tHE HORRIFIC INCIDENT

In the past 20 years, the men that RIDE THE RAPIDS for a living have not seen anything like it – and it happened to Brian’s Dad.

In a high adventure trip with some scouts the boys had been riding with the scouts for about an hour on the rapids labeled a 6 – VERY DIFFICULT.

There was not time to relax - it was all intense. At one point, the guides told them to lean back , but they leaned back too far and the boat turned over. Brian’s dad and a small 12 year old boy were the only ones of the 7 not to be able to catch the safety rope and a very treacherous part of the rapids.

They both went over a 5 foot waterfall – seen in the picture – and got caught in a whirlpool called, “The Washing Machine.” This got their bodies caught and SWISHED and RIPPED around causing BRUISING and BONE BREAKAGE.

Brian’s Dad got uncaught (he had been underwater for awhile and was STILL underwater) as he went over the 12 FOOT WATERFALL called "THE BIG SPLAT" (pictured as the big falls here, with the 5 foot falls being behind it).

The current carried him further down stream. He was still TOTALLY disoriented and was still TOTALLY underwater not able to take a breath.

He kept telling himself – this is REALLY HARD but don’t try to take a breath while your under the water.

The lead kayaker’s plunged down the 12 FOOT FALLS to rescue him and another guide on the side came in a brought him to safety.

He was FINALLY able to take that BREATH.

I get short of breath just thinking about it.

They tried to find the 12 year old boy Timothy, but with NO LUCK. They waited for him downstream where they picked up Brian’s dad. However, they did find him on the side – he had been able to find a rock and he crawled on top of it….and waited.

The current had totally swished off their lower clothing – pants, underwear – everything. Going O NATURAL is not a fun way to be swirled about in dangerous rapids!

Timothy had to be AIR-LIFTED out -he had a BROKEN FEMUR along with numerous bumps and bruises.

Brian’s dad got 3 BROKEN RIBS, an incredibly swollen KNEE some goose egg BUMPS on the top of his head, and lots of bruises everywear.

On top of all that, he had to walk 3 miles ALONE along a grown-over-with-deadfall-and-lots-water-trenches-trail to get to where he needed to be reached by the ambulance. The other were with Tim and the other scouts. He HOBBLED along the trail as his RIBS SPASMED. It took him 1 ½ hours to scale the 1 ½ miles. It seemed like forever. Once in the ambulance – they basically 4 wheeled the trail rocking him painfully.

They both got to the hospital eventually. Brian’s Dad stayed overnight with lots of tests and a blessing, and Timothy stayed 2 Days. His parents drove overnight to the location in West Virginia.

Kevin, my brother in law is the scout master. He was great at maintaining control over the situation and keeping everything together as he watched the whole thing transpire in horror. He notified everyone, gave blessings, kept the other boys together, stayed up ALL NIGHT with Timothy and then drove 12 hours with no sleep to his brother’s house in Ohio where the boys all stayed the night.

It was quite an ordeal and we are SO glad it didn’t turn out any worse than it had to. A situation like that, DROWNING would have been an easy alternative to what happened. I think its safe to say that I don’t think Brian’s Dad will be riding the rapids any time soon!

THE FUN PART

Now comes the fun part about having a baby – losing the weight...and the mummy tummy (diastisis)!

I gave myself 1 week ½ to eat what I want after the baby was born, and then I made up my mind to be SMART about what I eat.

I continue to do a Soy Shake (Herbalife in my case) for breakfast and as a snack later on in the day.

I do a “SMART” lunch and dinner - lots of veggies, a good protein source.

I omit all sugars – pretty much. That means:

The WICKED five whites:

White flour

White sugar

White rice

White pasta

White bread

I will do small amounts of the “whole grain” version. But I have found that since my mission in CARB WORLD of CHILE I am insulin resistant – which many people by the way are. I survived 1 year ½ on almost pure carbs and definitely LOOKED like it while I was there. I have definitely had to watch what I eat since then, and have found my body does not allow much of the five whites before it starts creeping up on me.

