Happy BIRTH-Day SeAnna Hope!

Finally, I have a minute to post about SeAnna's birth ... two weeks later! 

SeAnna was due on September 27th, which happended to be a new moon, as my mom informed me regarding the old wives tale of babies being born around the pulls of the moon.  Which proved to be true, for me!

On Friday the 23rd, my doctor said I was still dialated to a 2, and had been since the prior week's doctor appointment, and her head was down.  The doc said she was ready to come any day now.  Because I had an ultrasound at 8 weeks along, the due date was quite accurate. Lucky for me, mom and dad left Utah this day to make the 3-day drive.

Saturday the 24th I spent all my energy getting my house cleaned for company.  Bending over was not very easy, and cleaning the bathtub felt like a gymnastics work-out which I was quite sure would get labor going, as I was already feeling close to it and having my womb tighten up quite frequently. To finish up my hard day of cleaning, Seth and I attended a Morehead State Volleyball game and then went grocery shopping.  I was exhausted Saturday night and ready for sleep, but I didn't get much as I started to have cramps about 12:30 am.

Sunday the 25th, I went to church, and talked to my friend who informed me that the cramps were really contractions (so that's what they feel like)!  When we got home I started to time them, but they were very irregular, so I guessed it must be false labor.  I tried to take a nap at 4 pm, but didn't get much sleep due to the discomfort, so I decided I had better finish packing my suit case, just to be safe.  Later that evening, Seth obliged me and we went for a slow walk as I waddled down the road.  We didn't get too far into our walk when we met my parents around 6 pm.  I was feeling very relieved that they had left Utah when they did, as I had told them they didn't need to arrive for a few more days, as I thought the baby would come late.  After my parents arrival, my contractions became more intense and closer together.

By 9 pm the contractions varied between 3 and 5 minutes apart and were getting painful, so we decided I better get to the hospital! We arrived a bit before 10. (I am proud to say I didn't use a wheel chair to get to the delivery room!)  The nurse checked me and all 3 of us were very surprised I was dilated to 6 cm and 80% effaced.  She figured we'd have a baby by morning.  I sat on a birthing ball to help with the contractions and to speed up the process, which it did. By midnight I was dilated to 9 cm.

Earlier that week I watched a documentary on Netflix called "The Business of Being Born".  I am so glad I did, as I learned that I did NOT want any pitocin or any IV drugs for pain as they all slow delivery down.  I was still undecided about an epidural.

I guess 9 cm is too late for an epidural, but the nurse said I could try an interthecal, so wishy-washy as I am, it was still a major decision, I decided to get it. 

Monday, September 26th, 1 am.  The nurse anesthetist administered the interthecal.  I begged the nurses to let Seth hold me as it was administered. Three quarters of the way through it, Seth almost fainted, and had to sit down and have a drink of juice.  The nurse said "that's why we don't like spouses to be in the same room."  Well, it helped me to have him there!

1:30 am, the Doctor on call at the hospital that night happened to be lady.  What luck!  I was so glad to not have a man deliver my baby.  The doctor checked and said I was a half a centimeter away from being fully dilated.  Because of the intertecal I had to stay on the bed, laying on my sides, and to get the baby to drop further down.  The interthecal did not relieve the contractions, and they became quite severe.

2 am, the nurse anesthetist came back in to see if I wanted another interthecal as it was not helping with the contractions.  I told her no thank you, I've had enough of those needles!  I was afraid getting another one would ruin my spinal column as it's impossible to hold still when you are writhing in pain during a contraction.  Looking back, I wish I had just been brave and had the baby with out the interthecal, as it has effected one of the nerves endings in one of my toes.

2:30 am,  I had endured the contractions as long as I could on that hard delivery bed, which seemed to make them worse.  At that point I demanded "get me out of this bed!".  I felt that I could endure them much better on the birthing ball.  So the nurse decided to check me again before they let me out of the bed.  Thankfully, she said I was fully dilated and was ready to push.  She called for the doctor and I began to push. Pushing was so much easier than enduring the contractions.

3:07 am, SeAnna took her first breath and cried. That beautiful cry will forever be ingrained in my memory.  Even though the interthecal did not alleviate the contractions it did help with the rest of the process.

Finally, our little miracle is here to hold and love.

The nurses guessed that SeAnna would have light brown hair with red highlights.  Seth and I both figured she would have dark brown hair, and that there was no way it could be red.  Well, we were surprised!   The nurses were right, in fact upon my first inspection it looked to be the same color as my hair.

Before they took SeAnna to weigh her, Seth was holding her and I asked him how much he thought she weighed, he guessed about 7 lbs, and I guessed 6.5 lbs.  Well, Seth won, SeAnna weighed in at 7 lb. 1 oz!  She was 20 and 1/4 inches long.


