The day was warm on August 26, 2014.  The boys and I headed to Klineline Park to meet their tutors for the new school year.  Little did I know that it would be the last day I would enjoy being pregnant, the last day I would be feeling my little boys kicks, squirms and hiccups.

   We headed to Ginger Pop that evening for a nice dinner and then I met my small group from Church.  Our small group was special, we were all pregnant.  As we were getting ready to say goodnight, Karen Rose made a comment that it might be the last time she saw my belly.  I told them I wouldn’t be surprised if I was holding my baby the next day.  I was really uncomfortable and had been feeling a lot of pressure all day.  I was sure baby was really low. And I felt ready.

   When I went into labor with both Riley and Kyler, contractions had started in the middle of the night and they were in my arms by the afternoon.  I had been told so many times that the 3^rd baby was a wild card, but I still expected things to happen like it did with the older boys.

   I settled down on the sofa that evening to sleep, like I had done for the last few weeks.  I got a good night's rest and woke in the early morning.  Contractions had not started, but I felt a bit of pain.  I sat up to roll over to my other side and said, “God, isn’t this supposed to happen today?”  Then I felt a trickle and a burst.  My water had just broken.  I had never experienced that with the older boys.  I was so excited!  I headed to the bathroom and passed by my bedroom.  I yelled to Dylan, “My water broke! What time is it?”  No response.  Again I asked, “What time is it?”  Dylan responded, “6:00.”  I asked him if he had heard what I said and repeated that my water had just broken.  He got out of bed for a bit and we talked.  He decided to try to get some more rest.

   There was no way I could go back to sleep.  I cooked some breakfast and waited until about 8:00am to text my midwife, doula and birth photographer.  I told them my water had broken but nothing else was happening yet.  My doula (and friend), Amber, was headed to work soon.  She decided to make a home visit and check on us. 

     There were a few things that Amber told us we still needed for the birth, so we decided to run to Fred Meyer.  When we were done shopping, we let the boys look at the Lego aisle.  There happened to be a chair close by so I sat down and waited for Dylan to grab a couple of things that we forgot.  It was about 10:00am now and my first contraction hit.  Unfortunately, with the contraction came more water.  Dylan took my cart and the kids while I got the van as fast as possible.

   Our plan was to set up the birthing pool in the backyard.  As long as our new little guy didn't arrive in the middle of the night, it would work out.  Dylan mowed the lawn, set up our canopy, and blew up the tub.  It was a beautiful, clear, 80 degree day.

     After lunch I felt like I wanted to go for a walk and see if it would help.  We decided to walk to Dairy Queen for some ice cream.  As we were enjoying our ice cream, just after 2:00pm, I remembered that I had made a chiropractor appointment for 2:45pm.  Since contractions were still inconsistent, we decided to go to the appointment.

        We got to the chiropractor's office a little late, at about 3:00pm.  He did a technique which was supposed to help get labor going.  When we got home we decided to try to get a little rest.  Dylan took a nap.  I just couldn't sleep, but tried to relax.  Contractions seemed to be anywhere from 5-15 minutes apart, lasting 30 seconds, and not too strong.

      We were at the point in the day where we needed to start thinking about dinner.  It was still fairly early but I wanted to get some food in me in case things picked up.  We decided to get Burgerville so we wouldn't be in the middle of cooking and have to stop.  While Dylan was out getting the food, I laid down on the sofa and once again attempted to sleep.  Two stronger contractions hit me and I was no longer comfortable laying down.  I felt like I needed to change into my swim skirt that I had picked out for the birth.  A lot happened when Dylan got home.  I'm not sure of the order in which it all happened.  It just happened so fast.

   I ate about half of my burger and simply couldn't eat any more.  I told Dylan, "fill up the tub!"  I didn't want to contact my midwife team and doula too soon so I called my birth photographer (and friend), Karyn. She said she would head over after swinging by the store. 

