Birth story for Paul: Making straight my paths

This really is the final installment of Paul's birthstory.  While I've already told about his birth, meeting his siblings and the hospital stay...the bottom line is that his story extends into the following week of his life.

The first four parts:

• The beginning
• The actual birth
• Meeting the other kids
• The dreaded hospital stay

The original plan for when Paul was born was for William to take 3 days off.  His mom was going to stay that week.  We would take a week off together as a family over spring break.

I wasn't crazy about this plan.

For one thing, I wasn't crazy about being left home with his mom so much.  She's a sweet lady, but we simply do not have a lot to say to one another.  This makes for a lot of staring.

I wasn't crazy about William not being home in general.  For Rebekah, he took off 2 wks.  For the other two, he took off 3.  So I was mourning the fact that wasn't happening this time around.

If you recall, I mentioned that God told me everything would work out that night when He informed me I was indeed in labor.

So a few things happened that week that were simply miraculous to me.

First - Rebekah did not miss a single day of school (as I had anticipated) for the birth of Paul.  She was already out of school Mon and Tue for inservice days.  So that was actually pretty nice.  I'm not opposed to pulling kids out of school, but I do try to limit it.

Second - William was home for 4 out of 5 days that week.  For someone who hardly wanted to take 2 days off, this was pretty amazing.  Wed-Thur there was a record snowfall.  Roads were so bad on Thur, that only the absolute necessary folks went into work.  (That was one tech.)  William was able to WFH which allowed him to also avoid burning a vacation day.  It was nice having him there.  He would have stayed home Wed, but some "C-type" folks were in town (CFO, COO..etc etc) and he had to meet with them.  So things worked perfectly that he was able to meet with them AND he got to be home more than originally anticipated.

Third - it didn't snow that weekend.  If it had, my MIL would have ended up staying who knows how much longer.  It cleared up just enough for her to get home at the scheduled departure time.

Fourth - both my MIL and Mom were helpful.  I was pretty grateful my MIL ended up staying the week.  (It was a last minute decision on our part.  My original intention was to not have the additional house guest.)  I can't explain why we changed our mind - too much to go into - but looking back I truly was grateful she was there with the additional hands and that she was actually helpful.  My mom was super helpful too.  This is...well...rare.  She has good intentions but she is also super busy so often things don't work out.  They both got to the bottom of Mnt. Laundryopolis in my basement - which I had found to be overwhelming.  There were extra baby clothes to wash on top of all the normal laundry that I do on Sundays.  It was a lot and they tackled it.

Lastly - I had been praying for a positive hospital stay experience.  I wanted to fondly remember Paul's birth without any bad memories attached.  He's my caboose.  I wanted to end on a positive note.  A lot happened at Ruth's birth that I've not ever written about (nor will I ever) that deeply saddened me.  We had planned everything possible that we could to avoid any repeats - but there was only so much planning we could do.  Much of it was up to other people and the decisions that they choose.  So I prayed - because outside of the planning only God could help with the rest.  And He did.  I truly had a positive experience and He made straight my paths just has He promised that night as I was laying in bed denying that labor was starting.

Oh - and Rebekah's concert that I was so worried about?  It was post poned even further due to the snow.  So I didn't have to take a 1 week old baby out and attend a concert.  I was grateful for that too.

I'm thankful for this little guy and I'm excited for the things that God has in store for him.

Birth story for Paul: The dreaded hospital stay

The hospital stay is the absolute worst part about giving birth (for me).  I would totally do it at home if a) my OB would come to my house and b) it wouldn't freak William out.  :-P  The first three I had gone to a hospital across town.  This time I had the choice between that hospital and the hospital where William works.  So I weighed the pros and cons.

Hospital A:
- I was familiar with it.
- There are queen size beds in the recovery rooms, providing William a reasonable place to sleep.
- ...

Hospital B:
- William works there
- No bed for William (a futon - that he would NOT have fit on)
- Had a great rep for excellent nurses

I asked William his thoughts.  He said it didn't matter to him.  The plan was already for him to go home at night.  This would allow him to be able to easily get the kids ready in the morning to come visit.

Two out of 3 nursing experiences at Hospital A were...horrible and the last was great with a mediocre chaser (my L&D nurse was awesome, but once I left there...I was surrounded by mediocrity at best nursing).  My initial thought was to stick with what I knew - but when I really thought about it, I decided that there was really no reason to return to the familiar.  My chances of having another horrible nursing experience seemed pretty high to me.

So I chose Hospital B.  I didn't feel I had anything to lose really and everything to gain.

My hospital stay didn't disappoint.  While there were a few things I didn't care for (like asking me about my full meal plan for my entire stay with in a couple hours after giving birth...I kid you not).  But the nursing did not disappoint.  The quality of care I received was so excellent that I felt in some instances, the care at the hospital was sub-par.  (You know how you think you have had a certain kind of experience...but it is all you know...and then you have another and you realize that first was worse than you thought?)

There was a nurse in my room post-recovery nearly all day.  They poked and prodded on me frequently, but it was ok and completely necessary.  I had the same nurse all day.  She was friendly, sweet and completely professional.  Just plain awesome.  And when my nurse did change, they came in and introduced themselves.  I also noticed that everyone who entered my room asked me if I needed anything - no matter who they were or what their job role was.

The day went by quickly with people in and out of my room.  You know in the movies when time passes they show people walking along a sidewalk in a fast forward fashion?  It felt a little like that.  My focus was wrapping my head around the fact that this baby was here, it was a boy and his name was Paul.

Paul has been an unusual baby from the start.  That day, instead of sleeping like most babies, he was highly awake and alert.  He was already turning his head and lifting it up to look around.  To top it off, Paul is probably the best nurser "straight out of the chute" that I've ever had.  He nursed every 2 hrs for 30-45 min at a whack.  I had nothing better to do and didn't mind a bit.  Plus those early nursing session can be so important to setting up for a successful nursing relationship.

That night, my new nurse came in to introduce herself.  She was by far my favorite nurse.  You would think a night nurse couldn't  receive such high praise - but she totally deserved it.  We chatted a bit (in which she again mentioned she heard I had 'quite the morning'!!) and I learned she had 2 small kids at home and she was a fan of nursing.  She told me that she needed to check me again around midnight.  This angel of a woman then told me that I had the choice of calling her to let her know when I was awake around then OR she could just come in and check me every 4 hrs (or whatever).

Um, yes please.

I settled down for the night, expecting a pretty good sleep.  That first night is usually pretty quiet since the newborns are in their just-being-born-stupor.  I was looking forward to some rest, because I hadn't gotten too much since I woke up at 2 AM.  I turned off the TV, placed a snuggly swaddled and sleeping Paul into his little bassinet thing and settled down. About 2 minutes later, the snuggly swalddled and sleeping Paul woke up in full force.

I took him out, nursed him a bit until he again fell asleep and put him back.  Rinse and repeat.  I gave up around 10:30 and attempted to sleep sitting up.  It wasn't a great sleep, but I was getting more than I would have otherwise.  So I place him such that he wouldn't roll and nodded off a bit.  It was a very unrestful sleep...did I mention that?

I finally called the nurse around 1 AM.  I was awake at midnight, but I was curious if she'd come in anyway. :)  She came in a few minutes later and apologized for not being there immediately.  I was a little surprised at that, because she didn't really take that long in my opinion.  She poked on me, took my temp and blood pressure and then said "I don't think you need that, how about we take it out?" pointing to my IV.