I am so grateful that I was able to have a short labor, especially after the horror stories I've heard.  SeAnna and I were both blessed to have made it through delivery healthy and normal.

How wonderful it was to have my parents arrive in the nick of time to tend their grand-pup, my dog Mazie, and then take care of me and Seth for 2 weeks.

Grandma holding SeAnna for the 1st time.

All are ready to go home and have fun!

Grandpa holding SeAnna for the 1st time.

Lots of hair!!!

Just so lovable!

Red hair???

Flowers from uncle Spence and Grandpa and Grandma Green

Precious Babe

Grandpa and Grandma Green holding SeAnna for the 1st time.

Baby Shower

I started this post two weeks ago and never finished it. Now SeAnna is a week old. I'm not going to add any more details.  Below are pictures of the baby shower and a few of the nursery and Seth setting up the stroller.



My wonderful friends, Kourtney and her sister Kally gave me a Baby Shower. After years of attending Baby Showers and hating how they always felt so obligatory, I swore I'd never have a shower and make people give me gifts. Well, never say Never. Seth said I deserved to have a baby shower. I must admit, it was wonderful and fun to have a party for my miracle baby!

On a side note, I wish I had kept track of all the baby showers I'd attended and who they were for. I do know that 75% or more of the showers I went to were for baby boys. So I was quite sure my baby would be boy.

Summer Vacation

Finally June 30th arrived and we began the 3 day drive to Utah! 5 weeks in the west equals no humidity, cool dry evenings, mountains, red dirt, blue skies and wide-open vista's where you can see for miles in any direction. Oh yes, and the best part was seeing family and friends.

Near Leadville, CO.  LOVE the mountains!!!

A good'ol Blanding, UT Fourth of July parade.  Julianne's cousins, Hayley and Kami, made a special trip to Blanding to visit.  Wish there was a picture of the trio!!!

Visiting some native American ruins in Mesa Verde, CO

Seth climbing down a ladder into a Kiva (a large circular room, underground)

Grandpa Grant Burns and Seth.  Had the baby been a boy, we would have named it after grandpa.

LOVE St. George!!!! Eating lunch at Durango's with my sister and our good college friend/apartment-mate, Kelly (who I also visit taught 11 years ago.  Wow, where has the time gone???

A Sunday evening with Seth's Dad, step mom, step-sister and step niece.

Grandma Green's kitchen.  She made us an amazing meal of authentic Mexican taco's and refried beans.  Delish!!!

Crumb Cottage B&B in Panguitch, UT.  Seth's mom, MaryAnne.

Julianne, her brother and sister.  It had been since Christmas of 2006 since we had all been together.  A few kiddo's have joined the family since then, as well as our parents retiring and moving to Blanding!

Baby Green is a .....

Girl !!!!

 19 weeks

Below:  21 weeks along

Seth and I both expected the baby to be a boy, but everyone else said a girl.  I've always wanted to have a girl first. Seth was hoping for a boy, but is just as happy with a girl.

A fun fact: my Grandma was born in 22, my Dad in 44, me in 77, and now baby Green in 11 - all double digits!

The color pink is already taking over - it's a good thing I LOVE pink!!!

Baby Green's due date is September 27.

Yahoo! We've made it half way!

Becoming Better Parents

Back in the fall of 2009 - shortly after moving to Kalamazoo, S. and I attended an amazing presentation on positive parenting by Tom Dozier, BCaBA, who is a parenting coach.  It was so inspiring, that I have been wanting to do a post on it ever since to share his techniques and information ... but I just never got around to it, until now.  Every parent and parent-to-be can learn from his guidance.

FYI - Tom Dozier is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - and his coaching is based on professional studies and on the principles of faith and doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At the beginning of the presentation, we received this handout: Becoming Better Parents  found at this link: http://www.ldsparentcoach.org/uploads/Parenting_the_Lord_s_Way__08-24-09_handout.pdf
The document is in PDF form of the slide presentation, and is 10 pages long with 6 slides per page- print it off or study it from the link.  Below I have included the notes I took that correspond to the handout.

Visit the website http://www.ldsparentcoach.org/ for more detailed information.

Dr. Glenn I. Latham, 1931-2001 wrote a handful of parenting books (pictured in the handout).  The Power of Positive Parenting is one that I have purchased through Amazon, and it is a resourceful book.



The notes that I took down from Tom Dozier's presentation:

Notes to slide 5:

•  Parenting is like the Gospel: Heavenly Fathers gives us commandments (parenting) and then blesses us (rewards for obeying).
• Hard part of parenting is Parent Peer Pressure.

