Boston's Birth Story: Part 1

Boston is now 3 months old and if i don't record this now I will most likely forget everything that happened that day!

On Tuesday September 10, I had been cleaning the house all day. I had reached 9 days before my due date, James was 9 days early so I knew that Boston would be on his way soon. I had my routine weekly appointment with my OB and everything was looking pretty normal  I was 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced. My doctor was guessing the little guy was about 7.5 pounds. I got dressed and scheduled my next appointment. The rest of the day I was slaving away trying to clean everything and wash all the laundry and iron all of the Mr. shirts so I would not have to worry about it after we came home from the hospital. After we all had dinner, I told Logan that we needed to run to the store I needed to pick up diapers and a few other things. In the back of my mind I had thought that Little B was waiting until mommy was ready for him and he would wait until she had purchased diapers (I had made cloth diapers and kept going back and forth on buying small little newborn diapers or just going straight to the cloth diapers.) and chores done. So off to Walmart we were, we picked up some newborn diapers, some items for homemade laundry soap and some other random things probably snacks. (I was always craving snack foods)
When we got home Logan got James ready for bed and put him down for the evening. I started on my homemade laundry soap. I love how well homemade soap works, and I knew I would not have anytime after baby was born to make some so I had to get it made, the clock was ticking. After mixing all my ingredients I poured soap into leftover spaghetti sauce jars and the majority of it in a larger glass container, then it was placed in the laundry room. I washed my hands off and changed my clothes and was off to bed at 11:30.
I had been having inconsistent contractions all day, nothing to severe or strong just enough to notice and tingle a bit. I laid in bed on my left side, then my right and back to the left I kept rolling to my sides every time I had a contraction, they were getting closer and closer and they were getting more painful. Finally at 12:30 a.m. I could not lay in bed I was afraid of waking Logan with all my tossing and turning. If this was a false labor I was not going to keep him up when he had to work the next day. So I walked out the the living room and laid on the couch trying to sleep, I knew if this was the start of labor I wanted to rest as much as possible. But that only lasted about an hour, I turned on the TV and watched a movie on Netflix. I started walking back and forth in my little living room and drinking water like I was dying of thirst. During each contraction I would get on my hands and knees and rock  back and forth. In between I was sitting on James's big ball (i knew i should have grabbed an exercise ball weeks ago!) So I bounced and rocked, my contractions were about 3 to 5 minutes apart. I had been going to the bathroom all night (with the amounts of water I was drinking I was not surprised) at 2:30 a.m. I went to the bathroom and found that I had bloody mucus! This was it I was in REAL LABOR! I had done it on my own, with James I was induced after having false labor twice! I got cleaned up and went to wake Logan up. I was so happy, excited, nervous, and shaking (mostly due to nerves but also contractions were getting really strong)
As Logan got dressed, I made sure everything was packed: clothes for both of us, camera, chargers for everything that needed to be charged, baby's first outfit and personal items for both of us. I also grabbed the iPad just incase we were there for a long time. Luckily we had talked to some friends that live in our building the day before and they volunteered to watch James if we went into labor in the middle of the night. So Logan gave them a ring and told them what was happening. I packed up some clothes for James, his cup and snacks were thrown in. I knew that family would be able to pick him up in the morning so I wasn't worried too much. We bundled him up and went and knock on the door of our neighbors and they had already made a bed for James! What wonderful friends we have! I laid him down and gave him a hug and kiss knowing the next time I saw him, he would be a big brother. We thanked and thanked our friends again and out the door we were.
Finally at 3:30 we were on the way to the hospital I had two contractions on the way that were really strong! We parked and walked to the ER doors. (since it was so late/too early the main doors were not open so we had to walk from the ER to Labor and Delivery) We walked in and the lady at the desk smiled at us and asked if we were looking for labor and delivery. She told us were to walk and asked if I needed a wheelchair. I thanked her and told her no. I wanted to walk! I know how walking helps labor and I wanted this baby to get as much progress as possible, no false labor for this mama. I may have made the biggest mistake by refusing the wheelchair, that was the most painful walk! We had to walk slow and stop every few minuets so I could sway back and forth through each contraction.
Finally we made it to the L&D check in desk! I told the nurse I was ready and I had been having contractions. She checked me in while Logan went to get a visitors pass. We were all set up in the triage. I changed into a  hospital gown and was checked to see how dilated I was. She checked and  I was 5 cm and 90% effaced. I was going to be admitted! I peed in a cup, had some blood tests, an IV put in and a bloody arm (apparently my arm likes to bleed... a lot!), they checked my records and asked all the personal questions. At 4:01 I texted my mom to tell her i was being admited. While I was being moved from triage to Labor and Delivery my Doctor walked by and saw us (he was on call that night, how lucky am I?) I had a super strong contraction on the way over and had to stop walking (I again asked if I could walk instead of the wheel chair, I don't know what I was thinking) The nurse complimented how good I was breathing and handling the pain. I was so proud that I was doing everything right this time around.

