little man Tate

Tate Jameson Brooks is here!

Born: August 24 at 12:56 p.m.

Weight: 7 lbs, 9 oz.

Length: 19 1/2 inches long

Here's how it all went down... Monday morning we brought the girls to my brother Trent and Lydia's house so my mom could be there with us for the labor and delivery. I needed another cheerleader! :) We got to the hospital at 7:30 and waited for the doctor to get there from another hospital. When she arrived at 9:15 she attempted to break my water, but after several attempts she realized it was too tough. So she put a monitor on a baby's head which made a tiny whole in the sack causing water to leak slowly out. It took about an hour and a half for my water to finally start gushing out! I was able to get an epidural which was INCREDIBLE!!! I was able to feel the pressure during contractions, but not the pain, so that was amazing. They did give me a little bit of pitocin to speed up the process since I couldn't feel the pain anyways and the doctor was holding off on a c-section at another hospital until she could deliver my baby. At about 12:40ish I felt the urge to push, and after about 15 minutes of pushing, baby Tate was here!!! I did feel quite a bit of pain during the pushing, but it was still tons better than the pain I felt with the last two! I LOVED being induced and wish my other labors would've been so calm! :) Plus, the doctor I had - Fahnlander - was wonderful and so were the nurses. They made the experience very enjoyable!

One thing that was kinda funny was that when the doctor was trying to break my water, she said Tate's hand was above his head trying to grab her hand. It was funny at the time, but when I asked her what would happen if his hand stayed there, she said it would be a complicated delivery and make it harder to push him out. Fortunately, he did move his hand, but he only moved it down as far as his shoulder, so after pushing his head out, I still had quite a hard time pushing his shoulders out with his little hand there.

We came home yesterday afternoon and the girls have LOVED having him home. They want to be with him and hold him all the time. It'll be kinda nice when the novelty of having a new baby in the house wears off. :) He's usually pretty calm, but last night was rough. He really likes to eat and wanted to eat at least every 2 hours and sometimes sooner. So that's gonna have to stop! I think the problem is that at night he's so tired that I can't get him to finish a complete feeding, so he's hungry sooner. Tonight I will just force him to eat a full meal each time so he won't be so hungry.

It's great having mom here this week. She leaves on Saturday and then Chad's mom will come for the next week. I don't know what I'd do without them! Especially if the nights continue to be so rough!

nothin'

By popular demand, (okay... maybe just one person requested it... that's you, Amy K!), here's the very last picture of me as a pregnant mommy.

Although I'm SOOO ready to have this baby, it does make me a little sad thinking these are the last days I'll ever have being pregnant. I'm trying to enjoy them the best I can, despite all the uncomfortableness.

And no, I never went to the hospital yesterday, although I thought about it several times. I had pretty strong contractions all day, but none that were painful enough to send me in a panic to the hospital.

Mom and Dad came up last night and will be here all weekend so it will be nice and easy if we need to leave suddenly. And if the baby doesn't come until Monday, mom will still be here when I'm induced and then will stay for awhile. So, all fronts are covered from here on out. It's a relief to know I won't be stuck anywhere by myself now if I go into labor and have to worry about finding someone to watch the girls.

We're ready.

Come on, baby.

am I in labor?

This morning I came really close to going to the hospital. I started having contractions at 4:30 am and they were pretty intense and consistent most of the morning. But they weren't painful, just really tight. Does that make sense? When I would get up and do stuff, they weren't as strong so I thought they were just my regular ol' Braxton Hicks that I've been having for months now. But then every time I'd lay back down, they were really intense again. And now I'm having them again off and on.

I had an appointment at 10:00 this morning and the doctor said I could be laboring since I am 4 cm. He offered to hook me up to monitors, but I figured that would only tell me I'm having contractions and I already know that. He did say that if they seem consistent at all to go on into the hospital. He made it sound like they would probably just keep me since I'm dilated and contracting.

