Trevor & Austin

Trevor loves Austin. Their first meeting in the hospital was short (we got about 45 secs before he asked to get down and play) but very sweet.  Trevor knew right who Austin was and called him by name.

Austin even got a kiss before Trevor ran off to go play.

Trevor is already a great big brother!

And, remember how I said that Austin looks just like Trevor as a newborn only darker?  Here's the proof...

 Trevor

Austin

It will be interesting to see if Austin still looks like Trevor as he gets older.

Austin John Hales

Finally some pictures of our newest addition!

 Austin John Hales

Born April 24th at 7:53 pm

7 lbs, 12 oz and 20 inches long

Notice the hand on top of his head.  This is how he tried to be born, thus garnering him the nickname, Super Baby.

We couldn't be more excited to have Austin in our family!

Austin's Birth Story: Part Four, Post Partum

I always knew that birthing my child would be a triumphant moment for me and I was right.  After Austin was born I felt amazing.  I felt so powerful and strong as a woman and I was deeply proud of myself.

It wasn't long before I got to hold Austin and he was perfect.  He looked just like Trevor did when he was born, except with a darker complexion and darker hair.  With Trevor I had no desire to see my placenta, but this time around I was excited to see the organ that sustained Austin in-utero.  It was so amazing looking.

I had to have a few stitches and so while I was getting stitched up, Jenn was feeding me chocolate pudding.  This my friends is one of the many reasons to hire a doula for your next birth!  Chocolate pudding has never ever tasted so good.

After I was all stitched up Martha helped me get Austin nursing and to my utter amazement he latched on practically all by himself, which was a miracle to me since Trevor had such a hard time nursing at first.  Austin is a champion nurser.

Since the cafeteria was closed and I was starving, Jenn stayed with me while Darren ran to Wendy's to get some food.  When Darren came back Jenn left and it was kind of emotional to see her go.  She had been with me from the start and I couldn't express how much her help and support meant to me.  I am 100% convinced that I could not have had such a positive birth experience (despite all the pain) without her knowledge, love and support.

The next morning Darren woke up with an awful backache, from pulling on the sheet and spending hours and hours rubbing my back the day before, so since I didn't get a chance to enjoy the jacuzzi tub, Darren did.  Fortunately for me, I no longer had a backache, he was sound asleep in the bassinet by my bed.  :)

Read Trevor's Birth Story --->

Read Jared's Birth Story --->

Austin's Birth Story: Part Three, Pushing & Delivery

(Sorry to leave you hanging so long.  Yesterday was CRAZY, but we are back on track now.)

So, we're barreling down the hall from triage to my room and I am pushing with each contraction.  Once in my room I can hear people rushing around, but I could care less.  Martha told me to get into whatever position felt most comfortable and do whatever felt best.  That was such a welcome change from triage where I was required to lay on my side.

With each contraction I would push, and it felt so good to have something to do instead of just relax and wait for it to pass.  Jenn kept putting cool wash cloths on my neck and forehead and that felt good too.  After only a few pushes my water broke and I heard Martha say that it was clear.  I continued pushing on hands and knees for a while and then they had me get onto my side to see if Austin liked that position better.  It wasn't long before we could start to see Austin's head and all his dark hair.

Eventually, Martha decided that I needed a little help getting Austin under my pubic bone, so she took a sheet and tied a knot at one end.  She handed me the knot and told me that I was going to play tug-of-war with my husband during my next contraction.  So the next contraction came and I pulled and Darren pulled and it seemed to help Austin come down more.

This went on for what seemed like an eternity to me, but couldn't have been more than 20 mins or so.  Then something changed and I could see that Martha was getting nervous and I could hear that after each contraction it would take Austin's heart beat a while to come back.  I started to get scared for Austin and scared that I couldn't push him out, but everyone did a great job reassuring me that I was doing a good job.