I hate the IV.  They always leave my arm sore for at least a week post-birth.  (This time it was 2.)  I also have a small allergic reaction to the glue used on the tape.  If left on too long, I get a nice rash.  (Happens with all medical adhesive stuff...)  At Hospital A the nurses always refused to take it out until right before I left.  I was told that it was a "precautionary" measure "in case something happens".  Right.  I didn't bother asking this time around, since I had been shot down for all the other kids.  Imagine my surprise when the nurse asked if it was OK if she took it out?  "You'll probably sleep better without it." she told me.

I really didn't need any convincing.

I tried a few more times to put Paul in the bassinet, but it appears that he hates to sleep flat.  (We are still trying to figure out a good sleeping arrangement that works for both of us.)  I'm sure he will outgrow it soon enough.

I got a hospital picture of the family this time!

William and the kids showed up around 8 the next morning.  The kids ran around like hooligans until I was able to leave at noon.

All in all, I was happy I chose Hospital B.  If I were given the choice again, I'd make the same decision.  I still hate the hospital stays, but the nurses really made it bearable.

About the only other thing I disliked at the hospital was the over utilization of the phone.  I've never had to use the phone so much.  Awful.  I hated answering it and half the time it would get moved to where I couldn't reach it.  I was left scrambling to get it several times.  And let's not forget my basic dislike of phones in general.  I barely answer my phone! :)

One other thing I liked - the room itself had a nice little waiting area where family/guests could go whenever they needed to get out.  I don't mind kicking adults out and letting them stand around awkwardly in hallways.  However, the room was super nice for kids (chairs and a tv were included in that room).  I know that keeping my kids corralled is a job in and of itself.  So having the room was great so that all of these kind people who were corralling the children for me had an easier time of it.

I'm glad my hospital stay wasn't dreadful.  It is a miracle in my mind.  I prayed over it heavily because a lot went wrong with the hospital stay at Ruth's birth.  Everything went smoothly and I have positive memories - priceless.

Birth story for Paul: Meeting the other kids

One thing I've done for each and every child is that the kids are the FIRST to meet their new sibling.  I've had a yearning for a family that is close.  The healthy kind of close.  The kind of close that you know that you can rely on one another no matter what.  That you love one another no matter what.  That you can support one another through anything.

And a great start is being the FIRST to welcome one another into the world.  There is something to be said of firsts.  So absolutely unequivocally the kids are the first (besides William and myself) to meet the new baby.

We gave Jan a call to let her know she was free to come whenever.  And she got there pretty quick.  I felt bad because we had to delay letting them in due to me being checked...and I can't recall what else.  It felt like forever - but my sense of time was pretty off.

Finally William went to get them.  He walked in and asked each of the kids what their guess was.  Rebekah guessed girl.  Peter guessed boy.  Ruth guessed girl.

William smiled and said "Well, two of you are wrong."  Peter thought about it for a moment.  William said he could see the smile spread across Peter's face as he realized HE was right.  His face erupted into overflowing joy and he exclaimed "YES!" complete with a fist pump.

They made their way back to the room to meet little Paul. 

I was still in a bit of a haze, but my recollection was simply that Peter was smitten, Ruth was excited and Rebekah was playing it cool.  I think Rebekah tried hard to not be in love - but love won out.

I think the pictures speak for themselves. 

They watched Paul get cleaned up.  Peter was right there in the mix.  Ruth stood looking at me, not really sure what to think.  She was concerned about the IV line, but wasn't afraid.  (Rebekah was terrified of it when Peter was born - wouldn't come near me. I was happy Ruth was scared like that.)  Rebekah sat on the couch, a quiet observer in it all.

I tried to pay attention to it all, but it was hard. There was a lot going on in the room. And honestly, it is amazing to me how hazy everything was.  But this sticks out.  Jan had an amazing story to tell me.

She said that this particular weekend her son had a college wrestling tournament.  She had thought about attending, but then he was sick...and so she had thought he wouldn't wrestle.  He had ended up getting better in time to wrestle, but she still felt she shouldn't go.  Saturday was a very chaotic day for her.  Overly chaotic.  The kind that would make you wonder if you could squeeze one more thing in.  And Sunday looked to be busy too.  God woke her up at 5 AM on Sunday to tell her that things would be just fine, they would work out, and that this baby was coming today.

Isn't that amazing?  Hearing this and a related story where God woke up my mom and told her that the baby was coming AND that it would be a boy...made me feel a little like Mary - in that God announced this baby's arrival.  I've been pondering Mary and her thoughts on motherhood for awhile.  So I've been trying to treasure every moment.  I kind of wonder what she thought when she got all her visitors?  The Bible doesn't say - but it would be a confirmation that the Lord's plan is playing out.  She might have been a woman of great faith - but everyone gets shaken up now and again.  And sometimes the Lord sends us encouragement ahead of time, so that we can remind ourselves of it later when we need it.

For me - it was just a reminder that having this baby earlier than my plans was OK.  God knew it was going to be this way.  He has things worked out for my best interest.  And He was going to continue to show this to me for the rest of the week.

We all hung out and I soaked it all in.

Next up:  My overall hospital stay.

Birth story for Paul: The actual birth

So last time I left off, I was waiting in the car.  Our dear friend, Jan, showed up.

By the time she showed up, I was in a bit of a panic.  Between the blood (I hadn't seen that with the other 3...although 2 of them don't really count since they were induced!) and the doctor asking me when I had last felt the baby move...I started to wonder if everything was ok.  I was keeping it cool on the outside, but on the inside I was a mess.  I just wanted to be hooked up the monitors and hear the little heart beat.

I did make William call her once to find out how far away she was.  If she was far enough, I thought I'd go ahead and load up the kids (I had made the older two get dressed just in case) and have her meet us at the hospital if need be.  But I was trying to be patient.  I didn't want to alarm the kids at all.  I told William a few times I was worried.  I think I said exactly..."I'm trying to not panic, but I'm worried about the safety of the baby."  And he didn't know why and I didn't explain - mostly because I didn't want HIM to panic.  :-)

So I sat in the car and waited, quietly praying.

Jan finally arrived and I had never been so happy to see someone arrive.  William told her a few things (we had food to donate for a drive this morning...things that HAD to go to church that day or they would be useless!) and we were off.

Jan told me later that she had been there for awhile when Peter looked up from his game and said "Hey, why are YOU here?"  (We had told him.)  I thought that was funny - clearly he wasn't paying attention to us!  And he hadn't even noticed us leaving.  Obviously I didn't panic the kids either.

As William pulled out I said "Don't take Central.  Take Kellogg!  Don't drive like a grandpa.  But don't drive crazy either.  Get us to the hospital safely and quickly!"  He was rather compliant though and didn't get mad at my rather poignant instructions. :-)  (I don't normally give him driving instructions and normally me doing so would just make him mad.  But of course we weren't in a normal situation either!)  We even passed up a cop who was out with his radar.  I'd say that was a win.

We arrived and I walked in.

I'd like to take a moment to reiterate that I was pretty calm.  I spoke calmly to the receptionist.  I filled out paperwork.  After a couple sheets I told her "I'm feeling light headed.  This will have to be the last one standing up."  William actually took over filling out paperwork from there, asking me a few questions here and there.

