The Birth Story of Miles

If you want a shortened version Chris will eventually update his log of the birth and we'll let you know when he does that. Till then here is my long version of Miles' birth:

So I have braxton hicks all the time so I'm not exactly sure when to say labor started. I was at a park with my friend and her kids and noticed I was having more intense contractions than normal but not necessarily more contractions. I just thought maybe at my next visit I'd be dialated to a 3 or 4 instead of a 2. Then when I left the park just after 7:00 pm I had a long walk home. I continued to have contractions but I always do when I'm "moving".

It was a long walk home, mainly cause Jared insisted on walking, so we arrived just after 8:00. The boys were filthy from playing in the sand so we had a mini family night in the bath tub complete with prayer, song, lesson, and ice cream. After the bath I went to put them down for bed but upon walking downstairs noticed how messy it was. I decided I could postpone putting them to bed another 5-10 mins to do a quick clean up just in case it was real labor. During that time I decided to try and prep the boys about a baby coming. I told Jared the baby was coming soon to which he replied, "So I get to go to school tomorrow?" School doesn't start til the 8th so I told him it would be awhile longer. After cleaning they were put down and I went upstairs to tidy up a bit. This whole time contractions seemed regular but I didn't really know and I didn't want to time them in fear that they really were consistent and I also didn't time them because there were things I needed to do.

I thought about calling Chris but decided I could hold off and let him work longer. I didn't want him to come home unless I was pretty sure it was labor. So a little before 10:00 I was really thinking this could be the real thing. Never had braxton hicks gone on this long and consistently tight but... I could still talk and function fine through them so I wasn't sure. I decided to call Chris just in case after I was done using the restroom at which time he called me and I missed the call (he thought I only called him because he called first, I was planning on calling him.)

On his way home he called me several times wanting me to call the Knapps (his home teaching companion who lives a block away), the doctor, and hospital. I didn't do any of it cause I was doing a few things and Jared in the mean time had come upstairs. I wasn't in any big rush to leave for the hospital since I could still talk and move through contractions with ease. But when Chris got home he was rush, rush, rush! He said he wouldn't feel ok until we had me at the hospital.

I always wanted to go into labor on my own to see how Chris would handle it and he handled it just like I thought. He was an anxious man with an agenda and totally nervous. I kept laughing at him and telling him to calm down. Before I left I wanted to take a bath to try and stop labor if possible but good thing Jared came up and didn't allow that to happen. Chris would not have been happy to see me in the bath when he got home.

When Chris did get home he called the Knapps, put Thomas the Train on tv for Jared, and changed his shoes to crocs. I told him he could get in more comfortable attire but he didn't want to take the time. After the Knapps arrived we left and Jared was perfectly content watching tv even after Chris told him we were going to have the baby that night.

We get in the car I call the doctor and we're off. Chris asked me where the hospital was and I told him I was unsure. He assumed I knew where it was because I said I knew it was close to my doctor's office. He was not very happy to find out I didn't know the exact location. So I googled it on his phone and went to work trying to figure out exactly what entrance was the Prentice entrance at Northwestern Hospital. We get downtown and I start talking to some people but forgot to ask about valet. I went to call them again and gave the phone right to Chris. The contractions were starting to get intense and I no longer wanted to carry on a conversation during them.

Eventually we got there (probably 15 mins or less) and we started to check us in. When they finally checked me (10:30ish) I was admitted being dialated to a 5 and 100% effaced. (I wasn't moved into the birthing room until a little after 11:00.) From that moment on I was torn as to whether I wanted an epidural or not. If I went as fast as I did with Spencer I could have this baby in under an hour and I knew I could do it but... I also remembered the pain and didn't want to do it. I decided to wait and see.

Chris was great at being right there for me and doing what I asked him to do. I'm not exactly sure when I got the epidural my guess is right around 12:00. I had them check me before deciding and I was at a 7. I knew I was close but just the thought made tense up which I knew would only prolong the process. So I decided to get the epidural. It took him forever to come (10mins is a long time to a woman in labor) and it took even longer to administer the epidural. At Utah Valley Hospital the epidural was in me quick and worked quickly. This time it took AT least 20 mins to do and it was painful. So I had intense pain in the back and even more intense pain in the front all the while trying to hold still hunched over my body.

