Update

So it turns out that Edward was measured wrong initially. He's really only 21 inches. Not quite as impressive. But he is sleeping well at night, so we are proud of that. It's one of the perks of having big babies.

Ethan struggled a little at first. He misses having his mom and dad all to himself, but is really stoic about it. We've been trying to spend extra time with him as much as possible. Also, potty training is practically out the window at the moment. Our big guy had it down for months, so we thought we'd be ok, but no such luck. We're not pushing him at the moment. He has alot to adjust to.

And, he's sick. We're not sure what with, but the high fever is a sure sign. If it's not gone by tomorrow (day 3), we'll be heading to the dr for sure.

So that's us at the moment. Bumming around our house, getting to know our newest addition, and helping our oldest get better.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This is hilarious! I've found the sheet music and totally will be using this at future Christmas parties.

Ta Da! (It's just that easy!)

He's finally made an appearance! This is my big, chubby, ridiculously long baby!

First, the stats. Edward Owen weighs in at 9lbs 3oz and is 22 3/4 inches long. (Even the pediatrician didn't believe his length at first.) He was born 12/19/07 at 5:39 pm. The boy has lots of dark hair and is surprisingly strong, reaching for me just minutes after birth and holding his head up for long periods by day 2. Also, he's a great eater.

OK. So here's the story of how. Don't read on if these things bother you.

We were late for our appointment at the hospital, but were settled into our room by about 9:30 and started the IV to get things moving. After several hours, thing were progressing VERY slowly. But the contractions were becoming an issue for me, so the dr ok'd the epidural. (We'd spent quite a lot of time talking about my labor and recovery last time so that my pain, shock, and emotional state could be handled better this go round.) The anesthesiologist did a great job. He did hit nerves, but we'd talked about using some trial and error to get better placement, so I was expecting it. And his placement was sooo good. I did need a few extra doses over the course of the day, but only b/c of contraction pain in my back.

So, I'm numb and happy. John and I decided to watch a movie b/c clearly, this would be a long process. About halfway through, my back was starting to be problem again, so the nurse came in to check me before calling for an extra dose in my epidural. John got ready to call the grandparents to give a long overdue update, but the nurse stopped him with "Are you ready to have a baby?" She had me push through one contraction and then paged the dr b/c he was crowning! Unfortunately, my dr had expected me to take several more hours and had just gone into the OR to assist. So I met another wonderful OB as she ran in, suited up, and delivered the baby. It took less than 10 minutes! And because of my great epidural, I didn't feel any pain. Definitely the best way to have a baby.

Recovery has been much easier. Except for the exhaustion and a sore back, I don't really have much to complain about. I give a HUGE shout out to the maternity services at Newton-Wellesley Hospital for their focus on the patient's wants and needs. It was the best hospital experience I've ever been a part of.

So that's it! Still don't know if I'll ever be willing to do it again, but at least it won't be fears about labor and recovery making the decision next time.

Baby Edward

YAY!

1 day away is weird (and me being stupid)

It's been so great to have Edward's delivery scheduled. We've been able to plan everything from babysitting for Ethan to the last big shopping trip. But today, it's weird. It would be a little less so if I was having a C-section, but knowing that tomorrow morning I'll go into labor is just strange. And instead of being surprised by this new little life who decided to join us, we're saying "Hey. It's time. Get out here and say hi." I'm still glad that we've been able to prepare so well (and that health-wise we're doing the best thing for both of us), but I'm missing the surprise. Just a little.
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And why I was stupid today. If you are fixing a dryer, be sure to unplug it before messing with the wiring. Especially if you're 9 months pregnant! I nearly electrocuted myself replacing a faulty switch, which turned out to not be the only problem. I think I'll leave the other work for my dad or his wife when they're out on Thurs.

Our Big Boy

Sitting here watching the snow. Although it's slowly switching over to sleet and rain, it still looks like a blizzard. Inside, it's just peaceful. John's still asleep and Ethan's at Grandpa G's. So I thought I'd post some pictures of the boy who has been woefully underrepresented on this blog lately.

Jumping on a trampoline in TX. He LOVED it

"Mom, my hat keeps sliding off!"

Swimming in the leaves at Grandpa G's

So proud to be able to pick something up with a chopstick. Not really the right way..., but it works!

"Mom, look at the mess I made!"

Our Big Boy cont.

"Mom, I made a smiley face!"

Just after Ethan helped us decorate the tree. I love the crazy placement of ornaments and daddy making Ethan's usual mad face (I had to trick Ethan into smiling and didn't even notice that John was trying to ruin my attempt at a good photo.)

Where's Ethan? Buried in his birthday presents.

