Drew's Birth Story

Since I didn't have this blog three years ago...I thought it only fair to share his birth story on his birthday. For posterity.


If I remember correctly, it was a Wednesday that I went into labor. It all started out pretty normal. I woke up, was feeling kind of funny and then I lost my plug. Then the contractions started in. They didn't hurt, but they were very regular, but not long enough or often enough to go to the hospital yet. We called my sister, who had an anytime ticket to get here in order to be here for the birth. (She was studying to be a labor and delivery nurse at the time, and has plans to be a midwife.) So Hannah was on her way. Meanwhile, my mom and I made ourselves busy, but not too much, didn't want to tire myself out. I remember going to the college, because I was still enrolled, and would be graduating in three months, and talking to one of my art professors and a few fellow students. We were pretty sure I was in labor, so we were telling everyone. Now, knowing that I actually was in labor, makes me wonder how I ever went anywhere...but I expected it to be a long time so.... (My mom labored with me for three whole days, so who knew how long it would take.) Then we went to the airport to pick up Hannah, and by that time the contractions were a little closer together, but not still not enough to go the hospital yet. I was just waiting for that five minute apart point. Kevin was at home having a recording session, so Mom and Hannah and I went to the Olive Garden for dinner, and dragged my Grandma along. I was acquainted with our waitress, so we told her I was in labor, and after recommending the eggplant Parmesan, to help out the labor, she told us all about her birth story. (And after that, I wasn't so sure I wanted to be in labor any more...but I digress.) So...I had the eggplant Parmesan. Meanwhile, the contractions are still getting stronger and coming faster. So we go home, and hubby finishes his recording session. At about nine or ten p.m. I have my first noticeably painful contraction. Mom and Hannah go to Grandma's house for the night, and Kevin and I decide to take a walk to encourage things along. Sure enough, the contractions keep coming. Still regular intervals. Getting stronger. Still waiting for the five minutes apart mark. We walk home and I hop in the shower, yet again to encourage the labor. We crawl in bed and I'm too excited to sleep, but know that it would benefit me, so I try. I don't know how much I really slept, but I kept my eyes closed until each contraction, when I would look at the clock to see how far apart they were. They were really starting to hurt at this point, and I had started my breathing techniques through them. At about two o'clock, they were pretty strong and definitely close enough together to call the midwife. So we did, and she said to head up to the hospital and she would meet us there. We get up to the hospital and I am happy to see my best friend, Mel, who is the secretary up in labor and delivery. And I'm sure she is excited to see me there too. So we get all checked in, yadda, yadda, you know how it goes. And they check me, and I'm only at a two. Yippee skippee. My labor was progressing just fine, so they gave me the option to stay, but I wanted to try and sleep so we went back home. Some how I made it through the night, with the contractions getting stronger and stronger. In the morning they were to the pretty painful stage. I was hungry, so I tried to eat a few saltines. I wanted to labor as much as possible at home, so we held out as long as we could. I wanted to get in the bathtub to help out with the pain a little bit and I had to crawl to get there, the contractions hurt so bad. Finally, at about 11:30 a.m. I couldn't stand it any longer and said we need to go to the hospital now. We called Mom and Hannah, and let them know we were going. Kev called his dad on the way to the hospital, and he was embarked on the six hour drive to get here and see his coming grandson. When we got to the hospital they checked me and I was only at a four...a little better, but still a ways to go. So my midwife said I could sit in the jacuzzi. Once I did, I felt a lot better, but I relaxed so much that my contractions slowed down, so I had to get out and walk around. I tried all the other non-drug medical relief techniques like the birthing ball (sent the contractions right up my spine, ouch!), but breathing worked the best for me. Kev was a fantastic coach and held my hand the entire time. He was fully focused on me and that helped me immensely. Eventually I developed a hand movement where I would just move my hands forward like I was pushing something away, every time I had a contraction, and that seemed to really help out too. Finally, once I got to a seven, we decided to go ahead and break my water to get the show on the road. After that it was transition time, which I got to do back in the jacuzzi thank goodness! Then I sort of started feeling the urge to push. I wasn't real sure about it, but we got out of the tub just in case and back to the room. I remember going to the bathroom and kind of freaking out once I got in there, because the urge to push got a lot stronger and I was worried I was going to be stuck in there giving birth. So everybody got ready for this baby to come out. Then my midwife talked to me about pushing. She said sometimes for first births it can take 2 hours of pushing to get the baby out. I thought to myself, "Aint NO way I'm pushing that long!" I was so tired, I didn't think I'd last in two hours of pushing. So when I had to push...I PUSHED. Thirty minutes later, his head finally came out, and I said, "THANK GOOOOD!!!" really loud. They had to suction his nose and throat with the special equipment since he had the meconium, but they were good, and they were quick. Then my midwife said I could reach down and grab him, so I did, and my hubby didn't know that my midwife and I had previously agreed on doing this so he said, "What are you doing, Sarah?!" We quickly assured him it was okay, and then I had my little baby boy in my arms. All gross and squishy, but I barely noticed. What I do remember is that he pooped on me, so they had to clean us both up. I remember looking down at his precious little face and thinking he was the best looking newborn I had ever seen, and he had such luscious big lips. I thought he looked very much like Kevin, with his little nose, lips and brown hair. It was 5:17 p.m. on January 30. He was 7 lbs. 9 oz, and 21 1/2 inches long.

