried and kept failing. I wanted to yell "forget the dumb IV! This baby is coming out right now!" But I kept my cool and let them keep on trying while I was breathing through very strong contractions.

Another different nurse checked me and said I was complete. And I think I remember saying "oh good" Again they asked if they doctor was on his way, and someone said yes. Then another nurse said to call up a doctor from ER, since they didn't think the OB would arrive in time.

The big boys saying goodnight to their new brother.

In both of my previous pregnancies I received Pitocin; a drug used to make contractions stronger. This time around while my contractions were very strong, they seemed very short in duration, and had breaks between them. Even though I was obviously in the intense transition part of labor, I kept thinking (and saying) "I don't feel like I should have to push yet. Why do I need to push? My contractions aren't strong enough yet." I guess because I was used to Pitocin contractions that gave me wave upon wave with no break, this time without Pitocin my contractions just seemed weak. Now that I know that, I MUCH prefer not having any Pitocin!

The ER doctor arrived. He was a young guy who looked slightly frazzled and he said "is she ready? Did she progress really quickly?" And one of the nurses said "yes, very quickly!"

About 30 seconds later, my OB arrived, and he set up shop and it was GO TIME!

The next 10-15 minutes were INTENSE! I remember feeling like I was losing control and feeling like I couldn't do it and I felt like I had to reign myself in and bring myself back to reality. In fact I told the nurse, and Matt, and another nurse, and the doctor and basically anyone that I could see that I could.not.do.this. Even though I was still sane enough to be telling myself in my head that I HAD to do this. There was no turning back. So I just pushed as hard and fast as I could, because I knew once he was out the pain would stop. At this point, I don't remember the contractions hurting. I just remember a whole heck of a lot of pressure. I remember telling the doctor, "oh my gosh his head feels so big!" and then I also calmly tacked onto the end "....so can you see if he has hair?"

Spoiler: he did have hair. And about 2 pushes later his head was out, and I was expecting relief...because in my previous pregnancies after their head was out, the rest of the body just kinda slid out and followed behind. Not this big boy. The doctor told me his shoulders were stuck and I needed to push. Hard. With the other boys I remember pushing, but I didn't actually have to work at it. This time every push was with all my might. My body was working hard! A few days after we came home I told Matt my abs hurt and I couldn't figure out why. Then it occurred to me...it was because my abs had to work hard to get him out!

After just a few seconds the doctor motioned to the nurses, and all the sudden they grabbed my legs and brought them clear up back by my head and he started yanking back and forth to get him out, and FINALLY out he came!

The doctor cleaned him out (he had pooped in utero) and rubbed him and tried to get him screaming, and after what seemed like a very long time I looked up at Matt who had a ghostly look on his face and he quietly said "is he ok?" and Lincoln must have heard him because them he started crying, and boy could he cry! It was so loud! And we were so relieved!

They handed him to me, and the first thing I said was "he's so tiny!" HAHAHAHA. The doctor looked at me and said "no...he isn't!" I guess I was just used to my 18 month old and 3 year old. My next question to the doctor was if I tore, and you should have seen the shock on my face when he said I didn't!

We had skin to skin and snuggled for awhile. They had to monitor him intermittently, because he had aspirated meconium,, but all seemed well and we just kept snuggling. I had a lot of pain right afterward. I just kept saying "oh my word my butt hurts so much!" It just felt like everything was so smushed...probably because he was so big and everything WAS smushed! And a few minutes after he was born I started having a lot of cramping. The nurses came in and smushed on my belly (isn't that the worst?) and then they called the doctor back in and he smushed on my belly (SO MUCH WORSE than the nurses smushing on my belly) He said there were some clots blocking my cervix that he had to get out. 

After a good amount of time they finally took him to get his measurements and such and I was SO shocked when they said he was just an ounce away from 10 pounds! The nurse laughed and said "he would have been a 10 pounder if he hadn't pooped on the way out!" I could not believe my body gave birth to such a big boy...and so quickly! And I never did get any meds! They didn't even ever get the IV in! Isn't the female body amazing?!

He was born exactly 3 hours after I woke up to that first contraction. I am still in awe at how quickly it happened! My recovery has been good. My stomach was really tender for the first week, but things are healing. I obviously have some work to do. I've had an almost 10 pound baby and 2 almost 9 pound babies in the last 3 years, so my stomach is a bit of a hot mess, but it'll tighten and tone...and I'm not in any hurry to rush it. I would say my easiest recovery was with Cal and by far my worst was with Reagan. Even though the actual delivery was INTENSE this time, this was my easiest labor. Everything happened so fast that I didn't really have time to suffer through agonizing contractions. I kept saying for days after "did that really happen?" It was just so crazy...the whole 3 quick hours were so crazy! But I would totally do it all again...and I hope future labors all go equally as fast (fingers crossed!)

