2 Weeks

Our Everett is 2 weeks old today. He is such a sweet baby. He has yet to really wake up, he sleeps so much. That's okay by me! I know this newborn stage won't last for long, so we are enjoying every moment. We are adjusting well to this family of 5. The girls have really been doing very well, and love their baby brother.

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Our family could be in a McDonald's commercial... Yep, that's Nick in that last photo.

Ravioli by Osmosis

Effective? Probably not...Nick has been home all week, and we all loved it. I took advantage and took lots of naps with the babe. There was lots of chillin' going on.I may be a bit biased, but Everett has got to be one of the handsomest baby boys around. What a cutie. He's been doing lots of eating and sleeping - can't ask for anything more! I have three kids. Every once in awhile I gotta pinch myself. Friday was my first day with the kids, and except for a nursing time breakdown from my Maren, things went alright. I even got several loads of laundry done. Go me.

The Gory Details

**Warning: this text includes the technical details of childbirth.**

So, I went to my doctor's appointment last Tuesday. BP was still higher than normal. My doctor talked me into being induced on that coming Thursday. Nick was excited and I had mixed feelings, but I knew that it would probably be for the better.

Thursday we left the girls with Cynthia (thanks, Cyn!) and we checked in around 10. I received antibiotics (tested positive for GBS). My doctor came in and checked me (2.5 cm and 50% effaced) and broke my water. I was started on pitocin a short time later. I had decided going in that I would go without an epidural for as long as I could stand it, and I hoped that I'd be able to go all the way. So, I tried to relax as the contractions got started. I read for a bit and later put on a movie. Meanwhile, Nick was working on his laptop. The pitocin was turned up all the way, and contractions were getting strong and really hurting my back. The nurse found me a portable monitor and I was able to walk around for a bit, which REALLY helped with my back. It was nice while it lasted. Unfortunately, the baby wasn't doing too well with contractions and his heartrate would drop. I had to get back in bad and on oxygen. Then I was taken off the pitocin and monitors were put in my uterus and on the baby. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me my last chance for an epidural as he was heading into a c-section and wouldn't be available. I told him no. I was committed. Crazy? Maybe. This last hour or so was certainly the worst of the whole experience as the contractions were killing my back. Thankfully, the nurse was helpful and Nick was a champ and helped get me into a position during contractions that seemed to help move the baby down and make me a little more comfortable. Finally I was fully dilated and this baby was on his way out! I've always heard of the 'urge to push', but hadn't fully understood it until now. It was an amazing, uncontrollable, whole body 'urge' (which seems much too small a word to use), that really pushed the baby out all on it's own. The nurse was telling me, "don't you dare push until a doctor is here." Uh, yeah right. Thankfully, he walked in right then. One push, the baby moved down. The doctor quickly did an episiotomy, and then a second push and his head was out, body followed. He was suctioned, Nick cut the cord, and he was placed on my chest. Whew! Relief! The doctor finished up with me, and the nurses with the baby and then Nick and I were given some time alone with our baby boy. We decided on a name - Warren after Nick's dad and Nick's grandpa, and Everett because it just felt right. It was very nice to be able to move around and take myself to the bathroom and such pretty soon after delivery. An hour and a half after giving birth, I was moved down to my room and Nick and the baby went to the nursery. The girls and grandpa met us at my room and they got to meet their brother. They are both very sweet with him (although Maren has yet to learn about being 'gentle' around the baby).

Would I do it again without an epidural? Probably. Although that is not what I said to Nick in the thick of things (I think I said something like, "remind me to get an epidural next time"). Overall, it was certainly a new experience for all of us, and Everett is here and we are all happy (although very tired...). I am feeling well. I am very grateful to have Nick home with me this week as I am not quite ready to take on all three at once. Yeah for new babies!

Introducing...

Warren Everett Johnson

February 11, 5:48 pm

7 lbs. 2 oz.

20 in. Our little 'muscle man'
Meeting the big sisters

Doesn't Nick look mighty proud?
I think Everett has his daddy's nose and hairline :)
And this is what he looks like right now...what a sweet boy.

In Case You Were Wondering

I am still on bedrest. My non-stress test yesterday proved to me that bedrest does indeed do something - my blood pressure went from really high down to a normal level with just 30 minutes of laying down. So, here I still sit. Bedrest is treating us well. I enjoy having the company of the girls and I think it's a great excuse to spend quality time with them instead of worrying about housework. However, that being said, anytime this kid decides to make a move would be okay with us!

The "B" Word

Bedrest. I've heard it before, and I just heard it again this morning. Thankfully, this time around I am 39 weeks, and not 28, but still. Not fun. This should be even more interesting with two little girls. I'm sure we'll all be fine - we just have to be okay with a really messy house (and really, what's new there?). I got the results from my urine test - protein was a little elevated, but not enough to warrant action. Blood pressure is still high. So, I go in for another non-stress test on Sunday and we'll see where we are. Until then, I am supposed to be on bedrest. Nick and I are praying my water breaks, and soon. You all can feel free to join us. :)

My Sweet Maren (and Baby News)

Maren is at a really fun age. Lots of exploring, lots of smiles and giggles, lots of personality showing forth. Lately she's been talking lots - and if you spend time with her, you can actually understand what she is saying. She loves her sister and has finally reached a point where they play together nicely for long periods of time. So nice for mom. It was cute when we left Ellie at a primary activity, and when I brought Maren home alone, she wandered the house calling, "Ellie!" She was quite concerned that we had left her, and probably more importantly, Maren wasn't where her sister was. Here is a cute pic from when we were getting ready for photos: And another with pants on her head. She loves wearing hats and gloves, and if a hat isn't around, pants or underwear will suffice. What a silly girl.

Ellie is also sweet, helpful, and happy. I love my girls.

In other fun news, I am a week and a half from my due date, and already this has been exciting. I was admitted to the hospital last Friday because I was sure my water had broken (it had not). I am so over-anxious with this one because my water broke with both my girls before I had any contractions. They chewed me out for not coming in right away with Maren, so I vowed to come in as soon as I even suspected anything. Well, after that (expensive) trial run, I vowed not to come in until fluid was making some serious puddles. Oh, the joys.

And, I had a doctor's appointment yesterday which did not go so well. My blood pressure was high - like, if it didn't go down he would have delivered me right then high. I didn't suspect anything because at my previous appointments, my blood pressure had been surprisingly low (I've had high blood pressure problems with both girls). So, I got sent to labor and delivery (I'm beginning to know my way around there now) for a non-stress test. My BP came down after laying in bed for a half hour, and I was sent home. A part of me was wishing that it would've stayed high so that I could've just had this baby. I was laying there trying to think stressful thoughts. :) Of course, this adventure isn't over yet - I now get to do the 24 hour urine test, to make sure I don't have pre-eclampsia, get my BP tested again, and I have been advised to 'take it easy'. On top of that, I am not really progressing, and my body seems far from giving birth. I swear, my body just doesn't know how to do it. Had I been a pioneer, I would probably have died from childbirth, or the complications of. I am, once again, grateful for modern medicine. Oh, and this morning, my hips are killing me so bad that I am sitting here at the computer at 6:30 am instead of sleeping. Getting these babies here is so fun!

This is a photo of grandbabies #34, 35, and 36 (in utero) for my parents. I am due in just over a week, Alicia, a week after me, and Shauna is due in May (and I'm sure they both love me for posting this photo here).