Then Martha got really serious and everyone else got really bossy and they told me that I had to push and push really hard because Austin had to be born right now!  So I pushed and when I thought I couldn't push anymore I did, and Darren pulled on the sheet and I pulled back and just when I thought I might pass out, Austin was born at 7:53 pm, two hours after we arrived at the hospital.

It was amazing.

Continue to Austin's Birth Story: Part Four --->

Austin's Birth Story: Part Two, Active Labor

So, I took the pill, Jenn left and I went to bed.  It must have been a good pill because I have no idea what really happened during the next couple hours, but eventually I woke up and Jenn came back and she fed me again (thus ensuring that I would not have a C-section anytime in the next 8 hours).

With each contraction Jenn would rub two racquetballs on my lower back and it felt amazing.  Darren also took turns rubbing my back.  I really had no time to think about anything else except getting through each contraction, but I could tell that they were coming closer together than before and my back pain wasn't getting worse during each contraction, so I knew that Austin was finally in a good position.

I spent most of the afternoon sitting on a birthing ball and around 5:00 pm Jenn called the midwife on-call, Martha again and updated her on my progress.  It was the first time I really understood how close together my contractions were and that we were headed to the hospital very soon.

Jenn warned me that the drive to the hospital would be miserable and she was pretty much right.  Fortunately, we live close and I only had 3 or 4 contractions in the car.  Once at the hospital I waddled slowly with Jenn to the Birth Center while Darren parked the car.  One look at my face and the lady at the reception desk sent me into triage.

In triage I changed into a gown and they hooked me up to a fetal monitor.  It was OK at first because I was on my hands and knees, but then they made me lay down on my side...  It was miserable.  Ten minutes of monitoring turned into 20 minutes of monitoring as soon as the nurse saw my signed consent form to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section).

Somewhere in the middle of my 20 minute hell, Martha the midwife on-call came in.  I was mid-contraction when she arrived and she immediately came to me and started rubbing my head.  She introduced herself (I had only met her once, briefly during an appt.) in between loving affirmations of how wonderfully I was relaxing during each contraction.

At one point I remember that I had someone rubbing my lower back with the balls, someone rubbing my upper back, someone rubbing my head, and someone rubbing my feet.  And the whole time I kept hearing loving affirmations that I was doing such a good job.

During one contraction I remember thinking, I think it would feel good to push just a little, but I resisted because I didn't want to be one of those people who tries to push when they are only 5 cm dilated.  A couple contractions later I couldn't help it and I gave just a little push.  Jenn noticed and she said something like, "I think she just tried to push".

Shortly thereafter Martha gave me an internal exam and I was 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced.  I think everyone, myself especially was shocked that I was so far along.  This is when I knew that my VBAC dream was coming true.  It was also the second time I had smiled in a long time.

After my exam, things got a little more urgent in my little triage room.  Soon I had an IV in and just in time because my contractions were right on top of each other and with each one I had to give a little push.  Next thing I knew we were barreling down the hallway to my room...

Continue to Austin's Birth Story: Part Three --->

Austin's Birth Story: Part One, Early Labor

My last post ended with me telling you that I tried Scalini's Eggplant Parmigiana recipe to try and induce labor and it kind of worked.  In the wee hours of the morning on my due date, April 19th I woke up with contractions that were about 10 mins apart and then they started coming every 6 mins.  They hurt, but I was handling them well and I kept telling myself that I was ready for labor and telling by body to bring it on.  But alas, the contractions stopped after about an hour and a half and I went back to sleep disappointed, but encouraged.

Monday, April 19th (my due date) - No contractions all day, very disappointed.

Tuesday, April 20th - Very few contractions, nothing regular.  Got ice cream with friends to help cheer up.  It helped a little.

Wednesday, April 21st - Appointment with the midwives and an ultrasound to visually confirm that Austin was head down.  Thank heavens he was, but he was no where near engaged in my pelvis which meant that all those contractions Monday morning caused very little change in my cervix.  Left appointment bummed out, but determined to help him drop.  Walked to the park with Trevor.