But this isn't like my last labor at all, so I'm just not sure. With Millie, I woke up at 12:30 am, started having intense contractions that soon became extremely painful and had Millie at 2 am, after they broke my water. So, if these contractions start getting painful, I'm definitely heading straight for the hospital!

Maybe these are just Braxton Hicks. I don't know. But if I don't have this baby this weekend, then I will be induced Monday morning at 7. So I will at least be holding this baby in my arms by Monday!!!

Kinda funny, though - if this baby is born today, he'll share a birthday with my niece Clara. Tomorrow is his Uncle Mark's b-day and Sunday is his Uncle Trent's b-day and Millie was born on my nephew Kaiden's b-day, which is Wednesday. My other niece Taryn has a b-day on the 29th, and of course my other daughter's b-day is just a week later on Sept 3rd. Crazy times. Let the birthday season begin!

arrrgh

No, I'm not a pirate.

Just a frustrated mommy. I was supposed to see the doctor this morning and schedule a date to be induced, but unfortunately she had a family emergency (I do hope everything's okay), and now I have to wait until tomorrow for my appointment. The annoying thing about this is that the doctor may have let me be induced tomorrow, but now I can't even make an appointment until tomorrow so I'll have to wait until Monday for sure since they don't do it on the weekends.

Arrgh.

Oh well, I just have to keep reminding myself that this is all in God's timing. Maybe I'll go into labor on my own this weekend anyways. As long as it's not as fast as Millie's labor... although we have read up on home births, it's not something I'm really "into." I'm all okay with the whole "natural" thing, but I would really prefer a nice clean hospital room with a competent doctor and helpful nurses and some DRUGS. I've yet to experience the full benefits of an epidural and I would REALLY appreciate that this time.

Hopefully the next time you hear from me will be from the maternity ward with a beautiful baby boy nestled up to me!

update

This is a paci update. Not a baby update. Sorry if I disappointed you, but until my appointment tomorrow morning I have no new news on this baby front. I'll just tell you, I'm READY.

However, the paci situation is going very well! It has now been almost a week and Millie has actually been taking naps and falling asleep at night without the use of the dreadful thing, and also without sucking on her thumb or fingers like I was afraid would happen. There have been a few times when she mentioned it, like the other morning when she woke up and said, "Where's my paci?" I reminded her that it broke and she said, "Daddy fix it" in a very certain tone. I said, "No, honey, it's gone now." And she simply said, "Okay."

It does take her longer to fall asleep now, but at least she's not crying out for paci and she does eventually fall asleep. Now if I could only go back in time and have done this a long time ago, maybe her front teeth wouldn't be sticking out. Don't get me wrong, I love her little toothy grin, but I'm not sure I want to pay an orthodontist thousands of dollars in the future to fix it.

I will say, with this next baby, I will still allow him to have a paci - just not the Soothie type that the hospital hands out. They're dreadful. Not only do they cause their teeth to jut out, but they also will roll for miles when they fall out of little mouths. I didn't intend for her to get that type of paci to start. I had different ones packed in our suitcase, only my labor was so fast that the suitcase didn't make it up to the maternity ward until after our tiny crying baby caused the nurses to give her a Soothie. After that, she wouldn't touch the ones I brought. I WILL make SURE that does NOT happen THIS time!

the end of the paci era

Wednesday night Millie's pacifier (more affectionately known as "paci") broke.  She was only using it for sleeping and we were really wanting to put an end to it soon since it's affecting her teeth.  So, having it break was really a great way to put an end to the paci era.  But, with the baby coming soon, who will probably have a paci, I'm not so sure the timing is that great...

Chad put her to bed last night and said it took awhile to get her to calm down.  She has now been in bed for 45 minutes babbling the entire time.  Normally she falls asleep within minutes.  But at least she's not crying for "paci."  She realizes that it broke and is now gone.  However, I'm not sure who's suffering more right now - her, Addie, or mommy.  Poor Addie is trying to take her nap with little sister on the bunk below her babbling incessantly.  Poor mommy is extremely tired after a morning of running the girls around town on errands and just wants to take a nap.  I'm sooo close to pulling out the back-up paci and sticking it in her mouth, but I won't do it.  I don't think.  It would ruin everything, right?  Right.  So I won't do it.  I promise.  But it's so tempting.

a little fliparoo!

