a story

Well... where to begin.  Only fitting to start the evening before really....

Aaron and I went to my ultrasound appointment (which was scheduled to due babies lateness) at 5:30 p.m.... the ultrasound went great - my amniotic fluids were spot on and baby scored an 8 of 8 on all things scored (I can't remember all of them).  Sigh!  We were both relieved that everything seemed to be so comfortable for baby in there and that just must be why he needed to camp out for 10 or more days.  After the ultrasound Aaron and I decided to get a bite to eat and even maybe see a movie (Isabelle was with my mom in RI....wow a night on the town for us!).  We tried a mexican place close to the hospital, which turned out to be pretty good for mexican in NH, and both ordered burritos.  I thought to myself...I hope I don't have this baby tomorrow...It will be one stinky birth (sign # 1).  After dinner we decided we were both way to full to see the movie and that tomorrow would be a better night anyways (sign # 2).  By the time we got home I was exhausted and Aaron decided to do a little work before bed... we abandoned our nightly ritual of cleaning up just in case the baby decided to come (sign #3).

SO yes...we ignored all the signs... and you know what happens next.  At about 3:30 a.m. I got up to go potty for the zillionth time and right then and there (on the potty) my water broke!  I really couldn't believe it, I just imagined I would start with contractions and the water would break after but nope...I was wrong!  I yelled to Aaron to get my glasses and that I thought my water had broke...I have never seen him get out of bed so quick!  We promptly called the midwife to let her know my water broke but I hadn't had a contraction yet and she said..."go back to bed"...hmph...not what I wanted to hear.  We tried to go back to sleep but we were both so anxious that we were both up and moving about ten minutes later.  Soon enough my contractions started...and then the fun started.  It was all pretty much text book after that.  The contractions started out 10 minutes apart and were only lasting about 30 seconds...but it didn't take long for them to come faster and last longer.

rosti - swiss potato pancakes Aaron made for us while I was in early labor

At about 7:30 things started to get intense.  We called Cindy (our midwife) back and told her that things seemed to be moving along.  I was still unsure how long labour would take but we decided that it would be best if she started to get her things together to come (she lives about 45 minutes away).  At this point we were still pretty relaxed about it...expecting things to go for another few hours.  But things shortly started to get really really intense.  I ended up finding myself in the bathroom (our very very tiny bathroom) and the most comfortable position I could get in was on my knees and my elbows on the tub.

I could tell things were moving faster than expected and started to do anything I could to not push.  Which if you've done this before you know where I am...baby's head was moving down and all I wanted to do was push...and my midwife wasn't there yet - better yet I heard her call Aaron for our address (in my brain: WHAT THE _______...insert all horrible profanities here).  So I focused and let my body do what it was doing but I did everything I could to not "push" it along.  At the same time Aaron knew where things were going and quickly pulled up a website on delivering babies and started pacing from the window to see if the midwife was here, back to the bedroom to read the webpage, and then back to me - trying to convince me to slow down my breath, telling me I was doing a great job, and replacing a cold towel on my neck for every contraction.  We were both at the point where we were really getting worried that we were going to do this alone (of course none of this was discussed it was just thick in the air).

At 9:00 Cindy arrived - thank goodness.  Just in the nick of time...I couldn't hold out much longer.  I heard her come in and say "oh I hear pushing noises" and she ran back to her car to get her things.  By the time she got set up I was pushing.  And at 9:25 little Owen was born, right there in the bathroom, with Aaron crammed on one side and Cindy in the doorway.  When his head came out his umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his neck twice, which Cindy was able to loosen in between the head and body coming out...but left him slightly limp and blue upon delivery.  As soon as he came out he was swooped up to my chest where I gave him a few pats before he choked out his very first cough and cry.  I rolled back on my butt and just stared in amazement - it all felt so surreal.

moments after arrival

Soon after the placenta was delivered and I was cleaned up and carried by Aaron and Cindy to my bed.  I lay there, in my bed, holding my new baby in such a fog of baby love.  He was so alert...within a few minutes he was already nudging around looking for a bite to eat.  For the next hour Aaron and I just soaked up the moment, made the necessary phone calls, and swooned.  Cindy wrote up her report and cleaned up in the other room.  When Cindy came back into the bedroom she checked the baby - weight, measurements, and general appearance and health of baby.  Soon after she was going over our "afterbirth care instruction sheet" and as soon as she was done with that she gave me a big hug and kiss and left.

back in bed...only 6 hours later

baby getting checked out

getting weighed 

(note Sid in the background...he doesn't miss a beat)

and there we were... at home with our new baby....