He is pretty comparable to his brothers. Maybe a little fussier occasionally, but I think we always have pretty easy babies. As long as they are fed they are usually happy. He LOVES to nurse! He is getting on a good schedule, typically up 1 or 2 times to nurse during the night...and still sleeps a lot throughout the day. He has fit right into our family perfectly and we have loved getting to know him and especially watching the big boys with him.  I was a little nervous how the transition would go, but they are absolutely obsessed! We are so thankful for the healthy arrival of our sweet Lincoln Montgomery!

Calvin Graham - A Birth Story

Have you missed me?
We have been keeping very busy selling a house and buying a house...oh and we had a baby, so that was kind of a big thing too.
Life has been really chaotic lately, and I have really missed having internet.
I can't wait until we are in our new house and I can use a computer again! We have been using our phones for everything.

I am so glad I documented everything with Reagan's pregnancy and did monthly updates as he grew. I love looking back to see when he hit certain milestones and it helps me keep track for scrapbooking or his baby book with facts that I have forgotten...so I want to do the same with Calvin.

So without further ado...we had a baby precisely 6 days ago!
Introducing our sweet little Calvin Graham!

We knew he was big, and obviously he was very comfy, because he wasn't showing any desire to make his entrance into the world.

In talking with my doctor we decided to induce just before 39 weeks, because of his size, but also because we lived over 2 hours to the hospital, and having a scheduled induction would take a lot of the stress away. My doctor also said I was very favorable for an induction because of the progress my body had already made, so that made me feel better too. I did not want to risk going into labor in the middle of a snowstorm and having the baby somewhere on the highway!

So we packed up our bags and said our goodbyes and headed down to Grand Rapids late in the day on December 21st!

When we got to the hospital they got us all set and registered and put up into our room, which just happened to be right next to the room where we had Reagan!

They were preparing to start the induction, and the resident doctor came in to check me. I agreed with my doctor, and we were planning to do the route with the least meds. We were planning to use the balloon catheter to dilate my cervix and then go from there. When the doctor checked me though I was already 4 cm and having contractions 3 minutes apart, so they figured I was already in labor, which would make the catheter pretty much pointless.

So instead we decided to start Pitocin to make the contractions a little bit stronger.

My labor was pretty uneventful. I couldn't sleep, but I think that was more from excitement than anything. I wasn't really in pain. Actually most of my labor throughout the night was pretty easy. Every time they came in to check me I had made more and more progress...and I really wasn't in much pain at all.

My water broke on its own about 1am. I think shortly after that I was around 7cm when they came in to check me. They didn't want to finish breaking my water because Calvin was still floating way up high...and they wanted him to be low and engaged first. At this point they asked me if I wanted to do anything for pain. I decided to get an epidural mainly because I was hoping it would allow me to get some sleep. I don't know who's great idea it was to do inductions at night and then labor all night long, but what a terrible idea! Matt and I were both so tired! With Reagan it took me around 8 hours to go from 8 to 10 cm...and I didn't really want to labor that long without being able to rest.

When the anesthesiologist came in to give me my epidural I remember feeling a little extra pinch and thinking something didn't feel right, but...what do I know? Apparently I did know, because he totally messed it up. About 5 minutes later I started to get an awful headache. I remember it making me nauseous and them telling me that I needed to lay flat and we turned the lights down low. The epidural worked for about an hour and I was nice and numb, but then whatever they did wrong wore off and I started being able to feel everything again. The contractions were really intense...and my throbbing headache just intensified everything. They came in to check me like an hour later and I was so relieved to hear I was at a 9! They finished breaking my water. I had A LOT of fluid this time in comparison to with Reagan, but when it broke on its own at 1am it was just a small amount. When the doctor finished breaking it...it was the huge gush that I was expecting.

It wasn't much longer after that that I was at a 10! So very thankful that the progress was so much quicker than with Reagan, since I was feeling everything! The doctor told me to start doing some practice pushes to start moving him down. So we did that for about 10 or 15 minutes until I got to the point where I must have been getting close, because then the main doctor came in and they started getting everything set up.

With Reagan there were probably 20 people in our room. There were several nurses, several resident doctors, several nurses for the baby, housekeeping was in there. I remember thinking "wow...is this necessary?" I honestly didn't care, but I could see how some women would be totally caught off guard. This time though there was only my nurse, the resident doctor, the main doctor, and a nurse for the baby.

