Sunbathing Boy

Wow, Silas is already 10 days. It is flying by. Although, as cliche as it is, it feels like he's always been in our family. Judah and Samuel ADORE him and don't really give him any personal space. He doesn't seem to mind much, though.

We went to his first well baby check-up at 6 days old. He was up to 8lbs, 5oz (the doctor was impressed by that) and 21.5 inches. He's a good little eater and it shows! He's sleeping great at night. Up every 2-3 hours, but he eats fast and then goes right back to sleep. He had a little jaundice, but like the other boys recovered quickly. We had to have him sunbathe, though. That's what the picture is from.



Judah and Samuel are adjusting well. They haven't had any problems at all, really. I'm adjusting well. I'm still a little sore and tired when I do too much, so I'm trying to remind myself that he's only 10 days old and to take it easy. I think jumping right back into life and deciding that it's going to be easy has made things so much easier. My friend, Brooke, and I were talking to about how the outcome of some many things in our life (everything?) are based upon the decisions we make and our mindsets. If we think, "Oh, this is going to be hard," then it usually is. If we think, "Oh, this will be easy," then it usually is then, too.

Silas Joel's Birth Story

On Thursday, the 24th, I had my weekly midwife appointment. I was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced. Cheryl said everything looked good for the induction, BUT the hospital was full. She wasn't sure if I would be able to get in. Starting to get a little cold feet I said, "That's ok...I'll wait until Monday."

After my appointment Cheryl made a call to the hospital and they said they could fit me in the next day. All set for an induction! I was to call the hospital between 8 and 9am to see what time I should head up.

The next morning Eric had to work a little, so I woke up and called around 8:30am. They said they were full, so to call back at noon. The boys woke up, we ate breakfast, and got all of the last minute things ready to go. Eric got home around 10 and helped. At 11:50 (I was trying to call right at 12, but Eric wanted me to hurry up and call) they said they were still full, so I should call back at 3. We had a housecleaner coming at 1:30 (the best thing EVER for a new mom!), so we decided to go ahead and drop off the kids at my inlaws. Eric and I went out to lunch at my favorite restaurant (Sierra Nevada Brewery, where I ordered a bbq chicken sandwich with their delicious fries), then we ran some errands and got mochas (decaf for me). At 3 I called again and they said to call back in an hour. We decided to go for a walk, because I knew once I got up there they'd have me walking anyway. In the middle of the walk I got a call on my cell from an unknown number. I usually don't answer them, but I'm glad this time I did. It was the hospital telling me I could come up there. They confirmed that I wanted a waterbirth and said that they'd get the room ready for me. (There is only one room at this hospital that is equipped for waterbirths.)

We got to the hospital at about 4pm. When we got there they hooked me up to a monitor to make sure everything looked good with baby's heart rate. Eric read a book and, although, I had mine I was too excited to concentrate. Instead, I listened to the people next to me watch Judge Judy and talk. It was, also, neat to see his heart rate change when he moved. It was anywhere from 129-the 160s. Just goes to show that the old wives tale that boys have high heart rates and girls have low doesn't mean anything. It totally depends on whether baby is moving or sleeping.

At around 5pm she put the cytotec in. It is a little pill, inserted right near your uterus, that is supposed to soften the cervix and start contractions. I had already been having contractions and, even after a few hours, nothing had changed. I felt them, and they were doing something, but they were never hard or uncomfortable.

At 8pm Cheryl decided to break my water. Right before she did she said, "Are you ready?" and I just said, "Are you?" and laughed. But, my legs were shaking...I was a little nervous. Right away my contractions started getting stronger, but still not painful. She had us walk around outside.

Eric called his parents and told them we would probably have our baby soon. By this time I needed to stop and breathe through contractions. I was praying in tongues in my head. After only 10 minutes of walking I could feel the baby really low and knew that we should go inside.

I went up to the nurses' station and told our nurse, Courtney, (who I know...it was so nice having her as our nurse!) that the contractions were strong and the baby was low. She asked if I wanted her to get Cheryl and I said yes. Cheryl didn't get much of a break! Right away Courtney and Cheryl started getting the birthing tub ready and I got right in.

Cheryl checked me at 8:30 and I was 5cm dilated. After I got in the tub I just laid sideways and held onto the side silently. The whole room was silent during my labor. Cheryl sat in one of the chairs, Eric was near the side offering me drinks of water, and Courtney was getting things ready for the baby. Every time a contraction would come I would pray in my head or say to myself, "Jesus defeated all pain on the cross" or "contractions don't have to hurt. I can work with them" or, I'd think of my baby, "I wonder what color hair he'll have. Will it be dark or light? How much do I think he'll weight?" I didn't plan this out or read it in a book, it just came naturally for me. It's funny now to think about.