My cheat - I have found I can still lose and eat a nice 70% cocoa small chocolate bar a day. Not bad - and I DO look forward to it!

So – the past 10 days or so – I have lost 6 inches and 3 ½ lbs. That my not sound like much – but I love that the inches are starting to go down.

My waist obviously is the part I need to lose the most – since that’s where the baby was. The Tupler technique helps me a lot with that too. After Tyler I went from a 32 inch waist to a 25 inch waist in 5 months– part of that was good nutrition and part was the Seated Tupler Exercises!

So I just have to maintain the mindset ( 10 sets of 100 Seated Tupler Exercises per day and eating SMART) until I can fit in all my clothes again!

HOW EMBARASSING!!

Tonite we were taking a walk as a family around the neighborhood. We passed a cute old small lanky man with long white shoulder length hair. He was clearly doing yard work and was standing by his house as we passed him.

Brooke says to us in a booming little voice, “I’VE NEVER SEEN A MAN LIKE THAT BEFORE!!!!”

Brian and I started laughing to ourselves as we continued to walk sheepishly down the sidewalk.

Then she repeated herself since we didn’t DARE reply, andstill DEFINITELY within earshot, “ I’VE NEVER SEEN A MAN LIKE THAT BEFORE!”

**********************************************

Brooke’s Grandpa Barrowes, who happens to be an endodontist, drove 4 hours to visit us here in Chicago. As she sat on his lap they were laughing about something. Then she suddenly looks at Grandpa more closely and says in a scolding yet humored voice,

“GRANDPA, teeth are not supposed to be YELLOW!! Teeth are supposed to be WHITE!!”

Embarrassed Grandpa was at a loss for words, as we all chuckled and the childlike frankness of our darling daughter!

SURPRISING MOMENTS!

Surprising moments:

On Sunday Brian and I explained to Brooke that we need to teach her how to tie her shoe before she goes to Kindergarten. We had told her about the screening coming up next week and it would be important for her to know how before she goes. As I saw her eyes get really big and thoughtful I knew this new information was percolating in her brain.

The next morning as I was nursing Kylianne, Brooke announced she was going to tie her shoe.

I thought to myself – I don’t know HOW I am going to teach her while I am nursing. She generally wears Velcro and has no experience with us even discussing shoe tying.

As I was lost in my thoughts, Brooke announced, “MOMMY LOOK, I TIED MY SHOE!”

I looked up and sure enough, the shoe was on her foot and it was tied. I was flabbergasted.

“Where did you learn to tie your shoe?!?!?” I asked incredulously.

“Princess Bella (or some name I wasn’t familiar with.) I just learned it on the show!!! I just put one bunny ear around the other bunny ear and went AROUND! Want me to do the other foot?!” She asked happily.

“Sure!” I said – still in disbelief. Maybe it was a fluke – I thought.

She did her other foot as well. And she double knotted it! Now, I have to admit I don’t know if something like this is normal, but I must say I am pretty impressed that Brooke is a SELF TAUGHT ( or Princess-whatever-from-some-show-TAUGHT) shoe tie-er!!!

MUCH BETTER

Here are some recent pics of Kylianne.

The kids LOVE LOVE LOVE her.

Brooke says about 50 times a day, “You’re such a cutie little BAAAAAAABY! HIIIIIIIIIII!” When she says “baby” the upward inflection of her voice goes up about 2 ½ octaves – about 2 C’s above middle C – very literally!

She also says, “Cutchie Cutchie COOO!” as she does a rather bizarre imitation of someone tickling the underchin of a baby to her sister.

Tyler says about 20 times a day, “I wanna see KYWEEE! AHHHH!”

So far she only wakes up usually about once a night – but when she wakes up it usually takes me about 45 min at least to make sure she gets a full feeding – it definitely takes discipline!

I have found with this baby, I am enjoying the newborn stage the most I ever have.

I think it helps that I have two kids willing to just jump at the chance to give me a diaper and wipes, or to find a burping cloth or a hat.

Or if I need help keeping Kyli awake, Brooke and Tyler are THRILLED!

Actualy having my mom around for a few days helped immensely.

