My "Just Wait"

My friend Megan shared this post from The Power of Moms blog called Joy or “Just Wait”? The author discusses her experience overhearing another women tell new parents "just wait until your new baby is a teenager." Basically bringing dread to the joy of parenting. The author lists her positive "just wait" moments. This made me want to list some of my own. I never had very many dreadful "just waits" with Izebelle, except "just wait until she's two," which turned into "just wait until she's three." Both ages were a bit difficult, but also manageable.

My first big batch of "just waits" occurred when I was expecting Kaelie. I was terrified I wouldn't be able to handle it at all. I seriously thought I would spend most days crying because of stories I'd heard. Stories about them screaming at me, picking on each other, fighting over toys constantly or both kids having melt downs in the store at the same time.This made me upset because I was looking forward to sisters. I loved growing up with a sister. Cara was my first friend.

I remember telling secrets to her, having picnics with her, running through the sprinklers with her, and always wanting to hang out with her. Nowadays whenever anything big happens to me I either call her or Marty right away. 

Yeah, we didn't always get along, but we loved each other a lot. I wanted my girls to have the same bond with each other that I did with Cara. But all the "just waits" made me scared that the first couple years would be miserable. 

Now I have several friends expecting their 2nd child and a few expecting their 3rd. I want to tell them that life around here hasn't always been easy, but it has been so wonderful. I want to share a few of my sibling "just waits" with you amazing ladies. 

 

"Just wait" until your child meets their new sibling for the first time

"Just wait" until your child constantly asks to hold and feed the new baby because they just can't get enough of them

"Just wait" until your child laughs when the baby sneezes or laughs when they wiggle their toes

"Just wait" until they play peek-a-boo and other games together

"Just wait" until your baby laughs so hard because their big sibling is the funniest person on earth

"Just wait" until your child sings the new baby lullabies so they stop crying

"Just wait" until they hold hands in the car and while they're watching movies

"Just wait" until one randomly asks the other for a hug and a kiss

"Just wait" until your oldest 'reads' books to their sibling

"Just wait" until they kiss each others boo-boos

"Just wait" until they dance to a good song together

"Just wait" until your youngest can't wait to be like their big brother/sister

"Just wait" until your child jumps up and down in excitement and congratulates their sibling for using the potty for the first time

"Just wait" until your child comforts their younger sibling when its dark and assures them there's nothing to be afraid of

"Just wait" until they're playing and laughing in a fort together

"Just wait" until they first tell each other 'I love you'

and finally:

"Just wait" until they become each others best friend

When I got pregnant with baby number three the "just waits" hit an all time high. Everyone said, "three is the hardest." "Its so much work." "Three broke me." I honestly thought I would never leave the house again without Marty. That I would never wear make up again because I would never have time. I was wrong. Three is great! Sure things aren't always rainbows and lollipops, but we have so much fun together. I can't imagine life any other way.

I really hope you other moms have as much joy in the journey as I'm having.

Deen's Arrival

I've been wanting to write this post for a while. Things have been pretty crazy around here, but also wonderful.

My pregnancy with Deen went pretty well. My main complaints were a lot of heartburn and I felt tired a lot. Near the end I did have hip pain and because he was a bigger baby, it was getting harder to breath. Once I hit 37 weeks I was ready to try all the natural remedies to induce labor. Luckily when I went to my 38 week appointment on March 11 my doctor said she thought I would go into labor sometime that week. That was music to my ears, especially since I wasn't scheduled to be induced until the 18th. I woke up on the 12th and the thought popped in my head, "today is the day." That day I did everything to get labor going. I did squats, walked up and down stairs, and did a few other things, but I think what really helped was walking up and down a steep street near where we live with my friend Tracy. Three hours after walking with Tracy, my contractions really kicked in. So I went and got ready and called my doctor's office.

We arrived at the hospital around 10:30 pm. My contractions were 3-4 minutes apart and I was 4.5 cm dilated, so they admitted me. I was so excited for a couple reasons. It was my first pregnancy where I went into labor without being induced, his birthday would be 3-13-13 (just like Cara and I had hoped for), and I was gonna meet my baby boy soon.