I pushed for longer this time than I did with Reagan. I probably pushed for about a half hour, but I mainly think that is because I could feel everything, and I wasn't pushing to the best of my ability, because...umm....it hurt! There is definitely no comparison to having an epidural that works...to not having one. I could feel everything...his head moving down...tearing...them stitching me up. I remember after his head came out thinking "yes! that's over!" But it still took 2 or 3 strong contractions and pushes to get his shoulders and the rest of him out. It was so weird this time being able to tell and feel exactly what was going on. Aside from the terrible pain, I actually kind of enjoyed being able to tell exactly what was going on with my body.

Is it weird that I have already forgotten the pain? As I'm typing this out I am thinking..."no, the pain wasn't that bad. I really don't remember it hurting that bad." But I remember being in the heat of the moment and thinking there was no way I could do it. I guess that is how we get suckered into having more babies ;)

I remember them asking me ahead of time if I wanted to do skin to skin afterward and I told them yes. I had done the same thing with Reagan, but this time after I had him, they completely left us alone for almost an hour. It was so weird. I did skin to skin with Reagan, but after a few minutes they took him to take his stats and see how he was doing. This time around they stitched me up and cleaned up and then everyone vanished for almost an hour. The nurse came back a few times to check on us, but for the most part we were all alone. That was kind of a sweet moment...just spending the time as the 3 of us and getting to know him.

After that they wanted him to nurse right away. After he finished nursing then they finally took him to take his measurements and check out everything on how he was doing. Maybe it was because it was our second time around, but I really enjoyed that time right after having him. That fresh baby scent and just snuggling with him.

By far the worst part this time around is this awful debilitating spinal headache. It is no joke. They wrote me a few prescriptions and instructed me to have a lot of caffeine, but the only thing that really worked to take it away was to lay flat on my back. Thankful for my family and husband, because it is really hard to care for my family when I have to lay down. It really makes me second guess even attempting to get an epidural again. Especially since I now know what the pain is like without it...and that I can do it!

So far the transition has been a breeze! Calvin is such a sweet sweet baby. And so easy! He tends to have an awake time from 2am-5am, but so far it has been bearable. I remember feeling so overwhelmed when we brought Reagan home, and I don't feel that way at all this time around. My headache is just now starting to subside at 6 days postpartum, but aside from that, I feel amazing! I totally do not feel like I just had a baby at all! Matt goes back to work tomorrow, so that will be another huge transition I am sure, but right now we are just having so much fun!

I can't believe I have two babies!

Baby E 2 - 32 weeks

How far along: 

32 weeks! So much for keeping up on doing a post every 3 weeks...

Total weight gain:

I am up about 15 pounds from pre-pregnancy.

Size and growth of the baby: 

About the size of a large jicama. 

Seriously...what is that? 

According to babycenter he would be about 3 and 3/4 pounds and 16 inches long, but I think he is bigger than that. 

I have also been consistently measuring bigger and bigger. Two appointments ago baby was measuring a few days ahead. My last appointment he was measuring about a week ahead...and my appointment a few days ago he was measuring about a week and a half ahead!

Sex:

BOY!

Maternity clothes: 

Um. Have you seen me? ;)

Sleep:

Terrible. I don't know if it is because I am in the later stages of pregnancy or if it is because we are living in a foreign place, but I wake up numerous times during the night.

Best moment(s) of the week: 

There was one night last week where we all went to bed early. There were very minimal tears from Reagan...and we ALL slept ALL night long! The first (and only) time that has happened since we moved here.

Movement: 

This baby is SO active! I remember thinking Reagan was active, but there is no comparison to this baby. He is constantly (and painfully) moving almost all the time. I love to feel his little elbows, and hands, and knees that are constantly poking around right around my bellybutton though...I always think that is so neat!

Food cravings/aversions:

I haven't really been craving anything or had anything that sounds terrible.

My ice crunching has come back though. I remember wanting to chew on ice all the time with Reagan too.

Morning sickness:

Its been good lately.

Symptoms: 

Mainly just pain everywhere possible.

I don't remember being this uncomfortable with Reagan...especially not this early. It has been really wearing on me.

Labor signs :

A lot of contractions.

I went apple picking about a week ago...and had to do a lot of walking and carrying Reagan...and once I got home I had nonstop contractions pretty consistently about 5 minutes apart for several hours later....even into the evening. They weren't overly painful, just enough to be annoying...and I went to bed and woke up a few hours later to pee...and I was still having them consistently about 5 minutes apart. Of course, then I couldn't fall asleep because I was freaking myself out that I had put myself into labor really early.

Belly button in or out:

Out! And so painful.

What I miss:

My home. 