Also it has helped that its not my FIRST baby with all that anxiety, AND it helps that we are not in the middle of moving – like last time,

AND it helps that I have recovered much quicker this time. I am not 100% yet, but I feel much better when I compare recovery times.

So I feel like I am savoring the cute newborn moments THAT much more. Moments I think I took for granted before waiting for a SMILE or recognition that the baby knows who I am. This time I am just LOVING the sweet innocence that only little newborns have!

Going O - NATURAL: Read at your OWN risk

Saturday night I had TOTAL déjà vu. In 2003 When I was pregnant with Brooke when I was 40 weeks +2 days my water broke at 1 a.m. - RIGHT after I had gotten into bed.

Fast forward to 2008: On Saturday night at 40 weeks + 2 days I had JUST gotten in bed right before midnight. I had a few contractions during the movie "TRANSFORMERS" we rented that were difficult and I was exhausted. I said my prayers and cleared my mind and I felt a big “WHOOSH” of a kick after lots of little kicks. Then I felt a weird movement and then “GUSH” – I let out a little scream and I jumped off the bed with Olympic Speed, vaulted over the bed pillows, and sprinted to the bathroom leaving a Hansel and Gretal type of trail.

COMMOTION ENSUED– My mom woke up Brian who had fallen asleep during the movie (It took her about a full minute to bring him around). We called the midwives to let them know what happened, got ready in lightening speed and were all set to go to the hospital when…..we were told to get some rest until the contractions were at least 7 minutes apart. I thought HOW in the world will I get sleep with fluid still gushing? The answer? “Put a towel on the bed.”

So all night long I had HARD contractions…but every 15 minutes apart still. How depressing! They hurt to where I had to vocalize during them, then it would take me about 4 minutes to recover, and I would have 4 full minutes off drifting to sleep before ANOTHER contractions would JOLT me to be awake…and write down the time, etc. This went on until 6 am. GREAT! Brian slept like a baby.

The plan given to me by the midwives to avoid Pitocin was a bright cheery glass of fruit smoothy with Castor oil to get labor going before arriving at the hospital. I chugged that baby down – DISGUSTING!!

On the way to the hospital, I had ONLY 2 contractions in 50 minutes. They seemed to by dying away....NOT GOOD!

At 7:30 AM I was 0n the monitor at the hospital I had only 1 GOOD contraction and 1 little one in 25 minutes. NOT IMPRESSIVE! The verdict? WALK! DÉJÀ VU AGAIN - but this time just from last Saturday.

The only difference was the contractions that I had during the walk (still 7 to 10 min apart) hurt so much I would have to lean against the wall and vocalize during the contraction.

We stopped walking at about 9:30 A.M. The contractions were then 5 to 7 min apart…but not really active labor … The midwife didn't want to come in with LACKLUSTER action like this!

Monitor time – NOTHING IMPRESSIVE! I had 2-3 good contractions in 30 minutes. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY BODY??? I thought to myself. Does my body NOT understand what it needs to do? Did two prior births with PITOCIN mess up my body’s know how to know what to do?

I was then checked – and I was a JUST a 4. YIPEE – in the past 48 hours I progressed ONLY a full .5 of a cm. FABULOUS! This had ALL THE SIGNS OFF BEING A VERY LONG ARDUOUS LABOR...with possible Prolonged rupture of membranes (more than 18 hours of broken waters). That would mean pitocin - again - no waterbirth, and all the stuff I was trying to avoid. HOW DEPRESSING!

Brian was good and kept on massaging the acupressure pulse points – on my little pinkie toe especially. That seemed to help BIGTIME. IT was the only time I would actually get a good contraction! He was being a great labor coach so far! I was impressed!

The midwife showed up just in time for a big juicy contraction – I was VERY vocal and it was much harder. I heard myself say, “I HATE THOSE!” and she said, “Well, we LIKE those! ....We need to see some more of those in a consistent pattern to get you into the Alternative Birthing Center (ABC room). I pictured walking around for another hour, or staying on that darn monitor in TRIAGE for another hours......UGH!!!

