Happy Birthday Isaac

I Want...

a tummy tub 

and this too.  :)

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Levi

Levi Pax's Birth Story

I was convinced after waking up still pregnant on Friday September, 11th that I was doomed to exceed 9 days over. I was in a sour mood but my friend Christine, who was my doula with Isaac, asked if I wanted to go with her to the children's museum. Trying to salvage the day, I agreed. David dropped Isaac and I off at the museum. Isaac and I had never been to that museum and it was very fun. The whole time, I just felt uncomfortable. I figured that the contractions were the same as the ones from the week before, which had not yielded a baby. Christine suggested that perhaps I was in labor, despite my cynical insistence that I was not. After we all finished lunch, David picked Isaac and I up. Now, I was not looking forward to the car ride and David knew it. Every time we hit a bump I would throw him an evil glance. He tried to comfort me by touching my leg, to which I replied "don't touch me". I should have known that something was happening but I chalked it up to me being 9 days overdue. When we arrived home, David put Isaac down for a nap. While he was upstairs, I felt like I had to walk around. So I paced around our downstairs and David observed that I was acting strangely. At this point, Isaac was crying and I decided to hang out in the dark and quiet downstairs bathroom. I turned on the shower and the fan for some soothing white noise and swayed as I had contractions. David suggested that I call my midwife who was at a class that day. I called and told her I would keep her posted. The contractions increased in frequency and strength. I kept drinking water and I told David that I didn't want a bunch of people gawking at me and that I didn't want to worry about the other two boys. So, David went to work procuring care for both Kadin and Isaac. He also talked to Lauren, who was going to be at the birth and contacted our midwife. He checked on me and asked if I wanted to move upstairs. I asked if it was dark and if there was noise. He said yes to both and we made our way slowly upstairs. I came into my room where the birth tub was being filled. It was dark and there was sounds of ocean waves playing. I should point out that this labor was very different from Isaac's. I could not sit down at any time for contractions. I also felt the urge to groan with contractions. Most of the time, I would hang from David and squat during the contractions. After a while, the tub was ready. Lauren went on an ice run to get it the perfect temperature. When my legs felt like they were going to fall off from not being able to sit down, I got in the tub. I was so grateful for that tub, I cried because it felt so good. I was in the tub when transition hit. I felt out of control and looked to Nadya for guidance and encouragement. She helped me breathe and focus. It felt so hard and I just wanted it to be over. Finally, I was ready to push. I made David get in the tub with me. Nadya was in front of me, helping me with each contraction. Another midwife was directing me how to push. Lauren was spoon feeding me applesauce and helping me drink water. It felt like eternity. Finally, his head came out and then the rest of him. I am not very sure what happened after that. All I know, is that my very mellow son was in my arms and my husband behind me and my placenta was floating in a bowl next to me. It was pretty intense. I felt very aware of everything, including my very sore rear end. I would say that active labor started at 2:00 pm and Levi was born at 6:31 pm. It was perfect timing because Isaac came home and went to bed at his normal bed time. It was as if we had a normal day and had a baby. I could go on and on about how wonderful the whole experience was. I loved being at home surrounded and supported by people I love and trust. I am so grateful for the care I have received before, during and after. I am so grateful for my son Levi Pax which means attached peace.

41 weeks

I am still here and still pregnant. Something about this scenario seems strangely familiar. I went 9 days over with Isaac. I had been hoping to have a shorter experience this time around, which is still possible. Somehow, I wouldn't be surprised if I went even later with this one. We'll see.

40 weeks

Well, here I am again. So much for going early.  

Quilt

I was thinking how great it would be to have a quilt for the baby. I asked my grandparents if they could send one to me for the birth. I still have my purple unicorn quilt my grandma made me when I was little. Instead of sending a quilt, my grandma designed and made one just for the baby! She is an overachiever :) We love it. Isaac keeps curling up with it while saying "night night". Thanks Grandma!

Birth Kit

Well, there it is. My birth supplies fit into a plastic container. There are a few things missing. For example, I am currently washing towels which will be packaged up and tossed in there as well. Obviously, the birth tub is not in there, but the liner is. But, I am pretty sure most things will fit into this container. It only took me 38 weeks to get it together.

Belly Pics

On Monday, Sheena and Crystal came over to play. Sheena and I decided to compare bellies and Crystal graciously agreed to being the photographer. Sheena is due September 3 and I am due September 2! We just need a pic with Rachel who is due September 1. Now placing bets for who will go when. :)

33 Weeks

Uh Oh!