I am sooo happy right now.  We went to the hospital at 6:00 this morning.  The nurse felt the baby and said he moved so freely and that she didn't seem to think that his head was down yet.  I was really bummed and started to get nervous (I'd been reading way too much on the internet about how painful this procedure could be).  She put monitors on me and the baby, gave me an IV, and then we had to wait until after 7 for the OB to get there.  He came in, did an ultrasound and saw the head was already down!  Yay!  What a HUGE relief!  Now we're just hoping he'll stay that way since he seems to like to swim around in there.  Thanks so much to all of you who were praying for me and baby! 

jewelry bash!

About a week and a half ago I held my 3rd Annual Jewelry Bash that I've done every year since I started my Premier Designs business.  This year 39 ladies came, so it was a huge success!  I know they were just there for the prizes and the chance to win $100 free jewelry!  :)  And since there were so many, this was the first year I've had to hold it outdoors.  However, I'm thinking I should reserve a room somewhere for next year's party, because I was awfully nervous all day hoping it wouldn't rain!  Enjoy a few pics!

My Sample Jewelry table - all items were 50% off.  Sold about 3/4 of what I had out there!

The prize table - Every 7 minutes, I had a timer go off and I'd draw a ticket for someone to pick a prize off this table.  The tote bags are always such a hit, so I made sure to have a TON this year!  That's mainly what you see folded up on the left side of the table.

The consolation prize table - for those whose name wasn't drawn.  But at least they didn't go home empty handed!

The beautiful jewelry!  Oh, and incase you're wondering... Theresa Hill was the lucky winner of the $100 in free jewelry.

The setup before everyone arrived!

Some of my beautiful guests.

Not sure what I'm doing here... trying to fly?  Good luck with that big belly...

Playing a passing game.  Keep it going, Londa.

Diana looks pretty excited!

Not the best pic of me, but the only one I have of my lovely assistant Gina.  Without her, I would've been a wreck!  She helped with checking people in, handing out tickets, drawing names every 7 minutes, taking pictures, checking people out and just about everything else.  Thanks, Gina!

Thanks to all my lovely guests who came out for the party!  Hope to see you again next year!

review time

So, it seems my blogs lately have all been about the pregnancy and impending delivery.  I decided to throw in something a little different to spice it up a bit.  Don't get too excited.  It's not really that spicy, just different.  

Chad and I have had a lot of late nights lately where I am too exhausted to do anything but sit and be mindless for awhile.  Since we don't have cable, and can now only get a few channels thanks to the digital switch (yes, we have a digital antenna, but several of the stations still skip or don't show up at all), we have been renting a few movies here and there.  So, I've decided to let you in on some good ones we've seen recently:

1- Seven Pounds.  Excellent movie.  However, I'm not going to include a link for more info on this one because I think it's best to go into not having a clue what's going on.  That's how we did it and although it was a little confusing at first, it really got us hooked.  I will warn you, however, that although we really liked this movie, it may lead some to think that it's glorifying suicide.  I don't think that's the point, but I thought I'd raise the flag before someone beat me to it.

2 - Marley and Me.  I thought this was going to be a kid's movie much like "Beethoven," so I wasn't too excited to rent it since I've definitely seen my share of kids movies lately.  However, it was almost more of a "couples" movie because it traveled through the lives of a couple from marriage to raising kids, with the dog woven through it all.  I did shed some tears, but it also made me want to go out and get a dog like my old pal Buford.  If only I could just resurrect him... although that may be a little creepy...

