Work Party pictures

My husband is the funniest guy I know.  I think Adam looks awesome in these. Totally describes our relationship. He's the solid one, I'm the one always throwing curve balls

Ramblings

Here's a random smash of pictures.

I forgot how much work a newborn is.  And I don't even have a hard newborn.  Alex likes to eat every couple hours still and he spits up more than any of my other children did so he's getting new clothes a few times a day.  And he's almost past that sleep on your shoulder stage which I guess is good but it's a little sad knowing his cuddly days are shortening.  He almost always has to be swaddled and laid down to sleep and hope that works.  But he does sleep about 8 hours, give or take a couple.

Some days are so hectic I don't even have a chance to switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer.  As soon as I leave my kids' presence, they come find me to tell me this or that or to tell on someone else.  Sometimes a little alone time would be nice.

I am the new cubmaster for the ward.  I know nothing about cub scouts.  It's going to be really fun once I get the hang of things but I'm still in the very steep learning curve part.  Tomorrow is our first pack meeting and I get to make up weird applauses and tell funny jokes.  I hope it's fun.  I feel pretty lost so I hope I don't overwhelm the den leaders with questions.  And then there's not a lot of organization so I need to revamp a few things and I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.  It's busy.

I have physical therapy appointments often.  Turns out I have 35-40% bone loss and arthritis in my jaw.  (It's dislocated on the right and for formally, anteriorly displaced and non reducing) I really hoped I was avoiding that by wearing the splint in my mouth.  Now I have all these vitamins to take to keep my joints lubricated.  And the PT said my muscles are working against themselves.  My tongue and throat are working against my neck muscles.  So tight he said they were like cement.  And my throat is tightening.  Nice.  One big cyclical process.  So he's going to try to retrain my brain.  And stretch open my jaw.  Tomorrow I go to "jaw school".

And my SI joint is doing so well that I'm not having to go to PT unless I feel it go off and I can't fix it.  I'm not strong enough to run cause last time I tried, I threw it off.  But it's feels so great not to have pain shooting down my legs and my foot go numb.  However, my back takes awhile to warm up and get going every morning.  That sounds like arthritis to me and with the bone loss in my jaw, it probably is.  I go in in a few weeks to find out what I can do so that I'm still functioning when I'm 60.  And to make sure that my joints have fallen apart from the relaxin from pregnancy and not something else.

I'm concerned about Jacob's teacher.  I feel like he's below where he should be (and he is according to my teacher family members) so I contemplate homeschooling almost every day.  There are such good things about homeschooling.  But there are some other things that schools offer that homeschooling doesn't.

Adam's commuter (our beloved minivan Roxanne) still has her check engine light on and she was supposed to be registered in November.  That's not a big deal, right?  The light always turns on around October, right in time for registration but we've always been able to get it off again before the end of November.  Guess we'll ramp up the prayers on that one and take Roxanne on some long trips to get her warmed up.  Then maybe it will go off.

It's snowing outside.  I would much rather be warm than cold.  And playing outside.  I feel like snow traps me inside.  I know it doesn't have to be like that and I do try to send the kids out as much as possible but it sure makes it harder.

But I can do hard things.  In fact, I like to do hard things.  And I'm happy.

Alex's Birth story

I have been meaning to write this post for a while now but it keeps being put on the back burner.  Being a Mom of 5 has been difficult to say the least.  I'm not sure how people do it.  I'm going with the "fake it till you make it" method.  That and I always give myself 2 months to get things under control. That means I've still got 6 weeks left.

Alex is an easy baby as far as newborns go.  He eats plenty and sleeps well and likes to snuggle but will sleep in his own bed.  He's already gained a pound putting him at 9lbs 4oz now.  His siblings love him and like to squeeze him.

So, the story:

Due to the fact that I was pretty miserable this pregnancy, I was sure I'd be a little early relative to my due date.  That and the fact that I was actually dilating which has never happened before.  The furthest I have ever dilated before actual labor has been 1.5 cm and with Alex I was already a 4 before I started having contractions.  This was actually a relief because 4 is the magic number for being admitted to the hospital.  I was not under the added pressure of having to labor at home until I thought I was at a 4 and then go in.  Another birth like Dalton's was not my plan.