Thursday, April 22nd - Went on a 1 1/2 hour walk with Trevor.  Had some contractions all night long, but nothing closer than 15-20 mins apart.  Woke up disappointed and tired.

Friday, April 23rd - Weather was yucky, so I went to a friend's house and spent 40 mins on an elliptical machine.  Went on another walk to the park with Trevor.  Took Trevor to my dad's to spend the night so that I could get some sleep...  That didn't happen.  (This is where it starts to get good!)

After we dropped Trevor off we went to dinner with some friends.  I started having contractions about every 15 mins and they hurt.  I had to stop walking or talking to relax through them.  After dinner we decided to go home instead of playing cards, so that I could get some rest.  I knew that it was going to be a long night.

Went to bed around 9:30 and had contractions every 15 mins.  Eventually they started hurting so bad the only thing that made them bearable was to get up and walk through them.  I was tired.  At 1:00 am I started praying to Heavenly Father that he would be merciful to me and either stop the contractions so I could sleep or cause them to get worse so that I could go to the hospital for an epidural.  (Keep in mind, I was planning an unmedicated birth, but at 1:00 am an epidural sounded just about perfect.)  I was like a bungee jumper all strapped in just waiting to fall and the longer I stood on the ledge the more scared I was to take the plunge.  I either needed my body to jump into labor, or get off the ledge because I was loosing my nerve, fast.

I called the midwife on-call and told her my plight.  She reccommended I take a Benedryl and see if it would help me sleep.  It didn't.  By 3:30 am I was crying during each contraction and they were still only 10-15 mins apart.  I woke Darren and told him that I just wanted to go to the hospital and get a C-section.  Being the wonderful husband that he was Darren did not put me into the car and take me to the ER, instead he called the doula.  (Side note: I wondered to myself if I could possibly get to the car, out of the garage, and drive myself to the ER without Darren knowing.  Once there I would beg on my hands and knees for a C-section.)

My doula, Jenn suggested that I get into a hands and knees position to try and help get Austin positioned correctly thinking that labor wasn't progressing because Austin's head wasn't applying the correct pressure to my cervix.  Darren talked me through it and it helped, but it did not cause my labor to progress or the pain to stop.

Saturday, April 24th - By 6:30 or 7:00 am I was up and out of bed and on the phone with Jenn.  I was crying and desperate for the contractions to either stop or get closer together because I was now 100% convinced that natural, vaginal birth was not for me!  When Jenn came she put me back on hands and knees and rubbed my back during each contraction.  I was having back labor and Austin was in a funky position, so we did all we could to help him move.  Darren took a much need break and went to play volleyball leaving me in the capable hands of my doula.

Funny story: Jenn asked if I had eaten breakfast and I answered very honestly, no.  I told her I was hungry, but that if I ate I would have to wait 8 hours before they could do a C-section and I didn't think I could take another 8 hours of pain.  She laughed and then propmtly made me a bagel and cream cheese.  After I took the first bite and swallowed she laughed and said something like, "now your stuck".  It was the first time I had laughed in over 12 hours.

Around 9:00 am the midwife on-call, Martha called to check on me.  She called in a Rx for a single Ambien (sleep medication) and told me to take it and and try to get some sleep.  She hoped I would wake up and either be in active labor or not in labor at all.  It sounded like just what I needed.

By the time Darren came back with the little pill my contractions were about 7 mins apart and hurting a lot less in my back which made us hopeful that Austin had finally settled into a good position.  I took the pill, Jenn left, and I slept...for a little while.

...To be continued...

Continue to Austin's Birth Story: Part Two --->

Scalini's Eggplant Parmigiana Legend

Legend has it that there is a restaurant in Georgia that can induce labor.  They claim that more than 300 women have gone into labor within 48 hours of eating their Eggplant Parmigiana.

