Slide Show of Norah's Home Birth

Here is a slide show I put together of Norah's home birth. I would like to add more to it so that it does not seem to last so long, but in any event this is the first draft and will do just fine. I have to admit, that watching this makes me want to do it all over again already. Crazy right? Lol, I will never forget it, and even with all of the literal blood, sweat and tears, every time I look at Norah I think how much worth it, it was, and I would so do it again.

It's a girl!!!

So here we are, trying to find our new groove. Writing about the new baby has been delayed due too, well.......everything, lol.

On August 28th I finally went into labor. And when I say finally this is because I had almost gone into labor several times. It would start, and then stop, start and then stop for days. On the night of the 28th, I finally went into labor. I was in labor for 20 hours! On the afternoon of the 29th the big moment came.

I will write of my birth story soon......when I do not have a baby laying in my lap, lol.

Norah was born at 1:56 p.m. She was born in our family bed, at home, drug free, with our midwife, my mother, son, and husband here. She is beautiful. I can not believe she is a she, we wanted a girl so badly and never did any ultrasounds to check. The sex was entirely a surprise. Her name is Norah Layney Druba. She was 8 pounds and 12 ounces, and was 20 and a half inches long. She has the cutest little fat thighs ever. Everything went well, and baby and I are doing just great. Will post a birth story and photos soon.

The 24th.......wave goodbye

Well here it has been, and there it is going, lol, the 24th, my due date. I told everyone I knew I was going to go late again, and no one believed me, lol.

I'm really kinda bummed. Not because I am still pregnant and I can't stand it anymore, but because I have had this baby living inside of me for 9 months and I am ready to meet her or him. This baby was planned, we wanted this baby, love this baby, can not wait to see this baby, lol. I have been walking around all day rubbing the belly saying, "It's okay, you can come out now, we are ready for you." I don't know if it is working, lol. I know the baby will come when it is ready, I know this, and I would not have it any other way. The suspense is killing me though. Every day for the last 2 weeks has been leading up to this date. "Anytime the baby could come, the baby could be here anytime in the next two weeks." Of course this is knowing that I very well could go over. But now that the day of the 24th is nearly gone, I can't but help but feel that every day after is going to be horrible, waiting, thinking, planning, wondering when. It is no different in fact from the last 2 weeks, but somehow passing that date is disappointing.

Saturday night we had a false alarm, and ever since then I have had harder contractions randomly. Not braxton hicks, I have had those since 2 or 3 months in. These are stronger but with no order. People keep trying to convince me that this random pain is a good thing, that in the end I may have to do less work. That's great, and lets get on with it, lol. I am so ready. I want my birth experience, I want my child, and I am so ready to be a mommy to a new baby again. Patrick is so excited too he just can't wait, and has named his baby doll, Norah Lanie (which is our girl name). He has been intently taking care of his baby doll for the last two days, lol, I love it. He is going to be a totally awesome big brother.

So in any event. It could be any time now, lol.

We are all getting over our colds, which is indeed a good thing and will be wonderful not to have a house full of sick people when the baby does arrive. I am nervous and so excited. I am wondering how long I will be posting....."still no baby yet". In any event it will happen soon, and when it does, the baby will be ready and healthy and that my friends is all I truly care about.

3 Days

I really can not wait to turn this into an all about the new baby blog, lol. I keep thinking of all of the changes that will take place, and while most are pleasant and incredibly exciting, some are scary. For instance, to those who have more than one child this will sound like no big deal, and I am sure that a year from now it will be even different for myself, but the thought of having 2 children instead of one is like, whoa!

When Jerry and I embarked on our adventure to start a family, we were not alone. We had recently moved to Troy MO, after he had left the Air Force. His family and lifetime friends were there. It seemed that shortly after we were there a set of Jerry's friends announced they were expecting. 3 months later, we were in the same place, and then Nick and Jenny 2 months after, and then Jake and Ashley, and.....So I had more than one mom to be pregnant with, and for most of us it was our first child. After everyone had their babies everything seemed right in the world, we all had boys, and talked of the playmate years to come. Then something happened, everyone started on the second round, lol, and Jerry and I were not ready for that round, not then, and didn't know if ever.