10 days in counting!

I can't believe how close we are to meeting our little bundle of joy! By this time with James I had spent half the night in the Labor and Delivery Triage walking and walking, stinking false labor had claimed my sleep. Luckily this little guy is letting me sleep while I still can. We did not have any contractions while I was trying to sleep, however church was a different story I had some pretty strong ones. I think the closest  have been 5 mins and the longest have been 10 mins apart, all have ranged from 30 seconds to 60 seconds. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow. So we shall se what my doctor has to say about Mr Bliss joining our family. My last appointment I was only 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I am hoping that he he will decided to meet our family on his own, we are so excited a to meet him!

29 weeks

I love being pregnant! Pregnancy has been so fun! I am now in my third trimester and love how fast the whole pregnancy has flown by! Only 11 weeks left! This past week I had my glucose test and didn't pass so I had to go in for a second, a glucose tolerance test. Since I was pretty weak and shaky after the one hour test I knew I wouldn't make it through my three hour test with fasting before and during the test. I asked if Logan could come with, he took a half day off and joined me. I was pretty emotional after learning that I didn't pass my first test so I was grateful that Logan could come with me. After three hours and four blood withdrawals I was relieved when I received a call from my nurse to tell me that I had passed all four tests! I am assuming that I failed my first test because I loaded up on sugary treats the weekend before so I was doomed from the beginning. Other than my crazy tests my pregnancy has been healthy and normal.

I love feeling my little guy move and squirm! Since this is my second pregnancy I was able to recognize when he started to move a few weeks before I felt James move. James has not stopped moving since he first started, he is such a busy body and loves to play and imitate scenes from his favorite movies and like all boys fight with swords. He loves swords, wooden spoons, sticks and anything he can hold and swing. I thought it was adorable at first, but now it's to the point he has learned how to hit with said swords and long items. It drives me insane! We have been working so hard on not hitting and listening to mom and dad. It just will take a bit longer to Remember that hitting hurts. In other words James has been potty training for the last  months e a half!  He has been doing wonderful, he tells us when he needs to go. He is really good at making it to the potty for the most part, rarely does he wet his pants. We decided we would just train him on the toilet so he has a stool that he can stand on and then sit on the potty seat. As long as he is not trying to adjust the way he is sitting my floor stays clean otherwise my bathroom gets pretty smelly very fast! Watching James grow up is so fun yet I am so sad that it has gone so fast I enjoy the baby stage and now toddler stage! I love my boys so much! I am glad I have a wonderful little boy, a growing belly with a baby boy and the best husband to share everyday with! I really am blessed!

And three become Four!