   I went outside to check the pool.  Dylan wanted to know which direction I wanted it facing before it was too full to move.   I noticed that we had forgotten to put the liner in, so we dumped gallons of hot water out and started over.  We could have just kept filling and sanitized the tub when we were done, but everything worked out in the end.  I went back to the bathroom.  Contractions were getting regular at this point.

     Amber is also my Bradley class instructor.  During one class, she had suggested the bathroom as a good spot to labor.  I thought she was a bit crazy.  I'm sure I gave her some funny looks when she said this, but that's where I found myself.  The birth ball just didn't feel right; I wanted to be sitting upright.  I liked the hum of the fan.  It calmed me.  Dylan would check on me while he wasn't busy taking care of kids and getting things ready.  Everything happening so fast.  I had my phone with me to track my contractions.  For some reason I checked Facebook.  I had been communicating with my friend, Annie, all day.  I had just met her when I bought cloth diapers from her a few days prior, and we had discovered that we were due within a week of each other.  Later we discovered that we had a mutual friend due around the same time and we were all using the same midwife team.  They had been joking around that they were going to go into labor at the same time.  Annie had seen my post that morning that my water broke.  She was having contractions throughout the day, so we were messaging each other.  She had also gone to her chiropractor at 3:00.  But apparently, things happened even faster for her.  When I pulled up Facebook, there was a post by Amber, tagging Pita from my midwife team,  with a picture of a new baby.  My entire birthing team was at another birth! I looked at my phone notes, 5:23, 5:27, 5:30. . . My contractions were consistent and getting stronger. 

     I waited as long as a could. I texted Amber, "Are you all going to be much longer?"  My phone rang shortly after.  I told Amber that my contractions were 3 minutes apart.  When she asked how long they were, I told her I didn't know, it was too hard to keep track.  Then another contraction hit, so I handed the phone to Dylan.  Amber knew it was time for them to head over.  Luckily they were close by.

   At 6:00pm a swarm of people showed up.  My midwife team: Mary, Pita and Patricia; my doula, Amber; and my photographer, Karyn. Suddenly the house was buzzing with excitement.  I had found my way out to the tub just minutes before everybody showed up. 

    I sat in the tub listening to the wonderful noise of familiar voices.  Excitement was in the air.  I loved being at home in my own backyard, listening to the familiar sounds of my home, like the creaking of the screen door. It was much better than the sounds of the hospital.

     In between contractions, Patricia checked Oliver's heartbeat with the Doppler.  Everything sounded good. Had I been in the hospital, I'm sure I would have wanted to be checked and told how many centimeters I was dilated.  But for some reason, with this birth, the thought never crossed my mind.  Somehow, both Dylan and myself, we just knew.  We knew to trust my body. 

     I was sitting with my arms over the back of the back of the tub.  I thought this would help keep tension out of my shoulders. The tub ledge was high, it hurt my shoulders a little, but it seemed to help if I rocked with each contraction.  Amber asked if the rocking was making me unable to let go fully with each contraction. I wasn't sure.  Amber noticed a lot of tension in my brow, so she would place her fingers, pointing down, on my forehead during each contraction.  She told me to let go, imagine a waterfall.  It was hard to do.  I wanted to hold everything in, but I knew I had to let go.  I had a few strong contractions and allowed myself to relax. After a few more contractions I decided to move to the other side of the tub to sit on the tub seat. 

    I felt an urge to push, but didn't feel the need to push hard.  I didn't ask anybody if it was okay.  I didn't tell anybody.  I didn't ask to be checked.  I just did it.  I think Amber noticed first and asked me if I was pushing.  I just nodded my head.  Mary checked, and said, "Your baby is right there."  I still laugh at what Amber said next.  "During your next contraction, reach down and feel your baby. I DARE you."  I didn't want to move, but she dared me.  So on the next contraction, I felt baby.  He was so close.  A few more pushes and we will meet our baby!  Another gentle push and his head is out.  One more push and he will be here.  I push and Mary helps me catch my baby and bring him to my chest.  