I miss the security of it...and the space. I miss feeling like we have a home.

Reagan doesn't seem happy here...and hasn't seemed to settle in yet and it breaks my heart that he doesn't understand and has to go through this.

What I'm looking forward to: 

I don't know. I am really looking forward to getting a house, but numerous people are shooting down my hopes that that will happen before the baby comes. 

I want to say I am looking forward to the baby coming...but I feel SO unprepared.

As much as I am going to miss our house in Cedar, I am looking forward to the buyers closing date...so that is one thing that will be behind us that we don't need to worry about. That...and the nice check that we will get ;)

Baby E 2 - 28 weeks

If you think I look extremely tired and make-up-less...its because I am. Maybe next picture will be better. Maybe.

How far along: 

28 weeks! 3rd trimester already! I guess as much as I need things to slow down this time around that won't be happening...the countdown begins.

Total weight gain:

I was just doing my preview and realized I didn't answer this question...and the thought about walking downstairs to weigh myself and then back up here to finish this post crossed my mind...but my body said "nope!" I think I have gained 3 or 4 pounds since last time though.

Size and growth of the baby: 

About the size of a large eggplant. 2 and 1/4 pounds and between 14 and 15 inches long!
I think he is bigger than that though...he just seems really big to me.

Sex:

BOY!

Maternity clothes: 

Yes. Give me all things comfy.

Sleep:

Pretty good. I think due to the chaos and just sheer exhaustion.

Best moment(s) of the week: 

So many showings! Our house has been on the market less than a week and I think we have had 8 now. Matt was pretty concerned with if it would sell or not, but our realtors are feeling pretty confident with the amount of action we are getting. So hopefully that means we will hear something next week!

We also went house shopping up north for the first time yesterday. There aren't a whole lot of options up there, which has had me so discouraged lately...but it was nice to actually get into a few houses and look around and talk with our agent more.

Movement: 

Yes, definite movement :)
He is seeming to be just as active as his older brother was.

Food cravings/aversions:

I think I have been stress eating.
Give me all the junk food!
And also apples.

Morning sickness:

Its been good lately.

Symptoms: 

Finally off my darn heart monitor!
My hips have started hurting lately. I really feel like this baby is big.
And pelvic pain has started already! I think because he feels so big and heavy...but it already feels like my pelvis is being torn in two. All I can think is...don't let this baby come yet! Our life is chaos right now and he needs to cook as long as possible!

Labor signs :

A lot of contractions.

Belly button in or out:

Out! I had forgotten the bellybutton pain that came along with it from when I had Reagan, but it is back. I feel so dumb when I say "ugh...my bellybutton hurts!" Any other commiserating mamas?

What I miss:

My home. Is it possible to do that already?
I NEVER imagined being torn when an opportunity came to move up north, but there are so many unknowns and things are happening so fast and it is ridiculous the amount of times I have cried. I keep telling people as long as I don't think about it I am fine. If I have a task like "clean this room, or pack these boxes" I am fine, but if I think about WHY I am doing that then I lose it.
We have spent so much time and energy making this house or home...and I love it so much. This is where we brought Reagan home and where he rolled over for the first time and learned to walk. This is where I had imagined bringing the next baby home. I am just really going to miss this house.

What I'm looking forward to: 

I am looking forward to my next appt. I feel like there are so many things I need to go over with my doctor...including if I should try to get a new doctor up north or keep him through the end of the pregnancy. I feel like I need his opinion!

I'm looking forward to looking at more houses next week. Praying that more come on the market in the next few days!

If you want to follow this pregnancy I will link up below.
12 weeks
15 weeks
18 weeks
21 weeks
25 weeks

Dear Reagan: 18 months

As promised: Reagan's 18 month update.

I mainly write these updates for myself. It is easier to upload a few pictures and type things out fresh in my mind than it is to get around to scrapbooking. So then when I do finally get around to scrapbooking, I have quick easy access to what photos were in that age range...and what exactly was going on. But, I know a few people like reading them too...so...read on!

Dear Reagan : 18 months.

You are a ball of energy.
You love to run and you recently learned to JUMP!

You weigh just barely 25 pounds and I am not sure how tall you are, but you are pretty tall.
You are wearing almost all 18 month clothes.
You have a mouthful of teeth! People always ask how old you are when we are out and about and when I say "he just turned 1 and a half" they almost always comment on how many teeth you have. So weird.
You are down to 1 nap a day, which typically ranges between 1 and half to 3 hours long.

You are definitely a talker. To anyone and everyone.
You can say SO MANY words. Daddy, mama, grandpa, papa, Jordan, thank-you, (you're) welcome, ball, basketball, vroom vroom, Kya kitty, apple, yum yum, cookie, cracker, juice, puppy, bird, bubbles, one, and two are just a few off the top of my head.