And that is the story of Drew's birth. Of course, much more happened after the fact, but since this post is already the size of a novel, I will save it for another day.

His Grandma Cherry, who braved the snow and the interstate and drove four hours down a couple days later, just to see her first grandson...

Wee Willie Winky

Less than a day old, my little old man. I still think he was a beautiful newborn. (At least in this shot anyways.)

Happy Birthday Drew!!!

Wow! Buddy, you are three today! And I am so proud of you! You have been growing up so much in the last month and it has been so much fun to watch you. You impress me everyday with the things that you remember, how smart you are, and how articulate you are (for a three year old.)

We had your party yesterday and boy you really scored big time with the loot! Let me just say that if you never get this many toys for a birthday again, it's because Toys R Us is gone. They were having their big closing sale this year and well, it was just too hard to resist, everything was pretty cheap...so we indulged you...and I wasn't the only one that went. Mom+Auntie+Auntie+Uncle+Grandma=way too many toys! But it was fun, and remarkably, you seem to be unspoiled by it! I expected a cranky kid yesterday, but you behaved pretty well. (I guess that means that I'm doing a good job? LOL!)

So Happy Birthday little man! It's your day! Your daddy and I love you so much, and our lives have been so much more enriched since the day you arrived. You are very special!

Blowing out candles on your special "Storm Trooper" cake as you dubbed it.

Momma laughing because we put those trick candles on your cake and this is probably the fourth time you blew them out, so Alannah is now helping you.

Are those really all mine?

CAN'T.DECIDE.WHICH.ONE.TO.OPEN.FIRST.

Having a battle with your Darth Vader penny bank.

Latest Finished Work

This is a ribbed scarf done in a cotton wool blend yarn. It is soooo soft and comfy (two things I never thought wool could be!)

Good To Me

This past month has been a pretty hard one for me. Life has taken some unexpected and, truthfully, dissappointing changes. I am trying my best to deal with these changes and not let them affect my life in a negative way. When catostrophic things happen, the only thing you can control is your reaction. So, though it is hard and my emotions run away with me sometimes, I am saying right here and right now, that I choose to trust God. I choose to live life even more to fullest. I choose to grow closer to my family. I choose to look and find the best in things.

So today, I feel like this worship song was brought to my remembrance, by God, to help me out: Enjoy!

Artist: Eric Myers
Album: Life Of Worship
Title: Good To Me

I cry out for Your hand of mercy to heal me
I am weak, and I need Your love to free me
Oh Lord, my rock
My strength in weakness
Come rescue me, oh Lord

You are my hope
Your promise never fails me
And my desire is to follow You forever
For You are good
For You are good
For You are good to me
For You are good
For You are good
For You are good to me

And let me just also state, for the record, that God IS so good to me. My life has been filled to overflowing with blessings. My family is wonderful and I am incredibly thankful for everyone in my life and my current situation in life. Sometimes I survey my life, and know that the only reason things are as good as they are is because of God's grace. He loves me so much even though I've done nothing to deserve it.
I love you God!

Aspiring to be...

"The Opera Singer"



"The Anglerfish"

Monkey Boy

Twentysix years ago, my mom gave birth to a monkey (that would me), and twentyfive years later the monkey in me has come out (that would be Beau.) The little guy is only ten months old, people, and crawling up and over just about anything his short little legs will allow. The other day I was sitting on my couch and I was surprised to see his little face pop up over the back. He had crawled up on his toy box, and then he swung his little legs up over the top and came over face first. He also has been crawling all over our little jungle gym, and figured out how to slide down the slide. Thank goodness he's not tall enough to crawl over the gate at the top of our stairs, although, if he takes after his grandma, he'll just stick his toes in the loops like their steps to a ladder and climb right over. He already tries to scale his changing table and thinks he can crawl down from our bed. I'm proud of him though, even if it means I'll have to keep a closer eye on him...