We were comfortable being a family of three. Financially it worked. Time wise it worked, we were able to successfully balance our time, and this was a challenge for us. For most it may not have seemed like a hard task, but we had chosen to be child led, and practice Attachment parenting. So while others were bottle feeding I was nursing. While others could leave their babies in the other room to cry to sleep, mine was in bed with me, and while others could pick up and leave a fairly new baby and go on vacation, I could never even consider it. Because of our parenting style it became apparent to most I think, that we were dedicated and centered and family was now our number one priority. Jerry and I thought that for a long time, one child made sense, and anyone who knows Jerry, knows that he enters all things with a lot of thought and caution, the subject of having another baby was no different. We did grow apart from our Friends and we also moved, but we no longer had the one child, family of three in common. Now they had families of four, a toddler and a newborn, and very busy lives.

Those who have read my blog from the beginning know that having another baby is something we talked about for a long time. Just about the time Patrick hit 2, I thought, "My baby is growing up and I want another one", lol. Then he hit three, and it seemed like every time I turned around there were new babies everywhere. We would be standing in line at Wal-mart behind a new mother and child and I would turn to Jerry and say, "I want one." He always would giggle at me.

Jerry and I hit a bit of a ruff patch about 2 years back, and it was my fault, and I will always be eternally grateful to him for not ever giving up on me and holding my hand through the issues I needed to work through. Most men would not have done it. Jerry knew I had some things to work through, and throughout our almost 6 years together we have both grown together and separately. After, and I mean well after.We didn't jump into it to be a fix, Jerry and I sat down and had the baby talk, and finally decided to go for it.

Now here we are, days away from becoming parents to 2 children instead of one. To 2 children! I feel as if I am getting ready to gain a motherhood badge lol, like one child is beginner, and the 2nd becomes the real deal. People ask if we will have anymore after this one, and I just laugh, we don't even have this one yet. We really have no plans for any more children, this one was not in our plans until it was. Is it possible we may have more? Yes. Do I know when? No. We will take it one day, week, month, and year at a time. You never know. Jerry and I have always talked of adopting. I have many children in my life whom I love right now, and I am in no rush to add more to the mix.

Anyway, 2 kids, whoa! Can't believe it. And I have to say I am proud of Jerry and mine's ability to control ourselves, lol, or our...."reproduction". We really are thrilled with the spacing, and we wanted to be young parents, but not to young. Speaking of which........Jerry's birthday is coming up very soon, I have no idea what to get him. I didn't know if I could pass off the new baby as a birthday gift or not, lol, what do you think? He will be a handsome 27 years old on September 3rd. A very sexy 27 indeed, lol. I love him. Can't wait. So excited. Hope everyone has a good day.

5 Days

Our due date is now five days away and guess what? I have a cold! A nasty vicious cold. My midwife assures me that I will not have this baby until my body has healed. I sure hope, and have prayed for this to be true. I would rather not have a cold, and a baby all at the same time.

Midwifes orders? Drink lot's of water and get as much rest as possible. That is what I am doing, and it is entirely stressing me out, lol. I have been trying to not think of all the things I should be getting done leading up to the arrival of the baby. Oh well. Not having a spotless house is not going to kill anyone. Everything having to do with the actual baby is ready, so no worries there.

On the agenda for today.......drinking......lots.........of water!

Tick.....Tock......

The day is getting closer, and closer, and closer and I can't but help be a little nervous. The worst part of it all is waiting. Could it be today? Tonight? Perhaps next week? I have tried on more than one occasion to use my esp, to communicate and coordinate the arrival day, lol. Mind over matter! My neighbor would like to take bets on the day, her guess is the 18th. I told her that it's an impossibility because my mother will be out of town, and this baby has to come when she is here, lol. I asked Jerry if he wanted in, on betting, his reply is, "I think the baby will come......when the baby is ready to come", lol, punk.

