Smiths become 4 (6 with kitties!!)

Well as you know, blog of mine, my estimated due date with this second pregnancy was December the 5th, and as you further know, estimated due dates are nuts and I don't care for them much at all! So Thursday December 19th marked 42 weeks gestation for us and it meant time to get to the hospital and get this baby born. I really didn't want to do that. I feel babies will come when they are ready and we had gotten 2 ultrasounds that measured the fluid levels, placenta quality, babe movement, heartbeat, etc and we got perfect scores both times. But the problem for the wonderful women at Blossom birth center was that starting at 39 weeks my blood pressure had been slightly high and had been climbing little by little. They had done preeclampsia tests, which came back negative and I felt like a million bucks, so I thought it was all kind of dramatic. They asked I be on bed rest till the babe was born. But by Wednesday the 18th, they asked us to eat a good dinner and go in to try some natural induction methods and have a baby.

Well that all got put on hold when I got there and my blood pressure was 160. I rested, they took it again; 130. But when if got up and did anything at all it would raise again. Meanwhile I was dialated to about a 6, super soft cervix, but the surges were just tightenings, hardly noticeable. I had not experienced anything with much feeling in general in the past 2 weeks so hopes of giving birth that night were low for me. Diane came in and gave me a pelvic massage, loosening up lots of muscles and tight spots. Finally, I took a bath to relax and they had me bear down a little to see if it would progress anything at all...but they took my BP and it was 180. 

"Time to go to the hospital." 

Birth Story

Have you seen or heard of this new documentary, Birth Story, about midwife, Ina May Gaskin? Gentle, natural births are becoming more and more common and even if that's not your cup of tea, it's still important to get everyone aware of it. I want to dispel the negative myths about delivering at a birth center or at home, in a tub or on a stool. I want people to know that it's not weird or dangerous. It's beautiful and natural, comfortable and peaceful. It's safe and normal. I gave birth completely free of any pain killers or drugs, and it was amazing. More than calling it painful, I call it intense, but also the most incredible experience of my life as I worked with my body and my baby to bring him into the world. (I also used Hypnobirthing, which helped immensely with relaxation, having zero fear, and working with and through the contractions instead of tensing up and fighting against them.) The hardest part was recovering (I had no external tears and no complications...just a normal recovery) and everyone has to go through that one way or another.

So here is this documentary about women and birth and community and love. Please watch and re-post and consider donating to ensure that this film reaches as many people as possible.

"Anything you can give will help us birth this film—it’s an exciting time for independent documentaries and also a challenging one—funding sources have dried up and the market is harder than ever, especially for women-centered films. But we believe the time is right to present a movie that celebrates women and their bodies, that honors what we can accomplish when we work together in community, and that shows childbirth the way we never see it in the mainstream media—unadorned, unabashed, and awe-inspiring."

--Sara Lamm and Mary Wigmore, Birth Story Filmmakers

Click here to back this project

thoughts tonight.

i had a THIRD clogged nipple pore. a bleb. they are EVIL. horrible. but when I read about them, no one is really sure what causes them, and they go away within 3 days. But those 3 days....feel like someone is twisting and pulling my nipple off. thanks.

Tomorrow/today we're going to the Temple. I am up way too late. But kitties are too. and collin and freddie are snoring. I feel SO GUILTY when I'm up still and especially when I'm on the computer and they have already fallen asleep. But sometimes, I just gotta lose myself a little.

There's something VERY exciting happening, but I'm not allowed to talk about it....not even on here...because it's a SURPRISE and he/she/they might read this. (I'm not pregnant).

i'm absolutely so passionate about breastfeeding. it's so awesome, clogged pores and all. this isn't the news, but i really want to become a birth assistant. i'll never forget my birth assistant for Freddie, Danielle.

I hate being away from my kitties. when we're arriving home, or walking inside, I always yell, "Yay, kitties!!" Frederick absolutely LOVES them. Montgomery and Dot. But I think he loves dogs too. Can't wait to get him his first puppy someday. Uh oh. The men are stirring. Time to feed the little one and cuddle and kiss the big one.

out with the old and in with the new

Remember this two years ago? Well that phone soon became MY phone (as I lost mine weeks later and Collin got a work phone). For the past two years, I've had it. But today, my friends, everything changes. 

