Here's the Story, Morning Glory.

Information to Note:
For the first time, in 5 pregnancies, I tested Group B Strep Positive. I don't actually know what this means, except that it causes the mother to require two doses of IV antibiotics given 4 hours apart, approximately 4 hours before the baby is born.

My labors are short. As in 1.5 to 3 hours start to finish short.

So, I think you can imagine our concern.

Wednesday, February 24th @ 9:30am -- OB Visit
I had really hoped to not make it to this visit, what with my plans on already having given birth and all. Such is life. And birth. I went with the boys in tow, knowing full-well that they would likely be getting an eyeful. Poor kids.

First let me say that my midwife, Susan, is awesome. She went ahead and checked my cervix. 5cm! Oh boy. Not in labor, but walking around at 5cm dilated. We're on dangerous ground here as it's very likely at this point that I will not only not be able to get the antibiotics in time, but also could possibly not even make it to the hospital before delivering.

It was decided after some contemplation, to have Susan strip my membranes. Hopefully, this would put me into early labor and get my body really ready. Done and done.

Went and ran my last few errands (Target! of course) and went home and cleaned and organized and cleaned and organized. At 4pm, Matt came home from work and we dropped the kids off with my friend JoAnn and set on our way to the hospital. But first, we went to have The Last Supper. You know, our final meal alone together before this child makes proper dating nearly impossible.

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 and were admitted immediately. I had my IV antibiotics started and sat having randomish contractions about 15 minutes apart. Now being hooked up to monitors and sitting in bed is not my preferred labor experience. But, remember, I wasn't IN LABOR. So, I sat in bed! I played Sudoku and facebooked. I read blogs from my phone. Matt napped (that's pretty much his labor theme).

At 9pm, my midwife informed me that she'd be breaking my water shortly, giving me the second dose of antibiotics and then seeing what happened. I would, of course, be free to get up and walk, use the birthing ball and even get in the jacuzzi tub! Bring it on!

So, at 9:30, Susan checked me (6cm) and they broke my water. I needed to be monitored for a couple minutes after they broke my water to insure that the baby wasn't in distress. Immediately, my contractions went from 15 minutes apart and annoying to 3 minutes apart and slightly more than annoying. By the time I had received my second dose of antibiotics it was 9:45pm and I was having to pause in my conversations with Matt to breathe through contractions.

At 10:00pm, I remember looking at Matt and telling him I'd changed my mind. Of course, this was a good sign. He predicted she'd be born in an hour and a half. I knew better. I knew I couldn't do another 1.5 hours of this pain level... and I remembered that it gets alot more painful before it becomes instantly, LESS painful. I told him she'd be born by 10:30p. He laughed.

My guttural groaning/pushing during contractions had my midwife come running from another room at 10:15pm. In no time flat, the room was transformed into one prepared to host a baby! I was instructed to go ahead and push when I felt my next contraction. As if on cue, a contraction started. I pushed. And suddenly, there she was! Like clockwork. 10:26pm. True to my prediction.

It was exactly how we had planned it. I was able to receive the antibiotics necessary to keep Libby healthy, I was able to deliver with my midwife (who was only on call on THAT day), and I was able to have the natural delivery I wanted. Granted, a 45 minute delivery doesn't give one time to do extravagant things like "labor in the jacuzzi tub" or even say, "walk around." Overall, I can't complain.

What I leave out is mostly me writhing in agony and probably some swearing. But, only I need to remember those things (good birth control)!

She's Here!

Libby Mae
Born February 24, 2010 at 10:26pm
7 pounds 4 ounces and 20.5 inches long
A delightful 45 minute labor!

Story forthcoming.

Sooo...

For those of you who are new to my blog (as in you started reading anytime in the last 22 months) you probably aren't aware of how the birth of Lucas went down.

First, go here to read his eviction notice.
And if you want to read his announcement.

Yes, that's right. Lucas was born just 9 hours after I signed his letter of eviction. As I read over it just now I realized that while sending a similar letter to this little girl might feel good, it just wouldn't work the same way. And so I won't. She's staying put. In for the long haul.

I'm 39 weeks today and I feel fine. Darnit. Yes, it's becoming increasingly difficult to sleep, but otherwise, I'm good. No swelling, no sciatica, really very few complaints. Well, except that NONE of my clothes fit. I'm down to two pair of yoga pants... shirts are just a joke. But honestly, the biggest reason I feel I can't complain is that my good friend Tisha is still holding in there at 41 weeks plus. Everyone say a prayer that little Paisley will have mercy and come soon... especially because I don't feel like I'd be a good friend if I had my baby before her and well, I kinda wanna have my baby. And ya know, sooner... rather than later.