My dad got sick a week and a half before my due date (aug 23rd) and ended up being hospitalized for strep in his leg which made it so my Mom couldn't necessarily drop everything and come help me, especially coming from southern california.  Lots of my neighbors offered to help but it can be pretty inconvenient for someone to just take on 4 extra kids for 12 hours or so.  So I offered up many prayers that this baby would come on a good day for everyone so I wouldn't have to get stressed about it.  When my due date came (I've never gotten to my due date with my other kids) I couldn't cave and go for an induction because I had been praying that he would come on a good day and taking matters into my own hands would be pretty faithless.

I had a Dr.'s appointment on Friday, my due date, and she said she'd induce me whenever I wanted but would have to use pitocin because he hadn't dropped yet.  I put my faith to the test and decided to wait after some wavering.   :)  My mom had come by now and was hanging out at the house just waiting for our baby to arrive.  Five hours after my appointment (4pm) I started having regular contractions that were really easy.  These lasted until around 11pm when we decided to go to the hospital and hang out in the parking lot.  The contractions were really easy to get through.  My doctor gave me great advice: you should already be at the hospital if you can't talk through your contractions.  This saved me I'm pretty sure.  We walked through the parking lot a few times and decided to go watch a movie in the waiting room of the hospital.  I could still walk and talk through my contractions.

A nurse came down to take us to labor and delivery even though we hadn't asked and so we just decided to go ahead and go with her.  Upstairs I asked for a nurse that was good with the hypnobirthing method; aka. leave me alone.  They were good with that.  I chose to go to a smaller and closer hospital this time in hopes of having a more natural birth.  This also meant they might not have a doctor at the hospital.

So when they checked me in at 12am, I was still at a 4 which I found pretty surprising.  So, to be admitted, I had to show progress and make it to 5cm in the next hour.  Adam and I walked the halls.  So grateful I brought my own dress to wear (a little DI special) which covered my bum.  I made it to a 5 by about 1am but the dr on call still wasn't sure I was progressing fast enough and told me to keep walking and see if I made it to a 6 in the next hour.  Then I'd be formally admitted or something.

A said a few more prayers that this labor would be fast because I was getting pretty tired of walking at this point.  I decided to take a shower in hopes that he would drop and help me dilate.  So much for asking for the room with the jacuzzi tub.  Still had to stand.  The contractions started getting harder and I couldn't talk through them.  At around 1:50 I went back into the room and asked Adam to call the nurse because I was pretty sure I was at a 6 by then.  I was really worried there wouldn't be a doctor there to deliver our baby since he'd have to drive in from home.

The nurse comes in and asks me to get on the bed so she can check me.  I'm about to but then I feel a really hard contraction and I kneel on the chair next to me.  After it I'm about to get on the bed and another one comes with almost no break in between.  I get back on the chair to handle it.  It was really strong and I started to bite my hand.  Adam said this is when he knew they were getting harder.  I felt like I was about to explode and my body started pushing.  The nurse tells me not to push until she checks me which I thought was pretty ridiculous.  I got on the bed and pushed and my water broke and he was born about 30 seconds later (although I'd pretty much lost all sense of time so I'm not totally sure).  It turned out that the doctor had come in for someone in the emergency room and was at the labor and delivery counter when Alex started coming.  Very glad.  Everyone did end up being in the room by the time he was born.  None of the baby stuff was out so they were rushing around getting ready for him.  I was busy focusing on not hyperventilating and getting him out as fast as possible.  Gratefully, I didn't tear.

Alex Mark Whittle was born at 1:58.  And, I think he looks a little like me which is a first.  I think all of our kids look like Adam.  They handed him to me but my arms were kind of numb from hyperventilating so here I am trying to hold on to him.  I still haven't really seen his face.

The nurses were really impressed and said I should teach a class on hypnobirthing.  Ha.  That's a no.  I am really lucky to have really fast labors near the end.  I did read the hypnobabies book and listen to the relaxation techniques.  The affirmation that really helped me was "I turn my birthing over to my body and my baby".  Other than that, I just focused on relaxing through a contraction instead of tensing up.  The ring of fire part was fine but would have been harder had it lasted longer.

