Caleb's Gentle Cesarean Birth Story

Thank you to all who were praying for us!  We received your texts while we were in the hospital, and because we were a few minutes late heading into the OR, we saw most all of them before the surgery.

I'm not sure exactly how to tell this story, so I'll just try to catch everything I remember!  We arrived at the hospital and started in with all the monitors and IV's in preparation for surgery.  Even though everything was going smoothly, I still was struggling with the overpowering urge to get up and walk out.  I don't know why, but the mental and emotional strain of walking into an experience where I give up all control of my body is almost more than I can handle.  The nurses getting us ready were absolutely wonderful- very mothering and sugary sweet!  Sometimes that is sickening, but they pulled it off!  Dr. Pitts arranged for Dr Witham to be our anesthesiologist, and soon after he reviewed the surgery with me she came in to discuss the plan and my problems with morphine.  I requested morphine to be put on my allergies list so no one would be giving it to me with thoroughly discussing it with me first!  (Due to my last experience with Isaac, and being given an extra dose even though I had said no to it.)  I chose to go ahead with the morphine, but to also be extremely proactive in combating the nausea, which included two doses of different anti-nausea drugs and a patch behind my ear.  (I did still get sick, so I did my best to wait out the morphine before eating.  I was able to keep down ice chips, so something worked a little better than last time.)  We also discussed the process of my "special wish," as she put it.  Since I hadn't been able to read more than what is scantly available online about Gentle Cesareans, I didn't know what all I could request.  Basically I just asked that the Apgar scores and cleaning be done as much as possible on my chest instead of on the warming table.  (She asked later, after I was on the table, if I wanted to try to nurse him, but because I wasn't mentally prepared for that feat, I said no.)

We moved on in to the OR and went through the process of getting the spinal block and laying me all out.  Since this is all very much a blur in my mind, I'll just skip most of it.  As far as the surgery goes, I did well- didn't get sick at all that I remember.  When he was born, he gave a couple little cries, so I knew he was headed my way.  The assisting Dr passed him in a blanket to the nursery nurse, who then placed him on me. An amusing note (but hard-at-the-time) was that the blanket also ended up over my face, so I couldn't see, nor move the blanket because I was still strapped down.  She removed it quickly, and I could see an amazing little body laying on me. 

He had quieted right down, and was laying still on me, but breathing.  These are all specific memories, but I have no idea of the passage of time.  I know the nurse was patting his feet; I think she wanted him to cry more, but he wasn't.  His Apgar scores were 9-9, which I overheard the nurses in recovery saying that when it's a 9, that means his color wasn't completely pink unless another explanation is given.  I remember his feet were a little blue.  After a few minutes, she asked if she could remove him to the warming table for a minute because he was getting a little cold.  Of course I said yes- all along I have maintained that I understood the priorities and I promised I wouldn't interfere with any of their medical opinions about necessary care. (This may have not been necessary had I been bared skinned, but for some reason this part of the process didn't happen, so the warming from my body wasn't happening.)

 The moment she removed him from my chest, he burst into the crying newborn.  She weighed him while on the table, and then brought him back to me.  He immediately quieted back down.  I heard at some point a voice behind me commenting, "That's remarkable," in reference to his change in demeanor based on his location. I also remember not saying much~  I'm not sure why, or what I planned on saying to this beautiful little miracle on my chest, but I hummed and murmured most of the time.  Maybe that was an instinctual bonding sound from mother to child.  Whatever it is, he responds to it now as well.  

Part of why I wished for this experience was because with my other C-sections, they take the baby straight to the warming table, clean him (her) up, do all their stuff, then Gabe brings the baby to my side.  At that point, one arm is released, I can kind of pet them and kiss their head, and then pretty soon they go away to the nursery, leaving me with the Dr's who carry on all sorts of conversations while they finish the surgery.  Then they take me to the recovery room where I am left with the nurse.  I have felt so very lonely in these past experiences, without Gabe or the new baby.  They return after a while, but I'm alone for what seems such a long time.

This time, they left Caleb on me for nearly the entire stitching up process. Instead of listening to random conversations that I was not a part of, I was able to love on my child and bond with him in his earliest moments outside of my womb. 