Just after blowing out his birthday candles

Not a good shot, but this is how Ethan gets to the sink. He insists on washing his hands and filling up cups this way. The crazy boy has even started refusing water from the kitchen tap b/c he can do it himself at the bathroom sink. (The chain is his countdown to baby Edward!)

Belly Shots

This was about a month ago. Not much different except that it's smaller than now and only has the few stretch marks (compare it to the last photo to see the difference.)

Again, about a month ago. This is close to the angle that I see. It makes the belly look even bigger!

This is a maternity shirt. Nothing fits anymore and I have to wear one of the few longer shirts under everything.

Edward kicks less than his brother did, but he really likes to stretch. If you look closely (maybe click to enlarge), you can see the two different spots of shine with what is actually a large divot between. My belly is too swollen for him to distort it like this now, but for a while he would contort it into really bizarre shapes.

And the belly just the other day. The size difference is hard to see in this photo, but believe me, it just hasn't stopped growing. The spectacular part of this shot is the view of my stretch marks. Not a single patch of normal skin on the front of my belly. It's so beyond shot that I've lost all feeling in it! (But unfortunately the nerves in my tender uterus are more than making up for it.)

Some time off

After my contractions on Thursday, my mom decided that someone needed to be here for Ethan, just in case. So she came out Friday morning with the plan that my dad would switch out with her on Saturday evening and stay until John's mom comes on Sunday (or later if her flight doesn't make it.) But then dad had a great idea. Because my mom was heading back to NY anyway, why not take Ethan with her and drop her off at dad's house! So Ethan is having a sleepover with Uncle Bryson and will be back here on Monday when the roads are clear. And we are enjoying just relaxing, staying up late, and really just doing nothing.

That's the update. We're doing nothing. And no, labor doesn't seem close at hand. Sigh...

NOT TWINS!

I do really keep getting this question from random strangers (and teasing friends.) Yesterday at the dr's office it really came to a head. A pregnant woman and her mother came into the waiting room and the woman immediately headed for the bathroom (like we all do.) Her mother looked at me and said "Oh! How many are you having?" Apparently her daughter was about 6 1/2 months along with twins. (She looked about as big as I did at that point.) The mom was stunned when I told her I was only having the one. I had to give the whole shpeal about having large babies and carrying fully externally before she would believe me. And then she made a point of not telling her daughter so that she wouldn't worry about growing bigger than I am. I nearly burst out laughing b/c my mom has a nearly identical story from her last pregnancy!

So no! No twins! Just the ginormous one. (Actually, he's so big that the dr mentioned concern about my distended uterus yesterday. We're glad all around that my body won't have to do this much longer.)

Sorry to get your hopes up...

...and mine! It really was just the storm making my body go into labor. But it was too short and didn't push me over the edge. After hours of painful contractions that fluctuated between 6 and 15 minutes, I decided to try to sleep. So I had John rub my legs to ease the tension before laying down and that was the end of it. My body relaxed and not a single contraction woke me up (although that doesn't mean they stopped right away, just that they weren't strong enough to get me up from my coma.)

Now, nothing. He hasn't even dropped lower! We'll just have to wait and see if the storm on Sat night is long enough to make this happen. It really is miserable to feel your body starting on it's way, and then... give up.

The Belly

As promised, here's a photo. We just took it b/c we may need to head to the hospital tonight. I've been having contractions all afternoon, but they are more regular now. We'll keep you posted!

The last few days

After finishing up with the Christmas party last weekend and delivering the Sub-for-Santa donations on monday, Ethan and I have had nothing to do. It's been a little weird after weeks of going non-stop. But we're LOVING it.

Ethan and I have been spending our time just hanging out with each other. I can't imagine a better way to spend our last week together. He's been so much fun. Playing with all his toys, coloring, pretending to be everything from superheroes to pirates, and lots of dancing. We really need to spend the occasional day doing nothing more often. He's just a different kid!

Also, my body is in better shape. The leg problems that were keeping me up half the night are only a minor annoyance now. It's been good to get a little rest before all the work of a newborn.

The big craziness going on right now is the snow that's coming. This afternoon is the first storm, promising at least half a foot in a matter of hours. (And of course I have a dr's appt just as it starts so I can't stay out of it.) Then, on Saturday night, there's a nor-easter coming with predictions anywhere from sheeting ice to more than a foot of snow. Just in time to cause problems with Grandma J flying in.

Our only hope is that the changes in barometric pressure don't push me into labor. (It's crazy how many babies are born early for this reason.) We feel like the scheduled date is just perfect for us, and we REALLY don't want to be driving to the hospital during the middle of a storm.

So that's us for now. I'll try to get a belly shot posted later today (if I can find the memory card.)

"These, Our Little Ones"

That's the title of the First Presidency Message in this month's Ensign. It's all about how the future is affected by how we raise our children. Really an inspiring article by President Hinckley. I was particularly struck by a quote he included, attributed to E.T. Sullivan.