We've finally decided that it's time to upgrade to Smart phones. CS got a Droid X 2 and I'm getting my iPhone today. But we won't forgot our roots. We've had these "junky" (can you imagine them being junky in 2006?) phones for years, and they've been good to us. I will NEVER claim to be any sort of photographer. But I am a documenter and journaler and I take a lot of pictures. I've taken tons on my junky orange phone, to tell stories and preserve memories, and they've done their job, no matter how grainy. It's seen moves, adventures, added family members, and the beautiful outdoors.

Here are a few of my favorite memories as told by my old phone. Thanks, guy. R.I.P.

family, healing, sunglasses, fall & other stuff

Frederick, you brighten up my day!!! And Collin!!! I LOVE you!!!!!! I love my family. They are all mine forever and the only thing I have charge over and that's OKAY by me. They are wonderful: the humans and the kitties, all so in love! And I'm VERY VERY grateful for friends who listen and give me so much support when dumb stuff happens.

I'm feeling SO much better, healing from birth-wise. Weeks 4 and 6 were a huge difference between pain and being able to walk around/stand a little better, doing a chore every once in a while etc. Mostly still in bed all the time. But the difference between weeks 6 and 8??? HUGE!!!!!!! I feel pretty close to normal health wise...not body/tummy wise, but I'll get there! I've been trying to walk around our complex or somewhere everyday. Plus Fred and I both need more vitamin D. I still need to take a nap or two a day while he sleeps because he still gets up at least 2 times if not 3 during the night to eat...GROWING BOY! We went to the doctor's yesterday and he is 12 lbs 3 oz and 23.5 inches long (at 8.5 weeks)!! woo hoo!!

I love the show, Parenthood, and this weeks was....wow. I knew it was going to happen with Adam. He wasn't careful at all. He wasn't completely honest. You have to have boundaries and complete openness when you're in a committed relationship. I don't think it's appropriate or necessary for people to be in cars or be alone at all with co workers. It's just too risky. These are the people you don't necessarily choose to see but that you see, everyday, more than your family. And that can be dangerous.

The coolest Sunglasses of my LIFE!!!!! I want a pair....but could never pay that much for anything....but they are awesome. FAVORITES:

                       

So I have been pumping breast milk....not a ton, just about every few days. We haven't used any of it yet, but our 3rd anniversary is coming up and I'm thinking a night on the town, with sweet darling babe Frederick home with Grandma. I'll be a nervous wreck! How do people ever take that step of leaving your child alone for the first time? I mean, Collin and I have gone on tons of dates WITH FRED. And he's good! He sleeps the whole time leaving us to talk, hold hands, kiss, enjoy food, movies, art, sports, etc. But I guess there comes a time when we need to learn to trust. Man...we aren't even able to put him in his own bed yet....not because he cries or doesn't want to but because BOTH Collin and I just LOVE having him in our bed with us at night!!! But yes.....Date night on Tuesday. The temple? A movie? Dinner for sure.

The other night we made THE BEST PIZZA EVER!!! If you're too lazy and don't want to make your dough, get it at fresh and easy. IT IS SO GOOD! The best we've had as far as premade pizza dough!!! This pizza had pesto and roasted butternut squash. OHMYAMAZING.



















Recipe: 
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and sliced into 1/4"thin slices
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 prepared pizza dough
1/2 cup pesto sauce 
1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Italian seasonings

Preheat oven to 400 degrees with pizza stone in the oven. Toss butternut squash slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast until just tender, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

Increase oven temperature to 550 degrees. 

Dust pizza stone with flour or cornmeal. Roll pizza dough to 1/4" thickness. Spread a thin layer of pesto over dough, leaving a 1" border around the edge. Top with cheeses, squash, and seasonings. Place pizza onto pizza stone and bake until cheese is bubbly and crust is crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Cool slightly and cut into slices.

 We actually just used half of the squash for the pizza and half for a delicious squash SOUP! ohhh yeah, fall, BABY!

Fall Baby.