He is perfect, perfect, perfect!  It's 6:33pm.  Just over an hour of active labor and only a half hour in the tub.  I spend what feels like only minutes in the tub, looking at our new little addition, but we were in there for a while.  I deliver the placenta and Dylan cuts the cord.  It's time to get out.  I hand our new little guy to Dylan so I can get out and take a shower and clean up.  Just a short time later I'm on the sofa with my family.  They weigh Olly - he is 6lbs 8oz like both his brothers!  What are the odds? 

     Soon everybody is packing up, all exhausted from the busy day.  The house is calm and quiet again.  The older boys get tucked into bed and Dylan and I snuggle in our bed soon after, just like any other night. . .

William Douglas

My Grandpa passed away today. He was 88 years old. When he was here visiting for his 80th birthday, he told my mom not to grieve if anything happened to him. He had lived a full life and was ready to move on.

My Grandma passed away many years ago leaving my Uncle Earl and Grandpa the only family on the east coast. Last year my Uncle lost his job and decided to follow through with plans to move to Arizona. My parents moved to Arizona too and they purchased a large house with my Uncle. The plan was to have my Grandpa move in with them.

After my parents and Earl got settled in, it was time to get my Grandpa. I know it was a rough transition for him. He was blind and had to learn to navigate in his new surroundings. During the course of the year my sister Khim and her husband Kevin (fiance at the time) were able to visit. Khim was thrilled to see Grandpa and to receive his blessing for their marriage. Dylan and I were able to visit too and Grandpa got to meet his great-grandsons. He could not see them but I know he enjoyed hearing them laugh and play. I think Ky climbed under the table a few times while Grandpa was eating and played with his feet. I think we got a little chuckle from Grandpa. =)

He was in pretty good health until a few weeks before my sisters wedding. He was having trouble walking, got the chills, wasn't eating well and seemed really confused. My mom was worried to leave for the wedding knowing how difficult it was for Earl to take care of him. He seemed to get a little better so my mom left for the wedding with Grandpa heavy on her mind. Two hours after my mom and dad returned to Phoenix the decision was made to call an ambulance for Grandpa. He was having a hard time breathing.

The prognosis was not good. He was in renal failure, had fluid around his heart and in his lungs. He was in the hospital for a few days and then went to hospice. He slipped into a coma yesterday afternoon and my parents were told that he did not have much longer. We prayed he would pass soon and be free of pain. He passed peacefully at 630am.

I am so happy that he was able to spend his last year with his children and that they were with him and able to say goodbye. I know he left this world feeling loved.

We picked blueberries today. The boys ate a lot. Riley picked them off of the ground and Kyler picked them from the trees. We would have stayed longer but we were worried they would get sick from eating too much. Then we had a picnic. A great family day.

Cute story

Well I thinks its a cute story. I have 4 inch tall figurine that I got at my baby shower for Riley. It's a pregnant women wearing a cape, on the bottom it says "super mom-to-be". It hangs out on the top shelf in the nursery. Well recently Riley has spotted this figurine and has wanted to play with it. The first time he held her he pointed to her and said "mommy" then pointed to me and said "mommy." He gave her a kiss then walked over to me and gave me a kiss. It was so sweet. Now every time he plays with her, we both get a kiss =). It chokes me up every time.

Trip to Seattle (again!)

Feels so good to be home! We went to Seattle for 2 1/2 days to celebrate Kyler's first b-day.

Ok - I am so bad about this. I started writing this weeks ago and I am just now getting back to it. I can hardly remember the trip. Let's see what I can remember . . . .

We drove down to Seattle on Monday. The plan was to go straight to Snoqualmie to spend time with Lori and Samara and to stay with them on Monday night. We were going to watch Samara on Tuesday and bring her with us to the party so that Lori would not have to go to Bothell to pick her up from daycare. This way, Lori could make it to the party on time. Unfortunately, Samara came down with pink eye so we needed to stay away for a while.

The new plan - stop by Costco and get the food for the party then go to my Aunts house to drop off the food, let the boy's nap and decorate. After naps we met Deanna, David, Kris, Jo, April and Carl for dinner at the Ram in Puyallup. We had a great time! It was wonderful to be surrounded by good friends and Family.

