Jonny & Megan: September 2013

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Aaron's Birth Story

This is mostly for myself (and other suckers like me who like reading birth stories), so feel free to pass if you're not up for all the details!

Like Catherine, Aaron gave us a few scares thinking he was going to show up early. Luckily things always calmed down before I got really worried, but I tried to take it as easy as possible with two kids to chase around.

Much to my doctor's apparent confusion, I didn't have her check me at my 40 week appointment (I thought I was only 39 weeks) on Sept. 14th. I figured it doesn't matter anyway--if it happens it happens. Why get my hopes up? I left with an appointment for a week later and instructions to arrange an induction if nothing had happened by then.

Saturday was when I felt like things were starting to progress. I woke up in the night with some serious cramps for about an hour, but luckily nothing came of it. The next morning I lost at least part of my mucous plug and was hoping labor would be imminent, but it wasn't to be. Instead of going to the hospital I drove to the airport to pick up my mom. Now at least we had a babysitter if I went into labor!

Sunday was my last day doing Singing Time before I put myself on maternity leave. Knowing that my mom was here, I wasn't afraid to put in all those jumping/bouncing/get-this-baby-out songs I'd been avoiding the past few weeks. The kids were very obliging--Junior Primary had me jumping and spinning, while Senior had me doing squats.

After lunch I finally sat down to rest and notice that my cramps were coming pretty consistently. I had been feeling kind of crampy all morning and was pretty hopeful that this was it. But I refused to time anything until they started to hurt. An hour or so later I had a bit of bloody show and told Jon he was on high alert. We decided a family walk would be a great idea. By the end of the walk I had to slow down to walk through the contractions.

I started timing contractions as I was making dinner. They were averaging 3 minutes apart, lasting about one minute, but there wasn't any real pain. They were uncomfortable, but I wasn't calling until they HURT. No point in going in just to be sent home.

Here was the gamble, though--Jon had a Priesthood meeting at the Stake Center that night. It's a 35 minute drive, plus he was planning on carpooling with a few other guys. He asked me repeatedly if he should cancel, but I told him to go ahead--the contractions weren't really progressing. I figured we'd be going in that night, but not until later.

So Jon leaves and I sit down on the floor to scan something for my mom. Not sure if it was the change in position or what, but I felt something kind of 'pop' near the top of my belly. At first I thought my water had broken, but nothing happened there. I still don't know exactly what it was, but all of a sudden the contractions started to hurt.

I stuck it out as long as I thought was safe before telling Jon he needed to come home. He made it through all of one talk (sorry, sweetie). While he was driving home I packed our bags, helped Mom get babies in bed, and called my OB who said to come in.

We made it to the hospital around 8 pm. After waiting so long to come in (and waiting for the contractions to really hurt), I was hoping I would be at 5-6 cm when I got there. No luck--just 3-4. My body does not do labor quickly. Luckily my contractions were strong and consistent, so they let me stay. I was at a 5 when they admitted me 45 minutes later.

The best part of this whole ordeal was the epidural, which ACTUALLY WORKED this time. Third time's a charm, I guess! It was amazing to actually be able to nap through my contractions instead of shaking in pain. Best. Thing. Ever.

Around 1 a.m. my nurse came in to have my lay on my side (better for the baby during labor). Then a few minutes later she came back and announced that the baby didn't like that side and I needed to roll over. I obliged (with some serious help--those epidurals really do a number on your legs), only to have her back in a few minutes later. Apparently his heart rate was dropping with every contraction. She checked me to see how things were going--I was at a 9.5, but my water still hadn't broken.

Announcing that I was ready to have a baby, she left the room and said she'd be back in 20 minutes with the OB. The second she closed the door I felt this immense pressure. I told Jon, "I think I need to push." Luckily the nurse came back in just a couple minutes later with the doctor. I told her I felt a lot of pressure, and sure enough--my water had broken and I was ready to have a baby.

Once they had everyone assembled, they let me start pushing. Seven minutes later, at 1:39 a.m., Aaron was born (sunny side up--I'm three for three now!). I didn't get to hold him immediately because there was menconium in the amniotic fluid when my water broke. They had to make sure they got it out of his lungs ASAP. But once that was all over, I got to hold him all I wanted.

Giving birth to #3 was a very different experience than it was with #1 and #2, which was interesting since it was the same hospital every time. Not sure if it was a policy change or just because they figured I knew what I was doing this time, but I swear I barely saw the nurses. With Seth and Catherine they were in every hour pestering me and the baby. No one even gave me the go-ahead to start nursing--I just did it. Very odd.

Possible explanation--they were CRAZY busy. Later that evening my nurse came in, asking me if I would be willing to move out of my room (you're supposed to get to stay in the same room the entire time). Apparently they were out of rooms and had at least four women waiting for C-sections and inductions. I happily obliged and transported myself, Aaron, and all my stuff (minus the laptop charger, which has never been seen again) to the pediatric unit down the hall.

I have to say--this lack of rooms worked to my advantage. I HATE staying in the hospital and always want to leave after 24 hours instead of 48. Usually they drag their heels about letting me go, but this time they were (once again) desperate for rooms and happy to kick me out. Mom (who had spent the night with me--thank you, thank you!) and I were out of there and on our way home by 11 a.m.