"When was the last time you felt the baby move?"
"Last night around 11 PM."

The receptionist was over there in a flash.  "You haven't felt the baby move since last night?"  I replied that I hadn't.

She hurried back to her desk and got on the phone speaking in a low voice.  "Yes, she hasn't felt the baby move since last night." I heard her tell someone.

This didn't help my worries any.

William finished up the paperwork and turned it in.  It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't taken a belly shot yet.  I had been meaning too - it was on my list of stuff to get done.  I pulled out my camera and told William to take one there.  So he did.

About an hour before Paul was born!

I had planned on standing for my belly shot - but I was exhausted...and I wasn't interested in standing.  Plus I sat down for a reason to begin with.  So a sit down shot it was.

A nurse came back.  "So you haven't felt the baby move since last night?"  I again told her no.  So she walked me back to a room.  I got into the classic hospital nightgown (to which she reminded me to leave my underwear off...that always cracks me up...do some women really forget?) and she hooked me up.

Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump...

It was music to my hears.  I immediately felt at ease and relaxed.  She hooked up the contraction monitor.  "Wow!  You are having a lot of contractions!  What would you rate your pain at this moment?"

Well...they had certainly gotten more intense.  I thought about it a moment and told her 3.  Then we discussed an epidural.  She asked me if I wanted to go ahead and get one.  I remembered Ruth's birth - how things went quickly when they started ramping up. I told her I'd like to go ahead and get one.  They usually take an hour, so I wanted to make sure there was time.

Order of details are a little fuzzy.  So I may have mixed some things up.  All these events happened - just perhaps not in this order.  But this is how I remember them through the fog.

My doctor came in and we spoke for a few minutes.  He said if I didn't think there was time for an epidural we could do something else.  I shrugged my shoulders - I really didn't know how much time we had.  He smiled and said "Ready to have this baby?"

Well ready or not...

Everyone had stepped out for a moment.  It was just William and I in the room.  "Should I call my parents?" he asked.

Believe it or not - I was still in a bit of denial.

"Well, let's see how things go."  I'm not sure I'm staying...I thought to myself.

A few moments passed (I don't really have a good grasp on time at this point to be honest) and then...my water broke.  It was the first time I've ever experienced my water breaking naturally.  With the other 3 it was broken by the doctor.  The sensation - well it was fascinating.  It was so powerful that not only did I feel it but I heard it.  The 'pop' and then 'woosh'.  This is as best as I can describe it.  I know I didn't literally hear it - but it was really that intense of a feeling.  Not painful in anyway shape or form.

The nurse walked back in and I smiled at her.  "I believe my water just broke!" I told her.

She hadn't checked me yet anyway so she took the time to do so.  "Uh...yeah your water broke.  And you are a 6!" she said.

Another nurse started getting my IV in.  "Oh I feel nauseous!" I said.  The nurse started to tell me it was normal to feel that way.  "No no!  I'm about to throw up!"  They gave me a tub just in time.  I'm glad - because I already felt gross from my water breaking.  I told William to go ahead and call his parents..."BUT NO CHIT CHAT! Make it quick!" I told him.


This folks is a record - he made the call and talked to them for a sum total of 2 minutes.

From this point, the contractions really started to kick into high gear.  It didn't take long for my pain level to shoot from that measly 3 straight to an 8.  I made mention of this to the nurse.  "Yes, since you water broke there is no cushion!"

The anesthesiologist came in.  I actually didn't realize that was who this person was for quite some time. By 'quite some time' I mean...that night in the quiet of my room as I thought about the events of the day.  To me it was just some medical person.  She began asking me a zillion questions.  I had to defer to William to answer them at this point because it was rather difficult to talk through those pain-level-8 contractions.  I did hear someone tell someone else I that I was 'contracting like crazy'.  I'd agree with this assessment.

She finally had me get on my side - no small task.  Then scoot to the edge of the bed - again, no small task.  Then of course she asked me to curl into a ball.

Yeah - that was impossible.

A nurse helped me curl up enough for the anesthesiologist...when all of a sudden I felt it.  I recognized the sensation from Ruth's birth. (I hadn't felt it with Peter or Rebekah for some reason.)  This was...transition.  "FORGET THE EPIDURAL!  THIS BABY IS COMING!" I shouted.  This sent everyone into a scurry.

I was actually focused on not pushing.  I wanted to wait for my doctor.  But quite frankly - there are simply some things that you cannot control.  This would be one of them.  So a push, an involuntary "AHHHH" (seriously...I couldn't help it?) and then I blurted out "I'm so sorry!"

I'm still on my side at this point.

I hear in the background "Get the doctor!  He's in the building!"  I hear them mention this several times.  "Yes please get him!" I'm thinking.

Whenever you are about to have a baby - it is absolutely amazing how the room fills up with all kinds of people that you don't know and have never seen.  I have no idea what half of them were for.  When Ruth was born - it happened pretty quick too. And the room was much emptier because no one had time to get in there.  So just the absolutely essential people were there.  My doctor, a nurse or two and really not many more.

This time...well...it went even faster.  The room consisted of 3 nurses and William.

"YOU NEED TO ROLL OVER!" someone told me.  Why yes - that made sense.  Whoever heard of delivering a baby on your side?  There was another involuntary push - and then the head was out.  I can't recall if I rolled over on my side before or after this.

But the relief...oh the sweet relief.  Once his little head was out the pain was all but gone.  "Just one more push and this baby will be born!" someone told me.  I actually did wonder why not wait another moment...the doctor still hadn't arrived.  But I pushed as instructed.

The sensation of having the baby without an epidural...well, indescribable.  There are simply no words.  But it is something I hope to never forget.

I worried for a moment if the baby was caught properly - but it was only a moment.

"It's a BOY!" someone said.

"I just gave birth without an epidural?" was all I could think...and say.  No really - I said that out loud.  There was some laughter in the room and a "Yes you did!  You did great!"

How faithful God is.

I was later told that I had been hooked up to the monitors at 8:15.  Paul Edward was born at 8:55 AM weighing in at 8 lb 1 oz and 20 inches tall.

Skin to skin!  This hospital was pretty big on that!
Part of my dismissal instructions even included doing
skin to skin an hour a day!

The doctor rushed in (William said he was a bit out of breath, so he had been running - I honestly didn't notice), checked me out, apologized for missing the birth (profusely) and gave me a couple stitches.

For the rest of the day every nurse that came in my room made comments about how I had a crazy morning. Things like "I heard you had quite the morning!"  It was mentioned so much all day long, I got the picture I must have been the water cooler gossip for the day.  I could only imagine what was said, but it didn't really matter to me.  The comments were all made with a smile and a glint in the eye.  I don't think it is every day a woman walks in, gives birth sans epidural and doctor.  :-P

Next up:  Kids meet the new baby!

Birth story for Paul: The beginning

Fair warning - there will be details not for the squimish. :-)

I was planning on the birth of this baby happening later.  I figured I had at least until 39 wks.  And so that is pretty much where I was at.  Saturday I spent sorting clothes trying to find all the baby clothes.  I planned on washing them and then putting them away - girl clothes in one drawer, boy in another.  I didn't get to the washing part.  This activity pretty much exhausted me.  I had planned on getting laundry done on Sunday...