The nurse later told me she thought I was going through transition (getting to a 10) while getting the epdiural but you know what I'm glad I did it. Some negative side affects of the epidural was I itched like CRAZY!!! and I couldn't relieve the itch because it was internal as the anesthetic guy told me. This itch lasted for an hour or two after having Miles. another negative to the epidural was I still felt the intensity of the contractions and had to breathe throught them (I guess the epidural wasn't in long enough to take enough affect but it still helped take the edge off). The benefit of the epidural was I could still feel my legs and move them and best of all, I didn't feel the pain when pushing and that's what I feared most. And because I had the epidural I was able to have more control with my pushing. The doctor told me when to push, how hard, and when to let up. If I went natural I would have just wanted to bare down and push. Because I had more control the doctor was able to have me stop and she worked with me and stretched me out avoiding any tares, HEAVEN!

I still am open to going natural with any future children we may have but I will totally have to prepare myself if I want to do it. As for epidurals, they're heaven and if I haven't done any preparation next time I'm getting one sooner that's for sure!

So back to pushing... I only pushed for 5 mins :) He was right there and after they broke the water it was mins before he was here. I think the doctor was in the room a total of 10 mins. Right after he was born I got to hold him and he was messy. I'd never experienced an early baby before and let me tell you... he was cheesy! He was covered in vernix and as white as could be. One thing different at Prentice than in Utah is they bathed the baby right there in your room. He loved getting his head scrubbed and didn't care for the washing of the rest of his body. He weighed in at 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 in long.

When I got him again after the washing he still had a lot of vernix on him which I was told would be a good moisturizer for his skin. By the next morning the residue had been absorbed. He also nursed really well and latched on right away. Since then it's been a different story. No problems with latching on and he has a strong suck but he only nurses for a minute or two before being lulled away into sleep or just being disinterested. It's like he's eating just enough to satisfy the thirst and hunger and doesn't want to "fill up". So I am continuing to work on his feedings where they range anywhere from 30 mins to an hour. (My other boys were done in 5-10 mins and rarely 15mins!) As for his brothers they LOVE him. Spencer was definitely unsure at the beginning and didn't want anything to do with Miles or me. It took him a good hour or two before he even wanted to touch him. But since then he can't get enough of him and is constantly asking to hold him.
The boys hanging out in the room.

Jared on the other hand fell in love at first site saying, "ooooh how cute!" And is so in to him. In fact when they left for the evening he kept giving me a hug and would go to walk away but come back crying not wanting to leave but would quickly try to be brave and say good-bye while crying and waving. This broke my heart. I can't explain it well enough but will always remember it. I cried too as they left and knew I needed to go home to my family as soon as possible.

I had to stay two nights since he was born in the middle of the night the first night and as soon as we could we left around noon on the 26th. Being the third child and not as prepared as I wanted to be I forgot a blanket, socks, and a hat for Miles. Luckily the hospital has the little hat they get at birth and a little blanket. He just kind of looked a little ghetto to me but still cute.

Being at home has been great. Miles has his days and nights a little mixed up but getting a little better each night. Chris has been amazing at doing everything around the house and Thursday and Friday my friend and visiting teacher took the boys in the morning so Chris could get essential things done for work. I feel so blessed to have good friends and visiting teachers that have helped and brought meals over until Cherie, my mother-in-law, came which was today.

I have felt great and think not having stiches has made a world of difference and can't believe my third baby recovery is so far better than the other two! (knock on wood) In the mean time I'm taking it easy and enjoying life of the 4 men in my life. I Love it so far!

Drum Roll Please.....

After much deliberation and thought (5 days) our new baby's name is.....

Miles Robert Meservy

(thanks for all your comments)

Jared still calls him Kevin. Example:

me: say goodnight to Miles

Jared: Goodnight Kevin

I don't know how long this will last but he's already slipped a few times and called him Miles so it shouldn't take too long for him to adjust to the name:)

Baby needs a name!

Okay Mom and Baby are now home, but Baby is still nameless. We are stuck so here are the top names:

1. Ethan (my favorite)
2. Miles (Marjorie's favorite)
3. Carter
4. Riley(Marjorie loves it but I am concerned that it is now more of a girl's name)
5. Kevin (Jared's favorite)

What does everyone think?

Hospital Pictures

To see the pictures the hospital took go to www.bellababyphotography.com/login and use the password 0825meservy . They're only up for a few weeks for us to order but thought I'd share.

They did a good job and they got some with Jared and Spencer too. Much better pictures than the few we have posted.