"When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, he goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn't stir up his earthquakes or send forth his thunderbolts. Instead, he has a helpless baby born, perhaps in a simple home and of some obscure mother. And then God puts the idea into the mother's heart, and she puts it into the baby's mind. And then God waits. The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts. The greatest forces in the world are babies."

I love this. I love that my little boys can (and will!) be powerful forces in the future. Even if it's in small ways or in small circles. And although I know that they will ultimately structure their own lives however they wish, President Hinckley's advice on bringing them up in a loving home where they are taught, respected, and led by example will help me provide my boys with a strong foundation to build upon.

A Great Article on Who We Are

This article was in the Wall Street Journal on Friday. It has some shocking statistics about how well Mormons are accepted in American society. It's a really good overview of who we are and why we should have as much respect as other religions. And no, it wasn't written by a Mormon.

(And for those of you who aren't LDS, I highly recommend checking out Mormon.org to have a few of your questions answered. Especially the overview of the Plan of Salvation under Basic Beliefs and the short videos included in that section. I promise your perspective on both Mormons and your own life will change.)

Just Blown Away...

The Ward Christmas Party is finally over. It was a ton of work, but soooo worth it. I have to admit that it was a great party.

But the best part is our AMAZING ward. They just blow me away. (And I'm not only talking about the incredible talent show or the huge number of donations to sub-for-santa.) We sent out a distress call earlier in the week for more people to bring food and the response was overwhelming. We had so much extra food that we distributed it to quite a few families who could use it, the missionaries, and everyone else who wanted some! And then there were the wonderful sisters who showed up, saw a need, and jumped in to help for the entire party. (My committee is only 5 people strong and we were 2 down, so we badly needed the help.) And everyone who helped us clean up from a party of nearly 250 people. In under an hour. Without being asked!!

We could not have pulled of such a great party without all the help. So if any of you read this... THANK YOU!!!

Car Talk

One of our favorite times to talk to Ethan is in the car. He opens up and chats away about the things he's been thinking about and learning, and also about what he sees out the window. Usually a combination of both. In the last few days, we've talked about letters, stinky skunks, happy monsters, airplanes, fish, snow, and presents we can give baby Jesus for his birthday (my favorite). It's so fun to just drive and wait to hear what he will bring up.

12 long days to go

It's been a few days since I've written b/c the only news is that I'm more uncomfortable. On Wed, even the dr was hoping my body would be at the point where he could just admit me. Not even close. I've been having a lot of painful contractions, but irregular and only in front (thank goodness! I couldn't handle these if they spread to my back.) So just false labor. Yuck.

But it does mean that I'm trying to get ready, just in case. Nearly everything is at least here, if not washed and ready to go. So I need to pack my bag for the hospital and do at least a few loads of laundry. Then we're prepared whether this happens this weekend or in 12 days.

Actually, I'm going to try to hurry it along a little. Today, I'm going to do all that prep work, and then go to work for my last shift before going on leave. Tomorrow is the Christmas party, so I'll be running around all day and late into the evening. And I intend to push it!

Wish me luck!

Baby Talk

After dinner last night, the moms were talking around the table while the dads kept an eye on the kids. One of the dads walked into the kitchen and immediately backtracked with the comment that women always end up talking about pregnancy and labor.

This morning, Eric Snider's column had this Q&A.
Dear Eric: Why is it that every time a group of women gather, the conversation turns to swapping baby stories? -- Muddled in Montana
Dear Muddy: Think about it. If you shoved a nine-pound human out of one of your personal orifices, don't you think you'd talk about it a lot too?

That's exactly why we talk about it. It's still amazes us that we did it. (And for some reason chose to do it again!)

Happy 3rd Birthday to Ethan!

Ethan has been talking about his birthday for ages. And after two of the other kids in his four person preschool class turned 3, he had become an expert. He knew you opened presents, had a party, sang the birthday song, and ate cake. So today, we did all of those things.

We started with a breakfast of his choice (egg-in-a-hole and bacon). Then presents. (Our house is exploding with all the toys his grandparents sent and it's not even Christmas yet!) After that he spent a few hours playing with the new stuff while John and I cleaned up and got ready for church. Church was fun b/c the nursery was visiting the primary today and they sang "Happy Birthday" to Ethan. (His little friends loved it and told their parents about when they would get to stand up front.) Afterward, we had some of Ethan's preschool friends (and their parents) over for dinner and cupcakes. It was really nice and Ethan was happy he had a "party". There were also phone calls from family and lots of surprising the boy with shouts of "Happy Birthday!" in there too.

Now he's sugared up and overtired, so all I hear is screaming coming from the bedroom where John is trying to get him into pajamas. Even if we have a miserable evening, it was worth b/c Ethan had a fun day.