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

Master Bedroom Renovation

I don't typically post home project posts.
I mainly just write about babies and motherhood and stuff, but we LOVE a good project.
And it seems like we are always doing something.
Most of you know we are doing a lot of room changes and renovations right now to finish up before the new baby comes.

Our large old master is becoming the new guest room/playroom.
The empty room downstairs is going to be converted into the new nursery.
The unfinished room downstairs is becoming our new master.

So the first of 3 room renovations is DONE!
Our new Master Bedroom is totally finished!
I am quite pleased with the progress :)

Before I get too far into it...let me remind you what this room looked like.
The previous owners tried to finish it...but...yuck.

We gutted it, and then my dad helped Matt frame in the closet.
Thanks daddy!

Then Matt drywalled and mudded (?) the closet.
Sanded it down.

The only closet in this room before Matt and my dad built one was like 1 foot, by 1 foot.
I have no idea what their intention of it was for, but we decided to make it useful space, so Matt drywalled and finished that up as well.
Then we decided to texture the ceiling...
The people who tried to finish this room before we bought the house didn't do such a good job and you could see a lot of lines and cracks and we didn't think it would look good just painting it flat.
We had no idea what we were doing, but we did a lot of research and we figured it out quickly.
Honestly I think it turned out great! It looks just like the rest of the house.
SO MESSY THOUGH!

Then we started painting.
I really wanted to go with a very very faint purple, but Matt said that was an absolute no-go.
So we compromised on a faint yellow.
We both love it.

Matt built the window frame.
I might be biased, but I think it is the best frame in the house.

Then we got new carpet installed.
Yay!
And then we added the new trim.
And got a new light fixture.
It is amazing what a few upgrades will do to a room!

We were planning to make a new tufted headboard.
There are so many tutorials, and it didn't look so hard, but we are pressed for time before the baby comes. And we still have 2 rooms to finish, so we just decided to buy one. And we really love it.
Reagan approves as well :)

I read a blog somewhere awhile ago that said your bedroom is a reflection on your marriage. Precisely 1 minute after reading that blog I walked into our bedroom and "...." embarrassing.
I kind of took it to heart that our bedroom does always get neglected.
It isn't a room anyone really sees, so if people come over we just tend to close the door.
In this season of babies and chaos, there is a whole lot of mess.
And as most parents know...you can't control it all.
I do my best to stay on top of the laundry and dishes and keeping things picked up.
But in reality by the time I get one room cleaned, Reagan could have completely destroyed another.
It is an impossible game of catch-up.
And while I may feel defeated most of the time in the rest of my house I needed a space that I HAD control over.
A space that was always clean and organized and that made me feel at peace and cozy....not stressed and overwhelmed.
The same for Matt as well.
So I made it my mission to make our new master such a space.

We tried to keep things on a very low budget...and by doing most of the projects ourselves and buying everything else via thrift stores...we did just that!

We were a little concerned with space in this new room, because it is so much smaller than our old room.
We decided to make the closet just for hanging clothes and made two racks.
One for my hubby and one for me.

We also built shelves in the tiny useless closet before, and bought baskets to store things in...which turned out perfect.
Matt was not impressed that I wanted a mirror AND my armoire in that corner, but he obliged...and it makes me happy.
I have had that mirror for about 2 years and this is the first time it is hung up!

And then we also had enough space for a dresser, so we actually ended up having more storage space than our old room...which I am not complaining about!
Eventually there will be a vase for fresh flowers next to that frame...and I love that thing on the dresser that we can leave each other love notes on :)

Our bed before was so big that neither of us ever had nightstands, so we are both SO excited to each have one!
Matt's only request was that he have a cool clock on his and that it not be cluttered.
:) Love him!

I am still planning on hanging a painting and buying some more pillows in fun accent colors, but for now it is done and we love it!

Now if only I could gain the courage to sleep in it and be on a different level than Reagan...

"With this baby..."

I haven't been very good at blogging lately.
I guess exhaustion from a pregnancy and chasing around a 1 year old and redoing a whole lot of house limits my time to sit down and jaunt my thoughts loud and clear.
But no fear! I am back! With a new computer and an organized house and ready to conquer the bloggers world.
Or at least the 100 or so people the typically read my blog ;)
Be on the lookout though. I am going to do an 18 month update on Reagan soon. He is a completely different baby from his 12 month update, so I figured why not add some more milestones and keep them fresh on my mind for whenever I get around to finishing up his scrapbook.

So without further ado: a blog post!

I catch myself saying "with this baby we will..." a lot lately.
We will do "this" better.
or be more strict on "this."
or be more lenient on "this."

While I know things will be different the second time around, and while I may be more prepared; I also know that most of my "plans" will be thrown out the window.

I know I say I won't snuggle him so much so he doesn't get so used to being held.
But in reality I know that they grow SO QUICKLY, and I will snuggle away as much as I can.

I know I say I will be more strict about sleeping schedules.
But in reality we did pretty well with Reagan. He has been sleeping through the night since two weeks old.
And as strict or lenient as we are I know that it doesn't really matter how good of a sleeper they are, because I now know that they will regress when they are teething, and when they are having a growth spurt, and when they are sick.
But no fear, because I also know that when that time passes they will go back to their old schedule.

I know I can give him formula, even when people say not to, and he will be just fine.
My milk won't go away...and I will probably be able to nurse for an entire year again.

With this baby I won't be as scared...I am a veteran mom now.
But in reality I know I will be in pain, and my hormones will be all over the place, and I will probably call my mom the minute we get home from the hospital and feel like crying and overwhelmed and say "help."

If you would have asked me two years ago, I would have assuredly told you I was ready for Reagan.
Umm...I think we can all agree that no one is reallly prepared for children. Amen?

My brain is now FILLED with what most people would view as useless information. Like which diapers make Reagan break-out or what soap is the most natural.
I can tell a tired cry from a whiny cry from a sick cry from an in pain cry.
I have tried cloth diapers, making my own wipes, making my own baby food,
I know about so many things that 2 years ago I had NO clue about.

Things like putting your kid under a fan - try it...it fascinates them.
Or take them out. It is most moms worst nightmare to take a fussy baby out, but if Reagan was ever fussy and we went out...he was almost immediately calm.
Did you know that their toenails hardly grow? Or maybe that is just my kid, but I have clipped Reagan's toenails exactly twice. On the contrary I am clipping his fingernails weekly.

Yes, with this baby things will be different.
I might be more prepared.
I might understand the day to day life a little more than I did before.
But I also know that things will not always ever go as planned - and that is ok.

So while I say I am going to keep this baby with me in the hospital room our whole hospital stay; reality is that giving birth is hard work...and I might just need to sleep a little bit before we are sent home. I can send the baby to the nursery...that is why its there! And he will be just fine.

Newborn photo cred: Ashley Clark