Coming To You Live...

Tate is incredibly creative. Also, we've had a great deal of boxes come through our house lately. Add those two components together and we get a very interesting newscast...

Tate giving a riveting weather report...

 

 

Relaying we are all in DANGER, due to said weather...

 

 

Slightly distracted by the adorable brother off camera...

 

 

Adorable brother off camera.

 

 

We take news reports seriously around here.

Winner Winner...

Alright those fantastic four of you who actually participated in our game...your answers and your winner...

Arthur

Tate

Arthur

Tate

Arthur

Tate

Arthur

Tate

Tate

Arthur

Tate

Tate

Tate

Which means with only two incorrect guesses, Ruth is our winner! Congrats Friend!

Thank you to Ruth, Laura, Molly, and Amy for being the only ones to play my game. I should buy all ya'll coffee...or drinks. Or both. Ladies night!

Guess Who

When Tate was born, and still to this day actually, everyone comments about how much he looks like Dave. For the record, I don't always see it, but that is neither here nor there. Now with Arthur, the comparison is always to Tate. Seriously, no one has likened Arthur to Dave, and almost always comments on the similarities between the boys. Due to the frequency of said comments, I have been inspired to create a game. A guessing game. A guessing game in which you see if you can decipher which baby picture belongs with which boy. I sure hope it sounds like fun for you, because I am pretty giddy as I type this. And let me put this out there...

There is a prize. As in, free coffee. Winner will receive a Starbucks Gift Card. Score.

You read that correctly.

How To Play: In the comment section, should you choose to play the game, enter which boy (Tate or Arthur) you think each numbered picture belongs to. The person who has the most correct guesses wins. In the event of a tie, random.org will select the winner.

Ready?

 1.

2.

 

 

3.

4.

5.

 

 

6.

7.

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

11.

 

 

12.

13.

 

 

Good luck! Winner and correct answers will be announced Monday.

 



Then and Now

When Tate was about the age Arthur is now, there was one particular night I remember; Dave and I were in Tate's room, with him on the floor, playing and taking pictures. This was one of them.

 

I will admit, Tate resembles Arthur significantly in this picture.

The other night, Arthur had fallen asleep slightly earlier than he usually has and I wasn't working, which allowed Tate to have story and quiet time with both Dave and myself. It was actually quite wonderful spending time with just Tate and showering him with undivided attention. I don't know when the last time that has happen since he became a big brother. 

In a moment of inspiration, I remembered the picture of the three of us from years ago, and quickly took advantage of a photo op.

I can't decide which of Tate's faces I like better.

I love love love my Tater.

Holidays and Cute Boys

The boys are super cute and great. And for the most part, at the age where they will let me dress them up, wrap them in lights, and take lots and lots of pictures. Don't believe me? See below...

Halloween with a Fireman and Pumpkin

Tate actually hated the lights. I took a good twenty shots and this is the only one that came close to coming out. But, it reminds me of the cover of Step-Brothers, so I used it.  :)

Pictures' Worth of Words

I owe you pictures, and I owe you updates.

We are all awesome. Being a family of four is fitting us like we were made for it. Tate is in love with his brother, and Arthur is amazing and rock-tastic. Although, ask Dave his opinions on having an infant in the house after Arthur has been fighting sleep when I am at work, and you may get a slightly different answer.

A lot of people say Arthur looks like Tate. Some days I see it, some days I don't. Regardless, he is developing such a fun personality. In honor of that personality, we will play a little game in which the captions of the following pictures will represent what Arthur is thinking/feeling based on his face. :) Feel free to add your interpretations...

"oh Mom, really with the camera? Again?"

 

 

"goooood morning."

 

 

"oh wait. I think I've gotta poop..."

"get outta here, Tate."

 

 

"seriously, this is my photo shoot."

 

 

"my brother is trying to hug me...again. Help."

 

 

I just love this picture. One, because Tate really wanted to be in the pictures with "Brother", and second, because he was so proud that he turned three...and he could maneuver his fingers like that.

 

 

I promise, promise, promise to do better updating. Life is really fun and we want to share it with you. Plus, after a recent gathering with my favorite female cousins, I am aware that there are  those of you who follow the blog. Nice. For you, I will do better, hopefully...

 

 



Arthur's Arrival

First, this is a happy story, no matter how you perceive what I am about to share; this is a happy story.