Fall cookies. cute and YUM!

cuties. 

my favorite things

about breastfeeding freddie:

-he crosses his ankles like he's so relaxed.
-his little blue eyes staring up at me
-when he gets a little bubble in his tummy this super cute worried expression comes over his face and he'll even make super worried noises, but still stay latched on. internal struggle??

-cute gulping noises

-the satisfaction of getting him to burp
-milk drunk when he's full. he truly acts intoxicated, hehe
-while he sleeps he's dreaming about it and makes little suckling noises, aw.

in talking news:

-when ever he cries or is sad/mad/worried/uncomfortable he says "na" "nay" or "nah"
-"a hoo" or "a woo" is a happy or satisfied word
-he added a new word "ma" the other day. I know it doesn't mean mama but its another positive one and its so darling to me.

Freddie is awake more these days so we get to talk a lot. I say "a woo" and "a hoo" and his face lights up with smiles like crazy. :) :) He also gets really happy and smiley and looks at the pages when I read books to him. Our/my favorite right now is On the day you were born. It talks about all the miracles that happen on the earth daily and how they are for each one of us. It references babe in the dark womb, tiny knees curled to chin, getting ready to come out.

My favorite part:
"With a push you slipped out of the dark quiet, where suddenly you could hear a circle of people singing with voices familiar and clear. 'Welcome to the spinning world,' the people sang as they washed your new tiny hands. 'Welcome to the green earth,' the people sang, as they wrapped your wet, slippery body. And as they held you close, they whispered into your open, curving ear, 'We are so glad you’ve come!'"
It reminds me of that night so much I can feel it!! Makes me so happy. It was so beautiful and peaceful.

He does NOT like it when he pees through his diaper. He LOVES it when i hold him and walk around...puts him to sleep in minutes. He's a very good cuddler. I love his arms and legs so much. 

He's gets to meet his uncle David in 5 hours.

our lives: Halloween-football-halloween

 spooksters at the trunk or treat party. no clue what I am. something lame. I just put on make up and then put a bow on my head because I saw it sitting there. I love my little orange boo guy. I swear we'll do better next Halloween. :)

 collin scaring all the little kids, haha

 hot zombie

 love our new friends, chelsea (and husband dallin), and preston and amanda.

I have the cutest funniest baby ever. how'd I get so lucky???

 i love you, anne costa.

dead ol punpkin going in the trash

 second play-offs game was against the team that knocked us out of the playoffs last year.

 love my two guys

THE MOST INTENSE GAME EVER! at the end it was 6-6; for the overtime there was 3 minutes on the clock and each team got one possession. neither team scored on the first one.
SECOND overtime they had the ball first and we held them. THEN we got it and SCORED!!! MOST EXCITING INTENSE CRAZY NERVE RACKING 6 minutes of my life!!!!

WE were ALL screaming and going crazy. my stomach was in knots. it was awesome. WE WON!!!!!!! We were all rubbing freddie's head for good luck. he of course slept through the whole thing. ehehe.

 SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS!!!!!! SO HAPPY!

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

 CAVE PEOPLE FAMILY

GOODBYE OCTOBER! The weather is REALLY getting great, David Money is coming home NEXT WEEK, then it's brother in law, Kyle's graduation, THEN my mom and dad in law come and it's THANKSGIVING!!!! November: you're going to be amazing!!!

Life sure is good. Now I've stayed up WAY too late doing this post. I should have been in bed sleeping. it was just too tempting to think I'd have both hands to type with since fred is sleeping in bed with his dad, haha.

oh and I had my 6 week appointment today. everything was healed up and looking great...i won't gross anyone out with TOO many details, but still gotta take things slow, says the doctor. I just LOVE being at Blossom. Every time I go there I feel educated and empowered. The breast feeding class the other day was SOOO great, too. Those women know SO much and they are just so passionate about it all. AND NOT PUSHY. they realize that every woman is different and encourage me to do what works best for me, frederick, and collin. love love love.

AND I pumped a little for the FIRST time! it went great!!!!!! I'm not going to do it often...just every few days so that I can freeze some in case of
-an emergency
-so that I can go to the temple with collin
I'm not quite ready or wanting to leave freddie for a long weekend or trip or anything...I'd want to take him with us!