The Past month

Well, It will be a month tomorrow that Aftyn has joined our family. Time sure goes fast! So far things have gone really smoothly. The transition has been very natural. Maiya is the little mommy. She loves her little sister and loves to help out. She gets really jealous and feisty if Quincey wants to hold her or pay attention to her, so most of the time he decides it's not worth the fight, and lets Maiya have all of the Aftyn time. But, he really loves her.
Aftyn is a really good sleeper, once she gets really asleep.  She loves to trick me.  I will feed her and burp her, and change her poopy diaper and she will be completely relaxed and then i will lay her down and try to go back to sleep and then 5-10 min later she will be grunting and uncomfortable, so I will pick her up and she will maybe burp again, or poop again, and then the cycle repeats maybe up to two more times.  With my other kids once they burped after each side, they would be good, but not miss Aftyn.  So, I have developed a fear of being woken up or what I like to call 'Awakaphobia'.  It is so hard for me to go back to sleep, because I am afraid I will be woken up in 10 min.
Other than that, I am doing well, my body is adjusting to little sleep. And she is so worth it.  Such a sweet little girl.  She has smiled at me a handful of times, I am excited for when she smiles more often. 
I have been getting so annoyed at my camera.  I see in front of me a beautiful girl with such good color, and then I take pictures and I get a red-faced, and spotty girlie. It makes me not want to take pictures.  I am getting better at changing the settings to get a better picture, and I have no idea how to Photoshop. I think that will be my next wish list item is a nice new camera.  Okay rant over. Here are some of my camera's handiwork......

Our little Reindeer, coming home from the hospital

Big Brother Q

Little Mommy Maiya

Love baby yawns

Aftyn's Birth Story

At my 39 week appointment my midwife told me that I was 90 percent effaced and dilated to a 3 and she would be surprised if I didn't have the baby within the next couple of days.  I didn't hold my breath at this because I remember I was that way with Maiya too and still went all the way to her due date.  But, I was still hoping that it would happen sooner.  But Alas!  My babies are all very prompt and on time!  With my other two babies my water had broken but it did not set me into contractions and so I had to be induced with them both.  So, I had doubts that my body would even be able to go into labor on it's own without the help of Pitocin.  BUT!  I really hoped that I could do it without being induced.  One reason being because everyone says that being induced makes the contractions a lot more intense and close together than without.  But also because the midwives said I wouldn't have to be tied down to the bed with cords and that appealed to me. 

So, my due date came along and I had an appointment at 9:40a.  I was dilated to a 5 and  90% effaced and babies head was at a station -2.  But still not feeling any regular contractions.  When she offered me to be induced I had mixed feelings, but mostly I just felt like I would have to be induced anyways, so I might as well, because I was ready to be done.  So, through tears I told her to go ahead and set up the induction and I gave up my hopes for a natural birth.  The induction was set for Dec. 22nd at 5am.

I called Geren and stopped by his work because I was feeling so emotional.  He was so calm and comforting and assured me that he felt very strongly that the baby would come that day.  I went and picked up Maiya (Quincey stayed at his friends house) and we decided to go to Olive Garden to have a 'Due Date' celebration.  We had so much fun (even though there was hardly enough room for my belly at the table we sat at) and she felt very special. 

After lunch we went home and I rested and watched a movie.  While I was resting I noticed a slight pain in my back that hung around for awhile so I started timing it and noticed it was coming about every 2-3 min for about a minute long.  When Geren came home I had been timing them for 1hr and a half.  So, I decided to call the midwife because even though they were very mild I was already at a 5 so I didn't want to risk going to fast.