Four Things Meme

I have been tagged by Jill...
so without further a do...


4-Jobs you have had in your life.
1. Lifeguard
2. Food Prep
3. Minion at a day-planner plant
4. Dragon painter and butt-stuffer

4-Movies you would watch over and over again.
1.Charlie's Angels
2.Star Wars (Not by choice)
3.Kung Fu Hustle
4.Anne of Green Gables

4-Places I have lived.
1. Basalt, CO
2. Palisade, CO
3. Carbondale, CO
4. El Jebel, CO

4-tv show you love to watch.
1. Friends
2. That 70's Show
3. Alias
4. Cribs

4-Places you have been on vaction.
1. New Hampshire
2. Dominican Republic
3. New York City
4. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

4-Websites you visit daily
1. Strawberry Blush
2. Pretending Sanity
3. Spilt Milk
4. My Bloglines Feeds Page

4-Favorite foods.
1. Chinese
2. Popcorn
3. Steak and salad
4. Spinach Canneloni

4-Places you would rather be right now.
1. Some place warm and toasy
2. Hot tub
3. In bed
4. On the beach

4-People you tag to complete this.
1. The Random Redhead (Hey you knew I had to give you a reason to post!)
2. Just a girl
3. Hello Nurse
4. My Mother-in-Law (you can leave your answers in the comments if you want : )

Sisters

I just have to say that today, I am really thankful for my sisters. I'm so glad I have two women in my life, close to my age, who understand me, grew up with me, and know me and the inner workings of my family, sometimes better than I know myself. I'm thankful that we are all women of God who pray for each other, advise each other, and wish only the best for each other. We have a bond that only sisters could have. God knew what he was doing when he gave my mom three girls. I love you both so much, and don't you ever forget it!

The Naptime Uprising

Hello y'all. Sorry I didn't post yesterday. That seems to happen a lot on Wednesdays, because I have my pottery class at night, and that is when I usually have time to post. Although, today I am posting in the middle of the day...so go figure.
There is an uprising going on at my house. My kids have been refusing to take naps. Yes, even Beau. I can understand an almost 3 year old not wanting to take a nap, much less be tired...but Beau? I so need these kids to take naps. I rely so much on that hour (at the least) to have a little time to myself or get things done. I think I just may have to get myself and the kiddos on more of schedule. I hate schedules, really. I resist them with every fiber in my body (thanks Mom,) but I think that if I can implement a few regular daily things here- maybe I can get the kids to take a regular nap and then I can actually get things done around here. So here goes...wish me luck, or even better, just that my kids will take naps more often. We're talking the difference between sane and insane here.....

What Are These?

So today (and my apologies in advance if this offends any of you, but I had to share, just thought it was too funny, but anyway...) I was getting Drew dressed and he looked down at his little boy pecks and asked me what they were. I explained to him, that little boys have pecks. And I thought we had learned that fact pretty well. Later on, I was telling my sister Ariel about the incident and so she stopped Drew and asked him, pointing to his pecks, what they were. To which he replied, "Tits!" Yes, ladies and gentlemen, somehow, (and I have my suspicions, ahem, you know who you are) my son learned this word, and it was NOT from me. But hey, it made for a good laugh. Now lets just hope he doesn't say this in front of his great grandparents. (Oh the horror!)

Beau Wagging His Head

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Video sent by sarahgrace

Here is the video I was talking about...hope you enjoy and please ignore my dorky laugh...sheesh! I'm such a dork. Also, that is a half of a grape fruit he is eating, and Drew's voice in the background.

Drew's First Prayer

Yesterday we celebrated our newest family member, Jeremiah's birthday at his parents home. As we were all gathered around the kitchen to say a dinner blessing, the normal family banter continued, prolonging our wait for dinner. Apparently Drew seemed to want to get the show on the road so he spoke up and said to all of our surprise, "Dear Jesus, thank you for this food. Amen!" I know this might be one of those instances where you would have to have been there, but I thought it was the cutest thing ever, and I was super proud of him. My son's first spontaneous prayer, no prodding from the parents! Yay!

