Boys gone

Austin and Brodie left this afternoon to go to Lubbock for a month. I was so proud of myself...I waited until they pulled away with Jason's parents before I started crying. I am going to miss those loud mouths. They will have so much fun while in Lubbock, but Mommy is not used to being without them at all.

Bowling

Thought I would post some pictures of our outing. Kree and I took the boys out bowling today. They had such a good time.

We have a busy weekend coming up. Jason's brother is graduating from medical school in Houston. We are not going to be able to actually go to the graduation...Chase is just too little to make that trip yet. Jason's parents are coming back to Dallas after the graduation and staying through the weekend. Jason's brother and his wife are also going to come up and meet the new baby and spend some time. They are moving to Minnesota this summer so it will be a while before we get to see them again. It should be a great, yet busy weekend.

Then next week, Jason's dad is taking the boys back to Lubbock with him. They are going to be staying in Lubbock for 4 weeks. They have lots of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles that want to see them. They are excited, but are already starting to mention missing home. It will be a good trip for them. I have to admit, it will be nice to get some time to rest up. However, I am going to miss them horribly. This will be the longest I have ever been away from them...EVER! The boys and I are going to make picture books for them to take with them to Lubbock. They want to take pictures of Jason, the baby, me and the animals so that they will have them when they start to feel homesick. To tell you the truth, they have so much planned while they are there, it will feel like a blink of an eye to them.

Well, I am off to wrangle my brood. Hope everyone is having a fantastic week!!!

Bday pic

The boys giving Jason Birthday hugs. We were bummed cause Jason's candles got blown out by the ceiling fan before he got a chance to. Chase was sleeping or else he would be in the picture too.

Jason B-day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL HUBBY!!! I love you!

Birth Pics

Here are a few pictures from the day of the birth. The one of the three boys is from today.

Chase Birth Story

Ok, I just fed Chase and the other two are eating a snack. I am going to attempt to write Chase's birth story now. Let's see how far I get.

I went to the Labor and Delivery floor on Friday, May 12 for a Non-stress test, since I was past due. While there two things happened. Chase started showing a heart arrhythmia and my blood pressure spiked. It looked like they might keep me, but both things cleared themselves up. They think his heart arrhythmia was just him going through a transition period. So after a few hours, I got sent home. I was bummed. All Friday night and into Saturday morning I became convinced that I was not having this kid until my mom left. I was having maybe one or two Braxton Hicks every few hours and they were weak. Saturday morning Jason, my mom, the boys and I all went out and did a little shopping. When we got home, around 11:15 am, my mom started making pizza with the boys. I was standing in the kitchen talking to my mom when I felt a warm gush. It wasn't like a soak the floor gush. It felt like I was peeing, but I couldn't stop. I ran to the bathroom and tried to figure out what in the world it was. I knew it could be my water breaking, but I also knew that it could have been just too much pressure on my bladder. So I put on a new pantyliner and went back to the kitchen to tell my mom what happened. As I was telling my mom and Jason, it happened again. My mom and I got to laughing so hard that it happened more. Finally after soaking through many pads I decided this was too much fluid to be urine. We called the on call doctor who had me go to the hospital. I still was not having any contractions.

There is a quick in the room pH test that they do in the hospital to determine if your water has broken. Mine came back negative. I was bummed. However, they had another more accurate test that they wanted to run, because they like me knew that this was too much to be urine. It took an hour or so and the test came back positive. Now we at least knew I was not going home. Jason's parents hit the road for the 6 hour drive from Lubbock. My doctor wanted to wait a few hours before starting any pitocin or other medications in hopes that my body would go into full blown labor on its own. I had a few contractions over those few hours, but nothing "good". Finally, we started pitocin. That stuff had barely hit my IV and I was contracting every 2 mins HARD and long. I was in major pain. They gave me a shot and very soon after I was asking for epidural. AT 6:30 we were told I was dilated 5 cms. I slept from the time they gave me my epidural until the time I started pushing. It was a LOVELY epidural. Around 8:00 pm it was time to start pushing. At 8:18 pm, Chase Don was born. My mom got to cut the cord (Jason did not want to...he is not big on cutting fleshy stuff on humans). It was so awesome. They immediately laid him on my chest and let him stay there until he found his way to my breast and we latched on and he nursed. It was so amazing. I know this is my third, but it does not make it any less amazing. This was by FAR my easiest delivery. Many of you know the horror of my oldest son's birth and my second son's was not all that easy.

