People

Short. Simple. People still suck.

Michael's Birth Story

On October 12^th at 5:20AM CW & I headed off to Fairview General Hospital for the scheduled induction of our third Wee One. We arrived at 5:50AM and headed off to the Birthing Center. I gotta say…exactly how many questions does one REALLY need to answer to have a baby? Jimminey Cricket!! Anyway…at 7:03 the nurse started the Pitocin and off we went!

Contractions came on quickly and furiously around 8:30AM. Talk about quick! At 9AM we (okay…I was) were 4cm dilated. Dr. Stephens came in and broke the membranes at 9:09AM. Does this all seem REALLY fast? Whew! It was. At 10:29AM the anesthesiologist came in and place the epidural. Ahhhhh…the sweet joy of drugs. Let's face it, I am a wimp and if they ever hand out $10,000 checks for natural births…only THEN would I go drug free. Onward…

At 11:40AM the nurse checked me and now I was at 9 ½ cm and +1 station. Doctor Stephens was on her way. Have to say that it took everything I had NOT to push at this point. That was a first. Doc arrived at 12:05PM, got set up, and by 12:10PM I was pushing for Wee One's entrance and he vacated the premises at 12:27PM. YEA!!! He weighed 7lbs 80z and was 19.5 inches long.

Funny thing is: I told Michael he had to be out in 5 hours. Good baby. SO close at 5 ½! So except for about 45 minutes of discomfort from contractions labor was not bad or long.

The next morning, however, he gave us a scare when he turned blue and unresponsive. We ran with him over to the nursery and the nurses and house doctor took over. I was terrified. Here was our little one who wasn't even a day old in danger. I was so scared to lose him; even now the thought of those moments will haunt me. It turns out he had an enormous amount of mucus. They monitored him for quite a while until they brought him back to us. I can't describe what it felt like to hold him close once they did.

He is a quiet little boy (although since he was our biggest Babe I call him our Gentle Giant) who nurses well and is a complete snuggler (must be our boys). I look at our other two Wee Ones, I look at him, and I know how much God has truly blessed this family. And I am thankful! Now the fun begins!

Baby Pics

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Baby Web Comin of Friday!!

Okay Kiddos…Jellybean's appearance is tomorrow! Wow! Time went fast AND slow! For those wondering (or whom I haven't filled in) we are scheduled for induction at Fairview at 6AM on Friday the 12th.

Looking forward to meeting this Wee One but not looking forward to night feedings and…well…labor pain. Because I'm not sure why people say, "Oh, once they put that Baby in your arms you forget ALL about the pain." Uh…yeah…I'm not thinking so! Obviously THEY want you to forget. Try telling that to my lower regions people (and the memories of 2 prior births...gol)!! Gggggrrrr…

Anyway…we (Baby & I (I'm sure CW will be online)…heehee) will be offline for a bit. Will update with photos ASAP and story (or nightmare depending on your point of view during a birth of a Baby)! Take care and send prayers our way!!

Our Children's Journey

It has been said that life is a series of journeys and that every journey begins with a single step. I guess carrying another being inside makes one stop and ponder such thoughts. So far, as with previous pregnancies, it has just been Baby and me on his journey. Sure, others can "view" from the outside like my husband, family or friends. But basically it has been he and I. I have felt his first flutter, his kicks, his squirming…and although I really want him out…I will miss this part of his journey. Yet soon another one will begin.

As parents we get that privilege of being part of our children's journey and thus our OWN journey too. They move from small helpless beings into these self reliant and independent children. You teach them how to do things and then one day…you find yourself no longer a participator but a spectator. They grow up and "When" you wonder, "did they do THAT?" And YOU grow.

See even though our Goobers are still young…I am a bit saddened to see them growing so quickly and yet at the same time am SO glad they are becoming questioning little beings in their own right. They are incredible little beings who are growing in knowledge, creativity and capability each day. I love to see them on their journey and although I can still participate, as they ARE young, I know that one day I will stand on the sidelines. Shaking with fear and Hope, biting my lip when they struggle, yet knowing this will be part of their learning. They will have journeys in their lives that I will be able to see and other private journeys that NO one may be witness to.

I try to stay in the moment with them and not "plan" too much for the future so I can enjoy the "Now" with them. John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Wasting the precious time we DO have together by worrying about their subsequent journey makes me miss out on the present journey. And I do NOT want to miss THAT!