Plans plans plans.  So Sunday William was going to lead worship (the regular leader was sick).  I was going to teach Sunday school.  I had planned on lunch with a friend.  William was going to go golfing.  I was most worried about the lunch with the friend.  She's great...but I've been so tired that taking all 3 kids out by myself (even though my friend is SO VERY helpful!) seemed like a huge task.  All I could think about was how I'd need a nap afterwards! :-)

Those were the plans just for Sunday.  I had plans on Monday with the kids (Rebekah was out of school).  I had plans at work of a few things I really wanted to get done before my leave.

The doctor appointment that Wednesday the doctor joked we ought to schedule the next appointment, because he didn't want to 'jinx anything'.  So I half jokingly told my coworkers "ANY DAY NOW!".  Really, I thought I still had another week or so.  *sigh*  That is what I get for thinking!

So...I had plans. 

Sunday morning at 2 AM Ruth got up.  This isn't unusual for her.  I swap between making William get out of bed and simply doing it myself.  (Sometimes it takes more effort to make William...but there is a certain principle there too! :-) )  He has been battling a cold, so I chose to do it myself and let him sleep.  I simply marched her back to bed and took the opportunity to pee - hoping I'd sleep soundly the rest of the night.  As I snuggled back in bed, I realized I was uncomfortable.  I laid there awhile trying to figure out why I was uncomfortable.  I realized I had some braxton's going on.  I waited for them to settle down and they didn't.  So I got up and drank a cup of water and walked around a bit.  I tried laying down again.  I simply couldn't fall asleep.

Dear Lord, please make these go away! I prayed.  I have a big day tomorrow and the last thing I want is to be tired!

He replied.  God and I had the following conversation...

G: Yeah, you do have a big day.  You are having this baby.
Me: What?  God do you realize I have a lot going on at work?
G:  Yep.  But it will work out. Work always does.
Me:  I have stuff to take care of in prep for the baby!
G:  Yeah - and what isn't done that can't wait?
Me: [thinking a moment]  I never got that hospital paperwork mailed in.
G:  I'm pretty sure they will take you anyway.
Me:  What about Rebekah's concert?
G:  Who are you kidding?  You know you'll be ready to go by then.  That is a week away.  Hey - it was just earlier you were blogging about Proverbs 3:6.  Remember that?
Me: [silence]  ....  SO?
G:  It will work out.  I worked out all that other stuff.  Why wouldn't I work this out?  And look - Rebekah is off school Mon and Tues.  That will give her some time to hang out with the new addition!
Me:  [silence] ...
G:  Don't you need to pack that bag? You should probably get on that...

I laid there for a few more minutes..hoping the contractions would simply stop.  But I knew they wouldn't.  So I got up and out of bed.  I turned on a lamp in our room (which William didn't wake up for), pulled out the suit case (making a huge thump sound...which William didn't wake for) and started packing.

BTW - if I had to do it over again...I'd pack some electronic entertainment for me.  That was one thing I wished I had.

Anyway.  I then went and filled out the hospital pre-registration because it was simply something I could control. I wondered if there was something else I should take care of...but I couldn't really think of anything. I had thought about throwing in some laundry, but to be honest walking hurt and was incredibly uncomfortable.  So I went and laid back down.

It was about here (3 AM) that William happened to wake up.  Oh - lights were left on this entire time. HA!  "Hey, what's up?" he said as he realized lights were on and...there was a suit case at the end of the bed.

"Oh, I've had a few contractions here and there.  I'm having a little trouble sleeping...no big deal." I said nonchalantly.

"Oh really?" he said - eyeing the suit case at the end of the bed.

"Yeah - since you are up...I was thinking we might want time time them to see if they are regular at all.  We could perhaps use my phone..."

So William got up and grabbed my phone...and then we downloaded a stopwatch app that actually ended up being pretty cool.  It was easy to see that I was having contractions every 1-2 min and they were lasting 30-60 seconds or so.

And this kept up for an hour.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Oh - since about 2 AM."

"I see."

"I think they are braxton hicks though."

"Uh huh.  Perhaps you should drink some water?"

"I did that."

"I see."

We hung out for about an hour, when I decided since I couldn't sleep, perhaps I'd watch some TV.  So William and I went and finished a show we didn't finish the night before. We started to watch another one - but I fell asleep.  When I woke up I thought "THERE!  They went awa..."  Yeah...no they didn't.

A kid got up so William went and laid back down with Peter who wandered upstairs.  I sat on the love seat a few minutes.  I thought perhaps I could take a shower before the inevitable.  Having an orderly start to my day just seemed...nice.

Yes, thoughts and plans are nice.

I hopped in the shower and hoped I'd be able to make it through.  Sitting, I was fine. Standing was another story.  It wasn't long before I got light headed and felt like I needed to sit down.  I squatted in the shower to regain my composure.  I looked down and saw some blood.

Yep. Time.

So I called for William and told him he needed to call our dear friends to come on over and to bring me my phone so I can call my doctor.  I put the initial call in, brushed my teeth and started to get dressed.  My doctor called me back and I explained I had been having contractions since 2 that were simply not going away. I said I had some (what appeared to me) as heavy bleeding.

"Uh huh ok.  And when did you feel the baby move last?"

Hmmm...it had been awhile.  I quoted 11 - because that was when I went to bed.  I wasn't entirely sure other than I recalled sitting on the love seat pointing to my belly and showing William how it was moving around.  "Should I be worried? With all the blood and everything?"

"Well, let's get to the hospital and see.  How long will it take you to get there?"

I wasn't worried at first, but the longer it took us to get out the door the more scenarios ran through my head.  I was anxious to get to the hospital and hear the heart beat of this little baby.

We waited for our friend to arrive...I waited in the car. :-P  I wanted to be ready to go.

At this point, I wouldn't say I was in a ton of pain.  Walking was very much uncomfortable and obviously I couldn't stand for long.  Bending over wasn't really happening either - I had to have William tie my shoes.  I was disappointed I didn't get a full shower in, but I did feel better that I at least got to rinse off a bit.  (I didn't make it to using soap...lol.)

Part 2:  The hospital arrival and birth  :)

Peter is FOUR

I really can't believe that Peter is 4 already.  It seems like the other day that I went into the hospital and had him just 3 hrs after check-in.

---------------
I actually STARTED this post ON his birthday - and here we are a week later and I still haven't finished it.  Even better?  Peter hasn't stopped talking about his birthday.

We try to pray at dinner every evening. I actually have the kids do it more than we do it.  I figure it gives them practice.  Peter usually eagerly volunteers and prays first.  And normally he will go through his little prayer that they do at school (including the attention getter they use to calm the kids down).  It goes something like this...

Open and close them (opening/closing hands with the words)
Open and close them
Give our hands a clap clap clap (clapping along with the word "clap")

Open and close them
Open and close them
[Fold our hands just like that] This is what it is supposed to be, but Peter actually just repeats the "give our hands a clap clap clap" LOL

Ruth does the motions - as a matter of fact, for awhile when we said "Let's pray" she would start doing the "open and close them" motions.

Then the prayer is a song.  Here are the words:

Thank you Jesus for our food,
For our food, for our food
Thank you Jesus for our food,
Thank you Jesus
Amen

Well this pas week Peter had moved on from singing the canned prayer to creating his own.  And each night he has been thanking God for his birthday.