So things happened a little different than I thought they would...a bit faster than I anticipated, Isabelle wasn't there, I didn't get that water birth I had wanted, and I didn't gaze out to the lake with each contraction to find utter relaxation (hah)... it just happened exactly the way it was supposed to.

Thank you all so much again for your warm thoughts - we felt all of them.

xoxo,

Caitlyn, Aaron, Isabelle & Owen

Finally!

that's right folks...the time has come!

light your candles!

belly snuggle

Today my mom and Isabelle will head down to RI for a few days... with the holidays quickly approaching and my moms to do list growing longer and longer we all felt it was best for her to get back down to RI to catch up on a few things.  Before they headed down Isabelle gave the baby lots of snuggles and gently knocked on my belly and whispered "ok... baby its time to come out now" - isn't that how we all feel?!

Lots of R&R for me over the next few days and whispers to the baby that it is indeed going to be time to come out sooner than later.

the late cake

Well, now we are three days past my "guess date" (formerly known as due date) - a term I will thank Melissa for... you are right...it is totally an estimation and not something to get caught up in...or so I am trying not to get caught up in.  And what better way to pass the time is to bake a cake.  Yesterday we thumbed through my mothers ancient Hershey's Chocolate Factory baking book.  A book that is falling apart, pages stuck together, notes scribbled on the side...and you know just by the texture of the page and the stains which are the best..tried and true recipes.  She brought it up because I had been craving peanut butter kiss cookies but hey...why not make a cake too...

you can hardly make out the scribbled but it says "double"...

(as in they are devoured within a day) 

Instead of doing a tried a true recipe, the chocolate marble chiffon cake caught my eye...I'm not too sure why.  Anyways we made it and unfortunately my 2 days late preggo brain forgot the salt...waah waah waah.  It is ok... but not as good as it would be with that tsp of salt that was forgotten.

known forever more as "the late cake"

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and keep them coming 

- baby will have to come out sooner or later!  

patience

December 5th has come and still no baby...there are still a few hours but I think it is safe to say baby won't be coming today.  But he or she is coming... my body is feeling the weight, the irregular contraction like rushes, and the fatigue that I think go along with being 40 weeks pregnant.  So, now... now we just will patiently wait until this baby decides to make its grand entrance.  And I hope you will be patient with me and my lack of posts!

Keep sending those positive thoughts... we are feeling them all 

and will let you know when it is time to light your candle

the belly cast

isabelle prepping herself...gloves on!

Last night I decided it was time to finally break out the belly cast kit I ordered a month ago.  At first I was super excited to cast my belly and then well it sort of fizzled and I wondered why I had purchased the kit in the first place.  But last night, at a ripe 39 weeks and feeling like I could pop any time now, we decided it was do or "due"...because if we didn't do it now I would surely go into labor and I would miss the opportunity to cast this huge belly.  And let me tell you it is huge...

my belly cast

 (no comments necessary on my sausage fingers...)

And well, I am so happy we did it!  I think it came out awesome and I am looking forward to sanding and painting it at some point....I think I would like to put all our hand prints onto the belly including babies once he or she arrives.  And well, then some might wonder what on earth you do with a belly cast...and well I don't have that exact answer....but for now I'm happy I have it and it will always remind me of the 9 months I carried this little person.

Today I had an appointment with the midwives and everything is going perfect.  I am measuring spot on - 40 cm today, perfect blood pressure, and yes still gaining weight....  One of my midwives is convinced the baby is a boy and she predicts it will come this weekend.  I'm game for anytime now and am upping my prenatal tea, planning to take lots of long walks, and will start taking evening primrose oil tonight.  

