feeling much better...

I think I finally got over the hump. I am starting to feel much better. I am still resting, but I am feeling a lot more normal now. Everything is going great with breastfeeding and my strength is almost back. I am ready to get out of the house - for once! Garrett is doing great. He is already up to 10 pounds. He is so easy and only cries when we change his diaper or wake him up. The newborn clothes never even fit him and the 100 newborn diapers are going to have to be given away. It is weird bc Grant weighed 10 pounds at 6 weeks, so a little different experience. He will be 1 week on new year's. I am so glad that I am not pregnant any more!!!! Yeah!!!

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Garrett James Wirthlin

We finally decided on a name. Garrett is not a family name, but James comes from my grandfather's first name. We are not planning on doing all G names... at least for now.

As many of you know I had little Garrett early Christmas morning. My planned homebirth was successful. I am glad that everything worked out for the best. We are lucky to have a very calm newborn. The difference btw Grant and Garrett is remarkable. It was definetly not easy and I don't know if I would do it again, but for now I am happy with the outcome.

So Christmas Eve John and I went to dinner at Outback with my parents. Of course I had been having contractions all day long. Even at Outback I was pretty uncomfortable. We get home and John goes to bed. I started timing contractions from 9-11 pm and they were pretty consistent. Every 4-6 minutes and they seemed to be getting stronger. My mom is like- call the midwives- of course I was kind of embarressed and didn't want to have another false start. I mean it was Christmas Eve- what are the chances. I felt bad for the midwives already. So I call them and tell them to start heading down. By now the contractions were very strong and painful and I had regretted not calling them earlier. I was cringing in pain. So they get here at 12:30 am and start to set up the birth tub. I was dying to get in the water. That was suppose to be my pain relief. They get the tub set up by about 1:15 and I delivered 45 min later. I was bummed that I was not able to relax more, but it was kind of my fault for not calling them earlier. It took 2 pushes to get the head out and 1 for the body. He did come out with his right hand up on his face, just like Grant...which is why my transition took a little longer than usual. It was a pain that I surely don't want to remember anytime soon. It was pretty awful :) Go figure right? I did tear unfortunately, because he presented 2 parts not one- head and hand. Now I was told that my chances of having 2 babies do that was so rare- and the midwives had only seen a few babies deliver that way. I guess I am a cursed birther! Oh well...that was the biggest disappointment for me- his delivery presentation.

He was perfect in every way. I held him immediately and he just looked up at me and was so calm and quiet. All the pain did go away... like everyone says. They weighed him and measured him and did all the newborn stuff.

My recovery was not so good though- I had a few complications that they got under control pretty quickly. I learned a lot about myself and how my body reacts to shock- which happens after that kind of trauma. It took awhile for me to get my blood pressure up and I guess I inherited my mother's fainting syndrome. It did take me 24 hours before I could get out of bed and even now I am still having a hard time walking around and doing normal stuff. It is day 3 and I am trying to rest as much as possible. I lost half my pregnacy weight within a day and now my body is just trying to stabilize again.

I loved that I was already at home and able to rest in my own bed and eat my own food right after. I am so glad I did not have to try to get in the car or anything like that. Of course, I have an amazing support system....my mom, sister, and John who have helped tremendously. I couldn't have done it without them. Garrett is a really calm baby, and loves to sleep in the car seat- such a good boy. He has been so easy thus far... we will see what the future holds.

Christmas Baby!!!

Our little guy (name to be determined) was born at 1:58 a.m. this morning. He measured at 9 lbs, 21 inches long and has been sleeping most of the day. Kaley and the baby are both doing well, while Grant is getting used to sharing the house with a little brother. What a great Christmas present!

still no baby!

sorry everyone...just an update. I am hanging in here- not the happiest camper!

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Grant's 2nd bday!

I can't believe my little guy

is already 2! This morning I made him his favorite breakfast( which is pancakes) and let him play outside all morning. Tomorrow is his party because John is still out of town. More pictures to come of his cake and presents! He is my little bundle of energy that keeps me running around chasing him all day long. We call him spitfire and high stepper around here because he can really lift those feet when he runs. Even though he is usually hyper and crazy, the moments that he calms down and wants to cuddle are priceless to me. This is usually in the early mornings and late evenings. I love our quiet time together because his really sweet side comes out... Happy B-day Grant! I am glad your little brother is not going to steal your day!

still pregnant....