Post C-section:  Now- you can think that all of this is pure coincidence, and it just happens to be his personality.  And that's fine- it may be.  But when we compare our first three children born via C-section to him, we feel that this experience impacted him in ways we probably don't even understand. For the first two weeks, he was amazingly content.  Since then, we think he's developed some kind of gas issue.  Other than that (not that trying to help him feel better is any small task...) he's been very cuddly, which is the big difference we see between him and his siblings. 


We adore our new blessing and thank God for the opportunity He allowed this time around. 

A Little Update from Our House

I thought I should get on here and do a little family update, if nothing else! 

We are doing great!  I am tired, worn-out, and extremely round, but like I told Gabe last night- if I start to sound unhappy, remind me of how happy I am!  Here's a few things we've got going on around here...

Baby is scheduled to arrive in 4 weeks and 3 days!  And by scheduled, I mean if he doesn't show up by then himself... But I haven't gone into labor yet, and I'm really not expecting to this time :-)  I have been having some pretty impressive contractions if I'm not careful, but it's probably just my body giving me a reminder not to over do it.

About the decluttering:  Annie came over last week and was extremely motivating!  She helped me rotate and clean out the girls' clothes.  Hopefully she'll come help with the boys' room!  I would still like to paint it, but I've got to do something about all the trucks and trains first!  I've failed completely at "cleaning one thing per day" idea, but I am trying to keep working at those problem areas :-) 

Gabe completed the TV area- and it's much more functional now!  We have a place for our new-to-us TV and all those black boxes that needed a better place to sit.  In addition, with the back half of that space, we have floor-to-ceiling shelves in the back room... Which aren't exactly organized *yet!*  But we've moved things around in that room to allow half of it to be for school, and that is helping a ton in the dining room because all our school was taking place out there.  As for school, Melia clued me in to a fascinating little fact about her... She does much better focusing when I leave the radio on (and it has to be Positive Life Radio :-).  Her reading is really picking up as well, which is SO fun to see!  Kiera's perfectionist mindset is slowly making room for her own creativity.  She's drawing a LOT now, and not being quite so frustrated when something doesn't look just right.  With numbers and letters though, she's still irritated that they don't look exactly like mine, which, ironically enough, often means her penmanship is better than Melia's :-)

I still have a ton of stuff to do before baby comes, but hopefully we'll get the main stuff accomplished.  If not, we'll figure it out when we bring him home!  If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I have to let go of my preconceived ideas and be flexible.  It'll all work out :-)

And no, he still doesn't have a name.  We stopped looking a while ago, just hoping he "looks" like something when he's born.  If not, we do have a small list of possible fits :-)

March 1st

It's hard to believe I will have another birthday this month, as yesterday was so full of blessings it felt like my birthday!  First, I had a massage with my favorite lady at Hurst Chiropractic, and discovered that she, too, is expecting!  Then I had my 30 wk appt... and became SO thankful for the essential oils I've been using to help with the sometimes-excruciating pain that has been plaguing me this pregnancy!  Dr's only recommendation was a pregnancy belt, which I had read doesn't *really* help, it just assists a little, whereas the oils have given me pain-free days!  Lastly, God paved the way for me to not have to work so that I could attend a new local homeschool encouragement group which blessed me in a variety of ways! 

Happy Not-Quite Birthday to Me!  Thank you Lord, for Your abundant blessings!

30 days of Thanksgiving: Part One

I really enjoy doing this every year, even if I only do it in my head!  So this year I though I would write down 30 days worth in 3 days, if I can find the time *sigh* But I'll give it a shot... and include some verses I've been thankful for as well.

