3 years ago...

3 years ago Todd and I decided that we needed to find somewhere to live when we moved away from the military and since I still had 5/6 weeks left of my pregnancy, he decided to go that weekend. Both of us has a weird feeling about him leaving, but neither of us mentioned it to the other until later...and now we know why.

Because 3 years ago, my water broke at 5 AM, 5/6 weeks early and I had no husband to take me to the hospital. I tried calling his cell phone but it went straight to his voicemail. I was terrified. I called 2 neighbors. One was more pregnant than I was (by about 2 weeks) and the other was a newlywed. The newlywed stayed with my sleeping Dallin while I called an ambulance to come and get me and take me to the hospital. I didn't think it would be a great idea to drive myself the 45 minutes it would take to get there. I called my parents, I called my friend in Tennessee...I called Todd...again. No answer.

Ambulance came. I had nothing packed. My waters kept making a mess (contrary to popular belief, it doesn't stop once it pops...it continually replenishes itself...and makes a BIG mess.) I tried to throw a few things in a backpack but I wasn't thinking straight. I had no idea what to bring. The EMT's arrived. Wonderful. I went to the back room to change my pants (again...and yes I had put a pad on but it wasn't a big help). They loaded me into the ambulance. I begged them not to turn on the lights and sirens. They laughed at me. I called Todd again.

We made it to the hospital. I was admitted quickly. They asked me if I was sure it was my water. I told them to take a look at my pants. Duh. I didn't wet myself. I called Todd again.

My mom was on her way. She had called the in-laws who were trying to reach Todd. My OB did a quick ultrasound to make sure she was head down and then they put me in a room. To wait. Alone.

at 7:20 Todd called. He was on his way. His parents had somehow gotten a hold of the family Todd was staying with, and the dad had gone driving around Alamosa to find Todd to tell him to turn his phone on because his wife was in the hospital. Hehehe...I wish I could have seen his face.

My sweet, very pregnant neighbor showed up. Bless her. She told me "I don't want you to have to do this alone, I'll wait here until Todd or your mom shows up". And she did. For 5 hours she waited with me, answered my phone while I was knocked out with nubaine. They wanted to give me Pitocin. I wouldn't let them until I got an epidural. I know what pitocin does. I didn't want to feel it.

Todd showed up at 1. Same time the drug guy did. Worst epidural ever. Mom showed up shortly after that.

And Maddie arrived at 4:30.

She was blue. And floppy. And not crying. I listened while they worked on her and then she let out a small wail. They showed her to me and took her away. I was scared.

Doctor spent an hour putting me back together. Apparently Maddie is some sort of a contortionist because she actually crowned with her FOOT by her head. Thanks for that chica.

When my epidural wore off I could visit her. She was connected to a bunch of wires. And monitors. Her skin was beat red from the heat lamp. I couldn't hold her. My heart broke. But we were lucky.

It took less time than most. Only 24 hours and she was off oxygen and 3 days after she was born we were going home.

She's been a spitfire since day 1 but I wouldn't trade her for the world. If anyone is wondering why we don't have another one already...let's just say that this is the condensed version of the story. I've had 2 kids and 2 very traumatic deliveries. I'm still trying to convince myself I CAN do it again.

SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY little Peanut. Which is what we've called you since you were born. 5 pounds and 18 inches long. No name for 3 days. So Peanut it was...and you will always be my little Peanut...Peanut Butter!! (and jelly)


Pictures tomorrow...it's been a long day.

Happy New Year!

From our family to yours. We hope that 2009 brings blessings and happiness to you and yours!

And yes, I am again, behind the camera (on purpose). Until the baby weight comes off, I'm not showing my fat face online. Thankyouverymuch.

Maddie's scared face

You know you laughed...because I do. Every time.

The house is a disaster...

We returned from Arizona Saturday. Thankfully the roads weren't bad at all. We drove both cars since I went several days earlier than Todd.
We arrived home and unloaded the car and I started in on the mounds of laundry. Really though, the entire house looks like it threw up all over itself. It's bad. Really bad. And I don't even know where to start. Todd left in a hurry to get to Arizona before the storm hit, so some things weren't taken care of before he rushed off. I'm staring into a sink full of week old dirty dishes and I can't get myself to even start on that project.
I need to go grocery shopping. I have a few presents to exchange (doubles). And more laundry to do.
I'm tempted to throw stuff in bags and donate it to the children's shelter here because I don't want to deal with it, but I don't think that will go over very well. Heh.

Any suggestions on how to start this monumental task? Maybe I'll go hide in the closet...at least I can see the floor in there.

Merry Christmas Eve...hohoho

Sorry, no pictures yet but there will be when I get home. We're in the White Mtns visiting family. I'm sick with something weird. (nothing contagious I don't think) I'm kind of scrooge-ing it at the moment, but I'm sure tonight will be much better when the craziness starts.

So Merry Christmas everyone!

PSA re: norovirus/norwalk virus aka: the stomach flu

Tis the season to spread the germs...but please try to keep this bug to yourself, my kids tend to end up in the hospital due to dehydration.

Some myths and facts about the stomach bug that you may not know.

#1 Purell and similiar "anti-bacterial" hand sanitizers do NOT kill the stomach bug, sorry. You're just smearing them around on your hands. If you want something that KILLS it, use something with the active ingredient "Benzethonium Chloride" found in "Wet Ones" brand wipes and at www.thegermzapper.com. I love wet ones because you are actually WIPING the germs off. This, of course is second only to proper handwashing.
#2 Handwashing. Please wash your hands after using the restroom. Warm water and soap. Rub together and make lots of bubbles while singing "Happy Birthday" or your "ABC's". (Approx 20 seconds)
#3 Lysol also does not kill this virus. Only bleach and the Benzethonium Chloride. Bummer because I LOVE my Mr. Clean w/ Febreeze. If someone gets sick, BLEACH everything possible. And wash your hands again.
#4 You are contagious for up to 2 weeks. Yup. You read that right. But as long as #2 is being done, you shouldn't spread it.
It is not airborne like a cold. It is spread "fecal-oral". Don't ask me to explain that please, but suffice it to say that if everyone washed their hands like they were supposed to, this wouldn't be a problem.

Don't ask how I know these things. If you really want to know, google "emetophobia" and you will understand why I'm neurotic.

Thanksgiving and other fun stuff

So about a year ago I caught the Disneyland bug in a bad way. When Todd was at USC we had season passes and went all.the.time. This was, of course before we had kids. As kids, we grew up doing Disney a lot because my grandparents lived in Southern Cali for a LONG time. I wanted to see if we could do a trip with as many of the sibs as possible. It turned out that back in June (July?) one of my brothers (Josh) was accepted to the Police academy so he and his beautiful wife couldn't make it. And for a variety of other reasons, Justin and Trina couldn't make it either. So it was Adam and Tiff and baby J, our parents and 2 youngest siblings Cody and Lacey and the 4 of us (Todd, me, Dallin and Maddie). I commendeered the entire procedure, including scoring us a killer deal on a hotel within walking distance, getting tickets before the Sept. 1 price increase, reserving T-day dinner for 15 etc. We had a lot of fun, and I think everyone was glad I was "the boss" because we never ended up waiting for more than 10 minutes for anything. (Get there early and you have the park to yourself). Of course, directing that many people and trying to keep everyone happy was exhausting and I need about a week to recoup.

Overall it was a great trip, even if we did have to drive oh...15 hours each way. I'll post more pictures soon...