We got to the hospital around 4:30 pm.  The midwife came and checked me around 7 pm.  My contractions were still as mild as they were before.  Her intent was to break the water to get the contractions going.  I was dilated to a 6 and 90% effaced, but the babies head had gone up to a station -3 and so she couldn't break the water because of risk of getting the cord involved.  So, they told me to get up and walk around and try to get the babies head engaged.  So, we walked and walked and walked.  At 9:45pm my midwife checked me again, I was now at a 7 and at a station -2!! So she went ahead and broke my water.  AND IT WORKED!!!  It took about a half an hour of severe contractions and back labor and I was at a 10.  Then, I pushed and PUSHED AND PUSHED!!!! For an hour I pushed.  And at 11:41 pm she was born!  And I wasn't surprised when they told me she was 9 pounds 4 ounces, I knew she was definitely my biggest baby.  (Quincey was 8 lb. 7oz. Maiya was 7 lb. 8oz.).  My midwife was definitely surprised because she guessed 'maybe barely 8 lbs.' 

I was so happy and proud of myself and my body for being able to go into contractions without extra medicine.  And what they say is right.  The biggest difference I noticed is that I had more time in between contractions to rest this time.  When I was induced they were a lot closer together.  With that said.... I was so spoiled with Maiya.  I didn't have to push at all, and so I just kinda figured I wouldn't have to again.  But! I did, and it stunk.  During the pushing stage I remember saying, "Why do I have to do this with out pain meds???  Why don't I get an epidural like everyone else!"  I also was yelling at Geren asking why we had to have such big headed children!  The nurses thought I was hilarious, Apparently extreme pain brings out my funny side.

All in all it was such a great experience.  I loved my midwives, loved all of the extra freedom I felt during delivery.  And Geren was such a great help.  In fact, the midwife told me afterward how impressed she was at the support he gave me, and how involved he was and never told me to just get medication (which is how she says a lot of dad's react).  She said we were a joy to watch.  (I am glad so many people love watching me in pain).

Aftyn and I are doing really well.  She is a champ eater.  She has such a strong suck!  It hurts, but we are getting through it.  The most pain I feel is in my neck, shoulders, and arms from pulling on the bars while I was pushing.  We are so happy that she joined us before Christmas.  

She's Here!

Introducing:

 Aftyn Marie Tea 

Born Dec. 21st 11:41 pm

9 lbs. 4 oz.  21 inches long

In all my 40 weeks glory!

Imagine you are seeing this through tears ;)  Because it's the only one Geren took!

Proud Daddy

My kids

Proud big brother (she has lots of dark hair!)

They wanted to watch TV with her, and they let her have the remote. 

Proud Big Sister~!

Welcome sweet baby girl!

Christmas Lists

Quincey informed me a little while ago, that we need to send Santa a letter to let him know his wish list!  So, while sitting around the table, eating lunch, the kids came up with their desired presents (without any help from me).  I thought they were pretty entertaining choices, so I wanted to record them.

Quincey:

Buzz Lightyear and Woody (big ones)
A toy Planet and Spaceship
Jack in the Box
Socks
Boots
Elf Hat
Legos

Maiya:

Boots
Costume
GRAVY  (? random!)
Christmas Tree


Well, I did get Maiya some gravy so, hopefully she will be so excited to get some.  ;)  We've been asking her about the gravy, and she still wants it!
We asked them both to choose one thing on the list that they want the most.  Quincey said Buzz and Woody, so we said to choose one.

Back story: Quincey has a friend that has the 'Ultimate Buzz Lightyear'  (about a $130.00 toy)  and about a year ago, he asked me if he could get one, and I told him that it was too much money. 

Back to the present: When we asked him to choose one he told us that he would like the Buzz, but he knows that the Buzz is really expensive, so he will be fine with Woody.  Well!  That just melted my heart.  I am so glad that my kids are so content right now and easy to please.  I know that it most likely won't always be that way. 

We are all so excited for Christmas!  and last night we had Family Home Evening, and made sure the kids understand that the baby is coming soon, and they both talked about how the baby would be such a great Christmas present! 
I think Christmas time is a such a wonderful time to be having a baby.  :)

37 weeks (and 2 days, but who is counting....?)