Baby Boy #3

These are from my phone. Enjoy!

Labor

Well, since Marjorie now has finished with having a large needled inserted into her spine, she wants me to update the Blog so here it goes.

• Marjorie began feeling Labor pains at around 8:00. I am at work comparing documents. I would go into more detail, but I don't wan't everyone to be focused on my exciting work and forget about the baby. I'll leave it at that.
• 8:42 Marjorie posts a blog about her labor. I am still comparing some exciting documents. Really call me sometime to discuss.
• 9:45 I call my wife and no answer.
• 9:48 I step out of the office to get some paper and just miss a call from my wife.
• 9:50 Call my wife and she says that she may be in labor. She is not aware of how the long contractions are but thinks about 5 minutes apart. (The doctor said we should come in if they are 10 minutes apart because of how fast Marjorie's last pregnancy. Marjorie tells me to wait till 10:00 to leave. I ignore her and head out then.
• 10:15 I get home to find Jared awake and Marjorie still hasn't called a friend to come watch Jared and Spence. So . . . I'll add more in a minute ...

I'll fill in the details later but he has arrived!!!!

12:51 am

7 lbs 1 oz

19 inches

35 cm

Pictures will follow.

When Is the Right Time?

Not right now for Chris. He told me today that the best time would be this Thursday but until then he's really busy. Well... I don't know, and I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like he may be coming tonight. I'm really uncomfortable and my contractions are consistently coming and they're getting a little harder. AHHHHHH!!!! I hope I'm wrong! I just called Chris and asked him to come home just in case. We just need those few days and how crazy would that be that I come a week and a half early. I've been late with both boys.

So in all reality I'm writing this in hopes of jinxing myself so I can write again tomorrow and say, "Just kidding, false labor."

To be continued...

The Great Escape

As mentioned earlier my little Spencer has chosen for himself to be in a toddler bed. How is it going??? Well I thought fairly well the first week. I put him down for naps and evenings and he stayed in bed. But... this whole time he's been extremely tired and wanted to go to bed. Now he wants to sleep with Jared in his big bed which is way too high for him. The last few nights Jared and Spencer have slept in the toddler bed together. So far so good. The only bad thing is they'll wake each other up in the mornings.

Another thing Spencer was doing when he switched to the toddler bed and before sleeping with Jared was coming up at random hours of the night because he could (no longer trapped in the crib.) But the two nights he's slept with Jared both boys have stayed in bed the whole night... knock on wood.

So I wrote the above portion last week. And since then it's been great! Jared and Spencer sleep in the little toddler bed together and even though it's small they have plenty of space because they like sleeping right by each other. I honestly thought them sleeping in the same bed would be worse but they don't get up as often, they stay in bed better when put down, and sleep in a little longer. It's so sweet to sneak in and look at them. Sometimes one is hugging the other or their hands are on each other's faces. Tender little moments...

Also worth noting... Spencer has a favorite blanket. Whenever he wakes up he wants it and loves me to wrap it around him when he's tired. He doesn't have to have it all the time but definitely prefers it to any other blanket. And the best part is it's a cute blanket so I don't mind at all. My friend Wendy made it for him and she did a beautiful job. The front is flannel squares and the back has that silky feel (I have no idea what it is.) Thanks Wendy! (I don't know why I don't have a current picture of Spencer with his blanket, He really does LOVE it!)

38 Week Appointment

I'm not technically 38 weeks until tomorrow but anyways... I hadn't changed at all from my last appointment except for I wasn't measuring any bigger and lost a little weight (probably from all the stress.) The doctor wasn't too concerned but to be safe ordered me an ultra sound to make sure. The doctor said since the baby hadn't dropped and I was still measuring the same she was mainly worried about the amniotic fluid level.

So I waited after my appointment for another 20 mins or so for the ultra sound. During the ultra sound everything seemed to be looking good according to the technician. His estimated due date is exactly the 3rd and right now they estimate he weighs 7 lbs 2 oz. (that means I'm heading for another 8 lb baby if he comes full term! and he has a slightly bigger head than average; someday I'll get a small headed baby:)

After the ultra sound the technician said I needed to meet with my doctor. I was a little confused because the doctor had said I could leave right away if everything looked okay. The technician hadn't said anything negative and even commented on how wonderful everything was... hm.... It ended up I waited another 20-30 mins to have my doctor appologize that they kept me and confirmed that everything was great.

