The newest one

Birth Story

On December 31, 2005, we were in San Jose, visiting my SIL in the hospital (she was due on Jan 15 and gave birth to a girl on Dec 30), then we went to my other SIL’s house for dinner (a small New Year's celebration) and I was having some contractions, but nothing regular. We left there around 10 pm, and when we got home, we put the kids to bed and started watching a movie on HBO (Phantom of the Opera). I started timing my contractions around 12:30, because they were coming regularly, just not at regular intervals (like, 20 minutes apart, some 15 minutes apart, some 10, etc). Larry was sleeping during this whole time. Anyway, around 3 am, I called the hospital and said I was in labor, but I wasn’t sure when I should go in, because my contractions were consistently coming, although irregular in time, and she said she needed to ask me a bunch of questions to evaluate me. I gave her my full history of quick labor and told her I did NOT want to miss my epidural again like the last two times. She said it didn’t sound like I was in active labor and discouraged me from going in. Again, I reminded her of my quick labors and said that they were always inconsistent, but then started building upon each other quickly. Then she said to call back in one hour and let them know how I felt and what my status was, but they generally didn’t want me to go in until my contrax were 5-7 min apart for an hour. I told her that they told me that last time I was pg and in labor and I gave birth 30 minutes after arriving to the hospital. She said to call back in one hour, which by that point, my contrax were getting more intense, but still irregular and around 7-10 minutes apart. But I told the lady I was coming in, because I really didn’t want to miss my epidural again. I called my mom, and by the time she came over, it was 4:20 and my contrax were 5 minutes apart. On the way to the hospital, my contractions became 2-3 minutes apart. I think we got to the hospital around 4:40 in the ER, then by the time they wheeled me into my room and I got changed into my gown and they put the monitors on me, I was begging for my epidural and it was around 4:55, and they said they need to get me checked into the hospital and check my status and get an IV in me and blood work to the lab, yada yada yada. I knew at that point that I was going to miss my epidural again. She put the IV in my and got my blood drawn and the nurse checked my cervix at 5 am and I was 6 cm. She said, Plenty of time! And I was like, yeah, right! The doctor came in 15 minutes later to check me and I was 9 cm, with a bulging bag of waters and she said as soon as she breaks my water, I could probably start to push, so she got into her scrubs and broke my water and at 5:20, Ainlsey arrived! I think I pushed about 5 times, and boy did it hurt! I was screaming at them to get her out! It felt soooo much better when I finally pushed her all the way out and I could feel her body just sliding out of me, my pain just went away! Oh, relief! But man, was I mad that I missed my epidural again because that nurse refused to listen to me. I should have just gone in when I called at 3 am. I’m glad I got to the hospital on time and didn’t have her in the car! Ainsley Madeleine was born on New Year's Day 2006.

Getting anxious

Well, here I am, still pregnant, with your "official" due date passing by two days ago. But I know you're not really late, as you were conceived later than the doctors think. I'm glad you're getting nice and full-term in my belly, and you'll come out when you're ready to. But, I am anxious to meet you and so are your daddy and siblings! Everyone keeps asking me, "When is Marshmallow coming?" like I'm supposed to know when you're going to make your arrival. Only you know the answer to that. I wonder if you'll be bigger than your brothers, since you're staying in there longer than them. I hope you're a good eater and don't have any jaundice problems, since you seem to be going full term. I've washed all of your new girl clothes and I even knit you the cutest little hat! I can't wait to put in on you, as I'm sure you'll look adorable in it. I packed my bag for the hospital today, to start preparing, and I put your "coming home" outfit in there, along with the hat. I am definitely ready for you to come out anytime. Your Mema seems to be anxious, too. I think she's excited about having another granddaughter. She's going to spoil you rotten, just like all the other grandkids. I think the only person who is not anxious about your arrival is your big brother, Carter. He really wants to be the baby still and I think your arrival might upset him a bit, but if you'll give him time, I'm sure he'll adjust to your arrival and come to love you lots. Spencer asked me today when you're coming out, but I had to tell him I didn't know and you'd come out when you were ready. He seemed to accept that answer. I think he'll dote on you a lot and your big sister, Amber will, too. She really wants to fix your hair already! I told her you won't have much to work with yet, but you will when you get older. So...anytime you're ready to come out, Marshmallow, we're all ready and waiting...anxious for your arrival.

Movements

I'm really cherishing this pregnancy, because I know it will be my last. Every time I feel you moving inside of me, I try to capture the moment so I can remember what it feels like. It's a weird sort of feeling...like someone poking my belly, but it's coming from the inside. You're constantly on my right side, and my ribs feel bruised from one of your body parts jabbing me there. What feels really funny is when you kick or hit one of my organs, there are just no words to describe it. I'll miss the feeling of you growing inside of me. It still amazes me- what my body can do: I'm actually growing and nourishing you inside of me. In a month, or even less, you'll be in my arms instead of in my belly. I wonder who you'll look like, and what your personality will be like. I'm looking forward to getting to know who you are, but I can be patient, because I want to enjoy this time of just you and me.

My baby girl

I guess I'll write this blog like I'm talking to you, my baby girl. You may wonder, "Why are they calling me Marshmallow?" Well, your big brother, Spencer, gave you that name when he found out you were in my tummy. At first, we thought he would call you Kiki, because he always said he wanted two babies, CooCoo and Kiki, and he had called Carter CooCoo. But he said you were Marshmallow, so the name stuck. When I asked him why he called you Marshmallow, he answered, "Because marshmallows are soft, like a baby's skin." Isn't that cute?

You are an active baby, especially at night time! I love to feel you moving around inside of my belly. I didn't really feel you start to move inside me until I was about 18 or 19 weeks pregnant with you. Now I feel you all the time, rolling around and kicking me, or moving your arms around. I have such a hard time sleeping now, though. You seem to be laying in a similar position as your brother, Spencer, because I've been getting the same types of aches in my hips and sides as I had with him.

I was very excited to find out you are a girl when we had our 3D/4D ultrasound. And your big sister, Amber, was very happy, as well. She has been waiting for a little sister for a while now. She's looking forward to fixing your hair and playing with you. I think Spencer is excited about you being a girl, as well. Your big brother, Carter, doesn't really understand what's going on, but I think you two will be close, because you're close in age and will probably play a lot together. I hope he becomes protective of you when he's older and understands.

I'm looking forward to meeting you and holding you in my arms, my baby girl.

Our Next Baby

We're having our fourth child and I decided to chronicle our thoughts. I fear that we're forgetting many of the details of the incredible things that happen and perhaps, when the children are old enough, they can read about themselves.

I'm not an English major and so I'm going to try not to worry too much on the mechanics of what I write but instead focus on conveying what I think and feel. Hopefully, this isn't too cumbersome or difficult so that I can be consistent about keeping this blog up-to-date. Tiph will also contribute so together, we shouldn't forget anything.

So, here's a quick catch-up of what's happened so far:

We had initially decided not to find out the sex of our baby but Tiphanie really wanted a girl. So, she scheduled the 4D ultrasound for last Saturday. After two consecutive boys, we were both pleasantly surprised to find out we're having a girl! Tiphanie and Amber were overjoyed as they would no longer be outnumbered.

On the way to Sacramento Sunday for a Halloween party at the Yee's, I asked the kids what movie they'd like to watch. Instead of Toy Story or Aladdin, Spencer asked to watch the baby DVD of the 4D ultrasound. What a cute big brother.

Spencer: Are we eating in the kitchen?
Me: No.
Spencer: I think we are because look at the canibets.