Update

This week was a pretty tough one for us.  On Tuesday, Larry had his two week appointment.  When we weighed him, it showed that he weighed 9 lbs, 2 oz.  He had been such a fussy baby, and he hadn't had many wet/poopy diapers the last few days before his appointment.  When the doctor came in to see me, she let me know that Larry had lost 16% of his body weight.  She also let me know that she had never seen a baby loose that much weight after birth before.

I was so frustrated.  Larry was fussy, and tired all the time.  He wanted to nurse constantly, but he was also really fighting breastfeeding.  Even though I felt like I spent most of my time feeding him, he was still not progressing.  I felt like a horrible mom!

The doctor had me start him on formula, and she wanted me to bottle feed him.  She said that breastfeeding uses more calories than bottle feeding.  She had me mix the formula so it was more concentrated, and had higher calories than normal.  I needed to feed him every two hours, and then I also needed to pump to get my milk supply up.  She also wanted me to eat 5 small meals a day and drink tons of water.  It took over my entire day, and it was very overwhelming, but it all paid off.  I went back the next day, and Larry had gained 3 oz.  I was able to start feeding  him every 3 hours, and I got to breastfeed him every 3rd feeding, and then supplement with the higher calorie formula.

She had me come in again on Friday, and he had gained another 3 oz.  He is still over a pound under his birth weight, but I am back to breastfeeding exclusively, and only supplementing when he still seems hungry after eating.  I think things are finally starting to click.  When I first started breastfeeding exclusively, he never seemed satisfied, but he is finally back to being my happy boy.

My mom came and helped me out this week, and the kids are finally out of school, and they are able to help me out more.  They are such great helpers.  Today, Allen was holding Larry, and Larry filled his diaper and then some.  Allen was so grossed out, he just about dropped him trying to pass him off to Hubby.  Now that we have the helping out taken care of, maybe we should start working on diaper changing.

My Miracle Worker

Tonight, we had a family movie night.  Larry decided to be extremely ornery, and fussy the entire night.  Hubby and I kept passing him off, trying to calm him down, and get him to rest a bit.  All of the kids offered to help out, and they kept fighting over who would get to hold him.  We finally let Allen take him.  I think both Hubby and I were convinced that Larry would just end up screaming, and we would end up coming to the rescue.  As the movie ended, Allen let us know that Larry had finally fallen asleep.  

He is here!

I have wonderful plans to have this amazing photoshoot with my new little baby, and then I will put together this blog that is worthy of my new baby, but reality is starting to set in.  I am lucky to have a few minutes to jump on the computer and throw something together.

Our little boy was born on Monday a little before 3.  I did end up being induced, and things went well for the most part.  I really hate needles, and especially IV's.  I definitely felt like a pincushion by the time I left the hospital.  My IV went in with minimal fishing.  My epidural originally only took on one side, and so they pumped me full of the medicine.  By the time the baby got here, I was extremely numb.  I had a harder time pushing this little guy out than I have with my other kids.  I thought that it was because I was so numb, but no.  I had a tough time because he was 10 pounds 14.3 oz!!

His apgar scores were decent (I think his 5 minute score was a 7) but he was really floppy.  He ended up in the NICU.  I was very concerned because Morgan ended up in the NICU for a week after struggling after birth.  Our little guy had low blood sugar because he was so big, and so the NICU gave him several bottles of formula to get his blood sugar up.  He was very sleepy, and not very interested in nursing for a while because of that.  I ended up pumping for most of the time I was in the hospital, and then we would force the little bit of colostrum I got down his throat with a syringe.  Nursing took a little bit of time to get down, but everything is finally starting to click.

For those of you who know me in real life, you know that the names that I use on my blog are not my kids real names.  Hubby and I have been trying to come up with an online name for our little guy, and we have decided to call him Larry.

The kids are so excited.  They rush through their homework and jobs in order to hold their new brother.  It has been so much fun to see them be responsible with him.  They are so much older than they were the last time we had a baby.  We have had a very busy schedule this week, and it has been very challenging trying to be a mom to my oldest four, and a mother of a newborn.  I am looking forward to getting done with the school year, and then just taking it easy for the summer.

I am sure that this blog is just a random jumble of thoughts, but that is about all the brain power I have today.  I just thought I would take a moment to update you all on our big news.

Still Waiting

I was scheduled to be induced on Friday, but the hospital had so many women who went into labor, that they never had a room available for me.  By afternoon, they decided to reschedule my induction, and so I am now scheduled to be induced on Monday. 