Tonight I am putting the legend to the test using the recipe found on their website (http://www.scalinis.com/Bambino.htm).  And who knows, maybe I'll have Austin on my due date (which is Monday).  Stranger things have happened.

Patrick & Mandy's Wedding Cake

After the last wedding cake I did back in February I said I wasn't doing any more cakes until several months after Austin was born, but I guess I lied because when Elizabeth called to see if I would make a wedding cake for her brother last Friday, I couldn't turn her down.

Elizabeth offered to make the cakes, which were strawberry and VERY delicious.  I put milk chocolate ganache in between the layers and then frosted it with a whipping cream-like frosting that was divine!  The bride wanted something simple with white fondant and red roses on top.

It was a fun cake to make, but this time I'm serious.  No more cakes until June...unless you make me an offer I can't refuse.  :0)

Released

On Wednesday night I was released from my calling as Ward Bulletin and Newsletter Specialist, and I cried.  Today when they announced my release over the pulpit, I cried again.

Let me start by saying that I have always thought that doing the bulletin each week would be the best calling ever.  No meetings, no lesson to prepare, just checking emails and typing on the computer.  So when I was asked to serve in this calling, I was ecstatic.

Now that I have been released, I am sad.  I can honestly say that I have never magnified a calling to the extend that I tried to magnify this calling.

I will miss it dearly.

We're Ready When You Are Austin

I am now almost 39 weeks pregnant and getting so excited to meet little Austin.  He has been such a spunky kid in-utero and I am anxious to meet him.

A couple weeks ago my Aunt Marsha hosted a baby shower for me which was very sweet.  (I'll post pics when I get them.)  Aunt Shelley made me a sash to wear with Austin's name on it and after the shower I turned it into a wall hanging for his room.

I think it looks so cute in his room.

I also took the cute paper animals that were in the cupcakes and made this frame.

Not only am I physically ready for Austin to come, I am emotionally prepared as well.  As I reflect on the journey I have taken during my pregnancy and the decisions I have made, I am blessed to have been able to assemble such a wonderful group of people to help me have the best birth possible.  Between the midwives, my doula Jenn, and my wonderful husband, I have never lacked for encouragement and support as I have made decisions about what's best for me and for Austin.  And I know that no matter what happens, Heavenly Father knows what we need and He loves us.

So whenever you are ready Austin, we're ready and patiently waiting for you.

Inheritance

Last week my Great-Aunt Vi passed away.  She lived a full life and she will be lovingly welcomed to the other side by her husband and other family members gone before.

Aunt Vi had a gorgeous hutch in her living room and was fortunate enough to inherited it.  I never have, nor will I ever own a more beautiful piece of furniture.  It is perfect in every way.

It is such a delight to have a place worthy to display my maternal grandmother's china and the other beautiful things I own.

Easter Festivities

Here's a run-down of what we did to celebrate Easter.

• Dyeing Eggs

Last year Trevor was only 15 months and we thought dyeing eggs would be more hassle than it was worth, so this was the first year we have ever dyed eggs with Trevor.  We had a lot of fun.

Trevor coloring an egg before dyeing it.

The first egg we did Trevor just dropped into the dye and that made a huge mess, so I started helping him lower the eggs with a spoon.

After we were done Trevor helped me count the eggs.

He was so proud of himself!

• Easter Egg Hunt & a Visit with the Easter Bunny

On Saturday we went to Kent Station for an Easter egg hunt and to visit the Easter Bunny.  Trevor couldn't be bothered with taking pictures.  He was more concerned with finding something to do while waiting in line and then with finding eggs to put in his basket.

Jumping on the metal grate with Daddy helped with the boredom of waiting in a long line.

So did staring at the fountain wondering how wet he could get before I caught him.

Once he finally got his turn, there was NO WAY he was going to slow down long enough for me to take his picture.

 He was excited to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap.  When I asked him to make a happy face I got his frowny face instead...oh well.

