Erik Andrew

Erik came into this world on his own time. He didn't think the 22nd was a good day, like I did. I went in at 9 am, as scheduled, and was hooked up to pitocin (as well as penicillin since I was positive for Group B Strep) around 10. The good thing about this labor, even though I was in the hospital way too long before actually giving birth, was that the pitocin didn't really cause any painful contractions for the 12 plus hours I was on it. For some reason, it just didn't work its wonders this time. I had some consistent contractions toward the end that started to be uncomfortable, but nothing too bad. The doctor couldn't break my water, which is what I usually need to get things moving, because Erik's head was not engaged in the birth canal. I decided by 10 pm, that when they checked me the next time (which was close to 11) if they couldn't break my water, then I would just go home. Well, lucky us, his head was finally engaged and they could break it. I was at a 3.

The worst part about this labor was that I wasn't able to eat more than broth and jello all day, so by 11 when things started going, I was weak and exhausted. As usual for my labors, I got nauseous soon after the contractions started getting harder. During Austin's birth the Zofran helped and I could concentrate on getting through the contractions, but not this time! The Zofran didn't work very well, so I got to deal with all the vomiting as well. After a couple hours I started shaking like crazy, which I don't usually do until after the baby is born. It made for another interesting detail in the whole L&D. Looking back, the actual active labor part was only about 5 hours, which technically would be my shortest labor, but it was definitely the hardest! Things felt like they were moving slow in this process and I almost couldn't do it without the epidural, but I knew I was getting somewhere and that if I got the epidural, it would only make it longer. Eventually, I got to push, which was also the hardest ever. I had a "lip" at a 9, so the doctors had to push that aside for a couple of pushes. At this time I was on oxygen because the baby's heart rate was going down. I only had to push 5 or 6 times, which is more than I usually do, but still not very much, though it felt like the hardest thing in the world! I was so tired and I wasn't sitting up enough. Then they freaked me out by saying I had to push him out now or they would have to get the vacuum because he wasn't coming fast enough. That must have done it for me. I used every last bit of strength I had to push that 8 pound 4 oz. baby out who was 22 inches long! No wonder he was so hard to get out! I honestly don't know where he went in my belly. He didn't seem much bigger than Austin and he moved around so much like he had all the space in the world! We are so grateful to have him here and part of our family. It made for a very special Thanksgiving.

He doesn't look like Austin at all. He looks the most like Victoria when she was a baby.



I love this turkey bum!

Victoria wants to hold him every second she can. Who can blame her?
Karissa wanted to share her bears with him.
We were so lucky to have Gramms and Abuelo here to help with the kids. Abuelo had to go back already, but we're glad he was here and are grateful for all the work he did. Gramms gets to stay another week, which will save me. She has done a ton so far. Thanks Gramms!

The Date is Set!

Again, I got to call to schedule an induction for baby number 4. I go in November 22 at 9 am to get things going so we can finally meet this little guy. Thanks to Thanksgiving, he will only be 6 days late!

Everything is ready: bag is packed, bassinet is set up, the leaves are almost all picked up from the yard (thanks to Jason's parents for their help), the Christmas tree is up, and all but one Christmas present have been purchased. Yes, I have done some major nesting the past few weeks. I even cleaned that carpets last week! I hear four kids will keep me really busy, so I wanted to do as much as I could before I got there. My neighbor said I was going to put myself into labor with all that work, but I knew better! Here's to a smooth labor and delivery!

The Last Days

I did not expect a baby shower with this guy, since I already have at least one of each gender, but my good friends Rachel and Teresa threw me one anyhow. It was fun to relax with my friends and play some games. I asked for no gifts, only diapers, but I did get some cute things and a gift card. Here is the diaper cake that my kids think is the coolest thing ever, and it is! Here is an awesome hand-made quilt that matches the room, which Cathy did not know that the room is jungle-themed with those same colors!

An adorable frame that has Erik's name written on the top, plus the cute moose pillow pet to my right, also a favorite of my kids.
Unfortunately, my batteries ran out, so we missed the cute outfit and didn't get to take a picture of the group. Thanks to Cindy, Cathy, Cathy, Dianna, Leah, and of course Rachel and Teresa for the good time! Others who didn't make it, but contributed, thank you too!

On another note, I've been thinking about what color eyes this babe is going to have. We currently have one of each:

blue green
brown

Two grandparents have blue eyes, one green, and one has brown. Jason has brown and I have blue. What do you think will be the baby's eye color?

Helping Hands

Our ward had our "Day of Service" yesterday, encouraged by the leaders of our church. We coordinated it with United Way and Salvation Army to clean up yards in the area for people who need it. We even got to wear the "Helping Hands" vests provided by the church for us to borrow. Our family worked with another family to clean up the leaves of two homes. We all enjoyed providing the service for the widowed (I believe) older ladies. The kids did great and Victoria, being at an age where she can understand the value of service, really loved seeing the smiles on the ladies' faces when they came out to greet us. She said in her prayer last night, "...thank you for letting us help the old grandmas who couldn't do the work themselves...". It was very sweet. One of the men who was working with us said I must be the most pregnant woman to bag leaves, well, I think I could be next week when we start on our yard!