Jason's parents made it to the hospital very soon after the birth and were able to hold Chase right after Jason gave him his first bath. It was a blessing that everyone got to be there to witness his early minutes of life (except my Daddy...sorry Daddy...wish you were there).

Well, I will continue this later...Chase is calling for a diaper change.

Pictures

There are some new pictures of all the boys over at Flickr. I promise I will post again soon. My grandparents will be in town this weekend to see the new one. We are mostly still just hanging out, enjoying Jason being home. Shana came over yesterday to see Chase. So good to see her. not long now and your new little one will be here :-)

I so badly want to post all about Chase's birth, but the tired has kicked in. Things are going great. Of course we are not getting a lot of sleep. Chase seems to be battling some gas issues right now. I am trying to figure out if it is something I am eating or if he is just adjusting since my milk has come in. Jason is off all this week and has been keeping Brodie busy as well as getting in lots of cuddle time with Chase. I knew from how Jason is with Austin and Brodie that he would be a great father, but he is exceeding my expectations. He is very gentle and loving and VERY involved. When Austin and Brodie were little I had very little help, so it has been WONDERFUL! My mom and Grannie went home yesterday. They did SO much to help us while here. THANK YOU a million times!!! I promise in the next few days I will get a more elaborate post. Austin is having his Kindergarten end of the year program on Friday. He is so excited that his NEW brother will get to be there. He can't wait to show him off. He took pictures to school and they are displayed in the classroom. Both Austin and Brodie are such good big brothers and so willing to help.

Home

Well, we are all home and doing fantastic. Chase got circumcised this morning so he isn't exactly a happy camper. Can't say I blame him. But otherwise everything is great. The boys are so excited that their baby is FINALLY out. Jason has taken the next week off to be home and help me out. It was an easy delivery and I am feeling great. I will post the whole story of the birth sometime over the next few days. Right now, it is nap time :-)

Finally

CHASE DON WILLIAMS

Born: Saturday, May 13, 2006 @ 8:18 pm

7 lbs 13 oz

19.5 inches

All are well! Update coming soon!

Desperation

So I had a new experience today. When I woke up this morning little did I know that I was going to let some woman that I do not know stick needles in my body. Jason's work was having a Health and Wellness fair. He noticed that an acupuncture person (not sure the of the proper name) was going to be there so he did some looking on the internet about inducing labor using this technique. He asked the lady if she had ever tried it. She said that she had done it before and had seen it work. At this point I was willing to try anything. So, I had it done. If nothing else I feel REALLY relaxed. We shall see. Most sites I have read say that you should see results within 48 hours if it is going to work. Here's hoping!

Baby Pool

OK, so my mom has suggested a Baby pool. I say, let's do it. Whoever guesses closest to the delivery date and time gets a prize (as mom said, probably not a GOOD prize, but a prize). This would be a good time for all you people who read and never COMMENT to leave me a comment. Mom has picked Friday 5/12@ 8:45 pm. Anyone else care to take a guess? Anyone can commnet by clicking on the white comments link below.

P.S. I know there are about 55 of you that read daily and don't comment. I have a stat counter for this reason. DE-LURK PEOPLE!!!!

**Update** Jason has called Saturday 5/13 at 8:43am. I am not sure where my bet is placed yet

**Update 2** I have decided to place my bet on Sunday. Only because it is Mother's Day. So I say, Sunday 5/14 at 4 am.

Ugh

Still pregnant.....Had an emotional outburst in the doctor's office. Jason thought it was a ploy to get her to induce...it wasn't I just couldn't help myself. No induction yet, but things are still changing. I will blog more tomorrow I just wanted to let everyone know that things are going. And the best news of all... MY MOMMY IS COMING THIS WEEKEND!!!! Sometimes a girl needs her mom.

