October was a busy month for sure! Aside from the birth of Hyrum there were lots of activities with the other kids. Here are just a few.
We were not anticipating going to the trunk or treat given that it was shortly after Hyrums birth. Literally like 20 minutes before it was time to leave the kids begged Seth to take them. He relented and obliged. But since we were not planning on going they had no costumes so in 20 minutes we did what we could. Briggs and Nems were cowboys/cowgirls and Abby was a quickly recycled Peacock from last year. It turns out Briggs and Nems liked it so much they wanted to be that for Halloween too, which was a win for ME!
Carving Pumpkins
We finally got around to carving pumpkins the night before Halloween. As always the kids loved it. Briggs hated to touch the guts but he eventually did. Emily colored the little pumpkin while Briggs wanted his to be a vampire and Abby really wanted a Horse pumpkin but settled for a cat. Thanks to Seths drawing and carving skills they turned out really well, at least I think so. We also had treats while we carved which of course was a big bonus.
Halloween
The day finally arrived!!! Brigham and Nems were again a cowboy and cowgirl and Abigail wanted to be a Macaw this year. Thankfully Aunt Chandler volunteered to take that costume on. She came from Houston to do it and Abby just loved it!!! Thanks Ham. Hyrum hung out in his ghost onsie most of the day (which was one Abby wore for her first Halloween.) He also wore a costume that Brigham wore for His first Halloween. He was adorable.
Seth took the kids Trick or Treating while Hyrum and I passed out candy. We had so many trick or treaters compared to our old house. I would say we had at least 80-100! Once the kids got back I made them pick out the candy they dont like and put it in the bowl to pass out since we were running low. Once they got back they really loved handing out candy too. Hyrum got a lot of compliments :)
Then once we turned off the lights we watched a movie with the kids. We bought Inside Out and it was a great way to end the evening. Despite my reluctance to let the kids stay up so late...
Seth getting ready to join me in the operating room and me about ready to go under the knife.
October 13th, 2015
The day finally arrived!!! It was time for us to finally find out what our little baby was going to be. The week prior to the delivery was rather nerve racking; it was in that week that I was most anxious to find out what we were having. Not to mention the anticipation of having major surgery yet another time. I began to question what the heck we were thinking having another kid? 4 kids how are we going to do it? But mainly it was another c-section that gave me the greatest fear. Being poked and prodded and the recovery itself was enough to make me shutter time and time again. But alas, there was no turning back and I was truly excited to meet this little person that had been causing me grief for months on end. The night before Seth and his brother Luke administered a priesthood blessing which helped ease my anxieties.
My c-section (yes, my 4th) was scheduled for 12 pm on the 13th. Which gave us time to get the kids off to school, make final preparations and then head to the hospital. The level of fear on the day of surgery was great. Even though I have done it several times there are plenty of things to give cause for worry and my mind was reeling. We arrived at the hospital around 10 and the preparations began. I changed and then an IV was placed. That IV was absolutely the most painful IV I have ever had. It hurt like you know what. Blood was drown, test were run and all the pre-operation things were taken care of. By a small miracle, the nurse who was finalizing all the preparations happened to be someone we knew years ago and just so happened to be in our current ward (congregation at church) that we hadn't yet known about. She was extremely helpful at calming my nerves at several points before during and after surgery.
Then it was time...I was taken to the operating room where I was prepped before Seth could come in. First of all it was freezing in that room, that combined with my fears sent my body into the shivering/shakes. I was asked before hand if some students could observe the surgery which I agreed to. I did not however think that because of their observing the doctors would be explaining all they were doing in detail. Not Good. So as the Doctor who administered my spinal was using specific detail about needles and what not I was kinda freaking out, thankfulyl the above mentioned nurse started asking me really loud questions directly into my ear as the surgical assistant kept saying "she does not want to hear this!" Thank you ladies.
I have this fear that despite the spinal and meds, I will still feel all that they are doing. I am Thankful that fear did not come to fruition. Just the standard tugging and pulling and super uncomfortable feelings. After the spinal was given, Seth was brought in and immediately gave me a lot of comfort. The surgery then commenced. Seth saw and watched more than he has in my previous surgeries. Which it seems was more interesting than he thought it was going to be. Then several minutes passed...And my doctor told Seth it was time and then as he pulled the baby out Seth announced the gender of the baby, he said it was a boy and my immediate response was "are you serious?" Then on cue the doctor hung his bum over the curtain so I could see his man parts and confirm that indeed it was a boy. Which was a good thing because we had absolutely no clue what we were going to name it if it was a girl and we have known for months what the name would be if it was a boy.