A Bedroom & A Date

FINALLY!!! I have finished the Boys' Music Bedroom and taken pictures to boot! I made the crib bedding and DW's pillow sham, which I don't think is too shabby, even if I say so myself. I wish I had made the crib skirt a bit longer but...oh well. The guitar mural is alright considering Mommy is NO artist. The blue guitar was patterned after a Johnny Ramone guitar released prior to his death. The other guitar is supposed to be of a Frank Zappa guitar. But Bubba doesn't care that they aren't really accurate he just loves his "Guitar room". The dresser is one of 2 that I got for a STEAL!!! They are Vaughn Bassett and retail at $750 a piece and we paid that for both!! YEA!!! Gotta love a bargain!!

Also for those of you who may care...Mommy will be induced on October 12th. So grab your plane tickets and fill the gas tank if ya wish to visit Jellybean. No cause for alarm about being induced. It was a request of mine. He is getting big and well...to be honest...I would REALLY like to be able to dry my legs properly and sleep "normal" again without feelin like a big ol' whale.

Oh Golly!! Halloween!!

***Forewarning: Hot Button For Many***

So here I am making the kids' Halloween costumes (Yeah I'm a dork Mom. I sew their costumes) and pondering the whole Halloween "thing". I love Fall and Halloween (could ya tell from my profile page?). I love the colors, the smell of candy apples, apple cider, the leaves turning color and the crispness of the air. I love the little funny witches and monsters you see on cards or window clings. I love carving jack-o-lanterns (and yes, I do go somewhat nutso on them). I love hearing our son tell us he is gonna "be a cowboy and Sissy be a cowgirl". I have no "hidden" agenda and I do not worship other Gods or Goddesses. As a Christian however, I am told this is a "bad" thing.

We all know that most holidays have their beginnings in pagan worship. I used to practice Wicca so I know all about Samhain. Yet here I am. Having renewed my commitment to God and yet I still struggle over most holidays and celebrating them. Many think of Halloween as "more" evil than all the others and of course this is my FAVORITE season and holiday. There I admit it. For most people who aren't Christian, OR those who just blindly follow the crowd, Halloween (or ANY holiday for that matter) is rarely contemplated. And quite honestly it is also a weird subject if you ask a Christian their stance on it. Some are against it completely. They have no pumpkins, so scarecrows and obviously do NOT take their children trick-or-treating. Then there are those who believe in "Fall Festivals" so they participate in hay rides, apple bobbing, "safe" costumes and may even celebrate on November 1^st and call it: All Saint's Day and then there are others, much like myself, who participate in trick-or-treating, taking their children to Boo at the Zoo and see it as harmless fun. Now, I don't know which one is actually right, but I do know that I will be held accountable for all my actions and even if I hide them from the World, God will still know my heart. And He knew I would enjoy Halloween, right or wrong. I also know that if Halloween is bad so are other holidays.

Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day were ALL once pagan holidays too. So why are they not considered "evil" as well? See, here is why I get confused. Surprise! Every holiday, with the exception of Passover and Pentecost, is never described in the Bible. Which means simply, if God gave no instruction on how to celebrate them then they are NOT celebrations that would be pleasing to Him. Therefore they should not be celebrated either. Jeremiah 10: 2-5 "Thus says the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good." However ask any Christian about Easter, Christmas or Valentine's Day and usually they are "all for them".

Please don't misunderstand, I am not saying these Christians are "bad", but people need to UNDERSTAND what they heck they are celebrating and why. That goes for EVERYONE! Be you a Christian or not. Are you "following the crowd" or do you have full knowledge of what and why you celebrate a holiday? Personally, other than Halloween I am not a "big" participator of man created holidays. I decorate minimally and partake even less. Most holidays, as I said earlier, are pagan in their beginnings, rejuvenated as "Christian" observances by the Catholic Church, and so completely bastardized by modern society that they no longer even hold "traditional" pagan meanings! Sure I could give ya a short history lesson on the holidays…but hey! You got a computer! Use it. And while you are at it…use your mind and wonder why you celebrate what you do. Again, the bottom line is: decide what's right for YOUR family, YOUR beliefs, and YOUR God. However, as a parent at least be able to intelligently tell your children the reasons you celebrate the way you do. Just a thought.