While I find this pretty sweet...and funny...I also think it is a little ironic.  For Peter's actual birthday we had a bit of a meltdown due to a busy day and no nap.

For his day off he wanted to make the most of it - so we ate breakfast early at Burger King (I'll share pictures later) and then hit up Chuck E Cheese.  I hate Chuck E Cheese.  With a passion.  And after some reflection, I think what I hate is Chuck E Cheese crowded.  When it isn't crowded, it really isn't so bad.

We arrived at 9:30 to find it didn't open until 10.  WalMart was across the street so we went over there to mess around and waste some time.  I should have known better, but we did visit the toy isle.  Peter fell in love with a different storm trooper gun.  He exclaimed he really really really wanted it.  Of course, we hadn't gotten it for his birthday and I did tell him that.  He also saw a Sith mask that he really loved.  (We got him the storm trooper mask, which up to this point he really really really wanted.)  I also told him he did NOT get the sith mask for his birthday.  I didn't want him to be disappointed.

The great thing about going to Chuck E Cheese on a Friday when it first opens is that NO ONE is there.  I actually had a pretty good time with Peter.  I let him run wild and do whatever he wanted.  Good ol' Chuck even came out and danced with Peter.  Peter loved it at first, but then got all shy.  So I helped him dance.  Peter was rewarded with a huge wad of tickets.  They normally throw them in the air and let kids go wild over them - so I was grateful they didn't do that this time - but just let Peter take the wad.  I also thought it was neat they did that, even though Peter was the ONLY kid there.

Around noon we left and picked up some lunch for William.  (He was home with Ruth - who had been home all week with a staph infection.)  Peter was not hungry and felt like bowling.  I do have this picture handy - and even though it is taken with my crappy cell phone I love it.

Peter dancing while he waited for his ball to creep down the lane.

We played a few games and then left.  Peter insisted he STILL was not hungry but I was.  So we went to good ol' Freddy's for lunch.  He was tickled we got to sit at the "tall" tables (the kind that are bar stool height).  We chatted about everything and nothing all at once.  It was absolutely delightful.  And of course - we had ice cream.

At this point I thought he'd be tired and want to go home.  NOPE.  Not my Peter.  It was also at this point I realized how alike me he is.  He's pretty much a go go go type person.  Rebekah?  Well she likes a fair amount of "go", but she also enjoys lounging around at home - like her Dad. 

So off we went to the zoo.  Peter was efficient.  He wanted to visit the zoo AND the park, so he went to the playground AT the zoo.  Talk about multitasking!  I actually think the highlight of his trip was seeing some gorilla poop.  He was pretty fascinated with it.  Honestly, with the placement of poop (right up against the viewing area), it may have been entertaining to watch.  I could just imagine what was going through that gorillas head.  "Oh, you find THAT interesting...well watch this..."

At this point school was out so we went to pick up Rebekah.  Peter found his presents sitting on the table when we got home.  At first he loved them - but then when he remembered the gun and mask from that morning (combined with the exhausting day), we had a bit of meltdown.  It was a teaching point for Peter.  Be grateful for what you have.  It was the first time I have ever had to put a kid in timeout on their birthday.  (I don't do so lightly on a day like that!)

I think he had a pretty good birthday - especially since he is still thanking Jesus for it. 

A couple more funny Peter stories.  Peter is learning about transportation right now.  On our way to pick up Rebekah the other day we were discussing the car.  I really wish I could remember what we were discussing.  All of a sudden he got all excited and pointed and squealed "HEY LOOK MAMA!  LOOK LOOK LOOK!"  He was pointing to a motorcycle.  I thought he was going to talk about how it was red and looked like his Granny and Grandpa's motorcycle.  Nope.  "THAT IS PRANSPERTATION!" I laughed and said "It is? Can you tell me what you are learning about transportation?"  Then he paused a moment in thoughtful reflection and said "HEY!!!!  THIS CAR IS PRANSPERTATION!!"  The little light bulb over his head at that moment was absolutely adorable.  I love observing them learn and put things together.  I also love his pronunciation of the word. :)

One more Peter funny.  The director of the daycare also happens to be the pastor's wife.  I'm not normally such a fan of this kind of nepotism, but in this case it has been a good thing for the center.  We have been there long enough and we chat enough that I call her friend.

Anyway, she emailed me the other day with a funny.  They do bible time each day.  She normally goes around to the classrooms and does it with the kids except on Wednesdays.  On those days her husband, the pastor, does it.  They actually take a "field trip" to the chapel portion of the building and sit in the pews. 

On Thursday, I received the following email from her:

Peter asked me a question today during Bible Time.

We were talking about Jesus changing water into wine with his almighty power.
I don't think I ever mentioned God - we talked about Mary his mother and Jesus starting his work on earth,etc.

After Bible Time Peter asked me with all sweetness and seriousness.................

 

"Did you know that Jesus is God?"

Awesome!!

We do talk a lot about this and I thought it was adorable.  I also thought it was highly ironic, just in the context of who he was talking too.

And I think that sums up Peter at 4.  He's head strong, loving and fierce.  He loves his family and is very protective of them.  He takes his "big brother" duties very seriously.  Ruth is just starting at the daycare center.  (This is her first week...would have been second if it had not been for the staph infection.)  Yesterday she had a little trouble seeing Peter across the fence and NOT being able to go to him.  (There are two playgrounds...one for the bigger kids and one for the smaller kids.  They have a wrought iron fence in between.)  Peter's teacher told him to stay away from the fence because he was making Ruth sad.  There wasn't much more explanation than that.  When I picked him up that day he was very sad about this.  So I explained that Ruth was having a little trouble seeing him but not being able to go over and play with him.  He was OK with this explanation.  Then a few minutes later he says "HEY!  I have an idea!  Maybe I can go to her and play with her?"  I told him to suggest this to his teachers next time.

While being thoughtful is not always his forte, he does try and I appreciate the effort it takes for him (hey, he likes what he likes and he wants what he wants).  I also appreciate that he expends this effort on his sisters.  All I've ever really asked is that my children grow up to love God and each other. 

368 days later...

Usually I'm more contemplative around birthdays...especially that first one.  But this time?  Not so much.  I'm not really sure why. 

I will say I have been employing the Ostrich method of dealing with things...I've been plugging my ears with my eyes closed saying "LA LA LA LA! THIS ISN'T HAPPENING!".  So that could be why this significant day came and went with only the normal amount of fan fair and very little moping on my part.

Or maybe I'm just in shock, that a year has passed since that wonderful day when my little blessing came into this world.  It really doesn't seem like it has been THAT LONG.

Ruth and I hung out for the day - my little tradition formed with the specific purpose of helping *me* deal with birthdays.  I often feel like time is my enemy...the Mac truck that continues to go on at its steady pace and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

We started off the day with some breakfast - made at home. I made my favorite pineapple pancakes and turkey sausage.  Ruth enjoys them too (and is the only other person in the house that seems to like them!).  We followed that up with a nap...her choice but I certainly didn't complain.

Rested and refreshed we headed out on some shopping...and it was the craziest shopping trip.  While in Khols looking for picture frames (for her party), the lights went out.  I was in the back of the store standing in pitch black.  The workers all shuffled to back room - without so much as a "Hello".  I assumed they didn't see me and I hope that was truly the case.  I stood there for a few minutes, hoping they would come back on...but that was not the case.  I stood there for a few minutes longer pondering what to do.  I wasn't fond of feeling my way around - not with Ruth hanging out in the Ergo in front.  I didn't want her to get hurt of course!