The kids were ecstatic to see us and came rushing out the door when we pulled up. There's nothing I love more than being home with my babies--all three of them.

Aaron's was by far the easiest and most relaxing birth (plus the shortest--only 7 hours from the first painful contraction until he was born). Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll be a very easy and relaxed newborn, too!

Aaron Russell

Aaron Russell made his appearance on Monday, September 16th at 1:39 am.

My OB claims he was two days late.

I think he was four days early.

6 lbs. 14 oz. (my smallest baby by one ounce)

20.5 inches (exact same as Seth)

His hair is a nice, dark auburn color (please stay red!) and his eyes at birth were a dark brown ringed with dark blue. So basically we have no idea what color they'll end up.

He is very obviously our baby, although we think he's a good mix of his siblings

Seth is the world's proudest big brother.

He ADORES Aaron and announces his arrival to everyone who makes eye contact.

He even shouted it out his bedroom window to our neighbor the night we brought Aaron home.

Catherine, on the other hand, refused to acknowledge his existence.

"Do you want to see baby Aaron?"

"NO."

She warmed up a bit after Aaron "gave" her a My Little Pony (Seth got Matchbox cars):

But she was mostly still not interested in the baby.

Very interested in my hospital bed, though.

"Mommy all done sleeping. Get out."

Welcome to our family, little Aaron. Hope you're up for what's ahead of you!

Back to Reality

We said our goodbyes to Utah and family, jumped back on a plane (remind me to never, ever fly again by myself with two kids at 39 weeks pregnant), and enjoyed our last days before baby #3 appears.

In an excellent bit of planning on my part, Seth's first day of gymnastics was at 9:15 am the day after we flew home. That's 7:15 am Utah time. We made it there just a bit late, but still in plenty of time for Seth to fall in love with the whole experience.

Seth is in the orange shirt, telling Miss Paula that he wants to jump over ALL the blocks

And that orange blur is Seth, clearing all the blocks.

Catherine is generally displeased that she is not enrolled in the class, too (she's too young).

But there was one day when Seth was the only kid in class, so Paula let Catherine join in:

Catherine swings

Seth swings

Two happy, jumping babies

And, just because this place is the coolest ever, they have an open gym on Fridays where the kids can go and just do whatever they want for an hour. Catherine loves it so much that we go every week and tell her that it's her gymnastics class:

Jumping with Daddy

Seth practicing the jump and roll (he's very good)

Seth's face in this one just cracks me up

Strong little girl

Seth had no idea what he was getting into when he asked to be strapped into this thing.

There was a moment of terror when Paula launched him, but then he squealed with joy.

Of course, he hasn't gotten back in since...

Seth also started his first day of co-op at Miss Tiffany's house:

He was SO excited to go to 'school'.

Catherine was NOT excited that Seth got to go to school:

Luckily now there's a playgroup at the church during Seth's co-op, so she can do 'school', too!

And, just for fun, Catherine's latest favorite activity:

The Lightning McQueen obsession continues

Just a random picture of a puzzle we did.

And my kids are cute.

Hogle Zoo

My mom really wanted to take the kids to Hogle Zoo while we were in Utah, so that's what we did on our last day before flying home.

Our first stop was the splash pad (what a great zoo to have a splash pad!). Minus the part where the blowhole noise made my kids (and every other kid) run away in terror, it was a great little place to play.

Catherine & Bubba on the slide

I have no idea what was loud here, but Catherine didn't like it.

Visiting the polar bear.

Seth apparently has a question.

Checking out the primates

Big old sleeping gorilla

Seth rides the rhino...

...while Catherine elects to be carried by Grandma

Seth insisted on taking possession of my camera to snap this picture:

Not sure how Scuba Cleaner Guy felt about being a zoo exhibit.

Giant mister fans = best idea ever.

Especially when you're pregnant (which I very, very clearly am)

Group shot with a giant metal elephant.

None of the kids are looking.

Then it was on to the most exciting part of the zoo: the carousel!

Uncle Brian was kind enough to ride with Catherine so Mommy could sit down for a few minutes

Kenna rides with Adleigh

Seth had to be pried off the bench behind him and onto an animal that actually moved.

I was a little shocked that he cooperated.

Riding with Grandma

Beth spent the whole ride posing for the camera

so I'm putting this picture of her looking like a dork up here instead.

Seth getting devoured by a giant-headed lion

Hot, tired and fat (oh, that's just me) at the end of the day.

The kids had a blast looking at all the animals and Seth talked everyone's ears off with all his questions. Thank you for a great day at the zoo, Grandma Cathy!

Family Reunions

Since both of our families are Utah based (but neither of our immediate families), we got the chance to visit everyone during our trip: Bloods, Coxes, Mikesells and Carnahans. Definitely a successful trip!

Part of our visit with the Carnahans was a trip to visit Grandpa's grave. It's been 9 months and it's still strange to think he's gone. We brought flowers for him, and Seth asked a lot of questions.

Labor Day was the great Mikesell family reunion. The last time we pulled one of these off was in 2005, so it was about time! Amazingly, almost everyone managed to make it, which is nothing short of a miracle for this family.