3 - Defiance.  Good movie.  Not super awesome like I was led to believe, but good nonetheless.  It's a true story of a group of Jews in Nazi Germany that hide out in the woods during the holocaust.  I liked it because it wasn't very disturbing like most holocaust movies, although I know those are good to see too, I just would rather not be disturbed right now.  And although there was some violence, it was done in good taste.

4 - Bride Wars.  Yes, Chad actually sat through this one with me.  It was cute.  Of course, not real deep, just entertaining and fun.  Although it led me to wonder if ALL couples live together before marriage now, or what?  It certainly seems to be the trend in most movies now.  Luckily, the movie wasn't about their love lives, mostly about their friendship and had some great comedy.

And just so you don't think my mind is total jello, I've also been doing some reading here and there.  So, here are a few books that I recommend:

1 - Riven, by Jerry Jenkins.  My dad lent this to me when I was staying with them a few weeks ago.  It really grabs you.  I had a hard time putting it down, although I had to with 2 small children running around.  But it was great for reading at night when I couldn't sleep.  Of course I won't tell you the ending, but I will say I wasn't too sure how I felt about it.  It was a different ending than I expected, which is maybe a good thing?  I don't know... the jury's still out on that one.  But the whole of the book was definitely great.

2 - Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall & Denver Moore.  Again, wonderful book.  This is a true story about a modern-day slave (yes, there really is/was such a thing) and a wealthy art dealer and how their lives become woven together.  Very interesting.  Thanks to my brother-in-law Scott for getting this for me for Christmas.  I read it during my first trimester of this pregnancy when I was puking my guts up.  Oh, memories...

The next book on my list is Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand.  However, it has been on hold at the library forever and I just can't bring myself to actually buy it.  Especially now with the baby coming and not knowing when I'll ever have the chance to read again.  But when and if I ever do get around to it, I'll promise to include a review.  I'm sure you'll all be anxiously waiting 'til then.

nursery? check!

Yay!  The nursery is done!  

Thanks very much to my dear mother-in-law for painting all the blue parts on that wall!  I know that was quite a chore.  I finished the rest of the polka dots on the other walls this morning and painted the back of the shelf blue.  And thanks to my parents for the awesome bumper pad (it's "breathable" so I don't have to worry about my baby suffocating) and for the great blue hamper!  The nursery wouldn't be complete without 'em!

So, unless I'm forgetting something, I think it's all ready for this baby to move in!  Let's just try and get him turned first.

Last night, Chad and I tried several things to get this baby to turn.  We put headphones on my lower belly, along with a flashlight, and Chad also spoke to him to try and get him to move down.  It might sound crazy, but these are all legitimate methods that people swear work.  And he did make a lot of huge movements like he was trying to flip once he heard the music and daddy's voice and saw the light.  It's possible he may have turned, but I'm not sure.  He moves so much all the time that I really can't tell.  But we'll just keep trying incase he's still bottom first.  I also tried the "elephant walk" on my hands and feet, but that seemed to do nothing but kill my back.

ugh

I had my Dr.'s appointment this afternoon and have good news and bad news.  The good news is that I'm now 3 centimeters and the baby is measuring normal - weighing in at a little over 6 pounds (which I've learned not to trust after they were completely off on Addie's ultrasound - was told later that they can be 2 pounds off!).  The baby is also still a boy, which is good news since I've already sold most all our baby girl clothes and started stocking up on boy stuff.

The bad news is... the baby is now breech.  Ugh.  Last week the doctor said he felt his head was down.  But I do have a lot more amniotic fluid that normal, so he may just like to swim around in there.  I'm praying that he turns again before next Wednesday.  I have an "external version" scheduled for 7:00 am next Wednesday at Iowa Methodist Hospital.  The doc will come in and try and turn the baby externally, which I've heard is extremely painful.  The bummer too is that it only works in 50% of attempts and even if it does work, the baby can flip again before labor.  But the doctor thinks it's worth a try to avoid a C-section.  It can also put me into labor whether or not the baby turns, so they'll keep me in the hospital for a few hours afterwards to monitor me and the baby.