I'm so ready!

b-way

As mentioned we had a little Rhody reunion Friday evening and it was, as expected, filled with catching up, inappropriate banter, laughs, and lots of eating.  Kelly decided to throw me a sort of blessing way/mother's blessing - which I guess was agreed on by all the men with the stipulation of calling it anything but a blessing way (hence...b-way).  It may not have been the most traditional blessing way but it was so much fun and I laughed so hard I cried myself silly...and nearly wet myself.

cheese & meat spread...

me laughing so hard I was afraid it might onset labor

kelly gave me a foot bath with some deliciously smelling homemade sugar rub 

and aaron later massaged my feet...

"happy labor caitlyn" cake from Pastiche....

My b-way consisted of a foot bath, then some herbs added by everyone, a foot rub, a lovely green crown, some yarn tied around us all to connect us, some fortune cookies (read the fortune and then end it with..."in labor"...example: "New and rewarding opportunities will soon develop for you...in labor"), some lovely poetry, and of course a delicious coconut cake from Pastiche.  And even though we all laughed and giggled over it all-- it was really special and very thoughtful of my dear friend Kelly to do for me - so thanks Kel, from the bottom of my heart!  And thanks to my amazing husband, Jeff & Carolyn and Dave for taking part in this special ritual.

pajammy buddies, Isabelle & Noa

love...

In addition everyone took home a candle, with the intention that once labor begins we will have a sort of phone/text/email tree to let everyone know that labor has started and that the baby is on his or her way...  and I would like to extend this to everyone (if you want to partake) - I will be sending out an email at some point with a reminder to set aside a candle and have it ready around December 5th.... and that when we actually start we will let you know - you can light your candle as a way to "connect" with us and as a reminder to send us some positive thoughts.  

oh and the verdict from the ultrasound was that the head is indeed down and baby is in position!

walking and talking

Lately Isabelle and I have been taking lots of walks and talking quite a bit about the baby and what life will be like with a baby in the house.  She has so many questions, like...where the baby will sleep, what toys will the baby play with, will the baby cry a lot...and so on.  Most questions I can answer but some are a bit tough to know until we meet the baby and that in itself is a hard concept for Isabelle to grasp.

on our morning walk today (and yes she has been swallowed by the purple monster)

silliness

In a little while Isabelle and I will head down to Concord for a quick visit with our midwives...they are 90% sure the baby is head down (there is a little confusion because of the placement of my placenta) but want to be 100% sure so we are going to do a quick ultrasound to make sure baby is where it is supposed to be.  Both Isabelle and I are excited to get a quick glimpse of the baby one last time before we get to meet him or her!

Congregate by Nikki McClure

And later today we will be having a little Rhody reunion with some friends - we are really looking forward to seeing them, getting involved in inappropriate banter, and of course eating...  We wish the whole gang could come up but understand Kris & Sarah have more important things like work and what not in their life....(booo).....:).

Hopefully I will remember to take out my camera tonight to capture some silliness....

rainbows

looking down at my belly usually makes me smile...but bellies with unexpected rainbows deserve a picture

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend!

taking it easy

Taking it easy... that has been the motto for the past week.  For the past few days I have been feeling a bit under the weather and thus monopolizing the couch, drinking lots of water, and gurgling salt water (all the while trying to minimally entertain Isabelle).  I have managed to capture a few pictures of the past few days....although nothing that will likely "wow" anyone - just us.... taking it easy...

receiving blankets, burp cloths, bibs, booties, oh my!