Then I had what I can only describe as a lightbulb moment...when I job in the dark (which I do frequently), I use a flashlight app on my phone.  So I dug around in my purse...and TA DA!  I was in business.  I picked up a couple of frames I had been considering and headed to the front of the store.  While on my way a lady actually laughed at me.  I wondered if she would still be laughing when she tripped over something?  She had no light.  (There weren't even emergency lights in the back...it was literally pitch black in the back of the store!)

There was one register working and they could take cash, so I pretty well lucked out.  I also got the picture frames for 50% off...and I'm fairly certain they were marked down as 40%.  I didn't bother to correct her because HEY...I had to navigate the store using my phone's flashlight...

I headed over to work after that for a flu shot (the only two days they offered it I happened to be out of office both days...the crazy part is I rarely take vacation!).  The ladies there were all more than happy to hang out with Ruth while I got my shot. 

Lunch with William followed by another nap...and some more shopping (again, for her party on Saturday).

At first I was sad that I ended up running so many errands during our time...but I enjoyed hanging out with her and she was happy in her Ergo hanging out with me.  We had a pretty good time overall.

That evening we ate out then went to Build-a-Bear so the siblings could pick out presents for Baby Ruth.  She finally fell asleep around 11 PM.  *sigh*  I hope to remedy the going-to-bed-late thing soon...

It was pretty nice getting two naps...and of course hanging with my sweet little baby.  And yes, even though she is now 368 days old, she is still my baby.

Rebekah's now SIX!

Oh my - Sept has been whirlwind!  I have had so much reflective time!  But for now...I'm going to share Rebekah's birthstory, as scrawled in a little notebook.  I attempted to keep a "baby journal"...yeah...it didn't last too terribly long.  While I'm a huge fan of journaling, I get impatient hand writing things.  I can at least keep up with my thoughts when I'm typing - that is NOT the case when I'm handwriting stuff!

Without further ado...

November 2, 2005

This is the first time I've managed to have a pen, the journal and time.  All three things are hard to come by at once.

Filling out the paperwork!

Rebekah is now 5 weeks 5 days old.  Even though the delivery is blurry, I wish to write as much as I do remember.

The contractions felt like horrible cramps.  My monitor was not placed correctly and so they weren't showing up on the machine.  Oops.  Let me back up a minute.

Thurs afternoon I had a weekly check up.  The nurse took my blood pressure and it was a bit high.  I had woken up from a nap earlier in the week swollen like a marshmallow.  These factors combined with my borderline gestational diabetes, the doc decided induction was the best course of action.  So like a good little patient I reported to the hospital at 6:00 AM the next morning.  I had my first contraction around 8:00 AM.  mid day I decided if the contractions were that painful and not registering, then I wanted an epidural.  Thank goodness Dr. Z said I could have it whenever I wanted.  The nurse and resident physician tried to talk me out of it.  About the time I started feeling really bad (nausea and intense pain). They came in to give it to me.  William said I was looking really bad just before I got it.

An epidural is an interesting sensation.  My legs felt numb but I could still move them.  I felt pressure as well.  After a bit it wore off on one side and I could feel the contractions on one side of my body. I ended up having a second dose because this.

Post-epidural I dozed until it was time to push.  Pushing feels similar to constipation...kind of like when you feel you need to go but you can't seem too.  The only difference is it is more intense.

William held one leg and a nurse (who was on hte phone nearly the entire time) held the other.  At one point, Dr. Z told my mom to take over for the nurse, which I think offended the nurse.  Also present was the resident and two guys who I have no idea who they were.  So much for modesty!

Totally out of it!

I remember seeing the feet and Dr. Z saying he was rubbing the baby to stimulate it.  I anxiously awaited for that beautiful cry. Then William said "It's a girl!"  I was shocked.  I thought for sure I was having a boy.  Of course I'm absolutely delighted with Rebekah.  She is the cutest baby.  Dr. Z asked me what boy name we had chosen.  I said "Ezekiel Dan".  He said "Thank goodness it was a girl!"  HA!

As I tried to nurse the first time I told this brand new little person that I was new at being a mom and she was new at being a kid...so maybe together we can be the best we know how and forgive each other of mistakes along the way.

I can't believe my baby is SIX!  I can't believe it has been six years since I stared at that little baby and became a mother.  It has been a wild roller coaster full of twists, turns and surprises.

 

The BirthdayMother'sDay weekend

I had a perfectly lovely post about my BirthdayMother'sDay weekend...but apparently in the big BLOGGER crash, it got lost.  Grrrrr!  So...that is going to be the end of it...because that was last week and I can't recall everything I said...other than I am VERY blessed!

So happy birthday to me...

The web slinging party

Peter's party was a lot of fun. We had family over and did a family only gathering. (We are planning not starting "friend" parties until 5.)

Peter chose a spider-man party (which isn't shocking at all).  So we decked out the place in spider-man decor.  Of course we had cake.  For dinner we had BBQ - at Peter's request.  We gave him a choice between BBQ and pizza.  I was genuinely surprised he didn't select pizza.  What can I say - his eating habits have been surprising lately!

Our families were generous and Peter again received a lot of great presents.  He still plays with them all. I can't even tell you a favorite among them.

It was such a great time with our families.  I think Peter had a great time and I was thankful everyone made time for him.  I don't have any stories - other than one thing I found surprising is that my brother actually got down in the floor and played with Rebekah and Peter.  This isn't normal for him.  Either he is becoming more "kid-friendly" OR they are just getting old enough for him to feel comfortable playing with them. After all, not everyone is a baby person. ;-)

And for the record - my lovely sister-in-law was there...I just didn't have a picture of her. :-P  She is camera shy!

His ACTUAL birthday

Our family started a small tradition beginning with Rebekah's 4th birthday.  We party BIG the day OF the actual birthday.  Previous - William and I saved it all for the party.  But that year we happened to be moving and I was highly concerned about her birthday being over shadowed.  We loved the tradition SO MUCH that we have kept it.

Personally, I love that it is just us.  No fuss from any extended family.  No stress of party planning.  No busy bee activities because of whatever is going on...when family gets involved our lives get very very busy.  And I often feel like *WE* don't get to celebrate.  Of course I don't want to exclude the extended family!  They love our kids too.  But...I enjoy that private special moment that we share.  I know it won't last, so it is a cherished moment for me.

Peter woke up and he immediately knew what day it was...and was particularly excited.  Rebekah was JUST as excited to give her gifts to him. They were bouncing all over.  We had put the gifts on the table and had anticipated letting him open 1.  A backpack - so he could take it to school right away. The kids love their backpacks...but SO DO I!  It makes pick-up at school so much easier!  So he was pretty darn excited to open something and I pointed him towards that present.

BUT - Rebekah was so eager to give him one of the gifts from her that he ended up opening 2.  I mean really...how can you tell your kid "NO!  You can't give your brother his gift yet!?!?!"  I guess I could but it seems so mean.  I certainly don't want to squash her giving spirit!

Peter and Rebekah first thing in the morning - messy hair and all!

His backpack...