Arthur is here! His due date was September 24, and I had done everything I could to learn everything I could, about having a baby at home with midwives. Tate was born via c-section due to being breech, and I knew the likely hood of having or being pressured into a repeat c-section were significant should we deliver in a hospital. I knew I didn't want to go down that route.

When we found out we were expecting, I made a compromise with Dave, we would go to see the doctor and go see the midwives. He agreed. At our doctor's appointment, when I shared with her my desire to VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) she was hesitant, listing off a plethora of interventions and monitoring that must accompany my 'trial of labor' in the hospital; yet stating I was a good candidate. When I mentioned I was  also looking at a home birth, she shut me down. She said, and I quote: "You can't. We can't monitor you at home and you'll rupture, and you'll die and your baby will die." She turned to Dave, "and you will be a widow." Dave told me later he could see the doctor  had lost. Our appointment with the midwives a few days later went completely different and after lots and lots of discussion, in addition to lots and lots and lots of information sharing (I'll own it, by me) we decided to prepare to give birth at home.

I was pumped. I had visions of a water birth in our living room. I had visions of making a birthday cake for the baby to distract from contractions. I had visions of music playing throughout the house to sooth and calm me. I had visions of wonderful. For months we planned and prepared for birthing at home. We shared our plan with others, and while there was hesitations and questions, for the most part we felt supported and confident.

Throughout my pregnancy I search for information. Information about anything related to birth, babies, labor; literally, everything and anything. It was with this mindset we decided to get an ultrasound at 32 weeks. We had not had one done since 8 weeks and I was dying to see what our baby looked like. The midwives recommended a nurse practitioner who was very supportive of midwives and a more "natural" approach to birth. We arrived at our appointment pretty excited, with a soon-to-be-big brother ready to see pictures of the baby. It was fairly routine as the ultrasound tech obtained all the measurement and diagnostic information they needed. And p.s. a million props to ultrasound techs because I have no idea how you can see and interpret what you do. You are kind of rockstars. Our ultrasound tech, Mindy, had made mention of the placenta "branching out" in a certain spot. She didn't sound concerned and told us she didn't want to worry us, but was going to bring in a doctor for a second opinion on what may be an explanation for a placenta wandering as mine appeared to be doing. The doctor came in, with his Texan drawl and looked at the ultrasound. He started talking about something called vasa previa and velementous incertion, and then he left to get a book with pictures to better explain. Once back in the room, Dr. Texas Drawl explained that my baby's placenta and umbilical cord were not connecting where the cord was the thickest, and that left veins "unsupported" throughout the placenta. One of those veins they suspected was positioned over my cervix, leaving no safe exit for baby. He recommended a scheduled c-section. I cried. And then I felt silly for crying. The baby and I were both healthy. We had a plan to keep him out of danger and a way to get him out. I had had a c-section and it was not the worst thing at all. All of this I knew, all of this I vocalized, but I still cried.

And so our plans changed. I began researching natural c-sections, which are being performed and studied significantly in England. Essentially, a natural c-section slows down the surgery, allowing parents to see their baby being born, delayed cord clamping, and baby placed immediately on mom's chest for skin to skin. When I brought this up to Dr. Texas and his nurse practitioner, I expected to be laughed at. But they didn't. They were wonderful and were accommodating to all my "crunchy" requests. And for six and a half weeks, we prepared to meet our new baby and spend as much quality time as a family of three.

September 13th. I was nervous. I had had a c-section with Tate so it wasn't the unknown that scared me, it was knowing what I was up for; with recovery, caring for new baby and balancing the other two boys in my life. Plus, the waiting, the two hours before the surgery of monitoring, totally blows.

Savy and Tate were in the pre-op room with me. One was more helpful than the other.  :)

 

 

I left Tate with my sister, and could hear him crying as I climbed up on the operating table. I felt sad for my boy. He was so confused as to what was happening. Besides Dave, Laura was the best person he could have been with.