GREAT! It didn’t look like that would happen to me ANYTIME SOON!! Then I had another big hard juicy contraction. I could hear Brian and the midwife AMIABLY chatting and I heard myself say, “DON’T TALK! DON’T TALK!” Then the blood nurse came in to draw the blood…during this same seemingly NEVER ENDING contraction. “C’MON! GET DONE ALREADY!.” Well, the blood nurse thought I was talking to her so she said flusteredly, “OK, and whipped out the rubber band and vials.” “NO,” I said through clenched teeth,” I’m TALKING TO THE CONTRACTION.” I heard laughter, and then the contraction was done and we proceeded.

After one more like this – Hillary my midwife- said she would check me. She looked very surprised and said, “OH, you’re a SEVEN!”

So I went from a 4 to 7 in only 20 minutes. She said, “Lets GO to the ABC room!”

I doubted my desire to walk, but when I got off the bed – It felt AWESOME to walk down the hall. I felt so FREE!

At 10:45 AM We got to the room and like some crazy magnet was PULLING me I went to a tiny section of wall and rested my head against the wall for the next 3 contractions.

I heard the preparations VAGUELY around me –the tub filling up with water, Brian rushing to get our stuff out of the car, tables being set up around me with instruments, the baby cart portion of the room being set up.

Hillary encouraged me then to get into the tub. I didn’t really want to – standing was the ONLY thing I really wanted to do –but I did. Brian brought me the bath pillow and managed to get me on tape between contractions. I calmly told him to turn it off because I didn’t want my “screaming” on the tape (which I never did scream, I just vocalized loudly). I thought a couple of time in the tub – why don’t I just GIVE UP and do an epidural right now? It sounds so much NICER! Then I told myself to toughen up and that it was almost over.

The water pillow I was resting on all of a sudden bounced off the ledge and suddenly became this pester y enemy and kept bumping into me in the water. During a contraction I heard myself say, “GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!!!!”

Then I felt pressure like Hillary said I would, but she had gone out of the room to get latex gloves. I heard myself calling for her to hurry up. When she came she told me I was a 9 – but I could push if I needed to. With that next HORRIBLE contraction I told myself, “TRANSVERSE IN” and I pushed for a solid MINUTE. I heard Brian telling me to BREATHE and I heard, “You’re almost there babe! “ and “Here’s the head, keep pushing!” and “Ok, the head is out keep pushing!!!” I heard myself crying a little and realized it was DONE! ONE GIGANTIC PUSH was all it took! (thank you strong TRANSVERSE MUSCLE!) I looked done and realized the baby had popped up in the water and Hillary guided her into my arms. I didn’t hear crying or anything so it didn’t really register that I was holding the baby. After about 2 1/2 minutes I unfurrowed my brow and looked down at her. I felt not totally present in the situation yet. I felt myself still wanting to cry.

I was only in the ABC room 34 minutes and she was born. So much for not really being in LABOR!

I went from a 4 to a 10 in about 1 hour! A little bizarre, but I'll take it!

Then after 5 minutes Brian cut the chord and they cleaned up the baby. They helped me out of the water and I realized “ Oh MY GOSH – my LEGS WORK!!” It had never happened post birth that I could actually use my legs. IT was awesome! They helped me to the bed while I watched the nurse clean up the baby for what seemed like the LONGEST time.

Kylianne Angel Wayne – is the name we chose for her. She latched on RIGHT away and nursed enthusicatically for about 25 minutes. Then they took her and weighed her – 7 lbs 0 oz, and 19 inches long.

Then the question I was DYING to know, “ DID I TEAR?” That was my WORST after Brooke and Tyler was that I had episiotomies with both AND I tore on top of that with both and it was EXTREMELEY painful for me for about 2 weeks. The VERDICT “Nope, just a slight abrasion. You don’t even need a stitch.” I was EXTREMELY happy with that. FASTER RECOVERY. That is one nice thing about the water births – MUCH lower incident of tearing.