I have put off even making contact with the blogging world because we are adding one more to our family! Logan and I had talked about adding one more to our family and Logan knew immediately we were ready, I however wasn't there yet, so I prayed and prayed for a confirmation that our family would become four and one day I had an overwhelming feeling that Heavenly Father was telling me it's time, your family is ready and your little one is ready to meet you. I of course was so excited to see one of my prayers answered I told Logan that night that we could now add one more. We found out I was pregnant in February and wanted to keep quiet about it until I was further along. We told our immediate family but asked them to wait to tell anyone else, in case the worse was to happen. I was feeling awfully sick up until I was 13 weeks, the first trimester always takes a toll on my body! I even put off my first appoint with my OB (with #1, James, we were in the Doctors office once we found out and for the ultrasound he looked like a gummy bear, so we waited so I could see a better image of my baby) I was feeling great beside morning sickness! My first appointment was wonderful! The ultrasound was perfect we were able to see our little one and it actually looked like a BABY! What joy! The Second visit was just as great, listening to a speedy heart rate is so calming! Surprisingly I have been gaining weight at a normally rate that I haven't been asked to calorie overload like I was with James. I have gained 12 pounds and a small belly. I haven't noticed any extra pounds anywhere else and I am hoping it stays that way...

We just had our 20 week check-up, I cannot believe I am already half way through this pregnancy! It really has gone by so fast! I love watching my body change and grow, my belly button is on the verge of popping out. So naturally with 20 weeks none of my pants can even come close to buttoning. My Belly Band is my best friend and the only way I can walk out of the house looking decent. Our Doctors visit was perfect I measure perfectly and the little one is doing wonderful! As for our 20 week ultra sound, we were able to watch our little BOY move and stretch. It was priceless! He stretched just like James did when he was a baby! I loved every minute of watching him.I had a feeling we would have another boy, I just did not want to accept or declare that I knew this pregnancy would not bring a little girl, I have wanted a little girl to pamper and spoil since as long as I can remember. Dresses, flowers and bows are what I have wanted since the mister and I talked about babies. Being the only girl growing up, I knew I always wanted a house full of girls! But obviously the Lord has a different view for my life which I will gladly accept, I love little boys! James is so fun to watch, he is completely one hundred percent boy, it just comes so natural for him and I love being apart of it! Plus I think James would love a little brother! Being able to play with another boy will complete him, he already is a big helper and loves to think he is in charge of everyone. Sometimes when Noah, James's cousin who is three months younger, comes to visit and play, James tells him no when he is getting into something he shouldn't, loves to help even if Noah doesn't need any at all. He thinks because he is older that all of a sudden he is the boss and Noah must follow, thank goodness Noah is a happy little boy who just plays along with James, not knowing what James has planned.

Food has been my best and worst friend this whole pregnancy, I love Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwiches! I cannot go one day without eating at least one, normally two and a peanut butter and honey sandwich as well. I love sour candy, and Mexican food is a big craving! I absolutely hate the smell of cooking chicken, Chinese food and Hamburgers even the sight of one make me a bit queasy  Everything I eat has to have some sort of spiciness added, I add salsa, hot sauce, jalapenos, really anything that will give me more spice I am enjoying completely. If I remember correctly James was the same way, hot wings were my go to food! Oh and anything potatoes also hits the spot and is my go to food when everything else makes me sick.

I absolutely miss having my mom around like I did for my last pregnancy, it was so nice to have an expert around to tell me what to do and not to, plus she always made sure I was eating and drinking whereas now I get so side tracked with James that I will be feeling a bit sick and realized oh my I need to eat now and drink an extra glass of water. I can't believe how easy it is to forget to drink water. I struggle the most with my water intake. We are preparing to see our family in Arizona in a few days I am so excited yet not so excited for the stressful packing and traveling part.

Engagement

{Logan and I at a friends house the moment after he put that beautiful on my finger!}

On the 31st of January 2010, Logan and I were Engaged. He asked me a very special question that changed my life forever! I am so happy that I married such a wonderful man! He is the best thing that has ever happened to me! I love him dearly!