So, please pray that this baby turns on his own.  I'm really nervous right now about turning him manually.  And if you have any tips for helping him turn, let me know!  I know one of my friends mentioned putting headphones on the lower part of her tummy and playing music and her baby actually flipped!  Anything's worth a try!

ready or not...

The big question lately (besides "You're still pregnant?!") is "Are you ready?"  That's a toughie.  Here's a list of reasons why I'm NOT ready:

• Don't have a name picked out.  However, this is not unusual for us... Adeline's name wasn't even on our "list."  We thought of it when I was at the hospital in labor.
• There are still purple flowers on the nursery walls that need blue polka dots painted over them.  I'm making that my weekend project.  It'll probably take less than a few hours, but it's the whole idea of just getting the paint out that exhausts me.
• Haven't brought up the old baby items (swing, car seat, bassinet, etc) and washed them down yet.  They probably have "basement funk" all over them.
• Haven't gotten "caught up" in my scrapbooks.  I'm over a year behind on our family albums and still haven't done Millie's baby album.  My goal was to be completely caught up before this baby came.  I'm not very good at setting realistic goals.
• Not packed for the hospital.  Seriously, how can I actually have my "bags packed" when I still need to use everything I'm bringing to the hospital?  Not to mention that the girls will need their bags packed too if this baby comes in the night and they have to be hauled off somewhere.
• I'll miss my "shelf."  This bump has been really handy for keeping my dip on when enjoying my favorite snack - chips and dip.  It also works well for setting drinks on when I need a free hand.  Actually, it's been quite nice for setting most anything on, including Millie when she constantly wants to be held.
• I'll miss the kicking.  Believe it or not, even though this little boy has gotten extremely active, likes to kick my bladder, push up against my lungs and barely seems to sleep anymore, I know I'll miss those odd little (and big) movements in my tummy.
• Not sure I want to have this baby at home.  Seriously.  Last time we barely made it to the hospital in time, and now we live 20 minutes farther away.  That's why they want to induce me at 39 weeks.  But what happens if my water breaks at home?  With Millie, she was out just a few minutes after that.  Kinda scary.  Chad better start researching how to do a home birth. 
• I'm starting to get nervous when I remember how much pain is actually involved in childbirth.  I have yet to feel the benefits of an epidural.  My only hope this time is to be induced and I'm not sure I'm going to make it that long.  Yikes.  I think the stress of remembering the pain just gave me a contraction.  I'd better move on...

Now for the list of reasons why I AM ready:

• I want to sleep.  Yes, I know when the baby comes I'll be up all hours of the night feeding him, but I guarantee I will get more sleep then than I am now.  Did you notice what time I'm blogging this?  (I think my timer is off - it's actually 1:39 a.m.)  I'm tired of "sleeping" in the recliner.  But I can't sleep in bed anymore because my hips can't take all my weight lying on my side.  Plus, I miss falling asleep with Chad.
• My skin is no longer as stretchy as I thought.  I noticed my first stretch mark this morning.  And here I was getting all cocky thinking I could make it through 3 babies without any marks.  (Yes, I know all of you stretch-marked moms are boo-hooing for me.)
• So I can walk around without feeling like a sideshow.  My own brother told me the other night that I looked "hilarious."  Isn't that what every woman wants to hear?  I'm sure he meant it in a good way.  Wait, that was from Trent... yeah, probably not.
• I can't wait to hold this baby in my arms.  Those first moments are so precious.  Here are a few good memories from the last two:

Adeline

Emilia

The end result makes it all worth it.  I guess that's why I'm on number 3!  Please don't take my above list as complaining.  I'm just merely stating the facts of my life at the moment.  I am blessed beyond reason that God has allowed us to have two healthy babies and, Lord willing, a third.  I would put up with all of the discomfort again for these babies.  But I do mean, just these 3 babies.  We're definitely done after this one!  ;)

Tomorrow afternoon is my ultrasound and doctor's appointment.  I'll try to keep y'all posted!