I had one productive day last week where I finished sewing receiving blankets, burp cloths and bibs for some special babies out there.  I started this project with my mom in RI and brought the last few things to finish up here.  It has been nice breaking out the sewing machine...I can only imagine it will collect dust for a while after baby is born...

a little fuzzy but here is mr. furio snuggled up in the lamb skin

the beginnings of some delicious french onion soup

a new book

A few months ago one of my favorite blogs author (soulemama) was preparing for her 5th home birth and she shared this book "Welcome With Love", by Jenni Overend, that she used to prepare her little ones for the coming of their new baby.  I made a mental note that I would need to get that for Isabelle when the time was right...and with 6 weeks to go...the time is now.  This is a beautifully illustrated book about a family who has a home birth, it is both honest and real about what happens and is told through the eyes of the youngest brother.  It has really opened up our discussions with Isabelle about what to expect - mommy will have pains in her belly and she might will yell and scream - but that is what happens when you have a baby.  We have read the book over and over and each time she has new questions and is quite impressed with her word of the day: placenta!

isabelle visits and re-visits the actual birth pages with intrigue

We are still slightly unsure of how things will go, there isn't exactly a place to hide and seek quiet if I am screaming... but Grammy will be here just for Isabelle and who knows....Isabelle might just wake up to a new baby in the morning...only time will tell.

Saturday and Sunday were spent in Maine, where we visited with Grampy Weed, and Great Grampy & Great Grammy Weed.  We had the pleasure of visiting with great grammy's sister-in-law, Norma, who has some beautiful 26 acres in Union, ME right on a lake.  It was quite lovely to roam around their property, weave through the apple orchards, play hide and seek by the lake, and enjoy the chesnut trees (Norma and her late husband Austin were dedicated to growing and reintroducing the American Chesnut - a tree that has been totally devistated by Asian Chestnut blight).  Unfortunately I don't have any photos to show for it, Aaron took a few and now are on a remote hard drive (so we may never see them).

Either way things have been going pretty well around here (not the part with me having a cold...) and we continue to just take it easy and enjoy the three of us for the remaining few weeks until number four comes along.

transverse at 25 weeks

i know i am reusing a photo from a previous post....so shoot me...

As confirmed by the ultrasound and a little palpating from my midwife baby is lounging sideways (or a slightly angled sideways with its feet usually poking at my lower right stomach area and punching my upper left ribs) instead of head down - which is totally fine for now but my midwife told me to start thinking "head down baby" and doing some extra pelvic tilts during the day to coax the babes into position.  I know it is quirky but I really believe in the power of the mind and mind and body connection - and when she said "thinking - head down baby", I really appreciated and could grasp that.

All other ultrasound results were great - the baby has two arms, two legs, a head, a heart, growing organs, etc.  The ultrasound also predicted my due date to be December 10th, 5 days after my original due date was estimated at 12 weeks.  I am not surprised, I think I just tend to carry a smaller baby according to averages (Isabelle has always been in the 5th-25th percentile and that is A-OK)- so I suppose we will be expecting a baby anytime after December 5th - only time will tell. 

I also had a dream a few nights ago that I had a baby girl.  Upon deeper thinking about the actual events of the dream I think it was more me having anxiety about my previous hospital birth.  In my dream I gave birth to this beautiful baby girl and then she was quickly snatched from my arms for doctors to look her over and then she was gone (as if the hospital swallowed her up).  Now, ok, this totally did not happen and while they did wisk her away promptly after birth I got Isabelle back in a jiff - but I suppose I just am now a little more sensitive and a little more adamant about how our babies first minutes, hours, and days are spent with us.  I'm so looking forward to snuggling up with our new little baby in our own bed and not feeling so sterile.  

I know and appreciate our desire to have a homebirth is not the norm but am truly excited for the experience - that being said, having Isabelle in a hospital was wonderful (other the induction, pitocin, and epidural) - the moment she entered our world everything changed and it was one of the most powerful events of my life.

getting ready to go home 3 years ago

but then again, the dream could mean that we should expect another little lady in our life...now wouldn't that be something...

~ 22 weeks

Time has been flying and it is hard to believe that I am already 22 weeks (40 weeks in a normal pregnancy - and yes I am using weeks... get over it).  Baby is moving a lot and particularly likes to kick around my waist band area - just to really remind me that even though I relieved myself 5 minutes before I could still go again.  I think by now this baby is around 7 inches and almost a whole pound.  I have not yet had my 20 week ultrasound - due to some scheduling issues but we are hoping to do so soon.  We are also in midwife limbo right now with the move and are hoping we can find a midwife in NH or VT that will meet our needs - unfortunately until we know where we are living (which state) we can't hire a midwife - which tends to make me a bit uneasy - but I know everything will work out...

belly at work- post pant exchange...