ITS A BOY!!!!!
Hyrum's first seconds of life. Literally his butt is still in the womb.
Being pulled out into the world.
Seth was able to get some pretty close shots of what was going on. They are pretty graphic and I cannot even really look at them. To see yourself opened up like that is pretty crazy. Thus the above pictures were edited to crop my open body out of the picture.
During the surgery the doctor said some parts of me were starting to separate from other parts (of course he used much more technical terms, but i was drugged) and it was a good thing that I didn't go into labor naturally because it would have been really bad. Thus he was happy with our decision that Hyrum would be our last (at least biological) child. After 4 rather rough pregnancies and deliveries my body has had enough.
Then they closed me up. It seemed like it took forever. I began to have some pretty bad pains in my chest and I felt like I couldnt breathe. It wasnt the same feeling during my other surgeries. I cant explain it but I got pretty scared for a bit. They gave me two extra doses of pain meds to calm/alleviate the pain.
All the while Seth was going back and forth between Hyrum and I being the good dad and Husband that he is. Until he was able to get Him and come sit with me until they were done.
Hyrum getting cleaned off and checked out before he was given to Seth
Our big boy!
9 lbs 2 Ounces
21 1/2 inches long
Look at all that hair our little fellow had straight out of the womb!!! (Jazz hands)
Seth snagging pictures of them closing me up
Our first picture together!!!
After I was closed and the surgery was complete I was taken to wait for my room. At this point I was feeling pretty bad. I basically was convulsing because I was freezing and because of the medicines. It was so bad in fact that my nurse friend threw protocol out the window and retrieved a heater/blower and shoved in under my blankets. It was divine. It stayed there about an hour to keep me warm and I was ever so grateful.
About 3pm I went to my room to recover. Its always a trying time. Nurses and doctors constantly touching, talking and coaxing you to be well. No person could possible rest. Then to be moved just hours after your insides were on your outside is exactly pleasant. But I survived. Seth left at 4 to pick the kids up so they could come see their new little brother.
Also while being wheeled to my room out in the Hall was my DAD (who lives in Albuquerque) I was shocked. I wasnt expecting him. It was a nice surprise and he was the first grandparent to hold our little guy!
When the kids arrived They were beyond excited. You cant really tell from the video though... Emily was a bit hesitant to see me but she warmed up after a bit. It was Briggs who was so so loving. He was very concerned for my well being and just snuggled me so much. It was lovely. Then he did the same to Hyrum.
Unfortunately Seth had to leave town the next day so when he left with the kids I didnt see him until the next night around 10pm. Thankfully my wonderful friend Amy was insistent on staying with me and she took the night shift. She stayed all night and held Hyrum as I attempted to rest. She was really a blessing.
The next day proved to be trying. Long story short, they were trying to admit Hyrum to the NICU. Seth was gone, my friend had left (who also happens to be a nurse) and I had to "battle" with those working there. Several nurses thought he should go along with the pediatric NP. But they only see him while they are checking on me. They were worried about his breathing and sounds he made. I was with him all night along with my friend and to us it was more of his natural cooing and noises he made. But as the nurses changed shifts the concern of each nurse was amplified by the one leaving which didnt help. Despite the fact that the Pediatrician had twice come in and said he was OK. Thankfully the Charge nurse was on my side and helped fight that battle. Admitting him would mean he would have to be there at least 24 hours for observation. Been there done that. After an x-ray and another visit from the pediatrician they let me keep him :)
Just a bunch of Kinda random pics. My phone is overloaded with Hyrum Right now.