Just a Few Things

I finished my second scarf a couple of days ago. I am don't make enough dough to be a "yarn snob"-so it's just acrylic yarn that is supposed to have a mohair look to it. I was able to buy a wool/cotton blend yarn with a gift certificate I got for Christmas- so I just might make another scarf with that as well. I haven't been brave enough to try anything new like a hat yet- but I'm working up to it...






Please ignore the food in my trap, rather, focus on the look of sheer excitement on my face.


I'm a sucker for messy kid food shots. I couldn't resist this one with the puffed rice stuck to Beau's cute little nose.
I actually have some video that goes along with this shot, but I'm not sure what to use to upload it. (If you have any suggestions, I'm open!)

Have a fantabulous weekend!

Talk About Getting What You Deserve...

While at Sam's Club Today...

So a few weeks ago, right before Christmas, my madre and I were shopping at Sam's Club. She had Drew in her cart (I had Beau in mine...but anyways) She and Drew happened upon one those giant mechanical Santa Clauses. Drew wasn't impressed with him either, as he had a pointer finger broken off (which someone had strategically placed in Santa's belt) and his other hand was in pieces as well. So my mother and he dubbed him the "creepy Santa Claus." So today as we are walking through Sam's again, Drew says to me, "Momma, I wan go see keepy San Claus." My kid's memory: keepy.

Just When I Was Having a Good Day...I Decided to Open My Mail...

Can you see the steam rising from my house? It's coming from my head. I just got a bill from the doctor's office. Yes the same ones that diagnosed my son with ptosis of the left eye and neglected to tell me (which can be found on my Thursday, August 11th Post). They sent me a ginormous bill for things all the way back to my first son's visits. Apparently there were things that the insurance company couldn't/wouldn't pay for- so apparently I have to pay for them (duh?) Not so much. All the bills I received in the past had notes on them stating that they were waiting for the insurance company to respond, etc. etc. So naturally, I thought it had been taken care of. I knew that we were going to owe a big bill for Beau, because he wasn't covered anymore once he turned a month old. (And THAT is another rant!) But I really had no clue we still owed stuff for Drew. For crying out loud! I told Kevin I'm so mad I could just punch my fist threw a wall, but he said, "Now don't go do that, because we can't afford to take you to the doctor."

I've pretty much lost all faith in doctor's offices and insurance companies. No more frivolous check-ups. If my baby is healthy, I aint goin'. The only way I'm walking through those doors (and I'm definitely going to change offices... for reasons in addition to the ones stated above) is if I have an emergency.

So, say a prayer for me today as I sift through, and cross-reference bills and statements from the doctor's and insurance offices.
Aaaaargggh!!!!!!!

Dear Beau,

Hey little buddy, it's your turn for the month. You turned 10 months old yesterday. Wow time flies! (Haven't said that before...snort) You are such a chunk still, but I think, I think you may be slowing down. You have been fitting into your twelve month clothes for several months now and haven't quite moved to the eighteen month stuff yet (though you do fit into some...)

This month your determination has reached crisis status. Well, okay, maybe not crisis- but geez! Could you just lay off the outlets! Your hair doesn't need to be any curlier than it already is. I don't mind you being driven to get at anything else (famous last words...ha ha) it's just the outlets that are so dangerous kid. I don't see what your fascination is with them, but hey- I'm not ten months old, nor am I a boy.

Just in the last two weeks since Christmas you have really traded in your knee pads for walking shoes. You figured out how to bring yourself to standing from the floor all by yourself and you try to walk everywhere you can. I'll admit sometimes you look a bit like a wobbly drunk man walking- but hey you'll overcome that and get even more steady on your feet.

You are starting to fight back with your brother. Now when he goes for something you have, you know enough to pull it back from him to keep it. (Good job! Hee hee) You are constantly undergoing the Drew-gauntlet however, being knocked over, and poked at and the practice Mr. Potato Head. I'm trying to reduce the amount of times you are forced to go through the gauntlet, but well, Drew is having a hard time cooperating with me. I figure it (you) will come back to bite him in the butt though. After dealing with all his pestering, you are gonna be one tough kid.