This has been my fastest recovery in a lot of ways.  I could walk right after (a little wobbly but still up).  My pelvis is still out of place but that's nothing new.  So, there's another plug for hypnobirthing.

A muscle spasm smile :)

Alex Mark Whittle is HERE!

All these pictures are in the order they were taken.

Everyone is doing really well adjusting.  My mom had to go back already but Adam is taking some time off to take care of us.  The kiddos are really helpful for the most part and we're trying to enjoy the chaos.

About 5 minutes after he was born.  I'm pretty incoherent at this point and I haven't really seen his face.
I'm just trying to hold on to him because I'm starting to shake.

Adam gets him for the first time.

We switched out his hat for one I'd made.  I think he looks adorable in it.

The kids' first time meeting him.

Dalton loves to give him his binky.  So glad we broke Dalton of his binky habit
a couple months ago.

Jacob holding him for the first time.

Luke holding him for the first time.

Dalton holding him.

Jane holding him for the first time.

Our traditional Pizza party after having a new baby.

A better close up of our new little guy

Leaving the hospital

The first picture of me and all our kiddos.  A mother of 5.
The kiddos got me 5 dozen roses to welcome me home.  Isn't that so sweet of them.

This summer has been a BLAST!

We are having the Best summer ever!  I was a little worried about it but it has been so fun!

Each morning the kids wake up and play with Legos together until I come get them.  We're eating breakfast and talking about what we dreamed about right after that.  And then the kids have jobs to do which has been my lifesaver.  They are so helpful and I am I a little worried about what we will do when Luke and Jacob go back to school on Wednesday.

Jane is going to be my helper and we've made a deal.  She is going to change the new baby's diapers and I'll change Dalton's.  I think this is going to work out great.  Us girls have to stick together.  She reminds me all the time.  That is until she gets a sister, assuming that does happen one day.  Then I'll be on my own she says. :)  I think we'll still be buddies.

Jane's dance recital outfit.  She was adorable, as expected.

These guys are my buddies too.  Look how cute they are.

How cute are they?  

This summer we've been swimming a LOT.  Like almost everyday.  We got a local pool pass and it has been so worth it.  At the beginning of the summer Luke could doggie paddle somewhat and the others floundered around.  Yesterday every kid (except Dalton) jumped off the diving board and swam the 20 ft or so to the side.  Luke and Jacob can swim freestyle and backstroke and get things off the bottom of the pool.  Jane can swim around without drowning.  And Dalton is the best baby swimmer I have ever seen.  He loves to be underwater and swimming.  And he can actually swim about 4 ft.  He'll hold his breath and kick hard.  And he loves to jump off the side.  He was sad when we couldn't let him go off the diving board yesterday too.  We're really proud of them and celebrated with some Macey's ice cream today.  Yum!

I made this quilt for our new and upcoming baby boy.  I really didn't need much for him but I wanted him to know that we were excited for him to come and loved him.  So everyone in our family picked out a 1/4 yard of fabric we thought he would like and we put this together.  Even has our names embroidered on a piece of fabric we picked out.  Hope the little guy likes it!

This pregnancy has been hard.  My pelvis is off in 3 directions according to a physical therapist I found who specializes in pelvis problems.  Walking has put a lot of strain on my SI joint so sometimes I need a walker.  Sometimes not.  It is worst at night and after sitting.  Especially after sitting in church, the most public place I go.  I am so ready to have this baby and start fixing myself.  But, I can empathize with young people in walkers.  It's much harder emotionally than I thought it would be.  At least it's not forever.  

So, at 39 weeks and a day, we are so ready to have our little boy.  I'm doing hypnobirthing and am a little nervous but the fact that I go so quickly and I'm already dilated 3cm, which is farther than I've ever been before active labor, means it'll be short.  That will help me not cave for the epidural I know will be available.

Bro got married and some birthdays

My bro got married. He's the one in the grey suit.  Me and my siblings.  Aren't we a cute bunch.

 And he married an awesome girl.  My kids keep telling me that we need to save up and go see our new Aunt to see if she has a baby yet.  We do love cousins so I'll put my vote with them.