Sleep Training

James is fully sleep trained! I put training him properly for the longest time. I let James make his own schedule, he slept however long and when ever he wanted to. So when we moved into our new apartment and James was weaned and had his very own room, we had the opportunity placed infront of us. Time to train! I looked at a sleeping therapy Facebook page Sleeping Family and read posts from families who had similar sleeping problems and I applied them to James and our schedule. Within a few days we saw progress. First I set a set nap time and routine, one cup of milk before bed, he sleeps with a humidifier and a heater which is used for the noise. Second we worked on our bedtime routine, one cup of milk and a snack. Once again he sleeps with a heater and humidifier, we always say prayers and give his animals kisses and snuggle with his blankets, we say our goodnights turn the lights off and close the door.  If we stick to the same routine he sleeps wonderfully every time. He normally sleeps about 11.5 hours at night and 2.5 during the day, according to Cameron, the sleeping coach from Sleeping Family, he is getting just the right amount of sleep. I don't know why I put off training him for so long. It really wasn't that hard. With him sleeping in his own bed and own room, both Logan and I have been sleeping wonderfully! With our nest baby I will definitely be working on a set schedule as soon as possible!

Take Two

A few weeks ago James was sick and has fully recovered! Thank goodness! Except that I have been sick for the last week, it has been miserable. A sore throat, congestion, coughing, runny nose: I have had to deal with all of the above symptoms. It has been a horrible week and to make it worse James has a runny nose. So we have been quarantined to the house. Although we are recovering, it feels like  it has been forever since I've felt healthy. I am so thankful for priesthood blessings! My wonderful husband was able to give me a blessing on one of my worse days and since then I have been feeling so much better. I love the power of the Priesthood and all the blessings it brings to my family.

Sick days, Ice and Soup

For the last four days little James has had a horrible cough, low fever, little sleep runny nose and puffy eyes. My poor little guy is miserable with a cold! He woke up Saturday with all the symptoms and they have been non stop for him. All he wants to do is play and run around but doesn't have the energy to do anything! I feel so bad for him. We have been so lucky with him, he has probably only been sick 2 other times and we haven't had any ear infections or teething problems. I am so grateful for a healthy baby. Other than James been sick, Logan and I just recently had to buy a new computer. Our last one crashed and was beyond repair so we searched around and found one at a decent price. Thank goodness Logan was able to save all my projects and pictures before such crashing occurred. We are grateful for our new computer, but I still miss our last one.
Have I mentioned how stinking cold Missouri is? Well actually I suppose other places may be just as cold or colder but for me the humidity brings cold down to a new level. In Arizona if it was 10 degrees outside, it was 10 degrees with a low humidity percentage or no percentage at all. Here in Missouri it is 10 degrees and 80 percent humidity so it feels below zero! Humidity and I are not friends. I experienced my first frozen rain just the other night. We went to Logan's Brother's house and when we went inside it was raining and when we walked out it was raining and freezing!! This doesn't happen in Flagstaff! I was shocked at how cold it was and it was still not snowing! I miss Flagstaff weather, I miss the snow, I miss the trees and I miss seeing the Peaks. I hope it snows here soon! Since it has been so cold  have been a soup mood! In the last week we have had soup three times for dinner. I made Homemade Chicken Noodle soup for the first time. I even tried to make my own noodles but they were more like dumplings than noodles. Next time I will be rolling the noodles a lot more thin than I did this time. I also experimented with a Pasta E Fagioli recipe, I love Olive Gardens Soup. So I found a recipe and it was delicious except it was a bit more salty than I like and since I added a little more noodles than needed and they absorbed all my broth. Next time use I know not to add to many noodles and find ways to decrease the salt added. I also made our favorite Taco Soup! It was delicious as always. We have perfected that recipe there were no problems, it tasted just like it should. I have been trying to incorporate new recipes into our family menu, and this last week has been a success! We have had: Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Noodles Olive Garden's Pasta E Fagioli Soup Italian Crock Pot Chicken I linked all the recipes so you can try them too! We loved the Italian Chicken! Well we loved them all and cannot wait for more new recipes to be added to our dinner menu!