ME!!!!! I am counting!

 Things are still going pretty well.  A couple of things have been a little different with this pregnancy that I didn't have with my other 2 kiddos.  One thing is that I have had the same midwife measuring my belly and I measure so different every time.... for example one appointment I will measure a couple of weeks big, and the next I will be a couple of weeks small. At 36 weeks I was measuring 34 weeks, and at 37 weeks I was measuring 39 weeks!! And it's been this way the whole time. They say its just the position of the baby, so not to worry.  I just think it's strange!  She also did say she was guessing my baby is about 8 pounds right now!!! At 37 weeks.  With 3 weeks of growth to go!  We will see.  I do feel like this babe is large, and packs quite a punch too.
The other different thing is my blood pressure.  At first it was really low, and lately it has been high, and they have been drawing my blood to make sure all of my liver and stuff is okay, and it has all been normal.  When I first arrive it is high (this last time the top number was 157 don't remember the bottom.), but then they tell me to rest on my left side and they check it again, and it is normal. (It went down to 90/60)  So!  They tell me to just get as much rest as I can.  I haven't been feeling any headaches or dizziness or anything, and labs are normal, so they aren't too concerned. 
So, as for now, I have been milking it.  'G will you please go get me some more water (/ice cream)?  You know, so my blood pressure doesn't rise.' etc.
It's all coming pretty fast now! I am a lot more in tune of my body this time around too, I know what a braxton hicks  feels like now, I am sure I had them with my other kiddos, but never noticed.  I just notice my tummy gets all hard especially when I first stand up, stuff like that. 
We are excited.

Dress Up

Maiya loves to change into different outfits and is very creative in her choices.  This day, she came out in tights and sunglasses, and said she was ready for dance class. 

Speaking of Dance class, she is really loving every second of it.  Here she is doing some of her choreography that she has learned.....

And Quincey likes to dress up too. He came out with a 'broomstick', glasses, and a 'wand', and said that he is Harry Potter.

34 weeks: Only 6 weeks to go!

 Well, can I just say that even though I am definitely at the end of things, I feel like the pregnancy is going so slow, and can't believe I STILL have 6 weeks left.  But NOT because I feel really uncomfortable or tired or any of those things.  In fact, I feel really good!  I know that can be hard for people to believe.  But, other than Maiya waking us up a couple of times a night (she's been on and off sick, and just going through some separation anxieties), I sleep well.  I am hungry ALL OF THE TIME... but other than that, this pregnancy has been such a good, uneventful pregnancy.  

One reason, I think, that things seem to be going slow is that I feel pretty prepared.  (I mean as prepared as you can be.)  I've got clothes ready, diapers, bed etc.  And because I have two older children (boy and girl), I already had most of the things I need. So, I am not panicked trying to get things prepared like I was with my first 2.

Another factor is the fact that I popped so drastically and got huge a couple of months ago.  SO for the past 2 months I have had people (both strangers and non)  saying, "Any day, right?"  And I have to tell them, Nope still 3 months left! And they can't believe it.  Like the other night we went to a church function, and from the time it took from me to get through the front door to my seat, I got at least 10 comments about how huge I am and how I look like I am about to pop!, and How it just came out of nowhere.  And questions about aren't I so ready to be done.  (I am guessing this question comes because they are afraid they are going to have to start rolling me around to get me from here to there.)  ;)  But really, it gets quite tiring.  And makes me feel like 6 more weeks seems like forever away. Occasionally, some sweetie will tell me how beautiful I look, but mostly it's just comments about my gargantuan size.  But really I never did like all of the attention and constant repetitive questioning and answering a pregnant women attracts anyway. 

And I guess another reason is that we are just so excited to welcome little one into our lives.  We've had to wait longer then we wanted for this baby because of the molar pregnancy, and are just so glad that the day is soon here.  6 weeks left!  Hopefully, it will go pretty fast.