More Amber

I took a few more pictures of Amber. I just can't resist. 

She has been a great baby. She sleeps well; eats well. She lost 14 ozs in the first couple days, which is 11% of her body weight, so the doctor had me focus on feeding her really well to get her up some. She was getting a big jaundice too, but as she got better at feeding and my milk came in she seemed to be doing better. 

I am anxious to get back to normal. I am very impatient with the healing process. I am dying to get a good sweaty workout. I got diastasis recti with this pregnancy, which is where your abdominal muscles separate leaving a little bulge. Gross. Totally fixable with core exercises though. 

Amber's newborn pictures

I was so excited to do Amber's pictures. I don't think I am done yet. I like being able to leave up my backdrops and things, and just bring her in when she is nice and sleepy. I don't have that luxury when I have a scheduled photo shoot. I have to work with what I get.

Anyway, here is my beautiful Amber.

Amber Lynn

She is here! And she is wonderful. 

Labor and delivery went just fine. Labor was fairly long, but delivery went quickly. 

For those who love to hear a labor and delivery story...

It all started at 1 a.m. June 15th. I started having contractions 10 minutes apart.  They lasted ALL night. Never got to to be "5-1-1" (5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour). That is when I was told to go in. If I followed that rule, I never would have gone in. I eventually went in at about 10:30 a.m. with them ranging from 5-20 minutes apart. I knew they may send me home, but I was tired of waiting and the midwife freaked me out earlier in the week saying I would go quick, and not to wait to go to the hospital. 

I was hooked up to a monitor, and I was so irritated to have only 5 contractions in the hour they monitored me. And only 2 of them really hurt. I was sure they'd send me home, but the nurse checked me, and I was 5 cm and "the head is right there!" she said. 

I was admitted, and got my epidural. As soon as it kicked in I pushed her out in a couple pushes. We spent more time waiting for a contraction to come than pushing. It was strange. It was a long drawn out labor, but it was pretty mild. I don't think I ever got to a "10 on the pain scale" with my contractions. Not sure which would be better, quick and hard, or long and mild?

It is funny because Nate was scheduled to work the day Amber was born. I thought about having him call in, but because my contractions hadn't gotten any closer in 6 hours, Nate could probably go in. He works right next to the birthing center, so I figured he could come over and my sister-in-law could drive me if I needed her to. So Paula ended up taking me and staying with me until Nate showed up later, then she stayed to see me get an epideral (foreign to her). Her labors are so fast and intense that mine was weird to watch. Pretty funny to see her so entertained.

Amber looked pretty beat up. Splotchy red spots all over. 

These are the next day, much better. I can't wait to do her newborn pictures in the next couple days. 

 She has big, beautiful eyes. And she has this tiny little mouth, so she is adorable, especially when she is awake and looking around.

Happy 5th Dallin

Well, Dallin didn't have to share a birthday with Amber. He was happy about that.

After his party he told me it was his best birthday party so far. I am so glad he had fun. He just had a couple friends, but it was a very rambunctious crowd. The poor little sisters that came, got knocked over and trampled on everywhere they went.

Nate was very helpful. I had planned everything, and he carried everything out. Did all the games and everything. 

Here is his best girl friend, Bonnie. They are both quirky and sweet, and I am sure will be friends for life. She is so cute. She always calls him by his full name. "Hi, Dallin Spence." "Thanks, Dallin Spence." Look at their eyes. I love kids' eyes; how they expressive they are and they just shine through them. This is my new favorite picture of Dallin.

 Ariana, digging for treasure in the sandbox. Ashlyn searching for gold pieces.

 Dallin chose some classic party games like, Pin the Skull on the Pirate ship. He practiced so much during the day, he won.

Opening gifts. He was excited about every single one. Even the toothbrush and toothpaste we got for him.

 

Dallin really wanted a piñata too. My favorite part was watching Cowen's face. He is the one in blue. He thought it was so hilarious when the piñata would hit someone on a swing back.

I think Joel finally got a hole in it, and Tanner demolished it. Look at that face. Can't wait to watch him play ball this summer.

Spectators. 

Ashlyn, and the little sisters were afraid to bat the piñata.

 I didn't take pictures of the Chocolate Marshmallow cupcakes I made. They were from an awesome recipe I found on Pinterest. 

39 weeks

Welp, here I am, a week away from my due date. Things are looking more promising now, I mean, they ought to right? The midwife said I should go into labor soon, and "the way you are presenting, you will go fast," she says. I am 3 cm and fully effaced, or as she put, "your cervix is mush." That is for all those who like the gory details. 

Being Dallin's birthday today, I am kind of hoping it doesn't happen today. Mostly because I have a very well planned out pirate themed birthday party planned for him tonight, and I don't want to reschedule; already did that once. It might be fun to have 2 kids with the same birthday, actually.

I don't think this picture really shows how huge I am, but I am BIG. Everywhere I go I hear whispers, "She is ready to pop!" and stuff like that. This is the biggest I have gotten around. Dallin was my next biggest, and I was an inch or two smaller around with him. My weight gain is comparable  though, at about 20 lbs. He was 8 lbs 7 ozs, so I hope Amber isn't gonna be 9 lbs. Especially if I go so fast that I can't get an epidural. Why do doctors/midwives tell you things that freak you out!?! 

This is the last picture I am going to post before delivery. Wish me luck!