And yet, here I wait.

I promise.

If my daughter doesn't make her arrival in the next 24 hours, there will be a new post from me.

Sound like a deal?

Saving All My Love for You...

I just had to take a quick second to send you over to two totally awesome blogs.

My sister, Rebekah, makes the cutest jewelry. She even posts tutorials telling YOU how to make it. I think you can even order some from her. She made my daughters matching bracelets and necklaces for Christmas (which we received on Friday via my parents) and I don't think the girls have taken them off yet.



Also, please go check out the awesome blog of my friend, Michelle. She makes the cutest "Hair Candee" ever. Someday, I'll be her. Until then, I'll buy from her.

Tonight's Family Prayer: An excerpt

As given by Miles.

"Please bless that we can be healthy and strong."
"Please bless that we can see who is the strongest."

At which point I couldn't take it anymore and started laughing so hard I was crying.
Love this kid.

Busiest Weekend Ever.

And it's over. Thank you.

Woke Friday at 7am. Dressed, fed, and shipped the girls off to school. Went back into the school to volunteer in Abbie's class. Came back and planned a huge grocery shopping trip. Went to the store. Got home from the store just in time to greet my parents and brother at my front door as they drove from Pennsylvania to Florida just to escape the 4 feet of snow. No, not really, though that's as good a reason as any, right?

Got my parents settled in and we ate dinner. Made a trip to JoAnns with my mom (nothing finer in the world than a trip to JoAnns with your mom. Really). Came home and stayed up too late making a birthday cake.

Woke up at 5:45am on Saturday morning. Cleaned my house and frosted the cake. Invited 8 children ages 6-9 into my home to trash the place. Didn't even clean up after they left. Took a brief nap. Ran some errands while my husband and brother took the older three kids ice skating. Met my husband at his work so we could leave the kids with the babysitting company his work hires on occasion as a perk for the employees. Took my parents out to dinner. Fielded a phone call from Abbie regarding a hysterical Lucas. Ignored his panicked screeching in the background. (He was fine.) Picked the kids up. Made a slideshow. Make a headband. Made a church program. Crashed into bed close to 2am.

Woke up Sunday at 6:45am. Cleaned up from the birthday party. Got 4 children ready for church (with the help of my parents and husband.) Looked hot at church! Well, as much as a 38 weeks pregnant woman, can... which is to say, comical. Ran errands around church all through Sunday School. Actually sat and listened to the lesson in Relief Society. Fabulous. Ran home. Fed family leftover pizza for lunch. Tended to an oozing infected wound on one of my children. Pretended like I was going to make cupcakes. Delegated. Hustled everyone back to the church. Fielded 3 screaming fits from 3 different children who did NOT get enough of a nap. Didn't forget anything.

Witnessed the baptism of my oldest daughter. Cried. Loved my husband so much it hurts. Felt truly blessed because of all of the awesome friends and family who came out to the baptism. The room was bursting with so much love for our family that it brought me to tears a couple of times. Dressed her in the gorgeous dress my mother made. Felt my heart skip a beat. Underestimated the pain of watching your child grow up before your very eyes.

Hustled everyone home. Made (with many helping hands) breakfast for dinner at Abbie's request. Sang birthday wishes, ate birthday cupcakes and celebrated Chinese New Year with Boba, pineapple cakes and some "lucky money."

Hoped my friends know that I feel of their love and support. Hoped my family knows how extremely grateful we are that they made the trip (both the drive and the flight) to be with us this weekend.

Hoped my daughter knew how much she's loved and how proud of her I am.

More for Baby

While some women get on a cleaning binge, apparently my nesting takes on more of a crafting bend.

I could have sworn that Char did a post on using freezer paper as a stencil for creating "screenprinted" tshirts. No luck finding it. But there are many, many tutorials on this method and it's fabulousness.

I whipped this up in literally 1/2 hour. After I hand-drew this birdie, I figured out that Google Image-searching for "silhouette clip art free" will give you everything you ever wanted in the way of patterns. Next time, I'm totally going this route.



The fabric is what I used to Ruffle up the Bum of this onesie. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever, but you'll probably have to wait till baby arrives to get a better look at it. Stay tuned till then, I guess.

Can't Get Enough!

I know I shared the teensy tiny pair of Longies that I knit for our baby. Then I was feeling a little bit guilty. After all, I haven't knit a single thing for anyone other than a baby who hasn't been born yet. Plus, no one can model that tiny stuff. And let's be honest, you really need a cute model in order to properly show off clothes that cute, right?

