LL's Birth Story (aka My Accidental Natural Childbirth)

Well, the Littlest Lashmet (who will go by LL on the blog), has arrived!

I suppose LL's birth story really starts at our 36 week appointment where the nurse shockingly announced I was dilated to a 3 and 70% effaced.  She was sure I'd have the baby by the next week.  So, I kicked it into gear, packing bags, getting plans made, doing laundry, you know, the usual. (Meanwhile, The Boy from Texas was working out of town for two weeks, staying overnight, everyone was a nervous wreck about BB and I being home alone and living 45 minutes from the hospital.)  At the 37 week appointment, I was at a 4 and at the 38 weeker, I was a 5.  No one could believe I was still going to work, taking care of BB, even walking my mile and a half a day at the gym, but I felt fine.  I mean I knew I was having some contractions, but they didn't hurt that bad and were never in regular intervals.

So after three weeks of false alarms, I wasn't worried when The Boy from Texas ran over to my parents house last weekend.  They live about 1.5 hours from the hospital.  He was going to just go for the day, but then ended up spending the night for several reasons--getting feed, hunters coming in, picking up sheep, needing brand inspection papers.  He asked his mom to come and stay with BB and I while he was gone. I thought this was ridiculously unnecessary as nothing was happening and I didn't need a babysitter.  Famous last words.

I felt fine all weekend.  On Saturday night, I was having the same sort of mild contractions I'd had for the last three weeks.  They were about 15 minutes apart, but never got closer or stronger, so I went to bed.  I didn't tell The Boy from Texas when he checked in to see if he needed to come home or if he could spend the night.  I figured it was more of the same that had been happening the last couple weeks.

At 4:30 in the morning, BB woke up crying, so I got out of bed and headed for his room.  As I turned the corner to walk in his door, my water broke.  Just like the movies.  Gush of water on the floor.  Go time.

My mother-in-law offered to drive me, but at that point, I wasn't in any pain and I didn't want poor BB to be drug out of the house to the hospital in the middle of the night.  So I told her I could handle it if she could stay with him.  I mean, women used to have babies on dirt floors.  And cows just lay down and calve.  I could drive 45 minutes.

I called The Boy from Texas.  He reports seeing my name on caller ID at that time and thinking, "Oh crap."  He said he took the fastest shower ever and headed this way.

My brother heard him and texted to say, "You having a kid?"  The Boy from Texas said yes.  My brother was only concerned with his cooler that was in the back of our truck--didn't want it stolen at the hospital.  Apparently, my brother went back to bed and then got up early to guide a hunter.  He didn't ever tell my parents what was going on, so they had no idea.  My dad said he heard someone getting around, but he just assumed it was The Boy from Texas and my brother getting up to hunt.

I don't even want to know how fast The Boy from Texas drove his truck.  He kept me on the phone until I got to the hospital.  When I arrived, he was about 30-40 minutes away.

I had been very concerned about where to park my truck.  You have to go into the emergency room to get to labor and delivery in the middle of the night and I didn't want to get towed.  The Boy from Texas kept telling me how stupid that was--just pull in like you own the joint and deal with it later.  Must be a woman thing, because a couple of other girls have asked me where I parked and said that would have worried them too.  Fortunately, the first space next to the ER was open, I whipped right in, and walked into the ER.

I told them I needed to get to L&D now.  Everyone started moving really fast when they saw me have a contraction.  The poor girl who got stuck driving my wheelchair up there kept saying, "Please don't have a baby before we get to the third floor, please don't have a baby until we get to the third floor."

We got there, I told them what was going on, and they got me checked in at 5:30 am.  By this point, contractions were about 3 minutes apart.  The nurse checked and said I was at a 6.  So I texted The Boy from Texas and told him he could slow down a bit, we had time.  Famous last words again.

The nurse asked 5 million questions.  Most of my answers included the word "epidural."  The conversations went something like this:

Nurse:  Don't worry, the doctor has been called for someone else so he is on his way.
Me:  What about the epidural guy?  Is he on the way?
Nurse:  We've got a lot to do before you can have an epidural.  I'll do my best.

Nurse:  Do you have a birthing plan? 
Me:  Yes, get here and get an epidural.

Nurse:  You doing okay?
Me:  Just give me any drugs you have.  I will take any drugs at this point.'

At 6:05, The Boy from Texas texted "I'm here."

About that time, I told the nurse I thought she better check me again.  She said, "You're an anterior lip!" and she started scurrying around.  I asked what that meant and she said, "You're a 9 and the baby is coming fast."

I called The Boy from Texas at 6:07 and just said, "You need to get in here NOW."  He was in the parking lot.