So he opened up the backpack (and loved it) and a remote control motorcycle she picked out for him.  He spent a lot of time playing with it and we had trouble getting him to get dressed for the day. ;-)  Shocker right?

I have yet another birthday tradition...I take the kids' birthdays off and spend the day doing whatever the birthday child wants.  This year for Peter's birthday...well, he got the shaft.  I didn't have anymore time off to be able to do that.  (I had thought I would, but I miscalculated my vacation time.)  His birthday was just the week after I returned to work from maternity leave.

Instead (and to help make myself feel better) I took him to breakfast that morning to the restaurant of his choice.  He chose Jimmy's Egg.  (I was sort of hoping for Panera...oh well!)  To my surprise, he ordered an omelet.  I had thought he'd ask for sausage...but he didn't.  (I actually just ordered those extra, because I know how well he likes sausage links.)  He ate quite a bit of the omelet and a good bit of the sausage.  He nibbled on the potatoes.  OH - and he hate all the grapes out of my fruit bowl.  :-)

We also happened to run into Ryan, a little boy who is near and dear to both Peter and Rebekah's heart.  Peter was sure Ryan was there for his birthday breakfast, and had a little trouble understanding it was a coincidence.  They were just finishing up when we arrived, but the two got to talk to them for a bit before they headed out.

Peter wanted to stay with me, and it simply pulled at my heart strings.  I wanted more than anything to spend the day with him - but instead I took him to school.  It was a beautiful day too - the high around 60 degrees.

That evening he opened the rest of his presents.  He received (in no order of importance): batman pjs (even has a cape lol), batman backpack, light-sabor sword, remote control motor cycle, and clothes for his koala bear.  I think that is it...but it seems like I'm missing something.  He had a good birthday. ;-)

Of course the birthday kid gets to have his choice of birthday dinner.  Peter chose chicken nuggets, broccoli and carrots. The kids ate it up - probably the best they've eaten in quite some time. ;-)

Birthday kid also gets to pick their birthday dessert.  It can be cake, but doesn't have too be.  We asked Peter, and he said he wanted cupcakes...orange and pink ones.  So we thought about it - and decided to get some cupcakes from a local bakery.  William chose some with some orange on them and pink cups.  He got some sort of caramel cupcake, carrot cake and "wedding cake".  They were very good!

Yeah - we let him have two...

He ate the icing...and that was pretty much it.  (As usual!)

She was telling a story...but I thought this was hilarious!

The batman pjs are a size too big...but it was all they had. :-)

Ruth even had a little playtime...

Some of the gifts (the motorcycle and light-sabor).

Peter had a good birthday.  As soon as I get some vacation time, I intend to take a day off with Peter.

I found it interesting his birthday was such a beautiful day.  The weekend he was born there was supposed to be an ice storm, but it never formalized.  The day we brought him home it was so warm he didn't even need a jacket.  I don't recall his first birthday, but his second birthday we spent the time at the zoo.  It was also a pretty day.  So there must be something about pretty days at the end of January. :-)

Peter is THREE !!!

Today my little boy turns 3.  I have a post saved up about today's activities...but today I just wanted to reflect on life with Peter.

This morning I was thinking about his babyhood.  The honest truth is I've forgotten much of it.  It was a pretty stressful time for me.  Peter was high needs and finances were tight.  We had decided to sell our house and move while I was pregnant, but Peter would be almost 2 before we finally move.

I mostly remember being numb and bogged down during his babyhood.

Now none of this is the case.  Things are quite different.  We of course are taking steps to fix our finances (debt free - woo hoo!), but more than that I think I finally adjusted to being a mother to more than 1 child. 

Peter is loud and passionate.  He still will tell you what he needs exactly and even has a superb vocabulary to go with it.  He idolizes his big sister and will do anything she tells him too - even if it is wrong.  He is fond of being a big brother and adores his little sister...much to her chagrin at times.

I love his huge hugs and slobbery kisses.  I love the fact he still likes to cuddle up with me.  In the morning he will often ask for "one more cuddle" when I tell him I have to get up.  (The kids always crawl into our bed in the wee hours of the morning.)  And there isn't very much that will melt my stone cold heart - but Peter's little frownie face will get me every single time.  (By the way - Ruth is developing her own frownie face.  I don't think I've ever seen Rebekah frown!)

And as sensitive as little Peter is, he will kick/punch/hit with the best of them.  We've been working on this...

Peter is also very self aware.  He told me today that he didn't want to go to the museum with Rebekah's class on Friday because he might get scared and cry.  This isn't the first time he's told me something like this.  He realizes new places and sometimes new things frighten him.  (The real reason he isn't going is because he isn't really old enough to appreciate this particular museum...and I don't want to spend the trip getting after him to leave stuff alone versus helping Rebekah enjoy the museum herself!)

Right now he is a little boy who is growing up so fast.  He enjoys doing things with big kids and I even sometimes forget that he is just now 3.  Peter can count to 10 as well as count items up to ten.  He knows all his colors.  When Rebekah has homework he proudly declares he wants to do homework too!  (We usually let him do his own version of her homework!)

I can't believe my little pumpkin Peter is 3.  Where oh where has the time gone?  I've only just blinked...

Final Notes on Ruth's BIRTHday

I took a bunch of notes after Ruth was born because it took me awhile to find time to actually write her birth story.  And I didn't want to forget anything.  I was looking over those notes and I found two tiny facts I think I forgot to mention.  You can find her story here:  Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

The first fact I put in my notes is the amount of times Ruth pooped.  Boy did that girl poop.  She pooped 7...that is S.E.V.E.N. times in her first 24 hrs.  Ruth would wake up, cry, poop and go right back to sleep.  It cracked me up during the day because every time a nurse would come in they would ask if Ruth had pooped yet.  Ummm...yeah.  Then they'd ask if she had peed.

Like I could tell with all that poop. 

I know the other two did not dirty so many diapers during those first few hours of life.  It was definitely something different with Ruth.

The next fact I had in my notes was really a reminder of an anecdotal story.  The day we got home with Ruth, Peter was sitting on the couch admiring his new little sister.  He looked up and said "I can kiss Ruth but not punch her."

Yep.  Glad we got that straightened out.  This of course is his way of expressing he understands proper behavior around Ruth.  Peter has all kinds of pearls of wisdom he has shared...another favorite of mine is "We eat dinner, not poop!"  I love Peterisms.

Whew...now I can delete my notes.  That really does conclude everything share-worthy dealing with Ruth's birth!  :-)

Baby Ruth's BIRTHday - Part 3: The Meeting

As a reminder, you can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

I should be napping...but seeing how Ruth is almost a month old, seems like I should wrap this up. :-)

The kids went to school that day.  It was a difficult choice to make, because I think William's parents wanted to keep them home.  There were a lot of factors involved and I won't get into them all.  Ultimately, we made the choice to send them.  After Ruth was born, we gave William's parents a call to let them to know to go get the kids and come on up.

We actually didn't tell them on the phone any further details.  We just know William's parents.  They get super excited and eager...and (selfish or not) we wanted to be the ones to give the kids the news.  When the kids walked in, William still hadn't told them anything, other than Baby Bean had been born.