And well you know you are pregnant when you get to work and a half an hour later you decide you can't wear your jeans a minute longer... yes I drove straight home to change this morning.  Never a good thing when your pregnancy pants are starting to feel tight...especially at 22 weeks....

hold the meat please...

So after my meat binge (that sounds gross just writing it) on the 4th of July weekend my body decided to revolt against meat & poultry....I'm even grossed out by eggs (by themselves) lately.  Not sure what it is, but I think the baby prefers a vegetarian momma because every time I look at meat/poultry/raw eggs my stomach turns.  So in the past few weeks I have been eating lots of beans, soy products, and nuts - and I haven't (thankfully) had any problem with dairy (other than a run in with a self-serve soft serve machine that ruined my life for an evening).  And due to the nature of the diet shift I have been way more conscientious about my protein intake (I'm suppose to consume the upwards of 70 g a day)....and well I have to say on this non animal protein "diet" I seem to reaching those my protein intake with no problems.  Not that I thought I really would...but I just wanted to make sure.  I love tofu, tempeh, beans, and nuts so life is good.  Aaron, semi-skeptically, has been along for the ride -with a few alterations here and there to his plate if he feels like arranging it.  He even cooked up some of his home cured bacon this past weekend and it made me nauseous...something may seriously be wrong with me...

mayple syrup & soy sauce marinated & baked tofu, veganaise, sprouts & tomato sammy w/ mexican brown rice & cherries (of course)

This week I also got my "sprouting" on - for co-op kids, I did a demo with the kiddos on how to make sprouts - we did mung beans, alfalfa, clover, radish, and even chickpea & lentils.  They were delicious.  Isabelle eats the sprouts out of the jar like they are candy!

(from left to right) alfalfa sprouts, and then several jars of soaking seeds & beans

I mainly use the instructions found at sproutpeople.org - a great resource for anyone interested in how to make sprouts - super easy, cheap, nutritious, and delicious!!!

And on the moving front...we have set an Idaho leave date of September 14th.  My mom will fly out a few days earlier and help with distracting Isabelle while we pack and then we (my mom, me, isabelle and the two cats) will all fly back to RI.  Aaron's bff, Joel, will fly out from ME to drive cross country with him to NH - they did the same thing on the way out - good man time I suppose.  We still don't have a place to live, a U-Pack moving quote, or a midwife - which gets sticky because it really depends on where we live (VT or NH - because most don't have licenses in both states) - but I know it will all fall into place...eventually.

and then there were 4

Many of you have already heard the big news but we are pleased to announce that we are expecting baby #2 in early December - which makes me just over 12 weeks at the moment.

Aaron and I went out for mexican food prior to the ultrasound and we think the baby liked it... he/she was dancing all over the place!

Pregnancy thus far has been different...  I have felt continuously nauseous and overwhelmingly tired.  And well the only "cure" to the nausea is eating so I have also put on a few pounds I'm not so crazy about.  Good news is it seems the nausea is starting to go away and I am feeling a little more energy every day now.

Pregnancy is also very different this time because it was planned!  While Isabelle was the biggest surprise of the century and also the most wonderful gift we could have ever asked for she was not exactly planned (not that we would ever change a thing!!!).  There is a subtle sense of calmness and confidence about having this baby that Aaron and I are both really appreciating at the moment.

Isabelle isn't too sure what to think yet.  She seems to think the baby should be a girl so she can have a baby sister and sometimes just ignores us when we talk about it.  And sometimes when she is silly or making herself laugh she tells me that the baby is laughing too...

We are also choosing to have a very different birth this time around, for lots of different reasons (that maybe I will divulge into some other time).  Aaron and I have chosen to have a planned home birth with this baby with the help of a midwife (hopefully none of you are gasping for air...).  We are really excited for the opportunity to have a birth our way in the comfort of our home (and for those of you that might of gasped a little... don't worry there is a hospital less than 2 miles away).