The nurse said, "Do not push, Dad's not here yet."  I probably asked for drugs again if I'm being honest.

Then she said, "Oh crap," and screamed, "We need a doctor and more hands in here now!"  At that time, 6:10 am (40 minutes from me getting to the hospital), LL was born, the nurse caught her, and The Boy from Texas and the doctor both ran in the door.

The doctor took LL.  The Boy from Texas grabbed my hand with one hand and the scissors to cut the cord with the other.  And that was that.

I asked "I guess I don't get that epidural, huh?"  The nurse said, "You don't need it now!"  I said, "Well, I guess that saved me $700."

We let our parents know.  I called my folks and my dad sleepily answered.  I told him we had the baby.  He said, "Oh my gosh, we have to get The Boy from Texas!"  He didn't realize he had left the house.  About that time, The Boy from Texas texted him this photo, and everyone calmed down.

And just like that, we were a family of four.

Life seems to always be an adventure with us, but we wouldn't want it any other day.  Happy Birthday, sweet LL.  W're glad you're here!

Family (and 1 Year and Maternity) Photos

My amazing friend and our official family photographer has done it yet again.  It all started when I asked her to shoot our wedding....her first professional gig.  Then it continued on with maternity photos.  And newborn photos.  And a year later, we're back.  We're aiming for frequent flier status at Britt Fisk Photography.

I'd be lying if I didn't tell you my favorite part of scheduling photo shoots with her is knowing that I'll get to spend a few hours with one of my absolute favorite people!  We've been friends since high school and she's just the very best.  And what she can do with a camera?  Well, I'll let the photos do the talking.

BB's First Birthday

BB's first birthday party was a smashing success, if I do say so myself.  After worrying that I hadn't done nearly enough (Pinterest is the devil y'all!) and over half of the guest list having to cancel coming the day before the party, I have to admit, I was a little concerned how this would all turn out.  But as we were laying in bed after the party was over and everyone went home and  everything was (mostly!) cleaned up, The Boy from Texas said, "You know, I don't think that could have gone any better."  And that pretty much summed it up.

It wasn't fancy.  Our decorations were $10 worth of balloons, napkins and cups left over from his baby shower, and his own John Deere tractors that I frantically pulled out of the toy box that morning when I saw my friend's decor for her kid's birthday on Facebook and decided I had to do something to fancy the place up.  I got everything set out and used the tractors to decorate.  The Boy from Texas promptly walked in and said, "Why are there random tractors everywhere?"  I said, "That's the decorations!"  He responded, "I wouldn't really worry much about that crap."  This.  This right there is why I needed to marry someone like him!

The Boy from Texas grilled burgers, hot dogs, and steaks.  I made a fruit salad.  We served lemonade from the mason jar dispenser we used at our wedding.  BB ate like a champ, and everyone else seemed to do so as well.

He seemed quite perplexed as to why all these people were singing a song he had never heard and staring at him.  But that didn't last long and then, it was cake time.

His great grandmother made an adorable train cake for the occasion.  This was really special because she also made all of The Boy from Texas' birthday cakes when he was little and also happened to whip up our wedding cake!  Although BB was a bit timid at first about eating this, and even though to his dad's disappointment he really didn't think a spoon was necessary, soon he was covered in frosting.

He went directly from the high chair to the bath tub, still wearing his party hat.

Next up, it was time for presents.  He seemed quite excited about the gifts he got, which ranged from a wooden train, to a Tonka truck, to John Deere tractors, to books, to pajamas, to an engraved silverware set, to a dozen farm fresh eggs to money for his savings account. 

His biggest present was from his mom and dad, who spent entirely too much money on this John Deere wagon.  But he absolutely loves it.  We've deemed it the cake wagon and we take him and his bucket of cake out to feed every evening and you've never seen a kid so happy.  He also really enjoys putting his treasures in his wagon for safekeeping.  So far that's included several rocks, some cake cubes, and a shoe.

The one activity I knew I wanted to do is something I stole from SoulMate Friend at her son's first birthday party 6 years ago.  She bought blank cards and labeled each one with his name and a number.  Then all of the party guests at his first birthday got a card and were to write a note to BB, which he will open on the birthday that corresponds with his number.  So, for example, he will open the note with the number 18 on it on his 18th birthday.  I think this is such a special thing and I can't wait for him to have these notes for future birthdays!

BB seemed to thoroughly enjoy his big day.  H e was surrounded by friends and family and spent the whole day smiling.  Between the balloons and all the different people willing to take him outside and listen to his rambling, the food, the fact that we let him basically bathe in cake, and all the fun new toys he got, it was a good day for this little boy.