There are a few things that cracked me up.  First, the kids didn't ask whether Baby Bean was a boy or girl.  In their minds, they already knew she was a she.  (Rebekah had been saying so for the last couple months and Peter followed suit.)  So their comments went straight to "Oh she's so cute!"  Secondly, they had been in the room for about 15 minutes already when we realized they never asked what her name was.  Again, in their minds the baby's name was Baby Bean...or Sally.  That was a name Rebekah had chosen and was pretty staunchly in favor of. 

Rebekah was giddy with excitement to hold little Baby Bean...errr, I mean Ruth.  I love the look on Peter's face.  He's all "Just hand  her over."  

They ooooo and awwwed over her for quite some time and have been smitten with Ruth ever since.  They still ask to hold her daily.  When Peter wakes up the first thing he does is run in and give her a good morning kiss.  When he gets home from school, he runs over to wherever she is at and give her a hug and a kiss (skipping me altogether).  Rebekah loves sitting by herself and holding Ruth (which we do allow...she is calm enough for that).  She has been irritated we won't let her pick up Ruth by herself!  :-P  AND if I ask her to entertain Ruth or keep an eye on  her, she does so diligently.

One time William took Peter to the store with him.  I hadn't anticipated Rebekah wanting to go, but she decided she wanted too.  William wasn't keen on the idea, as it would make the trip that much slower.  So I told Rebekah I had an important job for her...she needed to watch Ruth while I took a shower.  My showers take about 20 min. :-)  Rebekah sat the entire time by the swing and never took her eyes off of her.  I hadn't expected that.  It was so sweet!

Anyway...back to the big birthday.  So the kids have been in love with her from the beginning.  They could not get enough of their new baby sister.  We finally had to pry her out of their hands so that Ruth could have her first bath and we could get moved to the next room.  (Nurse Teresa suggested we do this before the rest of the family came, mostly so that she didn't have the difficult task of prying the baby away from more eager family members.  LOL)

And at some point in here somewhere, William did run out and tell his folks the details so they weren't left wondering.  We didn't want to be cruel. :-)

Here you can see Nurse Teresa, Ruth, Rebekah, William and Peter.

 

Nurse Teresa was so patient with the kids.  I was again glad I had a nurse who had 5 of them herself.  (Really, anyone who has 5 has to generally be a patient person...right?)  Ruth of course was crying and the kids wanted to know why.  Nurse Teresa told them Ruth was talking to them.  So then there were about 500 questions of "What is she saying NOW?"  I bet she regretted saying that, at least a little bit?  But she came up with all kinds of things.  "She is saying she doesn't want a bath."  "She is saying she is so happy to meet you guys!"  "She is saying she loves you!"  "She is saying HI!"  "She is saying..." it went on and on.  

Rebekah kept comment on all of Ruth's tiny body parts.  "Look at her ears!  They are so small and adorable!"  or "Look at her nose!  It is so small and cute!"  And at one point, Rebekah said "Why does Ruth have a BOY hair cut?"  

Peter talked a bunch too, but mostly repeated what Rebekah said.

After everyone cleaned up (including myself), we moved to the new room.  Even after the move, the kids did NOT want to put Ruth down or leave her alone.  I think the grandparents all had a bit of green eyed envy because the kids got so much time with Ruth.  But it was important to William and I to foster this relationship so early and get it off to a good start.  Family is important, but siblings will be there for each other much longer than the grandparents or even William and I.  It has always been a dream of mine to have kids who were more than just related...and actually enjoy one another's company and genuinely love each other.

We had a few picture snafu's in the hospital.  Below is the only picture I have of me and Ruth...as well as me, Ruth, Rebekah and Peter.  We also do not have any pictures of all 5 of us.  Whoops.  Normally I think of these things, but this time around I simply was enjoying the moment SO MUCH I didn't have a thought towards pictures.  (This is highly unusual for me.)  That is Uncle Thomas (William's brother) in the background there.

 And some more random pictures of Rebekah and Peter.

This was later after everyone left...William claimed he was tired.  I'm sure he was, but it seems that the person who just gave birth might have a bit more of a claim on "most tired".  Just sayin'.  (I love to tease him.  His response would simply be "When am I NOT tired?" lol)

 

The grandparents and uncle finally got to hold Ruth, of course.  And of course she has won the hearts of everyone who gazes upon her sweet little face.  How could it NOT?  

When we got home from the hospital (again, no pics...I was seriously deficient! LOL) we did a gift exchange.  Ruth bought some gifts for Rebekah and Peter.  Rebekah and Peter actually also bought a gift each for Ruth.  Rebekah chose to get Ruth some "PJs" (a sleeper).  Peter chose a stuffed animal.  So we had actually gone to build-a-bear and let them make Ruth (or Baby Bean...as was so named at the time haha) something.  They chose a black bear with a pink baby outfit.  Good thing Ruth was a girl...haha.  

Ruth got Peter a watch and a piggie bank.  She got Rebekah a watch and a book of puzzles.  Rebekah was pretty excited that Ruth had picked those things out for her.  She asked me if Ruth did it all by herself...I told her yes.  She said she was so proud Ruth used her hands. LOL 

When I talk about the relationship between my kids, the automatic response I nearly always get is "You just wait!  Wait until [insert time frame here], they'll be fighting like cats and dogs!"  This amuses me.

As I said earlier, my one wish for my kids has always been that they have a great relationship among one another.  I was petrified when Peter was born that the two would hate each other.  When I was pg with Peter, I really wanted a girl.  In my mind, if I had a girl they had a better chance of getting along.  One day on my drive home from work, God began talking about this to me.  He said He was the perfect family builder.  I really couldn't argue with that, because everything God does is perfect.  I won't get into why some families are rather dysfunctional, other than we all have choices.  God also gave us free will after all.  And in this moment, He was really asking me to trust Him on building my family. 

When Peter was born and Rebekah adored him...it was a confirmation.  Romans 8:5 says "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."  And I think we can all agree that God does care about families.  He did design them after all!

So this time around I really didn't give it another thought about whether the kids would get along.  I wondered if Peter might get jealous, as he is still very much a mamma's boy.  BUT - I knew it would work out.  And it has.  I think Ruth has Peter wrapped around her tiny little pinky finger.  He would do anything for her now.  And I love it.  Watching Peter move into this new role of Big Brother has been such a sweet experience.  He has done it with typical Peter gusto (meaning full throttle, no holding back and with absolute dedication).  Shoot, he gets mad when we don't let him help change her diapers.  He'd do it himself we would let him.

And I need to get some video of him talking to her.  It is so adorable watching this almost-3-yo talk in a high pitched voice (for him) to his baby sister.  ;-)  Yesterday I heard him singing to her in the swing when she was starting to get a little fussy.  And the few times he has hurt her (and made her cry), it has absolutely heart broken him.  He kicked her with his beloved boots accidentally and then refused to wear them for quite some time (at least a week, but I don't recall exactly how long).

Rebekah has been herself.  She is very motherly towards Ruth, informing me of Ruth's needs.  "Hey mom, I think she is mad b/c she is hungry.  Feed her."  She watches over Ruth in a similar fashion as she watches over Peter.  She also enjoys showing off her baby sister to everyone she possibly can.  And she loves to simply sit and hold Ruth and stare at her.

I look forward to watching their relationships blossom over the years.  Rebekah and Peter do not always get along, but they DO love each other deeply.  Everyone squabbles (hello - married people squabble!).  But I'm so grateful God has put the perfect people in my family to create the perfect family. :-)  Ruth fits in just perfectly.