Ben and Kylee with my parents.

We love camping.  Here we went out to "White Rocks" which is out in the middle of nowhere.  We just love it there and went to celebrate Jacob's 6th birthday.

Making smoke bombs.  Adam's really good at this.  We're perfecting it  for the 4th of July. 

Tumbleweeds are awesome fire starters and really fun to burn.
The kids piled them up from all around our site and we had tons of fun
throwing them on.

Adam's sis Brit came with us.  Here we are watching the smoke bomb.

 Luke lighting sticks on fire.

I posted this on Facebook earlier:
"Dalton says about 10 words. One if them is "fire". And today he built a ready-to-set fire in our fireplace (unprompted I might add) with pieces of paper he tore up. I think he might be a pyro."

I guess we have exposed him a bit to fire.  He sure is funny.

Jacob turned 6 and this kid is AWESOME.

Jacob is super sweet and kind.  He is thoughtful and the peacemaker in our family.  He is a good balance for the rest of us while still throwing in drama of his own.

The other day he said "mom, you're walking funny.  do you need a walking stick?"  and then he went and found me one.  And he brings it to me whenever I tell him I'm not sure I can get up and walk.  Oh the joys of SI joint problems while pregnant.  Only 10 more weeks!

And a picture of Jane.  This girl is a handful and a half.  Love her.

We're Expecting!

I haven't blogged in forever.  Oh well.  At least I took pictures.  Oh wait, the camera's lost.  So you get what I've already got.  But I will find it, soon, since I'll be spring cleaning.

As you might have guessed (especially if you're my friend on facebook) we're expecting our 5th baby.  I was 90% sure it was a girl but low and behold, it's another boy.  And it's a good thing I love boys because that was kind of a shock to my system.  I no longer have a plan.  I wanted Jane to have a sister but I'm pretty tired of being pregnant.  Especially since the relaxin hormone really messed me up when I was pregnant with Dalton and I haven't been able to get those joints to hold.  But the SI joint is going to be the one that makes this pregnancy hard but it's going well so far.  Pretty tired in the beginning but no morning sickness which was REALLY nice.  My ligaments hurt more than another pregnancy at this point (like in a sharp stabbing worse-than-labor way) but I'm wearing a belt which helps a little.  I'm planning lots of lounging around this summer by the pool while watching 4 non-swimmers become swimmers.  And then right around when school starts we'll be welcoming our 4th little boy!

Just a random picture of Adam and I.  Looks just like us, huh :)

This kids are doing great.  Since it's been so long, I'll give some short updates.

Luke is a pretty funny kid lately.  He loves to make things up tell them as truth.  Nice. He did wrestling and is a good wrestler but stopped trying near the end of the season which was super frustrating since he can be fairly aggressive   We're thinking maybe a team sport will help him learn how to always do his best.  He is a great helper around the house and is becoming a really good reader.  His teacher just loves him because he is such a good listener and worker.  If Luke could do something all day, he would play with Legos.

7th birthday

Jacob is our sweet sensitive child.  He loves babies.  He also did wrestling this year and learned how to pin really well. It helps that Adam bribes them with ice cream if they get a pin.  So he won all of his last 5 matches or so.  He loves cereal and playing outside in the sandbox and with his siblings.  He is doing well in school also.

Holding his first cousin on Adam's side

Jane is a little firecracker.  She is super opinionated.  She has decided that when she grows up she's going to have 5 kids and live right across the street from me and be a yard seller.  She's going to go to the store and buy things and sell them again.  She has a great plan, don't you think.  She and I are sticking together to make sure we don't get overrun by boys and she reminds me all the time.  Her hair is in an awkward stage and I'm seriously contemplating just cutting it short again.  It was cute and never had to be brushed.  We'll see if the two of us can hold out for the longer stage.

Dalton is a cute little guy.  He loves his binky and we have a hard time sneaking it away from him.  He LOVES dogs and pretty much any animal.  He can be stubborn if he doesn't get his way but that's just this stage.  He's a loving kid and we just love him.  If he could do something all day it would be play outside. He is always banging on the back door asking to go out.  He likes to stand on the deck and people watch.