The baby will come when he or she is ready and I can not wait. It seems to be all anyone wants to talk about too. I am excited, but I do have other interests besides my belly, lol. The thing that probably gets on my nerves the most is comments about how uncomfortable I must be because of the heat. Yeah, I get hot, not just because I am pregnant, but also because it's 100 degrees outside, everyone is hot, not just me, lol.

Patrick and I have spent the day together snacking and playing, I am glad. I decided I am going to spend what time I have left before the baby comes, focused on him. After the baby gets here, we will all have to share, and the attention will be divided. I feel a loss for Patrick, but maybe it's not that big of a deal, I really don't know. He is going from an only child for 4 whole years, to all of a sudden being an older sibling. He will have to learn patience and understanding, he will have to learn to self entertain, he will have to do more for himself, learn to share and so on. I almost feel as if the addition of another child will force him to grow up even more, and that saddens me. I am the oldest of five, and always felt alone, and burdened. I hope I can find a balance for Patrick that keeps him from having to do anything to fast, or that will make him feel abandoned. He is my baby and always will be.

How You Doin?

Been busy!

Tried to get some sewing done, hasn't happened!

Managed to get my refrigerator cleaned out and filled from grocery shopping. At this point, I told Jerry we can't eat anything because if we eat all the food I bought, there will be

nothing left and

then the baby will come, lol.

Have babysat twice in the last week, attended and AP meeting, had two photography sessions, edited photos, shopped, watered house plants, talked baby talk, played with Patrick, checked on my tomatoes, cleaned like crazy, dishes and so on , yada, yada, yada, and

now....................nothingness. I am taking a break.

I have been feeling so overwhelmed and people seem to keep showing up to my door with needs, not that they are bad needs, but honestly an inconvenience. I hate to offend anyone, but I am tired. I know people need help, and that's why I help, it's the right thing to do, and if I were in the other persons shoes you bet your buttons I would hope someone who grace me with the

help. The only tiny problem here is that, well.....I'm due to have a baby in the next 2 weeks, lol. I love helping others, so if you read this, and I have helped you recently, please do not take offence. It is not the action itself, I am more than happy to oblige, I am just tired.

I broke a a nail this week. I feel like such a girl, lol.

My new friends Brandy and Franchesca just had a baby, I got to hold her today. Franchesca had a home birth, like I will and did an amazing job. It was her first child, and she was due the same day as I am. I am kinda bummed that they get their baby and I still don't have mine, lol.

Got the call today that Jerry's baby sister may possibly be going into labor, she is due two weeks after me, now it looks like her child may actually end up being older than ours, lol. Funny how

things work. I figure, Patrick was 10 days late, this one might as well be, seems like I just might end up having stubborn babies, but then again you never know, I still have 2 weeks.

I can't believe how close it is getting. I don't even really feel that pregnant, and my weight scars me because it is so good, lol. I have only gained 25 pounds and am waiting for the dial to move, especially now in these last few weeks, I want that baby to plump up a bit, lol.

Jerry had to help me put on my underwear last night, can't seem to do some things on my own right now, lol. Funny me saying that after mentioning I don't really feel that pregnant. Jerry

thinks I am in denial, lol, he says the belly has grown, I have not noticed. Although......there was

that incident at Hastings last week, lol, you didn't hear about it? I was sure at least the whole town had heard about the fat pregnant chick that totally side swiped a stack of dvd's with her belly because they were in her blind spot, lol. Movie's everywhere. Took the clerk a moment to realize that I really just did not see them, that they were out of my, "line of sight" due to the gargantuan belly, lol.

My friend Heidi bought me tu-tu's from a yard sale to use for my photography, does that not

make her like the best Friend ever? She's so awesome. I love you Heidi.

Any who, enough yammering from me, wanna see some pics form my last few shoots? You do? Okay heres a couple!