1.  I am so thankful for God's provision.  Even when I stress, He always takes care of us and reminds me that I need not worry.  "Be still, and know that I am God.." (Psa 46:10)

2.  I am so thankful for God's faithfulness.  Even now I have a couple "thoughts" about some scripture that I've been pondering for nearly a year, but my faith does not waver because I know that if He brought something to my attention, it's because He has a treasure for me at the end.  "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."  (Pro 25:2)

3.  I am so thankful for God's sanctifying lessons.  Though often uncomfortable, I can look back and see the walk He's led me on and appreciate the person He is molding me into in place of the one I once was.  "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..." (Phil 1:6)

4.  I am so thankful for God's people.  I am learning to appreciate that we are all on different walks with Him, and each is unique.  While we may not agree or understand the priorities or callings of others, we are still one body.  "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."  (1 John 1:7)

5.  I am thankful for God's comfort.  Life hurts.  It just plain does.  People can be so hurtful and have no idea of their actions or words.  I know I am the same way.  But when we abide in Him, we can know that His opinion is the only one that matters in the end, and it is He who we must follow.  "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."  (Ps 119:50)

6.  I am thankful for God's peace.  Depending upon your perspective, the world is on a variety of perilous paths.  But I know that He is in control, no matter how out-of-control everything appears.  "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?" (Ps 2:1)

7.  I am thankful of God's sovereignty.  He knows all and sees all.  No action or thought passes by Him, and all will pay the price or reap the rewards of their earthly existence.  "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgements."  (Rev 16:7)

8.  I am SO thankful for God's Redeemer!  "..Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

9.  I am thankful for God's love.  I don't think there are words to describe His love... but many grateful tears.

10.  I am thankful for God's victory.  We have hope; not in this life, but in our Savior and our future with Him.  "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and righteousness in the earth."  (Jer 23:5)

Hunting Pics

Daddy's deer :-)

 When we arrived, the kids were thrilled to have the freedom to run and play!  Kiera quickly returned yelling, "Look what I found!!!"  She was THRILLED.  As the story goes, Gabe and Shaun had been shooting at squirrels/chipmunks a few hours before we arrived, and Gabe had pegged this one... and forgot about it.  We all couldn't believe how Kiera fell in LOVE with her dead little chipmunk!

Melia, examining the specimen..

But, as you would probably guess, we could NOT keep a dead chipmunk!  This absolutely broke her heart- I cannot even begin to explain how she SOBBED for a good 20-30 minutes, and then again every time she looked at it's little tail (which was cut off thinking it would ease her pain...)  SOBBED, people.  No exaggeration needed.

Melia, later at home, watching as Daddy cuts up his deer.  She received a pretty one-of-a-kind anatomy lesson for a 7 year old, and fully loved every minute of it.  Not sure what God's got up His sleeve for this one, but boy, she's gonna be quite the little "lady!"

I know.  Gross, right?  Totally.  Gabe's.  Idea.  OK?  OK.

Opening Day Buck!

Things are clicking,.. when she's on tune?

Yesterday Melia really started picking up on the reading without getting herself all worked up!  She was reading words out and about, signs on the road, labels in the store... It was VERY exciting for me to see things clicking for her, especially because that's what I've been counting on instead of pushing her too hard. 

So last night, on the way home from Bible study, I asked her if she'd read any words to Gma Nae.  Her response had me scratching my head...

"No momma.  I wasn't in my reading tune.  It was playing tune time.  You know, I have lots of tunes:  shopping tune, reading tune, dancing tune, playing tune, math tune, singing tune.  My singing tune is on right now!..." (and she breaks into song..)  OK babe- as long as you've found the ON button for that reading tune!!!

This weeks Bountiful Basket and Pix

I finally figured out how to publish- after a week of it not working!  Grrr! 
Anyway, this weeks basket included 2 nectarines, 3 peaches, 2 mangos, fennel, broccoli, cucumber, sweet potatoes, beets, celery, lettuce, and corn!  Suggestions on sweet potatoes, fennel, and beets would be welcome!!!

 This is the stir fry I made when we had the bok choy... It was tasty, but we needed some rice!  (I made so much I didn't think we needed a side, but it really would have enhanced the flavor.)

We are eagerly awaiting Esther's popping... Her poor belly is just rock hard and points out on both sides! 

We enjoyed having Isabel and Alden over last week, and Isaac showed his big boy helper skills at assisting Alden with his lunch!  Funny thing is, he really doesn't look that much bigger than Alden in the top photo!

Yay- What a great vacation!

We are home now from our 7 days away! We feel so blessed to have been able to get away and have a great time with our kiddos. We stayed at a 4-person cabin at the Little Diamond KOA/Thousand Trails campground north of Spokane, and took one day to do Silverwood. Hopefully I'll be able to get some pics up and tell some of the FUNNY stories we had.......