I also had some more awesome friends visit and baring gifts. They made me a cool banner for his crib and an awesome blanket and clothes. He also received his first teddy bear. It was nice too have visitors since Seth was gone. Its always cheering to have the people you love sit a chat especially when you look like poo and have your urine hanging from the bed. :/
Hyrum had his Circumcision on Thursday. My OB asked how I was feeling and if I wanted to go home. He cleared me to go as long as Hyrum was released, which he was almost exactly 48 hours after surgery we were on our way home!!! Despite all the fear, everything turned out well. Our Hyrum is handsome and loved so much. We both are doing good. I have a few residual issues one being postpartum preeclampsia. Who knew that was such a thing. But hopefully that will level out in time too. Right now we are ever so grateful for the wonderful blessings from out Father in Heaven, allowing us to raise these kids and entrusting them to our care. Especially for our most recent addition HYRUM whom we love and adore.
Our little bundle at 36 weeks. Thats the face if you cannot tell. Nose and eyes and what not.
This Pregnancy has certainly been trying to test my body. Its been a long hard battle this time around. Is it worth it, of course! We are so excited to meet this tiny human in just 2 short weeks it just seems like this pregnancy has been one to certainly remember.
35 Weeks
Aside from all the normal pregnancy things, my extreme nausea and dry heaving during the first few months I have also had 2 rounds of bronchitis, bells palsy and an overnight stay in the hospital with preterm contractions. This is the biggest I have ever been and I still have 2 weeks to go. My body aches in every place imaginable. I don't sleep much and the swelling set in a few weeks ago. I would swell during the day and it would go away while I slept. Now for the most part it just stays and makes my legs and feet feel like exploding.
This is me after being awake all night in the hospital being poked prodded and having contractions all night. It was tiring.
Essentially, a few weeks ago, I started to have fairly close contractions around 6pm. I had been up and about all day and the kids had been trying my patience. I figured once I got them to bed I could put my feet up and they would slow down. And they did a little. I was probably having 4-5 an hour. They hurt pretty bad but I wasn't too worried. They slowed a as I was going to bed. I slept for about an hour being awoken a few times by contractions. But about 11: 30 I could no longer stay asleep and I was wishing them away...
Finally about 12:15-12:30am I started timing them. They were worse then I thought. They were coming every 2-4 minutes and they were pretty painful. I timed them this way for about an hour, trying to decide what to do. Seth was out of town so going to the hospital in the middle of the night was not something that I wanted to do but it was clear that I had to.
I called the nurse who advised I go in because of my c-sections. I then called seth and sought his advice. Then it was grandma and grandpa to the rescue. I called them and by a miracle they were still awake and made it here very quickly. Russ gave me a blessing and stayed while the kids slept and cheri carted me to the hospital enjoying my contractions with me.
Long story short, I was admitted, given IV fluids checked and checked some more. The fluids slowed the contractions a little. We waited on the doctors advice on what to do next. After several hours they gave me a shot to help relax my uterus and stop the contractions. That lasted about 3 hours and they started up again. At this point I really thought I was going to be having the baby as the contractions wouldn't stop. All the while Seth is trying to figure out how to get home and what to do.
I was then given another shot of the same medicine and that one worked better. I was still having contractions but not as painful and only a few an hour. Finally around 5pm I was released. My sister came and hung out at the hospital and drove me home. I was on "couch" rest for a few days to see if that helped and it did. Seth made it home about the same time I did.
Everyday since then I have several painful contractions but everything is fine. My body just wants to give me pain. Some days are better than others and sometimes I swear that my water is going to break they are so painful. Its amazing that they can hurt so bad an I am not even dilating.
So that's my second visit to the hospital this pregnancy, lets hope the next one I have a baby in my arms :)
36 Weeks
Here is a front shot courtesy of Emily. My friend Kelly and I spent a day making freezer meals. My belly looks like I literally swallowed a basketball.
Then there are my lovely feet and legs. This pic isn't that bad really. But there have been a few days where my ankles are twice their size and my legs are just awful.
Here we are today. Exactly 2 weeks (or less) to go!!! I feel it. I have been told this baby will probably be weighing in over 9 lbs when its born. Which I believe!! I haven't been anxious about the babies gender until now. But seeing that it is getting so close I cannot help but wonder!!! We are all so excited. There is at least one conversation a day revolving around the baby and what we will name it if its a girl, since we already know what our boy name will be. The kids are all insisting its a boy so if its not... there are going to be some sad little kids. But no matter what when they see a cute little baby I know they wont truly care.
Two more weeks, two more weeks, TWO MORE WEEKS!!!!