Apologies

I have not written in a little while, and promise too soon. Every time I think I am ready to commit to write every day, something comes up. We have been so busy trying to tie things up here and there, getting ready for the baby, and me starting my photography. I promise to fill in all of the details soon! Apologies

A treat

Here's a little treat for today. I was working in the back room this morning, trying to adjust the lighting and windows, and what not, and Patrick, who in the last year has decided that pictures are evil, decided to let me grab a few of him. Of course this means making funny faces, I did not get one photo of him that did not contain some kind of a non-Patrick face. Maybe I should catch him while he's sleeping, lol.

Slowing Down

I have come to the conclusion after spending the last week painting, moving furniture, and throwing out trash, that I just might need to start taking it easy. I know I am pregnant, but because of the fact that we have gone with a midwife, pregnancy really has just felt like normal life, and I sometimes forget that I am in my 9th month about now. I tell you what, Patrick's pregnancy was wonderful, a few inconveniences here and there but nothing big. This pregnancy has been worse, and if it only gets worse after that.....I don't know if we will go on. Jerry and I have talked about it, and as much as we would love to have a house full of children, I think we are going to be done with this one. I love my child, and the unborn one I will meet soon, but Jerry and I have always talked about providing a home for children in need as well. We both would like to adopt some day. Only time will tell if this will be a reality, and for as far as the present, we have our own kiddos to worry about.

It is hard to believe that we are almost done with this adventure, and soon will be beginning another. Having another baby will be loads of fun I am sure, but regardless of my knowing everything will be just fine, I am still nervous of all of the adjustments we are all going to have to make in order to accommodate this new little life. We have all been set in our ways and routines for the last several years, and I wonder how forgiving Patrick will be of his routine being disrupted, lol. Regardless, as I stated, I know everything will work out just fine, and we will adjust. Jerry only gets 4 days off for this year, so I sincerely hope the baby comes on a weekend so we can have that extended a little.

So in any event I have decided to slow down. All of the activities I have attempted to keep doing, are catching up to me it seems, I am slower and most definitely more uncomfortable. Not the heat that bothers me, but the aching pelvis, and swollen feet. I figure at this point I have 4 weeks left, and it seems like the perfect time to slow down anyhow. Keeping all of this in mine of course, I am also so excited about starting my photography and will make another post about it soon, perhaps in the morning.

Maternity Session

Well, I had some photos taken of this humongous belly Saturday morning. I was up at the early hour of 4 am as to make it there on time for the sun to rise. We got some great shots, and silhouettes. I have not seen them all, but she did give me a sneak peak, and now I am going to share them with you. You ready?

A little update

Well, we are counting the weeks, and soon it will be the days until our second little baby Druba arrives. I am so thrilled I could scream. Being pregnant really is not a horrid curse for me like to some, I have the blessed privilege of being a wife to a wonderful man who takes care of me. Because of this wonderful man, I do not have to work while pregnant, I get to stay home. Because of this man I am treated like a woman who is having his child, which apparently comes with great respect. The only down side I see to pregnancy is two things. The first, no matter how badly you want to slip and slide while pregnant, it just aint gonna happen, and the 2nd, as you may have guessed is the hideous deformed swollen feet I tend to get. How they hurt! But as I told the man at LOWES today, they may slow me down, but they don't stop me. Got our birthing kit in this week, and I am excited about that. Now we have just about everything that we need to have this baby at anytime.

I tend to be in the last few nesting weeks that come on pretty strong for me. With Patrick, this was the time when I was down on the floor scrubbing base boards, this time around it is painting and organizing. Sleep? Who has time for sleep? My mind is constantly running right now, and I am finding it quite hard to slow things down.

Bought some paint today, called Well Water, to paint the back room with. I am preparing it for my photography studio. We will see what it looks like soon, for as soon as my feet un-swell, I will be on them again painting, lol.