So, I set about making a slightly larger pair of longies for my slightly larger child. I might love these even more.



And yes, Lucas really is THAT skinny. At 22 months, he's just around 18 pounds. Eats like a garbage disposal, but none of it sticks to him. According to my husband's mother, he takes after his father. Just wait till I post the picture she brought me.



I used this pattern again and cast on the 89 stitches that the pattern follows for a smallish size. Of course, they're just a tad too big for Lucas. So, after these pictures were taken, I made him up a drawstring. Perfection.

I admit to making him wear them for two days. In a row. Judge me.

Talented

My children, all of them, have amazing artistic abilities. I know you all think they must get it from me, but I promise you that I can't draw to save my life. I can craft, and there's TOTALLY a big difference. And even then, I'm a sloppy and lazy crafter at best.

But, uh, have you seen my husband's work?

I really should be scanning more of their drawings for you because Anna is seriously good. But today, I'm sharing this hilariously imaginative picture that Miles drew. On the magna doodle. Always on the magna doodle. It pains me because it means we can't keep his drawings, though I do try to take pictures of my favorites.



I really gotta get that kid a pad of paper of his own.
He has also been sounding out words lately. I love this stage. Let me know if you can figure out what he has written.

Visitors

Abbie is turning 8 very soon. In the LDS faith, that marks a very special occasion. She's getting baptized. My in-laws came to town a couple of weeks early so they could enjoy some of the warmer weather we have, and to enjoy a cruise... they're visiting from Calgary. How do you spell cold?

Well, in typical Lucas fashion, he would have NOTHING to do with Grandma, but was inexplicably drawn to Grandpa. He really likes the men. What can I say?

And Grandpa was more than happy to give Lucas some of his attention. It was great. I mean, you can't deny that look, right?

Must TRY this bread.

I feel like I've been keeping something from you. And I'm a bad person because of it.

I have a great bread recipe that I love.
The reasons I love it:
It takes about an hour, start to finish.
It makes 4 loaves. Or 2 loaves, a pan of cinnamon rolls and some breadsticks for dinner.
It's extremely easy.
It's fluffy and delicious.


But it's no artisan bread. I hate that word.

I'm going to post it here and on the food blog because it deserves to be in both places, it's THAT good.

One Hour Bread

10.5 c bread flour or wheat flour (not All-Purpose Flour)
1/2 c sugar
1 heaping tbsp salt
3 rounded tbsp instant yeast
3 tbsp liquid lecithin
4 c hot tap water

Mix dry ingredients. Add lecithin and water. Mix for one minute and check consistency. If dough is too dry add more water. Dough should be slightly sticky. Mix for five minutes. Do not add flour to the dough after it has finished mixing. Spray counter and pans and hands well with Pam. Shape loaves and cover with a dish towel or Saran wrap. Let rise 20-25 minutes. Bake on 350 for 25 minutes. Recipe makes four loaves of bread.

Notes:
*Lecithin can be purchased at Whole foods or other trendy healthy food store.
*Do not measure lecithin. Pour quarter sized dollops directly into the bowl. You'll thank me when you get some on your fingers.
*For whole wheat bread, use the same recipe but add one cup of applesauce as part of the hot tap water and an additional tbsp of lecithin. Mix for ten minutes.
*I make this in my Kitchen-Aid. I put all the water in the bottom, add the yeast on top. Then just add all the dry ingredients, THEN the lecithin on top of the flour, etc.

To make into cinnamon rolls:
Just roll 1/4th of your total unrisen dough into a rectangle on your greased up surface. Spread a nice thick layer of butter, then spread a lovely layer of brown sugar, then sprinkle with cinnamon liberally. Roll it up. Then use floss or whatever your preferred method is. Let rise 15-20 minutes. Bake 20 minutes or until tops are browned. Spread with your preferred icing. Mine involves a 1.5c (ISH... I don't measure) powdered sugar, 2 TBSP Butter, a tsp of vanilla and milk to my preferred consistency. YUM.



I have told people... these aren't the world's best cinnamon rolls. But they are really GOOD. No one ever complains when I make them.

This dough could easily be used for:
Pizza (just don't let it rise!)
Breadsticks
Foccaccia
Braided Loaf
Filled Loaf
Cinnamon swirl bread

I've made each of the above and they're all delicious.
Good luck!

It's a Love/Hate thing.

Miles.

I can admit that I have the hugest soft spot for that sweet little ornery four year old. He can send me into a fit of rage faster than any of the other kids. But will melt my angry heart quicker than you can say snuggle time.

It appears the feeling is mutual.

Yes, that's right... Miles gives Dad a checkmark.