It was a very good day.

• Easter Basket

The Easter Bunny came to our house and left a trail of eggs leading from Trevor's room all the way to our room where he left a basket of goodies for Trevor.  Among the highlights in the basket were the Cars movie, Cars toothpaste and plastic eggs filled with Yo-Go's.

• Easter Egg Hunt (#2)

On Sunday we went to my Aunt Cheryll's house for Easter dinner and she set up an egg hunt for the boys.

(PS - I love my Aunt Cheryll's backyard.  Once everything starts to bloom I'll take pictures for you to see.  Her backyard looks like something out of Better Homes and Gardens.)

• Easter Family Home Evening

We did a lot of fun things to celebrate Easter, but the best part was the Family Home Evening we had tonight about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  After I told the story of the resurrection to Trevor and then acted it out using some paper cut-outs Trevor wanted a turn.  He proceeded to re-tell the story several times.

Tonight's FHE reminded me of the obligation and responsibility we have as parents to teach our children the gospel and I am grateful that Darren and I are taking the time to teach Trevor things of eternal importance.

Doctrine & Covenants 68: 25, 28

    And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

    And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.

Trip to the ER

So tonight we made a trip to the ER.  Here's what happened...  (Sorry it's so wordy.)

Around 3:20 we heard Trevor let out a scream.  Darren ran upstairs to the office where Trevor was and Trevor told Darren that his nose hurt.  Darren asked him what happened and he said something about his nose and the "puter" (Darren's work laptop).  Then Darren noticed that the little blue piece you see in this picture was missing from his laptop and sure enough we found it up Trevor's left nostril.  We thought about trying to get it out ourselves with tweezers, but it was too high for me to feel comfortable with that plan, so off we went to the doctor.

Finally, at 5:00 we got to see Dr. Christopher and when he looked he had some bad news.  Trevor had pushed it up even higher into his nose and it was now too far for Dr. Christopher to get with the tool he had in the office.  Because it was 5:00 on the Friday before Easter our only option was a trip to the ER.  On the way out of the office Trevor grabbed his $15 sucker.  (We still had to pay the $15 co-pay even though Dr. Christopher couldn't do anything for us.)

The ER was expecting us and so it wasn't long before we were in Triage and then off to one of the new ER rooms.  Finally, the ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor came in took a look and said that it was pretty far up there and she would do her best to get it out, but she couldn't promise anything.  She then left to go get help.

Help came in the form of a nice man named Tony who helped Trevor put on a "special coat" which was just a pillow case that they put on Trevor's arms with the pillow case behind him so that he couldn't bring his hands up to his face.  Then they wrapped him in a blanket like a burrito and laid him down on the exam table.  I almost started to cry because his eyes were big as golf balls and he looked seriously freaked out.  I did my best to cheer him up with some Eskimo and butterfly kisses, but then the doctor told me I had to step back and off to the side.

She then proceeded to stick this huge syringe with a long tube on the top all the way up his nose.  Of course he screamed, but it was quick and out came the piece from Darren's laptop.  After lots of hugs and kisses he seemed to be over the trauma of it all and started to ask if he could go home yet.  Darren showed up right after they got the piece out and it was nice that he was able to take Trevor home while I finished up the paperwork.

Trevor left the ER sucking on his now $65 sucker ($15 doctor co-pay + $50 ER co-pay) and I just hope we can add "placing foreign-bodies in the nose" to the list of things that Trevor will never do again.

Sidewalk Chalk

Today I introduced Trevor to the world of sidewalk chalk.  We both had so much fun it made me wonder why I waited so long to break out the chalk.

Here's what we drew...

 

 

I thought about drawing an ambulance or writing something about me going to the hospital to have Austin today, but once every one figured out it was just an April Fool's Joke all I would feel was disappointed that I don't get to meet him today.  So instead I got my feet massaged and Trevor and I walked around the block.