Then, I felt the Castor oil kick in and I was able to RUN to the bathroom , which was unthinkable that I had that much control over my body. I will always wonder – did that horrible stuff that I could still taste on my lips help things speed along, or did it really kick in ONLY now? I will ALWAYS WONDER!

So while going O NATURAL with a water birth sucked BIGTIME DURING the labor and birth, afterwards I felt GREAT!! I just wanted an ice pack. Not even IB profen – No perkeset like with the other two, not catheter to take out, not waiting 2 hours to use my legs, no bloated limbs from IVs, no machines to be hooked up to, no sore back from the epidural, no episiotomy, no tearing, and I wore my own clothes before during and after the birth. So would I do it again. YES (with a great deal of mental prep to get me in the frame of mind, but YES!

BONUS: We were told we would have to leave the large nice ABC room with the large bed about 5 hours after delivery. Since it was a weekend and quite dead, no one came to use the OTHER ABC room (in which case they would need ours open) so we stayed the FULL 48 hours in this very nice posh LARGE room. AWESOME!

Kylianne Angel

Born May 17, 2008 Oak Park, IL West Suburban Hospital. She was 7 lbs. 19 in. born at 11.21 a.m. Everything went great! Bonnie will write more later. She was a trooper!

And Still....

I get a cute call from our Compassionate Service leader yesterday, "So, what kind of baby did you have? The boy kind or the girl kind?" "I didn't." "Oh, I thought you did." "Not yet." "Ok,...Well...do you need anything?" "Since the baby hasn't come AND my mom is here...then no."

I felt worse for her since that has got to be the worst when you are comp service leader.

The midwives gave me a LOVELY sheet of about 20 things to do to induce labor. In fact, at WHOLE FOODS where I was going for some herbal stuff, 2 of the employees were like, "Hey, can I see that sheet?"

We are going down the list:


*LOOOONNNGG walks

*Blue AND black cohosh

*Castor oil (which we will do again tommorow)

*ACUPUNTURE - which I have to say was pretty cool - I have gone twice (I actually got some GREAT contractions during my 25 minute sessions. They put needles 3 fingerwidths above the ankle bone,between the webbed part of the thumb and pointer finger, and the tailbone area - with electric stimulation. I didn't hurt at all - but the areas are a little sore afterwards- like muscle soreness)

S**

Eggplant Parmesan (Yes, that WAS on my sheet!)

Mezclan lettuce with Balsamic vinegrette (Suprisingly this was ALSO on my sheet)

Acupressure (same points as acupunture)

Evening Primrose Oil

Bumpy roads (NOT on the sheet, but suggested by MANY people)

Going over Railroad tracks (not on my sheet, but not hard to do around here!)

N***** S***********

Stripping of membranes - twice (Wasn't that bad)

Spicy food (not on the official list)

Fresh Pineapple (shish ka bobs for dinner tonite baby!)

Blessing of Comfort (baby will come in "due time" were the exact words during the blessing....) (not on the list - but MUCH appreciated!)



Yeah....you can see we have our bases WELL covered - and for being 2 days overdue I guess thats not too bad to have covered ALL of those.

So is any of it working ? - You could say definitely YES. I was barely a 1 and not effaced- now 50% effaced and dialated to a 3.5 - lots of contractions...just not TRUE labor.

I am beginning to doubt my ability to actually KNOW if its true labor since I have been SO sure about 7 times now, to the hospital once, and baby still in tow.

So for now - I must ignore all the questions, my dad whining to my mom to come back home and telling me to WALK MORE (there is only so long you can WALK AND WALK) and that feeling of waking up in the morning thinking - Ok...still nothing!

Worst case scenario they will break my water on Monday and hope for labor to kick in on its own (which has not happened with my other two kids). Cross your fingers for me!

ADVENTURES IN WAITING

Yeah, so basically I can’t eat scrambled eggs again….probably EVER!

One of my favorite snacks is making an egg and putting in cheese and sun dried tomatoes.

Not Anymore.

Yesterday was “Castor Oil Day.” Yep – you guessed it. I scrambled the egg up with the 2 oz of castor oil and then made the egg (by a book’s suggestion I have). It didn’t even taste gross, its just that I mentally KNEW it was in there.