On Thursday, I started freaking out.  I felt very overwhelmed and anxious about this baby, and about labor.  I am no longer anxious.  I just want it out!  Well, I want it out and healthy.  I am tired of feet in my ribs.  I am ready to lie down comfortably.  I'm ready to hold my baby.

Makenzie, the Brave!

On Thursday, Allen came home from school and got right on his homework.  He likes to do it down in his bedroom, so he is not distracted by all the younger kids.  Morgan and I went up to my room, so he could read, and I could lie down.  As we were reading, Allen came running up the stairs to let me know that there was a hornet in his room.  I HATE hornets and wasps.  Hubby finally has me convinced me that not all yellow and black stinging things are called "Bees."  I have learned that I can handle bees, but I hate hornets and wasps.  Unfortunately, the hornets and wasps are the insects that always seem to make it into our house.  One of the best things about our dog, is he eats hornets.  The year before we got him, I killed at least one hornet a week.  Since he became a part of our family, I see very few hornets in our house.  I told Allen that he needed to take care of the hornet, and to have Max help him.

Allen came up a few minutes later.  He had gone into the garage, and he had found our Ortho bug killer spray.  He tried to kill the hornet that way, but he couldn't hit it through the blinds.  He finally came and asked me if he could have Makenzie and Max kill the hornet.  I told him to go and ask her.  (I really am not usually this lazy, but I have absolutely no energy left!)

Makenzie went downstairs where Allen sent her into his bedroom with Max, and closed the door.  (Allen stayed in the hall).  Makenzie took a squirt gun with her, and she shot the hornet.  Then she had Allen come upstairs, and fetch the flyswatter which he passed her under the door.  She smashed the hornet, and fed it to Max. 

My 9 year old daughter saved us all from the big, bad hornet!  I'm pretty darn proud of her.

Last Doctor's Visit

Today, I had my last doctor's visit of my pregnancy.  I was wrong when I said my doctor doesn't induce.  I found out that he will, but only after 39 weeks.  I am scheduled for an induction on Friday.  I am still dilated to 2 cm, and 50% effaced.  I can't sleep.  I am measuring big.  I am nauseous every day.  I am constantly plagued by heartburn.  My ribs are so sick of being kicked. 

I am so glad that this pregnancy has gone so well.  The end of a pregnancy is always tough, and I definitely complain a lot, but I am so grateful that I get to add a new little boy to my family this week.  The kids are so excited, and hopefully with the induction, it will make all the scheduling that needs to take place easier for everyone.  It still feels very unreal to me.  I am just a few days away from giving birth again, but I am having a hard time wrapping my head around it.  I feel like I am still bracing myself so I won't get hurt if things don't go well.  I am sure, once I feel the weight of that baby in my arms, it will all become real to me.  I have a feeling this is going to be a very emotional weekend.

Almost Full Term!

I just wanted to give a quick update.  I saw my doctor today, and things are looking good.  Last night, I felt the baby flip a full 180 degrees.  I had been concerned that the baby was breech, and so I was relieved to feel it flip over.  The doctor checked today on an ultrasound, and sure enough, the baby is now head down.  Hopefully it will stay that way.  He has been going back and forth for the last few weeks.  If the baby is breech when I go into labor, they will take it by C-section.  I am 50% effaced, and dilated to 2 cm.  The doctor said that this baby will not be coming anytime soon.  On Thursday, I will be 37 weeks, and this baby will be officially full term.  My doctor will not induce me, and so that adds a little bit of uncertainty to this whole thing.  I like being able to plan, but I guess for the next while, the baby will be making the plans.

It's getting close

Last night, my sister-in-law threw a baby shower for our little guy.  All but one of my sister's were able to come, and an aunt, a cousin, and several members from my ward showed up.  My mom and sister came over to help me clean up the house before hand, and it was a very nice night.  A couple of months before we found out we were pregnant, we finally decided to get rid of all of our baby stuff.  Many people have donated their baby stuff that they no longer need, and we got a bunch of cute clothes last night at the shower.  We are pretty close to set.  It still feels very unreal that in a month, we will have a new little boy to hold and cuddle.

Hubby took the kids out to eat during the shower, and they got back a few minutes before it ended.  I had them all come in to the living room to show them the cute clothes and things we got for the baby.  After we had checked everything out, I sent the kids to get their pajamas on.  Allen continued to sit on the floor, and look through the piles of clothes.  And then, he said, "If this one dies, I'll be pissed!"  It took a minute for me to realize exactly what he was talking about.  Allen never talks about the babies we have lost.  My heart broke as I realized that he has been as anxious about this baby as I have been.  Because he keeps so quiet about it, I forget that he needs to be reassured and comforted.  I told him that I would be upset too, but that the chances that this baby will be fine are very high.  I'm excited to see my kids have a little brother again.