We be Slippin & Slidden

So the summer pool has always been a failure for us. It only gets used a few times and then gets popped, or yucky and then no one wants in it at all. To much hassle, and every year we throw away a $5 dollar pool from wal-mart.Patrick has never been a fan either of the concept of submerging your body in water, so last week I thought, "slippin slide"! Eureka! Patrick loves it. As if you can not tell from the look of severe concentration on his face. It has been really warm here and is the perfect thing for him to cool off and have some fun. Of course I cover him from head to toe in sunblock before hand, and then as you could not have guessed, I hang out in the shade....eating frozen pineapple. How I wish I could slip and slide, but alas an 8 month pregnant belly has temporarily handicapped me, lol. Here are some photos of our kiddo getting some sun

the other day.

Conversation with a 4 year old

Explaining having a baby to a four year old. Here is a breakdown of my conversation with my son today about the events that will take place.

Patrick: When is the baby going to get here?

Me: Well, would you like for me to show you on the calendar?

Patrick: Yeah!

So we count the weeks, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Patrick: Ugh! That's to far away, I want the baby to be here now. When the baby gets here I am going to kiss it, and hug it and love on it and it will be my favorite baby in the whole world.

At this point I am mush inside because how absolutely adorable is that? Patrick is going to be the best big brother ever.

Me: Well it might seem like a long time away, but it's going to come fast, I promise, and then next thing you know we will have a new baby, a new family member.

Patrick: (Jumping in the floor) Yeah! I'm so excited! But.....how does it happen again?

Me: Well, when mommy feels like the baby is ready to come be with our family, mommy will call the midwife. Then when Leah our midwife and her assistant get here, they are going to set up a big swimming pool right in the middle of our kitchen and fill it with water.

Patrick: That will be cool! Can I get in it?

Me: Yes! Then, mommy will be walking around the house and sitting on my big ball and waiting for the baby to come.

Patrick: Will it hurt?

Me: Yes, it will hurt. Mommy's belly will get really tight and it will hurt, but it is part of the baby coming and I will be okay, I promise.

Patrick: You will be okay!

Me: Yes! And then when it is finally time for the baby to start coming, mommy will get into the big swimming pool and work really hard to get the baby out.

Patrick: Out of your pee-pee!?!

Me: Yes, out of my pee-pee. And then before you know it, the new baby will be here.

Patrick: Who will be here?

Me: Well you daddy, our midwife and her assistant, and your grandma Tonjia. Grandma will be here to help with you, so that if you need someone to play with, she can play with you.

Patrick: I don't need grandma, I can just play by myself!

Lol. I love my child. He is so eager to welcome his new baby brother or sister into the world, and has already put the responsibility on himself to potty train the little one, lol. Patrick is a wonderful child and I just love the fact that he is so capable of understanding the process, and not afraid by it. I don't have to lie to my child. It will hurt, he knows this, but he also knows that it is the way it works, and I will be okay. And he is okay with that. We are all so excited.

Happy Fourth Of July!

Happy Fourth!

Jerry got a three day weekend, which is always, and I mean always, nice. We slept in today, as late as we could which was around 8am or so, lol. The day was pretty slow and great as a Saturday or holiday should be. We had breakfast burritos for breakfast. We played chutes and ladders, candy land, and a scooby doo memory game today. We built a fort, jumped on the bed, and ran around the house. In the afternoon Jerry and Patrick went to go get my brother. We BBQ'd and it was yummy. I made some baked beans, corn on the cob, salad, and set out some fruit to go with out grilled steaks. Man was it good. The boys ran off and bought some fire works, and then by 8pm we were leaving the house to go see the fireworks display in town. It started to rain, but...our secret little spot, (that was not so secret this year) is near a baseball field, and we hid out in the dugout until the rain stopped, right about 9:15 when the show started. Patrick liked the show, and when the really big ones went off he told me that it made his heart hurt. I knew he was talking about feeling those biggins in his chest, I remember how enormous they were as a child. Patrick kept his ears covered for most of the show, but still liked it and clapped at the end. We took boxes of cracker jacks with us to snack on. Yummmm! After the show we walked back to the car and came home, a short trip, and then the boys did some fireworks at the house. Now as I type, all three of them are at the kitchen table with it covered with Lego's, building. They are building together, singing together, and it truly is the perfect ending to the day. We had a good day, and the best part of all is that I still have my husband for another day!