You have a serious love for vehicles. Cars, trucks, vans, tractors, trains. You LOVE them!

You also tend to be a little OCD.
You are always lining things up perfectly, or stacking things perfectly...and you do not like when things are out of place.

You love to be outside. You love rocks and dirt and sticks.
You also love your daddy.

You love to be a helper. Some chores that I give you are: take dirty dishes to the kitchen, help pick up toys, throw certain things away, and put dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

Your dad is jumping on board thinking you will be left-handed. You have definitely always favored it and still do. I guess only time will tell.

You are so good at nap time and bedtime.
All we have to do is tell you its time for nap or bed and you grab a few toys and walk right into your room and wait at the crib. It is so sweet!

I feel like I am always cutting your hair. If we wait too long the tuft gets out of control.
Speaking of which...we will probably cut it again tonight.

You really do have a sweet personality, it is rare when we have to discipline you. On the occasional meltdown (usually due to being overly tired or not feeling well or hungry) you can be crazzzzzy strong-willed though.

You favorite show is Umizoomi. It is the only show you get excited about and you will actually sit through a whole episode.

You have some problems sharing, but whenever we spend time in the nursery or with your cousins we get to practice that. I have a feeling 3 months from now and a little brother will cure that problem.

You don't like to cuddle and HATE to be restrained.
But you also do not like playing by yourself and always have to be RIGHT NEXT to me. I am constantly tripping over you.

I am interested to see how you will handle being a big brother. I keep telling people that I honestly think you will just ignore him at first.

Nope...thats not a tacky cell phone.
It's my obnoxiously annoying heart monitor. 2 days down...12 to go.

To the boy who made me a mama.
I love you!
I love watching you learn and grow...and I love to see your personality develop.
You are so much fun!
I look forward to these next few months as you meet your brother and your life is turned completely upside down. I just know you two will be best buds...and I am anxious to see that friendship grow.

Baby E 2 - 25 weeks

Matt said something funny...and inappropriate. So obviously I was obnoxiously cracking up.

How far along: 

25 weeks and a few days! How many of you noticed I totally skipped over 24 weeks? I have been trying to do updates every 3 weeks, but...woops.

Total weight gain:

I have gained about 8 pounds since last time! My goodness! My body finally decided to start making up for losing a bunch and a slow start. So that puts me at about 5 gained total.

Size and growth of the baby: 

About the size of a rutabaga! A little over a foot long and 1 and a half pounds!

Sex:

BOY!

Maternity clothes: 

Yes. Give me all things comfy.

Sleep:

We have been sleeping in our guest bed, and I have been sleeping ok, but that bed is so much more firm than ours and my pregnant body is starting to notice. My back and neck have been hurting for several days. We finally made the transition to our new room last night...and it was heavenly. So comfy!

Best moment(s) of the week: 

Our room is finished! It feels so good to make some progression in the chaos.
Up next: new nursery!

Movement: 

Yes, definite movement :)
I have a hard time figuring out how he is positioned, because he literally moves all over my entire stomach.
He had the hiccups for the first time (or at least the first time I could feel them) the other day :)

Food cravings/aversions:

My appetite has been pretty good, which has been nice!
Also...Matt found this new candy apple flavored pop. YUM!
Jena - you need to try it! It tastes very similar to Mexico Manzana!

Morning sickness:

Just depends on what I eat, but its pretty much fine.

Symptoms: 

My doctor  is still concerned about the heart palpitations, so he referred me to a cardiologist. They took some blood and ran a lot of tests. I have to wear a heart monitor for 2 weeks :(
Other than that I have been having normal aches and pains. My back is starting to feel the effects of pregnancy.

Labor signs :

A lot of contractions...also concerning to my doctor, but he thinks it might be related to what is also causing my heart to race.

Belly button in or out:

I can't believe it, but that sucker is OUT already!

What I miss:

I have felt really good the last few weeks. I am so thankful!
I miss being able to roll over in bed...or do anything with my ab muscles.
I am at the point in pregnancy now where your abs are pretty much useless and you have to use your arms to assist in any movement.
I'm also at the point where putting on socks and shoes is getting hard. Ugh!

What I'm looking forward to: 

I know its a way off still, but I am looking forward to our next ultrasound.
I almost asked the tech who was taking an ultrasound of my heart if I could get a peek at the baby...but decided not to.
Also looking forward to this fall weather and fun fall activities!

If you want to follow this pregnancy I will link up below.
12 weeks
15 weeks
18 weeks
21 weeks