Then I had it later with Mango Passion fruit juice – that was the weirdest glass of juice I EVER had. WHEW!

The contractions were coming on big time. By the time Brian and I had our date night – we went on a LOOOONNNNNGGGG walk – I did not want to talk through the contractions. And during KING KONG the contractions were getting strong. SO we dropped the kids off and went to the hospital.

As I entered TRIAGE I had to squelch up my face and close my eyes during the contractions and squeek out“Yes, its spelled W-A-Y-N-E…no not VONNIE, it Bonnie, with a “B.”

The contractions were 2 ½ to 3 minutes apart. Dialated…to a 3, and only 50% effaced. But to stay in the Alternative Birthing Room (which is my plan) I have to be at a 4. Still much better than a couple days ago – barely a 1 and not at all effaced. So, amidst the crazy contractions, which were pretty strong – we were instructed to walk (jump and stomp)around the huge maternity floor for 1 HOUR…this was at midnight.

I asked if I had to wear the gown – YES – but they would double gown me so they didn’t see any “Butt.” (THANK YOU)

After 1 hour of lots of jumping – (Yes, I felt a little strange jumping around in a hospital gown as we walked by the staff several times...especially DURING a contraction when I had to close my eyes WHILE jumping…trying to help things along) …STILL no change.

We were told to go home and given a prescription (I am NOT kidding here) for S** (its a G rated blog here people). It was actually on a PX pad, and underlined MANY times. Also they said to try and get some rest since we would probably be back sooner than later.

So we got home at 3 AM – EXHAUSTED. Well, at least I know the castor oil gets things rolling…I just can’t bring myself to do it again. The next order from the midwife after the “Px” given, is black cohosh drops. I CAN’T WAIT!

weird moment

So I hear a knock on the door at 3:00 P.M. It was some guy with a memo board in his hand. He looks at me and asks in a business-like way,

"Hi, is your Mom or Dad home?"

I looked at him from my 9 month pregnant body and just stared. I really was caught quite speechless...especially in my CONDITION....

Finally I mustered, "I AM the Mom."

He looks again at me...rather sheepishly I might add... and says very quickly, "I'm sorry, you just look so young."

It was weird, but as he was asking me about our gas bill and what we pay, I actually FELT like a little kid. But more than that I felt like, "OK...did he just TOTALLY miss by extremely large belly...or did he think...well...?"

On the other hand - to be 30 and 9 months pregnant with #3 - in a way I had to take that and SORT of take it as a compliment. I just never expected that comment...being so VERY PREGNANT!

BRING IT ON!!

So, it seems that upon my last checkup, this baby would not come out on her own accord until October or some absurdity.

So, I am going to “fun” route of trying all those things women try to ENCOURAGE some action – Midwife recommended.

Let’s see – Evening Primrose Oil – always fun. I had to tell the pharmacist (because the head manager at Walgreen’s couldn’t find it) in front of a large line of people what it is for and he could help me find it. Excuse me, but REALLY – have they no imagination when a very pregnant women comes looking for a supplement?!? I used the vary vague description of “Prepares the body for labor.” And thought to myself, “Why am I explaining this to a Pharmacist?”

And there are the pulse points – little toe, behind the heel (none of which are withing optimal reaching ability for me at this point) so I chose the one between the thumb and pointer finger – where they web.

Lots of walking….lots of “other” things….

And of course, Tyler has taken to pushing hard on the belly (well, hard for a 2 year old) and making exhaustion sounding exertion noises and telling me, “Mommy, the baby won’t come out. Its TOO HARD!” It was sure nice of him to try though!

In a couple of days if…nothing…sigh…then I guess we’ll do the favorite Castor Oil route. YEAH!

OUR BALLERINA

Brooke just had her 1st official ballet/tap recital. She was front and center and had that "shuffle step" reigned and harnassed like it could not go anywhere but where she told it.

She was awesome and did a great job!

ALL DONE!!

PHEW!!

I am finally all done planting the garden! My goal was to get it done before the baby comes - MISSION ACHIEVED!!