For now, here's a quote from Melia this morning:

Melia: "Mom, what does 'be continued' mean?"
Me: "It's like when you are watching a show, and suddenly the show is over, but you haven't heard the end of the story yet. You have to wait until next time to hear the ending!"
Melia: "Hmmm... I don't like 'to be continueds!' "
Me: "Me neither!!!"

Answered Prayer!

I pray for wisdom in parenting a LOT. Probably a dozen times a day. Today, God really gave me a couple opportunities to exercise wisdom with Kiera, for which I am SO grateful. ******************************************************** **1. Kiera had asked for a Spree candy, to which I said no. She walked away without complaint, but as she passed the table, something fell out of her hand on the linoleum. I looked at her, asking what it was. She held up a Spree candy... So besides a little training, I also had her throw the whole box into the garbage. ********************************************************** 2. She had poured out a box of Jello into a bowl and was waiting for the teapot to heat up. A few minutes later, she ran over and volunteered to help Melia with whatever task I had just given her, but I noticed her lips were extremely orange! She'd been helping herself to the spoon! Not only did she not get to help Melia, she also was not allowed to help stir or pour the Jello. ********************************************************** Isn't that awesome? Both totally random ways that God allowed me to see her disobedience. Thank you Lord!!! :-)

Wow, time flies.

It's been days since I posted, and yet every day something happens that makes me think "Blog that!" Too bad I can't remember all the funny things they do... Anyway- just a quickie: We're good :-) Got a little cold going around, hoping to keep it little. We got our Silverwood ticket reading done for March, but I was late in turning it in, so I'm hoping we still get the tickets... We'll see. We're also looking at planning that together with a vacation package we bought 6 years ago (!) in Montana.... Hoping that will work out this summer sometime! I also won a 7 day vacation from Cascade Autocenter, but it's a promo thing so we're hoping it won't cost a ton out of pocket to make it work. Online reviews went either way. ****************************************************************** God is good. In every circumstance. He blew me away today when an old song that I LOVE came on the radio, and I quickly found myself with tears streaming down my cheeks as He reminded me that HE IS SO MUCH BIGGER than I can ever realize. Even when this world appears to be tanking, HE IS IN CONTROL... and at the end of it all, we get to be with Him forever. What problem do I have that is even visible when I'm focused on HIM? None. But sometimes, because we are who we are, it's terribly easy to get distracted by our details. So I need to remember to keep Him as the center, then life's "stuff" will stay at the priority level it belongs. :-) He is good. And I am His.

I Totally Made Their Day...

Total I swung the cereal deal at Top Foods (read all about it here!) and picked up 11 boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios, Trix and Lucky Charms for $6.15, plus another 4 Cinnamon Burst Cheerios at Safeway for $.98! It would have been even better, but I messed up a transaction :-) Oops!

But boy, when the kids saw all the cereal (Gabe was awesome and let me go shopping without them!)- their faces were the best ever! Both Melia and Kiera had open jaw syndrome, and Isaac started laughing and rolling around on the floor! I only bought 4 total of the Lucky Charms and Trix... mostly cheerios, but everybody had their day made! :-)

Another amazing deal at Top... Old Orchard frozen Juice blends (100%) for $.24 each!

On a Positive Note...

The good thing about being forced to stay home... I completed my first whole week of our Genesis 2 class! Starting off on the right foot!

Interesting Night

Melia came into our room last night a little before 1 am. She was on the verge of breaking down, but she said "Daddy, I needed to tell you that I just can't sleep because something is hurting me inside my ear.... sobbbbbb" She was obviously in a LOT of pain, writhing and sobbing. She didn't have a fever, but we gave her some Tylenol right off. I put some oil around her ear and tried to get her to settle down, but it just wasn't happening. We had one ear candle left, having used the second of the pair on my own ear just the night prior. I was glad we hadn't used both!

It helped immediately. By the time it was done, she was in zero pain! Thank you LORD! What a change, from crying and writhing in pain to able to go straight to sleep~ amazing. I took her in this morning, and sure enough, her ear drum is bulging. I'm calling Gabe to have him pick up more candles on his way home from work! (yes, she did get some antibiotics as well)

If you want to know what I'm talking about... check these. You stick them in your ear, light it on fire, and hopefully it'll suck out any nasties. For Melia and I, it not only pulled out the wax, but also relieved the pressure somehow. We love them.