Isaac pooped in the bath.  Needless to say, gross!  You can understand why there is no picture with this post.  He has never done that before and hopefully won't again.  He has been very interested in sitting on the potty recently.  He also likes to flush.  I should have explained that you can't flush a bathtub, perhaps that will keep him from using the tub again for pottying purposes.

Pictures

Happy Birthday Prari

While this photo is not of Prari's birthday, it is darn cute. This picture is from the Memorial Day cookout. Today is Prari's birthday. I feel left out of the facebook loop officially. I love Prari for lots of reasons. The number one will always be that she led me to Jesus, well He did but through her! She is an evangelist, a wife, a mother, a generous and hospitable woman. She is honest and compassionate. Prari, may God bless you this year with grace, freedom and peace. May His face shine upon you and grow you more into the beautiful woman He made you to be. I love you!

Bam!

I am 26 weeks pregnant, which means I have 14+ weeks to go. I have felt more and more pregnant recently. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going. Although, you could ask me about that in 12 weeks and I might rip off your arm. It hasn't been bad but I am not looking forward to the heat either. I have been trying to get the house ready for baby #2, boy #3. I think a pretty big driving force for that is having a homebirth. At any rate, the house is being cleaned.

Kadin's Birthday

Wow, I am a slacker about blogging! Kadin's birthday was May 16th and he turned 11. I think he had a good birthday. The weekend before he went to Columbus for a birthday party with Grandma and Grandpa. He got a zoo pass which we used for his actual birthday. We all went to see the zoo babies. He had a little party at our house too. David also took him to see Star Trek. It was fun for everyone.

*Kadin wanted me to thank Grandma and Papa Royer for his gift and card. He currently has stashed the gift until he can think of something good he can use it for. :)

It's Another Boy!

No, I am not having twins.  Sheena just found out that she is having another boy too!  If you lost track, here is a rundown...

Crystal- Girl

Christine- Boy

Jenny- Boy

Rachel- Girl

Me- Boy

Sheena- Boy

We still don't know what the other Jenny is having.  I think the amount of boys around here is a little crazy!

It's A Boy!

We went to get our ultrasound yesterday. I was dying to know what this baby was going to be. Right away it was clear that this little one is another boy. He is more photogenic in utero than Isaac was. They said that he has big feet. When we got an ultrasound with Isaac they said he had long fingers. David and I are excited but still processing that we will have three sons (que tv theme song). As of now, we haven't locked on a name but I am sure that it won't be long.

Happy Belated Birthday Dad

My Dad turned 55 yesterday! I was sick and forgetful and didn't call him (gasp). So instead, Isaac and I decided to eat cake and say, "happy birthday Grandpa!" For the record, Isaac was thrilled to have cake in your honor. I love you Dad.

Cute

Eyebrows

Facebook And Other News

Oh my gosh, I got suckered into opening a facebook page.  I was going to delete it but I fell face first into Facebook.  First blogging, now this!  At this rate, I will be on Twitter in no time.  Right now, I am getting ready for the season premiere of LOST.  I am so excited but I remember nothing of the last season.  Oh well, as the title implies, I am lost but so entertained.  In other news, I hung out with a bunch of awesome ladies and their kids today.  I found a midwife (insert backflips here).  She's awesome, her kids are awesome, her husband is a massage therapist (cartwheel) and she lives a block over!  Thank you God!  

Wow!

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

1. Lauren and Sam get engaged at the beach on December 28, 2008
2. On December 22, 2008, Rachel and Britt find out that they are expecting #3.
3. A few days later, Sheena and Chris discover that they are having baby #2.
4. New Year's day my test is positive too.

What great times we're having here! So much excitement!

Yes, This Squirrel Was At The Beach House

Our family went down to the Outer Banks with the Ross clan and Sam and Lauren. To say that it was wonderful would be a complete understatement. Everybody had a rockin' good time. We went to Roanoke Island home of the "lost colony". We saw at least three different light houses. We rented bikes and rode along the coast. The shopping was great. The weather was good. I saw a million stars! David and I went to see the ocean at night. We played euchre, watched Pride and Prejudice, ran on the beach. The tribe of teenage boys were hilarious. Seth and Kadin got along well. Isaac officially became a toddler. Sam and Lauren got ENGAGED!!!! In typical Sarah fashion, I accidently bumbled into them just after. I am so glad that I was privy to one of the all time bests of 2008! More pictures, video and ramblings to follow.