I know - it is even hard for my midwives to believe. They say that I am just waiting for John to finish his finals which will be this thursday. I am such a good wife- right? I have made it this far, so I think I can hold out a few more days. No need to check back here until after Thursday! My next appointment is on Tuesday and I am not going to have the midwives check me anyways. Now I know why some people don't do it at all! My mom says she walked around 5 cm dilated with one of my brothers for weeks- now that is encouraging :) Just what I want to hear right now! I have had a few close calls, but the contractions always fizzle right before I hit the hour mark. I think this babe is already messing with me. I am anxious, but at the same time I am glad that I am doing things on his terms and not my own. If it were up to me and any doctor- my water would be broken by now! Just seems to easy to pass up on...

5 cm dilated and 100% effaced...

I am a little closer to my final D. Last night I had tons of painful contractions, but of course they fizzled this morning after Grant got up. I have been having more period like cramping on and off throughout the days. I had a few other things going on, but some people reading this might not appreciate that much info...:) Then they checked me and good news...a little more progress. I am 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced- his head is still fully engaged too. That is good news. At least it is not all for nothing and hey I am halfway there- right???? We will see....

still pregnant :)

Not much going on here. I have another appointment tomorrow and am looking forward to see if I have made any progress the last week. I have had a few false alarms, but luckily I am not one to get my hopes up to easily. Lots of cramping and contractions- hopefully they are doing something! The great thing about going natural is that it is a total surprise. I am still enjoying my nightly 3 hour replays of Grey's Anatomy- so I have that to look forward to everyday! It keeps me sane!

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Setting up for christmas!

My 2 boys setting up for Christmas. Our first real tree. Grant's first real Christmas at home! I am very excited. My mom always went all out for Christmas...decorations, presents, holiday food, etc. It is my favorite holiday and I want to create the same warm memories in my own family. Our tree is a little on the small side, but I think it is perfect for our first tree as a family. Little guy loved all the little decorations and he was a big help :) We don't have that many decorations for now, but I can't wait to have our own place someday and have lots of Christmas festivities going on!

John's bday party

Even though it was a day late we had a little bday party for John. We just had family over, but it was still fun. We had cuban sandwiches, onion rings, chips, and of course a chocolate ice cream cake. I wish I had the energy to make homemade stuff, but it is just not there anymore. My nesting days are over :) No more cooking from scratch! My parents gave John a framed photo of a little cowboy and Grant just loved it! I think Grant thought it was him. Now all he needs is a cowboy hat. It was pretty cold and rainy so we had the fire going and we just sat around and let all the kiddies play. We had a great time!

I need to stop with the December bday club, I think it is a little too much. Grant's bday is in 10 days and I am going to try to make it special too- good luck on that one Kaley!

3 cm dialated, 90% effaced, +1 station

So I asked my midwives to finally check me today. I haven't been checked so far...how much fun are those exams right :) And of course, his head is super low- which has been like this for weeks...but I was surprised I was already at a 3. I guess I am in denial about this whole thing:) I was like this with Grant, so i shouldn't be so surprised. Anyway- I know I could walk around like this for 2 more weeks, but it is nice to know that something is at least happening when I have all that cervical pressure and contractions. The last few days I have been feeling pretty good though, so we will see. John's only request is that I make it through his first exam. I think I can pull it off- I will just be a couch potato for the next week! I am really good at watching tv and eating ice cream :)

happy bday John!

Happy 28th Birthday John! Grant and I are sad that we can not celebrate with you today, but we are looking forward to a fun party tomorrow! We miss you and hope you have a wonderful day in Gainesville. You are a great husband and father and we appreciate all you do for us! I don't know how we survive without you- it has been tough these last few days! We can't wait for finals to be over so that we can all be together again! This is what Grant thinks about you being out of town on your bday...

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