Still here...still pregnant

My Inbox is overflowing, my phone it rings constantly....yes, I am still pregnant. I have decided that Chase will have the nickname Putter for a while. Why you ask? Because every time something gets started it putters out. I went for a walk last night and got some more contractions going, but they PUTTERED out overnight. My frustration level is high and I am VERY emotional. Jason is not too sure what to make of me right now....but he is trying. It is HORRIDLY hot and humid today for a preggo lady...so I plan on walking in the mall tonight....maybe I can get some non-puttering going on.

I had an old lady in Walmart just tell me that I should not be out and about without my husband this close to my due date. Old people crack me up. They are the same ones that you can hear gasp when I raise my hands over my head or pick up a 5 lb sack of potatoes.

We go back to the doctor tomorrow morning and if there has been no change there may be begging occur. I hate to ask for them to induce me, but really...this kid does NOT need to be born after this weekend. There is too much stuff that will get messed up and it will be a living stress hell if he is born after about Saturday. My dad is pulling for Chase to hold out until Friday (Dad's birthday). Dad, I hope he beats you! I may just have to get the guts to say, "I know you want to wait one more week Dr, but I think it is time to do something". We will see.

And, no that is not a new sonogram pic. I am just reminding myself there is a child in there....even if he doesn't seem to want to come out. I have a nice womb :-)

Update

Just a quick update. My doctor sent me to the hospital this morning around 11 to check out an unusual discharge I was having (I will not be graphic today). They monitored me for quite some time and determined it was an imbalance. I am now 2-3 cm dilated which is more than I was on Wednesday. I started to have minor contractions about the last hour we were there. Nothing worth keeping me over. Our hope is that they do not putter out like last time. So we are hoping they continue to get longer and stronger and more frequent. That is about all we know for now. The boys and I are going to veg this afternoon and tonight I plan on walking when it gets cool to keep things moving. Keep us in your prayers...mentally we are starting to feel it.

Cinco De Mayo

As much as I want Chase to be born I would rather he wait until tomorrow. As many of you know today is Cinco De Mayo. Now, my husband and I have a special affection for Mexico. And Cinco De Mayo is a great party holiday. However, I just don't want my kid born on Cinco De Mayo. Call me crazy, but it to me is just setting him up to be a out of hand party child. Can you imagine? He is in college and says to his friends, "I am turning 21 AND it is Cinco De Mayo, TEQUILA anyone?!" Yes, I am nuts and pregnancy is screwing with my brain. I am aware that when he is 21 it won't matter if it his birthday OR Cinco De Mayo, there will probably be alcohol involved...I am not THAT dillusional.

In other news, Jason got me my Mother's Day gift last night...my purse I have been wanting. He spoils me :-) I am off to play Go Fish with Brodie. He cheats, so I am sure I will lose...again.

Have a safe Cinco De Mayo all.....since I can't join in the party, have a few for me Vegas people!

Cloe and the OB

Cloe has decided that we bought the bassinet for her. I have so much stuff piled in it right now to keep her out that it is ridiculous.

We went to the OB today...no change. That is about all I have the energy to say right now. I guess Cloe figures, Chase isn't going to use his bassinet, she might as well. AHHHH silly cat.

Baseball

Yet another reason to love my husband:

From the moment I picked Austin up from school yesterday both boys began begging for me to call Jason and have him come home to play baseball. The first few days of the month are always the busiest for Jason at work. Despite the fact that he had to work later than normal, he hurried in the door, quickly ate something and immediately took the boys out to play baseball. Now, mind you, he doesn't HAVE to do these things. It has never been about the HAVE TO'S with Jason. The thing that makes him such and awesome step-dad is that he WANTS to.

This picture cracks me up. Brodie was marching up and down the yard cause he wanted to play the "coach". So he was yelling and encouraging Austin the whole time. Remind anyone of Lyndon and me playing football??? I am so proud of Austin. The child has an arm. He can throw the ball better than most 6 year olds I have seen. He even managed to catch several flyballs. I really expected him to be more timid about getting in front of the ball.

Just thought I would share. Happy Tuesday all.

Yes, I am still pregnant and we aren't going to talk about that!

Helpers

I knew there was a reason that I had kids...hehe. My big helpers!