What is on our garden menu this year?

(Can you tell I get bored with the same old same old?)

Romanesco (green geometrically pleasing cauliflower)
Cheddar Cauliflower
Red green onions
Purple Carrots
Ultra Sweet Orange Variety Carrot
White with pink bellies radishes
Spinach bushes (you have to put them in a cage)
Cucumbers - they will be climbing our chain link fence
Zuchinni - gold, light green, and dark green varieties
Tomatoes - heirloom - one called "sugary" - got the highest mark in the sweetness scall - Brecht
Leeks
Green Beans - two kinds
Sugar Snap Peas
Multicolored Swiss Chard
Summer and Spring Lettuce - Spicy AND non-Spicey
Purple, Orange, Yellow, Red and Green Bell Peppers
Strawberries
Rubarb
Raspberries
Herbs: Chocolate Mint, Oregano, Lemon Balm, Chives, Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, Rosemary, Cilantro, Thyme
Acorn Squash
Spaghetti Squash
Eggplant - Lavendar, Whopper, and Fairy Tale (white) varieties

PHEW! I think that's it. I doesn't ever seem like its that much - but when I see it all typed out I think "Man, thats not too shabby!"

THE BEST TANK TOPS

So I must post about these - I have worn under everything them my entire pregnancy - and I wear them under everything when I am not pregnant. They are the BEST tank tops EVER! When you bend over, they cling to you, so no one see nothing. They go down far enough, they are high enough, and they don't roll up on you. And they smooth everything out, if you know what I mean.

http://www.themodbod.com

For pregnancy clothes they are especially helpful because they expand with the belly. So when you would normally see stomach or gs toward the end of pg when that shirt gets a little "smaller" these cover the tracks.

When you bend over - no more seeing more than you care too.

Great for working out too!

So I had to spend some of our tax return (a very small chunk) to replace the ones I have literally worn out during pregnancy. I personally like these the best - called
"Camisole"

and "Camisole with lace"

as well as the

"perfect tank."

I noticed last night when I was joyfully spending some tax return money they have a buy two, get the third free.
LOVE THOSE MORMON COMPANIES!!

THE PREGNANCY QUESTIONS.

Pregnancy updates

So about this time (2 weeks to go) everyone starts asking all the questions

What are you going to name the baby? ITS NOT HALLE

Boy or Girl? GIRL

Are you getting an epidural? NO

Baby measuring big or small? SMALL- NORMAL…but I feel HUGE

Do you deliver early? I HAVE ONLY DELIVERD RIGHT ON TIME

Any complications? JUST THE ONE MENTIONED SEVERAL POSTS AGO

Are you all ready? YEP – as of today – I finished sewing the last of the bedding – the ruffle skirt. I finished the bumpers last week. We washed all the carseat covers, swing covers, cleaned out the carseat and swing and other things we saw. We are just delaying putting up the cradle…for space reasons. I just need to pack that overnight bag...

How are you delivering? EVER HEAR OF A WATER BIRTH?

Where are you delivering? A HOSPITAL WITH AN ALTERNATIVE BIRTH CENTER ROOM

Who will deliver the baby? A MIDWIFE

Are you ready? FINALLY YES

Are you excited? YES- I AM NOW

Is the baby in a good position? YES – HEAD DOWN

Are you nervous about no drugs – YOU COULD DEFINITELY SAY THAT!

Who is watching the kids? WHEN WE GO TO THE HOSPITAL, WE WILL CALL MY MOM AND SHE WILL DRIVE 4 HOURS TO GET HERE. HOPEFULLY IT WON’T BE THIS WEEKEND SINCE MY YOUNGEST SIS HAS PROM. IN THE MEANTIME MY SISTER AND BRO N LAW WILL WATCH THEM.

What is the exact due date? May 14^th or 15^th

I think those are all the conceivable questions I have been asked. I feel that I am good to go!

MONSON MATCH UP MAD DASH AND MUNCHIES

So, this past week was fun – so GLAD its over.