I guess it must have been about 40 minutes later that I knew I had to push. My body was starting to push a few contractions earlier, but I wanted to make sure this was it. I called Cheryl over and they got me into position. On my 2nd push his head was out and on the 3rd his body. It all went by so quickly!

Judah's labor and delivery was really similar, but for some reason with him I felt kind of out of it. Even though I didn't have any pain medication I still felt maybe in shock? This time I didn't feel like that at all. I just felt so happy to finally be holding my baby. He started crying right away and we all laughed because his little cry sounded like, "Ma! Ma!" Eric cut the cord, which was special, too!

We had been praying for a quick, easy, painfree, supernatural delivery since I found out I was pregnant and God definitely answered our prayers. Silas is such a blessing to our family and is our precious baby boy!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Samuel!

Happy Birthday, my little Sammy Whammy, honey bunny!



My sweet, sweet boy, today is your second birthday. I can't believe two whole years ago I was cuddling and nursing and waking up in the night with you. And now, you're a big brother! I was curious to see how you'd transition to this whole big brother thing. Not because I didn't think you'd love your brother, but because you've always been a mama's boy. You love to snuggle with me and sit in my lap and, sometimes, when you're doing that and Judah wants to be held, too, you'll push him away and say, "No Judah! Not your mama, just my mama!" Needless to say, having a baby you wouldn't have much choice in the matter. But, there was no need for concern, because you've done so good! It hasn't really been much of a transition for you. You love to touch Silas' head and kiss him and hold him. You're such a good big brother!



It has been so fun seeing your little personality come out more and more each day. For a just-turned-two-today you are so articulate and such a great talker! You're ALWAYS talking and singing; you have such a sweet little voice. My favorite thing to hear is, "I love you, Mama."

You are such a sweet boy- so compassionate and sensitive. Whenever you see me cry you start to cry and say, "Don't cry." And when I'm done you say, "Are you all better now?" You say the same thing about yourself. If you get hurt or disciplined and have been crying, when you're done you say, "I'm better now!"

Samuel, in the Bible, was a prophet. And you, my boy, are a prophet. I'm sure that's why you talk so much and started talking at such a young age. God is going to use your voice to prophesy and preach the gospel to lost and dying people. He's going to use you to breathe life and speak encouragement over hurting people who need Jesus. Your middle name is Christian. It seems so solid, simple, and straight forward. You will always be solid in your relationship with God- never going to the right or to the left, but walking in your destiny and calling as a soulwinner and father of multitudes.

I love you so, so much, Samuel! You bring such joy to my heart. When I look at you I am so proud of you; that you are my son. You are such a perfect big AND little brother, and son to Papa and I. We are completely blessed to have you in our lives!

Silas Joel pictures

Baby Tiny is here!!!

Silas Joel
Born April 25, 2008 at 9:10pm
8lbs, 40z and 19.5 inches

We're home now and were thankful to get to leave less than 24 hours after Silas was born. We were anxious to be home with all 3 of our precious boys. Pictures to come!

Update

Well, I had my midwife appointment this morning and I am 3cm dilated and 80% effaced. His head is lower, she said she couldn't even feel it. I am measuring 38 weeks, but she's guessing he's between 7.5 and 8 lbs. When we got there Cheryl said she wasn't sure if they could induce me tomorrow because the maternity ward is so full. She said that Sunday or Monday are a possibility because she'd be out of town Saturday.
At the end of my appointment she called the hospital and they said they'd be having 4 people leave tomorrow. So, the induction is a go! I have to call in the morning to find out exactly what time I am supposed to go in. I have mixed emotions about it, mainly because I'm really emotional right now. I'm, also, really excited to meet Baby Tiny!
Jenna mentioned in my comments about twittering the baby info. I will try, but I'm pretty sure there's no cell phone signal in the hospital. I might have someone (Laura!) blog the info for me or you might all just have to wait until Saturday. She said I'd be able to leave within 24 hours as long as everything looks good. I know I'll be anxious to be home with all 3 of my boys!

So close!

Yay! I'm so happy! Jordan figured out how to redirect my blog. So, now it's pretty with our without the www. Thank you!!!

2 days!! Is that craziness or what? My mind cannot comprehend the fact that I'll have 3 boys by the weekend. All I have left it to pack the boys' bags and go to the grocery store. I totally forgot about bringing snacks. Tonight we're going to get Eric's invoicing done, so we won't have to worry about that again until next wmonth. Baby Tiny is almost here!!! Ahhh!!!

Tomorrow I have my last pre-baby midwife appointment and I'm anxious to see how much progess I've made. I've been walking a lot everyday and taking the primrose oil. It must be doing something!