We headed to Snoqualmie after dinner. Brad decided to stay home the next day to care for Samara. So we got to spend the morning with Brad and Samara before heading to my Aunts house to get ready for the party.

The party was a success. My Aunt had spent a lot of time cleaning inside the house and of course the kiddos headed straight to the backyard. There were a lot of kids and they all seemed to have a great time. We ate some yummy lasagna (thanks costco!) opened gifts and got really messy with cake! I got to see a lot of people who I don't get to see very often. It was great to have them there to help Kyler celebrate!

Trip to Seattle

I had a wonderful time in Seattle. I left on Tuesday after Christmas. I had to drive down there by myself because Dylan had to be in Salt Lake City that evening. The first night I stayed with my friend April in Fife. It was great seeing her and her fiance, Carl. We had a nice breakfast on Wednesday and then I headed over to my Aunts house in Federal Way.

Wednesday evening I got to spend time with all of my cousins. It was great to be able to see Angela and John who were visiting from California. I found out that they are expecting! Yay - congrats! I also got to spend some time with Deanna and hear about her wedding plans and see some pictures of her dress. I was able to see Jason and Valerie and Jocelyn too - miss you guys.

Dylan was put on long call for new years eve so he was able to meet me in Seattle on Wednesday. We headed over to my friend Lori's house on New Years Eve day. It was the first time we saw here beautiful new home in Snoqualmie. The location is beautiful. It was a wonderful New Years Eve! The best I have had in a long time. A few of my oldest friends gathered at Lori and Brad's house with all of their Kiddo's. I got to meet the newest addition, Charlotte Cadice, what a cutie! We had adults and kids sleeping everywhere including a toddler sleeping in the pantry - good times!

We had a nice breakfast on Friday morning then Dylan headed back to the airport in the afternoon. I stayed one more night with Brad and Lori and then headed home early Sunday. Ky got tired of being in the car about 15 minutes before we got home. Other then that, the drive was good =).

Christmas!

This Christmas was so different from last year. The Christmas snowstorm of 2008 had stranded my parents in Port Orchard. Dylan was in New York sitting on reserve and we had already celebrated our Christmas together. So it was just me, my sister and Riley. We went to a movie and enjoyed each others company but it was lacking that Christmas spirit.

Christmas of 2009 was a bit different. Wednesday morning Dylan checked his schedule and found out that he was on long call. That meant he would be home Christmas Eve morning (if he didn't get called for a trip.) It had been such a busy month that he really needed to stay home and relax. Then, Christmas Eve morning, he checked his schedule for Christmas day and was on long call again! He was (most likely) going to be home for Christmas! Then I called my brother, who lives in Port Orchard, to see what his plans were. He decided last minute that he would take the train here and join us - yippee. Also, I found out that my friend Sara was going to be alone so we invited her over. My sister and her Fiance, Kevin, were coming over too. Yippee - a full house!

We decided to cook spaghetti. It is an easy dish that makes plenty. Yummy. So we cooked and ate and talked and laughed the night away. The boys had fun and Riley opened one gift.

My brother, sister and Kevin spent the night so they could be here Christmas morning. I was up early. Kyler had decided to sleep in until 8, but I was up at 6, waiting for him to wake. So I took advantage of the time and cleaned the kitchen and got prepared to make the dutch babies for breakfast.

We had a wonderful breakfast and then all sat down to open our gifts. We had a great time! We discovered that for some reason, Kyler likes to sit in boxes. I am pretty sure it was my sister who put him there. I Dropped my brother off and the train station at noon, got some lunch and then got the boys down for a nap. My sister and Kevin took off and Dylan and I settled down to watch Julie and Julia (cute movie which has inspired me to blog more.)

At 5 we headed to out neighbors for dinner. They have a little girl who is 3 1/2. Riley had a great time playing with her. I think he even got some kisses from her =). It was wonderful spending time with our neighbors, a great way to end a great Christmas.