In between my appointment I had called Chris and told him the update and ultra sound scheduled. Before the appointment we both guessed what change I would have this week. My guess still a 2 and 60% effaced, his guess a 4 and 75% (Does he seem eager or what?) After the ultra sound I called him again and told him he could either meet me at the hospital or come home and drive in with me. He asked if I was serious and I said no, not wanting to drag it on too long. His reply, "That was mean!" I guess he's not any too eager.

I too am glad this baby gets to stay inside awhile longer. While waiting for the ultra sound I really didn't think anything would be wrong but I kept thinking, maybe that's why I've been so busy getting things in order. Whatever the case, I'm glad I do have normal life back and can enjoy it a little longer before change sets in...

Break Down

Last week was one of the longest weeks of my life. My list of to do's was long and growing longer each day and I was nearing 37 weeks and no where prepared to have this baby come. I thought I was handling it well until my doctors appointment on Wednesday.

The previous week I was dialated to a 1 and not effaced at all. That didn't surprise me because I'd always been a one with my two previous pregnancies (with Jared I stayed a one until induced two days over, Spencer I was a one until 39 weeks I was a two and then 40 weeks and two days I was a 4 also the day I had him). So at my 37 week appointment I assumed I'd still be a 1 but effaced a little as well. Well I was effaced 50% but I was also a 2. Now I know this really doesn't mean anything and I can still be late like I was with the other two boys but it freaked me out a little. My body is definitely getting ready to have this little guy and I was no where ready for him to be here!

I won't even be able to brush the surface of what I was dealing with but I'll list a few of the big things that were overwhelming me:

-Luckily we'd bought a van the Saturday before but were running into registration issues that our sales man didn't catch. (That mistake cost me about 6 hours of correcting one day with my boys might I add!)

-bringing out baby clothes, crib, blankets and everything else I needed to have for him to come home to. The only problem was I didn't have anywhere to put it! I needed to reorganize and buy new things, but what!? I didn't know how I wanted to do it. I couldn't even put the crib up cause I couldn't figure out how to put it in our room.

-We have a lot of stuff at our house right now from friends that have moved and were going to get rid of it cause they couldn't find anyone to take it. We told them to bring it to our house so we could find people in our ward who would need these items. Well the stuff was just sitting pretty much where it was put when dropped off and it was just a maze walking through our basement.

-A husband who is really busy at work and doesn't even get Saturdays off right now. And he just gave me a forewarning that he might be gone for the third week in September for work. GREAT!!!

So all of this plus more just hit me hard on Wednesday after my appointment and I think I randomly started crying three times throughout the day (I tried to hide from the boys when it happened.)

By the time Chris came home I was feeling a little better. We put down the boys and I went to do a Relief Society visit to a new sister in the ward. After wards I took advantage of kidless shopping and hit a few stores. One of which was Home Depot. Who knew Home Depot would be the healing and comfort I needed that night. While checking out the ladies working asked about the baby and I told them it was my third boy. A lot of times when I make the comment of it being another boy or how close they all will be I often say I'm crazy. I think I say that more because that's what I feel people think, but really I'm excited to have three boys so close together! So instead that night I was excited about it and told them I wouldn't have it any other way even though it WILL be crazy! They in return were so supportive and excited for me and made me feel on top of the world. I walked away proud to be a mom of three boys and excited to meet our newest addition regardless of the state of my home.

When I came home Chris told me about his fiasco with putting Spencer to bed. He's crawled out of his crib countless times during the day when playing but never at night or during naps. Well that night he decided he didn't want to go to bed and came up three times before Chris locked the door and let him cry himself to sleep. So when I got home Chris told me to go see where he was and put him back in his bed. He hadn't been down to check on him but he did after I came up for the camera. This is what we found: Spencer had turned on the light and eventually crawled into bed with Jared. Again I was in love with my "job" and was so grateful for the little moments I was having that evening.

Between then and now I have been a busy bee and feel this baby can come. I've organized my home and bought two new dressers (even the stuff that's here short term is put somewhere so it's not so awkward), I've dug out the baby items and washed and put them away. Reorganized our room and put up the crib. I've even started putting together my hospital bag and starting to think about getting Jared ready for preschool.

I in no means have everything done that I want to have done before our baby arrives but I can now go through the day without a break down. I don't like stress but it really helps you get things done (I was surprised at how much I could do even with this belly in the way:)