You are starting to lose your infant "can do no wrong" appeal, which makes me sad. I enjoy that stage so much. It seems to slip away every time you scream at the top of your lungs, which is too often these days. I've become desperate to try and find ways to stop you from doing it, but oh well. I think it is just a stage, that SHALL SOON PASS! Got it? Okay good, just wanted to make sure we understood each other there. : )

Well, babe, I can't think of any more highlights from this month. All is well with you all is good. You are still the cutest guy, getting cuter everyday. I love your chubby little cheeks, especially when you smile, and the way your deep green eyes sparkle when someone smiles back at you. Here's to your eleventh month, with less screaming in it, tee hee. I love you!
Love,
Momma

My Two Christmas Angels

Thank you again, to my mom and dad who lovingly toted around little Beau (who was not feeling well) on Christmas day. Without whom I would have been melting in a puddle of my own breast milk, and everyone (but Beau) would have starved or just had to have been satisified with peanuts.

Revelations

I've been pretty gritchy the last three weeks, some might even say "hard to live with." And while I know what some of the major issues were that were causing said, "gritchiness" it dawned on me tonight as I was headed off to my pottery class that the amount of time I had spent in cranky mode matched the amount of weeks I'd been without my pottery class. Hhmmm. Coincidence, I think not. I didn't realize just how much of an effect getting out to do something all by myself, having other adult/human contact, and having a creative outlet on my mood was. Boy if I had two "Sarah" hours to myself every night- my personality might change from kind of melancholy/serious to like happy-go-lucky or something, and I might learn to talk in full sentences again! No, but really, just for the sake of the people who might of said I was "hard to live with" I think I need to definitely keep the pottery class or something like it on my schedule indefinitely, and maybe add a night or a Saturday here and there. Just does wonders for my mood. How nice.

Drew Learned ANOTHER New Word

So, let me stress that this was said while we were eating chili for lunch today. Drew spritely said to my hubby, "Beau has diarrhea Da da!!"

Dear Drew,

Wow-one month left and you will be three! When we asked you what kind of birthday cake we should make for Jesus- you insisted on a Star Wars cake, so I think we will at least be making you one for your birthday.
You have been mostly fun this month. Besides a little testing of the wills with Momma and Da (as you now refer to him), you have been pretty agreeable, curious, talkative, eager to learn and just plain fun. When we ask you questions, usually about an item you are playing with, you will repeat the question back to us as if playing "shadow" and often when we ask you a yes or no question, you'll respond with an uninterested, "oh." To which we just giggle in reply. Then there is your excited, "Oh!" when you've just learned something new or particularly pleasing. This is not to say that your vocabulary is limited to just "oh's." You have been vocalising quite a bit, and your speech is getting clearer and clearer. In fact, one of your new words this month was, "frustrated." I happen to use that word to express myself quite often and as with all almost 3 year olds, you picked up on it. After a particularly FRUSTRATING day...you went and told your father, "Da da, I'm fus-ter-Ated." Then a few days later you and Beau were playing around the staircase and you had a book or something that I didn't want you playing with and I asked you to go put it back and you promptly threw it down the stairs. (See, testing my will, you were.) So I lifted you up to get some eye contact with you while I explained why you weren't to do things like that, and you head-butted me. So then I took you to your room for some time out. When I came back to talk to you, I asked you if you knew why you were in time out, and you said, "I frustrated you..." Too true, too true. Actually it made me feel pretty bad when you told me that, so I assured you then, and now, that (now lets be honest here, even though parenthood is frustrating at times) I love you very much! And with that said, let me also say, that no matter how many times you head butt me, defy me, whatever you may do, I will ALWAYS love you! Let me tell you what you have said this month though, that makes me feel good, "Momma, I don't wan the sun down, I want the sun up." Translation- "Momma, since you can make the sun rise, would you keep it awake for a few more hours, please?!!" Ha ha, I'm glad you think I'm so talented, and I will be sad the day you figure out that I'm not capable of this. You also asked your father to do the same later on and he said, "I can't do anything about the sun, that's God's department, so you need to take that up with him."

Well, Drew-bug I'm looking forward to your birthday. Even though you were just spoiled with many many Christmas presents, I see things at the store I'd still love to get for you. Seeing a smile on your face, enjoying your expressions of wonderment, watching you learn new things, hearing you say new words, is the highlight of my life. You're a pretty rad little dude, and don't you ever forget it. You are and will always be loved.
Love, Momma


Just delightful Drew (and holding a Star Wars ornament, no doubt.)


Working hard at opening that stocking stuffer. Concentration unmatched by any other almost three year old.


Rockin' on the guitar-still one of your favorites.


Most assuredly on of your "Oh!" moments, after Gramma O. showed you that the doggy puppet could bark on it's own.