Notes to slide 7:

• Children have an on/off switch - kids say or agree to something just to get mom to be quiet.
• Parenting by Coercion: it's very easy to do and leads the child to the temperament of "I don't want to, and you can't make me".
• Do not command your kids - it causes them to avoid you.

Notes to slide 12:

• The secret to parenting it to "tell your children what you expect them to do, rather than what you expect them not to do."

Notes to slide 22:

• Talk very clearly to the child about what they need to do - specifics are a must.  
• Example - A young girl throws a huge tantrum every day about getting dressed.  As a parent you discuss with her : You can come out of your room when you have put on some clothes that are comfortable and you are not crying.  If you put on clothes that are not comfortable, take them off and put on some other clothes.  A form of self teaching happens when the parent asks the child specific questions related to what was just discussed: 1) When can you come out?  2) What do you do if your clothes are not comfortable?  The child MUST repeat back - it's an important part of teaching expectations.
• Example - parents say "play nicely".  Parents must state clearly to the children what that really entails and then have the children re-state it.
• Use the word "EXPECT". 
• Example - A child/teenager is not getting their homework done.  Parent: I expect you to have your homework done by dinner. When do I expect you to have it done? Child: by dinner time.
• The key to positive parenting is NOT trying to stop inappropriate behavior, but to BUILD appropriate behavior.
• Example: Teenager wants to borrow the car.  Parent: You may borrow the car if you will get back home by 9 pm.  When do I want the car back?  Child: By 9 pm. 
• Example:  A son wants to purchase something at the store, parents tells the son that he expects him to get his homework done by 8 pm in order to go. What time do I expect you to get your homework done?  Child: By 8 pm.  The son does not do his homework and it is 8 pm.  Parent: I am sorry son, you needed to get your homework done by 8 pm, the consequence is the son does not go to the store.

Notes to slide 26

• Find and recognize behavior that is appropriate.  Simply walking by and noting what the child  is doing is good - the parent must do this consistently in all activities.
• Do not give any attention to a child's inappropriate attention-getting behavior.
• Focus on the good!
• Catch the child doing what's right!

Notes to slide 29 & 30

• Do not label kids negatively when you are frustrated or mad at their behavior, such as telling them they are lazy, not listening, acting out of control, etc.
• Example: "Thanks for being nice to your sister. You are so kind!"
• Example: "Thanks for feeding the dog.  I appreciate you being so dependable.
• Example: "Thank you for being calm and sitting still when our visitors came by.  You are such a polite person.

Notes to slide 31

• What ever behavior you focus on, you will get more of it.
• Don't give attention to a behavior the child designed to get attention - just avoid, ignore, or move away.

 Notes to slide 32

• Special approval is more powerful. Sometimes it takes a tangible reward to get appropriate behavior started.
• Reward: candy or money.  Put the $$ into a jar, when it's full - use to do an activity as a family.
• For cleaning chores, keep it short, pleasant, and positive.
• Grandmas Law = First do this (i.e. eat dinner) Then have that (i.e. dessert)

Notes to slide 36

• Inappropriate behaviors are those that cause pain, destructive, cruel, and evil.
• With young children, don't put your attention on the bad behavior.
• If of age and damage is caused, then there is a need for the child to rectify it, replace it, or make restitution.

Notes to slide 37

• Junk behavior (not a big deal) VS. Consequential behavior.
• Some fighting between your children you can't stop - just don't let it be done in your presence.

Notes to slide 44

• The pay-offs are more powerful when rewards are positive.  Measure rewards by the guides in the second bullet.
• The most powerful reward for children is our social approval of them.
• Must keep child engaged in doing the appropriate behavior.

Notes to slide 51

• PHE = Positive Home Environment
• Mom/Dad must be happy and smile, lighten up- don't be grumpy!

If you have a teenager that does something you don't like, keep your mouth shut - look forward and teach it later when they are not doing it, like at Family Home Evening.  (This is a weekly activity where the family comes together on Monday evenings and the parents teach the children and then participate in an activity and have a special treat.)

I hope you'll find this information as captivating as I found it. 23 more weeks and I'll have a baby to practice with!

Pick a Title, I Can't

Luck?


Finally, It's My Turn


After All These Years


A State of Complete Shock!


Flunked


Are You Serious?


Change of Plans


No Surgery Needed!



Always A Bridesmaid, Never A Bride



Living Vicariously Through Blogging


Hear Ye, Hear Ye....


On Hold


A Post I Thought I'd Never Get To Write


Is It Too Soon?



OK, I think I have wracked my Brain and can not think up any more titles that are fitting.  But really all of the titles are perfect.

By now, you're probably thinking, "enough, already! I don't have all day!" 

Time can be torturous, especially when there is no end in sight and no hope in the future.   That has been the story of my life.