I SO Appreciate My Husband..

I was reading today about a really good deal on boneless, skinless chicken at $1.59/lb. You have to purchase a 40 lb box, and you have to pick it up at one of the drop places. Unfortunately, the closest drop points are in Ellensburg and Moses Lake. I seriously considering it, but thought I should absolutely ask Gabe first.


I explained it to him, and he responded with "Well, what you'll save on the meat you'll spend on gas getting there..." I totally hadn't calculated that in! And when I did, I would have spent more on gas traveling than I had saved!


If any of you who are close to a drop point, this would be a GREAT deal. You can read more about it here, and a review of it here.

BTW, if you want it soon, today is the last day, and while the review says $1.48/lb, it's now $1.59/lb. :-)

I think I actually found it...

For those of you who know how much I love the Created to be His Helpmeet book, you also know how I've desired to see one written for men. Because marriage is a journey of growing together and we always both have issues that God wants to fine tune with us. Plus, in raising children, I always want to have in mind that I am training little wives, husbands, mommies and daddies. Boy, is that a daunting thought!

Anyway, I think I found it. All along, I've expect Mike Pearl to write one, but it still hasn't come out, and I haven't read anything more about their plans for it. (He had a heart attack, so that certainly is a good reason for slowing up production!) If it does get finished, I will of course read it, but for now I'm pleased with this resource.

I heard Voddie Baucham Jr. on Family Life Today's radio program along with his daughter. The show was about how he and his wife are very involved in their daughter's consideration of potential husbands. And how she deeply desires this! I thought, now that's what I'd like to accomplish- working together as a team to produce the best possible result! They inspired me as to what a father/daughter relationship should look like. And, like most FMT shows, the guests had a book I could order. So I did.

It's called What He Must Be... if He wants to Marry my Daughter.

In one word: Fabulous. Inspiring. Encouraging. Daunting. Overwhelming. Terrifying.

Does that make you want to read it? I understand if not! But trust me- I've been reading this book for about 2-3 weeks, and several times Gabe's heard me say "I think everyone should have this book!!!" It's a guide for what we should train our daughters to look for in a potential suitor. It's a guide for men on what the Bible says about husbands and fathers. It's a guide for parents raising those young suitors. Plus, it's also a guide for men who are blessed with the opportunity to mentor young men.

I loved it. It's definitely one I'm encouraging Gabe to read, and one I will have my girls read when they are at an appropriate age. And I'm encouraging you to read it too!

A Good Day :-)

Today, Melia spelled 15 words with the words covered up on Boggle Jr. Kiera matched 5 words. Our goal is to beat their individual scores each time we play- I am thrilled that they did so well this first time!

And...
My "Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day" (recommended by Kari) arrived today. Of course, it had to be a work day, but I'll get it started soon :-)

Oh, yeah, and another personal eating accomplishment. I've eaten green cabbage twice during this holiday season. I'm very proud of myself.

Welcome Baby Alden!!!

Mark and Alden

Annie and Alden

THRILLED auntie and cousins :-)

Relief

I finally finished our Genesis 1 class! And on time! I got really behind (like 2 months) because of the tremendous amount of stuff I didn't understand very well.... like quantum physics (oi!)... and if I don't understand well enough to explain it to anyone, then I don't like answering the essay questions halfway... you can see the spiral! But I buckled down and got 11 weeks done in 3! And finished the final last night. Just in time for Christmas!

Whew! Now I might actually get our Christmas cards completed!

Hog Hollow, Pics Part One

We went on Saturday to get our Christmas tree at Hog Hollow Farm, and boy, did we have a great time! Enjoy the pictures!

For Isaac, it was ALL about the snow. Who cares about that cute little tree? I have snow on my gloves! And Mommy is letting me eat it!!!

He also was beyond cute in his little get-up...

Kiera lost it because she couldn't cut down the tree!

Isaac thought this was a great game :-)

Weeeee!!!!!

It's just my size!

The Smithite girls...