 

We were able to see Arthur being born. The hospital staff had brought in a mirror so we could watch. It. Was. Awesome. As planned, Arthur was taken from the sterile operating field, to the "baby nurse" who would then bring him to me. Before Arthur made it back over to me, Dr. Texas began talking about my placenta, and how it was everywhere. I heard him use the words, "have to take it out". He asked me if we were planning on having more children (we were). I saw as he was showing me in the mirror, how my placenta had veins everywhere and telling me that separating it from my uterus would be impossible. I was trying to grasp all he was saying, while sneaking peeks at my new son across the room, and process all of it when Dr. Texas leaned his face over the curtain and said, "Darling, I'm at a loss of what to do".

 

"Do it then."

 

I called Dave over to me. I told him he had to say no to every intervention they would ask Arthur to participate in. I told him to hold him, constantly. I told him to bring Arthur to me so I could kiss him. I told him they were going to put me out. And I told him I loved him.

 

 

I was able to see this before I went to sleep. Arthur knew he was not alone in this new scary world.

 

My c-section had been scheduled for noon. I woke up in the ICU at 4:30. Some of that immediate time I remember and some is fuzzy. I do remember Dave showing up really quickly. A doctor came in with a female colleague and I saw them fiddling with their phones, then the female left. The doctor showed me his phone, and on the screen was my sweet new baby boy, in real time.

 

 

To have people care about our situation this much, to go above and beyond and do something so kind, brought tears to my eyes.

 

 

It felt like forever before they took the tube out of my throat, but it was probably only 15 minutes. I was told not to talk, so of course I asked every question running through my head. Dave confirmed I had a hysterectomy, and shared that my overzealous placenta also decided to accost my bladder as well, which resulted in part of my bladder being removed and bladder reconstruction. Awesome. Dave told me how scared he had been. How much blood I had lost. What it was like being so close to the OR and witnessing all the commotion. He told me Arthur was perfect, that Tate loved him already, and everyone was just waiting for Mama. I was informed I would have to stay in the ICU overnight to be monitored. Laura and Lindsey came down to see me. My girls. The only better sight would have been seeing Arthur. They provided a second best. They brought me my phone, loaded with pictures of my boys.

 

 

Arthur, ready for the Packer game. Obviously, he's Dave's son.

 

 

Brothers...they make my heart melt.

 

 

It was almost 24 hours until I got to see Arthur. He was born at 12:11pm on Thursday, and at 10:30am on Friday, I was moved to the same room as my baby.

 

 

Our first picture together.

 

 

It was as if we had never been apart.

 

We stripped down to be skin to skin. Arthur latched on like a champ (and has been going strong every since). Dave and I talked and talked, and the filling in of the gaps of the last day's events kept coming. All I needed was my "medium boy". Lindsey brought Tate back to us a little while later.

 

 

The moment I saw Tate, all my fears about having enough love for both my boys evaporated, instantly.

Tate loved Arthur just as much as anyone.

We stayed in bed together all afternoon. Clearly my boys were tired.  :)

Even Tate wanted in on the skin to skin. He is an amazing big brother.

 

 

Lindsey and Laura were irreplaceable. We could never have planned for the situation we were given, and I don't know how we would have made it through without them. If there would be anyone I would entrust my family with, it is my sister and my best friend. They cared for Arthur, Tate,and Dave as I would have, and knowing they were there when I was not, was a comfort I cannot put into words. Lindsey was taking pictures throughout that day and sent me some over the next few days so I could see what everyone was up to while I was healing.

 

 

Skin to skin with Daddy

 

counting fingers...

 

Comfy, safe, and warm

 

This is a bittersweet moment. I love all the boys together, but I know this is when I was still in surgery, and Dave was facing a lot of unknowns. Still, I love this picture. My husband and father of our children.

 

We spent 5 long days in the hospital. It was difficult. We were all getting restless and wanting to return home, but recovery was slow. The day we were released, I had inquired about taking my placenta home, as we wanted to plant a tree for Arthur over it. Apparently, my placenta was kind of a big deal, as numerous medical professionals shared they had never seen anything like it. Due to preservatives it was treated with, we were not able to take the placenta home, but we were given pictures of the wicked thing. I'll share those by request...   :)



 

We are now home, learning how to be a family of four and healing a bit more everyday. For the most part it is going well, with every day starting with a big brother smooching on his little brother.

I won't say I didn't get the birth I wanted. That's absolutely not true. The birth I wanted ended with my baby being safely on the outside. Did I get the birth I had planned? Absolutely not. But that's not the point. The point is Arthur. And he's here, healthy and safe with us.