Our Garden

I stop enjoying winter by January first.  This winter has seemed especially long, and I really was looking forward to starting our indoor Garden.  We decided to get our garden started the first Monday of March.  We planted our seeds for our Family Home Evening activity.  This year, I will probably not be able to help out much when it is time to move all of our plants outside.  Allen has decided to be in charge of the garden as part of one of his merit badges for his Eagle.  I am hoping that it will all work out.

Last year, our plants seemed to sprout in just a couple of days.  This year, it has taken a lot longer.  We haven't had too many days that were fully sunny since we planted our little seeds.  We have been so excited to see each plant come up.  We decided to plant some flowers for our front flower bed.  I have never been successful starting flowers from seeds.  Hopefully, this year, we will finally get it right.

One of our "splurges" for this year is a new folding table for our garden.  Last year, our garden got a great start, but we used our dining room table to hold it all.  We ate at the kitchen counter for 3 months.  It has been a good investment.  I love getting a head start on spring.  We hope to get our springtime outdoor plants started this week.

Valentine's Day Cards

This year, we decided to print off our own Valentine's cards.  The main reason is to save money, but I'm not going to lie, I love the fact that it makes me look crafty.  It was also so much fun to see my cute kids get excited about them.

Makenzie had to have the girliest card she could find.  I love having a daughter!

The original template for Michael's card had a heart before his name.  That had to go!  He also refused to have anything that said, "Be Mine," or anything mushy like that.  He settled for Happy Valentine's Day.

Morgan's card is my favorite!  I love it!  He is very worried that his friends won't like polka-dots, or that they will want their card to say, "Happy Valentine's Day," instead of, "Be Mine!"  I'm pretty sure they won't care what it looks like, as long as there is candy attached.

 The entire time I was taking pictures of Allen, he insisted on shouting out, "Cookies!!"  This was the most normal picture I could get of him.

I'm guessing most people have already bought their Valentines, but in case any of you happen to be procrastinators you can take advantage of the cute templates at Florabella, and MCP Actions Blog.  I have a cute friend who always blogs with ideas for upcoming holidays.  She always blogs in plenty of time for me to take advantage of her good ideas before the holidays roll around.  Someday, I might be that on the ball, but not today.

I hope you all have a fantastic Valentine's Day!

Ticket Saturday

I got this idea from a friends blog.  I planned to take pictures, and share our experience, but our movie night turned out to be so hectic, that I never got around to it.  (My friend has some great pictures if you want a visual.  :)

My kids struggle to get jobs done.  They act like I am torturing them if I ask them to do anything on the weekends, so we decided to try a Ticket Saturday.  Originally I was going to just start giving them tickets for the jobs they did, and then have them find out later what the tickets were for, but I ended up advertising the whole thing to get them motivated.  We made a list of all the jobs that needed to be done on our white board, and organized them into one ticket and two ticket jobs.  I let the kids know that for 6 tokens they could get a little of everything at the movie night.  It took a little while for a couple of my kids to get going, and I even heard from a couple of them that they would just pass on the movie night, but eventually they all worked very hard and helped to clean.

We set up a little concessions stand, and let the kids buy popcorn, soda, and candy bars with their tickets.  We turned off all the lights and watched "Despicable Me."  We had a great night, and I now have a new way to motivate my kids to get their jobs done.

Dr. Appt.

I'm almost 23 weeks.  At my doctor's appointment today, they suspected that I have a bladder infection.  They said that that could be the reason I am cramping.  The nurse sent a sample off for a 4 day test, so I should get the results later this week.  It would be great if that were the case!  Then hopefully I can get some medicine and the pain can go away.

The doctor also said that I am dehydrated, and my calorie intake is too low.  Both of these causes also can cause cramping.  Hopefully, I can take care of myself, and things can go better.

Uneventful Hospital Visit

Just a quick update.

After being in quite a bit of pain for several days, I finally went into the hospital today to get everything checked out.  All the tests came back fine. 

They basically told me that I will probably feel like this for the rest of my pregnancy.  It hurts, but it is nothing to worry about.

Good to know!

Genes

There are many traits that are passed along through family lines.  In my family, we are lucky enough to have detached earlobes, autism, dimples, red hair, color blindness, and celiac disease.  Another trait that my dad, and many of my siblings have is the "hold your tongue just right" syndrome.  (Unfortunately, this can be viewed most easily when I am playing the piano in public.)  Apparently, I have passed it on.  This afternoon, as Morgan was working on his homework, I decided to catch this trait in action (with my new lens :)    

Man, I love my kids!!