It has been most 3 months since I last posted.  I guess I have been in another blogging derth.  I have also been very busy with my Stake RS calling traveling lots of miles, visiting different wards, presidency meetings, stake meetings, temple meetings, etc.  I have also done lots of traveling to Lexington for doctor's appointments.

Now that I am blessed with health insurance, I felt like it may be possible to seek medical help, as much as I hate needles.  So in December I made an appointment at Lexington's Women's Care Center, with Dr. Mike, who was recommended to me by a lady in my ward.  So on 1-11-11 I had my first visit with Dr. Mike. And for once it was nice to not have a doctor throw pills at me in order to solve a problem, like Dr. Winward did in Southern Utah.  So for anyone in the St. George, UT area reading this, please, don't waste your time with Dr. Winward - she has costed me years!

Dr. Mike right away suggested surgery: an abdominal laproscopy and a uterine suspension, the date was set up for February 4th.  In preparation for the surgery I had to have an ultrasound and blood work.

The day for surgery came.  I was so nervous about the IV, the anesthesia not working and finding my self mid-surgery in intense pain.  I arrived at the hospital, checked in, was issued back to a curtain cubical where I got to fashion the lovely hospital gown.  The nurse brought me a nice warm blanket as I waited for Dr. Mike to show up.  30 minutes went by and they let S. come in and wait with me.  And we waited and I listened to a patient exclaim in discomfort as the nurse pricked her every vein trying to get her IV in, finally finding success in her foot!  Oh, did that have my nerves up!  I laid there just wishing I could get it over with.  We waited another 30 minutes, and then another!  By this time 2 hours had gone by.  Where could Dr. Mike be?  The nurse said he takes his time getting to the hospital, but 2 hours?!!!

Finally just over 2 hours, Dr. Mike came in and asked how I was, well I was anxious.  He then said "You flunked your pregnancy test".  S. and I looked at each other like he was playing a joke on me to lighten my mood.

"What does that mean?", I asked Dr. M.  He said, "it means your pregnant." 

"WHAT???"  jaws dropping.   The patients in the curtain cubicles next to mine are now quiet and probably listening.  How convenient that I was lying down! 

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

"That's not possible!"

Dr. M firmly reassured me that it was and is, and that I was to not have the surgery and was to go home.  He guessed from the HCG count I was about 6 weeks along.


Luckily, the nurse was going over my pre-op tests to make sure all the numbers were in the correct range, and she discovered that the HCG # was more than a little high.  She saved me from having to have surgery!!!  But 2 hours of waiting was cruel punishment!

It was quite odd walking out of surgery having all the staff we passed by say "congratulations".

I went home and took a nap from my night of restless sleep and having to get up early to get to the hospital.

And, Life goes on - I had the weekend to pack for my trip to Portland, OR to visit my sis. and her family (new baby boy) and my parents, for a week's vacation.  I was just glad I didn't have to make the trip after just having surgery!

Sunday February 6th, Elder Bednar came to our stake for a special stake conference.  He is one of my top 3 favorite apostles.  I might post the notes I took of his instruction in my next post.  He taught great doctrinal truth.  I got meet him and shake his hand, and he asked me if his instruction made sense.  I said yes, but it was very deep and reminded me of some of the institute lessons I had in the D&C class (by Brother Gudmunson, at SUU).  I guess Elder B.'s 3 sons and their families rondevued in Lexington for a short family reunion.  So my stake RS presidency got to provide his family lunch.  Due to travel times, Elder B. did not allow members of my stake to line up for hand shakes, instead his family ducked into a classroom for the lunch, it was there that I got to meet Elder B.  His youngest son lives in Ann Arbour, MI where he is getting his PhD in business.  So S. and I talked with him about Michigan life.  Elder B. has a wonderful family!

After Stake Conference, Seth drove me to the Lexington airport and I spent a wonderful week in Portland!

Before Dr. Mike dismissed me from surgery he said he wanted to see me for an appointment the next week.  So, just this last Thursday, I had an appointment and received real proof of the miracle. 

I hope that I am not posting this too soon, and that all continues well - and if so,  S and I should have a baby around September 28!!!!

Still it is hard to believe, after all these years, I didn't think it was possible.  I don't want to get excited yet, there is still too much time for something to go....

Those of you who have had babies are probably thinking, how can you be 6 weeks along and have no clue that you're pregnant?!  Well, lets just say that your lives are probably like clock-work....

As for nausea before finding out, one day I was sick, and I thought I had the 24 hour bug.  Now, that I am at 9 weeks, the nausea is maybe a 2 on a scale of 10.  I am learning to like crackers and to take my vitamins at night.

For now, this puts the adoption process on hold. 

Crazy life, huh?!!!!

Oh, and if you guessed right at the topic of my post, I would love to know!  Also, if you thought up any other post titles, do share with me.