Around 12:30 am the doctor broke my water and the anesthesiologist came in to give me my epidural. It hurt more than I remembered but it was so worth it. Around 1:30 am I started to feel sick and dizzy and Deen's heart rate started to drop. They said my body and his were reacting as if my blood pressure were too low, but it wasn't. They still gave me the medicine that would help stabilize my blood pressure. It ended up making me and Deen feel a lot better. Around 2:45 am I wasn't progressing past 7 cm, so they started me on pitocin. The nurse checked me at 3:30 am and I was 8 cm. She said she would be back in thirty minutes. Fifteen minutes later I was feeling a lot of pressure, so I called the nurse back in. She said I was ready to try some practice pushes. After two pushes she made me stop because I was doing too well and the doctor wasn't in the room yet. After he got there, I only had to push for three contractions. Deen arrived at 4:12 am. He was so beautiful and absolutely perfect. He was 9 lbs and 20 in. long. The largest of my three babies, but the easiest delivery.

On Thursday morning (around 24 hrs later) I was feeling more like myself. But by the afternoon I started to feel a little sick. After resting for a few hours I woke up with a fever of 101.2 and I had a strong feeling like I had to throw up. The nurse told me to just lay down and to try to eat something. She wasn't really taking me seriously about how bad I felt. A few minutes later I threw up all over the bathroom. After that she finally started to listen to me. They put Deen in the nursery for a few hours and Marty came back later that night to help me out. I still felt sick Friday and still had a fever. I went home Friday afternoon and I was still sick until Sunday. I received a Priesthood blessing Sunday night. It was amazing. I felt so much better a little after receiving it and was actually able to stay up with Deen that night and eat something other than toast. I was furious that I got so sick after having a baby. Especially since it was my easiest delivery and I was already feeling so well physically. But I am so happy that I am blessed to know worthy Priesthood holders and that I could receive a blessing from my Heavenly Father.

Its already been almost three weeks since Deen joined our family. I can't believe it. We had a little bit of trouble getting him to eat the first weekend he was home because all he wanted to do was sleep. He's really gotten the hang of it and is getting to be a big boy. He is so sweet and content. He only cries when he is hungry and when he has baths, but he calms down instantly when you sing to him. He is so loveable and his sisters just adore him. We are so lucky to have him in our family.

1 week old

Baby #3 Update

I'm 38 weeks. I have one more doctors appointment (tomorrow) and then I get induced next monday. I'm hoping I go into labor sometime this week, but if I don't then at least he'll be here next week. We are so excited. Ize seriously talks about him everyday. I can't wait for them to hold their brother.

My friend Melanie and a friend from church, Tracy, worked together to throw me an awesome baby shower. We know the best people. We have seriously received so much. From diapers to clothes to a pack-and-play and a stroller. Its more than I ever expected. We are so grateful. We have everything set up for him. Now we just need this little guy to make his appearance. 

 15 weeks

 28 weeks

 Also 28 weeks

 30 weeks

 35 weeks

 38 weeks

 38 weeks, my view looking down
    (bye-bye feet)

Izebelle's 4th Birthday

I honestly cannot believe Ize is already 4. I saw a quote today that said, "The days are long, but the years are short." Its so very true.

Izebelle is talking a lot and she is more articulate. She has improved so much since she started school a year ago. Ize loves to sing and be silly. She loves to laugh and make people laugh. Ize likes to watch tv. She really likes interactive shows.
Ize is very social and loves going to school and to church so she can learn and see her friends. She gets very enthusiastic about things she likes. She has so much energy.
Ize talks about getting married. The other day she asked me to marry her and said we would live happily ever after. She is also quite independent. She always tells me she can do it herself and doesn't need any help.

We are so blessed to have such an amazing person in our lives. There is never a dull moment when she's around.


    (Getting her fingernails painted)

For about six months Izebelle has been talking about her birthday. She told me in September that she wanted a 'Tangled' birthday party. We did our best to give her a great birthday party. Her party was on her birthday, February 2. Ize invited 5 friends over. We had sandwiches, sides, desserts, and cake. It was a lot of fun.




   (Treats: Brownies, Donut holes, and Rice Krispies "paintbrushes")








   (At least Marty's smiling)






   (I made her these cakes. The white one was her personal cake)




   (She put her own 'Tangled' candles on)











Happy 4th Birthday Izebelle! We love you so much.