I was in charge of the activity for Primary the past two time (we usually rotate as a presidency) since the counselor that WAS in charge moved very suddenly. I have to say the name of the activity was very cute

MONSON MATCH UP MAD DASH AND MUNCHIES.

I challenge anyone to say that 3 times fast.

It was an activity centered on Monson’s life – to get to know him. WE did relay races that represented his life – missionary clothing, scouting clothing, and newspapers (as he worked with Deseret Newspaper for years). We did a memory game with all the new apostles, and had the kids color a 6 page picture biography with fun tidbits about his life.

AND we only had healthy food, since the majority of apostles (at least this was true as of the Nauvoo Temple Dedication, which I found out from the caterer) are on VERY strict diets. Many of them are on “no salt, no sugar” orders. So we had strawberries, apples, cheese, crackers, and cinnamon bagels (not TOTALLy healthy on the last one, but, ya know)

I must admit, I was a little surprised that being 9 mo. Pregnant I was left ALONE to set up ABOUT 85 CHAIRS, AND 7 TABLES, AND 2 LARGE CHALKBOARDS, AND TAPE ARROWS AND NUMBERS ON THE GROUND. At one point I think I even shoved a table over in frustration (ahh….the joys of pregnancy irritation!) to which point I help arrived.

FINALLY A BLOG TO BE PROUD OF

So how do you dig the NEW LOOK?

Thanks Aimee for the heads up on the cute blog background link. Several of my friends have gone the "cute blog" route and I was finally ready to take on the challenge.

Here is shout out for the link:

http://cutestblogontheblock.blogspot.com/

It was free :)


I think I will adjust this every season - just for kicks and giggles.

MY DECISION

So due some very recent complications with this pregnancy (I have never had ANY complication was any of my previous pregnancies nor this one until 2 weeks ago) I have decided to do the cardinal sin. I switched Doctors totally at 36 ½ weeks pregnant.

I have something called Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction. This means that the actual pubic bone has separated – and it is very painful. I noticed it of all things after chopping down Ivy in our Garden. That was the pinpoint day. Basically you try not to do anything with your legs other than keep them together. Climbing Stairs is horrible, the typical birth position is very horrible – it means it can make the condition worse and you can have it way postpartum. You are not supposed to have an epidural (I REALLY enjoyed those for Brooke and Tyler) because then you can’t feel your bodies threshold of pain to prevent a further separation of the pubic bone called a pubic bone diastasis…AND you are typically in a position for labor with an epidural that WILL make the position worse with an epidural. A regular OB GYN will generally say “go on bedrest, take IB Profin, good luck” but that is not the best approach - if you can even call it an approach.

Chiropractors who are trained in something called the Webster Technique generally have great success with this. Also, giving birth on all fours is the ideal position you want. SO I decided to go with pretty much the ONLY midwives in the entire CHicagoland area. Sadly – there are VERY LIMITED choices in terms of alternative birth styles, methods, and midwives. In fact, the midwives here told us Chicago is very behind with these things so much that they are behind Nebraska in limited options and methods. You wouldn’t think that being such a big city – but there you go. It takes me at least 1 hour to get to the practice.

I feel guilty actually switching docs this late in the game…but my sister keeps telling me I can’t feel guilty about that. They got paid on all my visits etc – they just don’t offer what I need at this point…nor does the hospital I would have gone to.

My cousin made it to Hollywood in American Idol - where was I?!?!

So my cousin Shawn - Spanish Fork, UT - made it to Hollywood Week in American Idol and I had NO idea. I watched very spottily during the beginning of this season...so maybe that is part of it. I actually found out via an email from BYU about the comings and goings and saw Shawn doing a concert there and talking about his American Idol experience. Here he tells some highlight happenings! Go Shawn!!

Georgia Brown Rare High Notes

This video is CRAZY. I was trying to google to find Mariah Carey's vocal range last night and came across this video (motivation from American Idol). UM- HELLO!!!! This is just insane. Its been reported from the Guiness Book of World Records her range is G2 to G10(measured in MegaHertz since its inaudible to the human ear).

SECRET RANTINGS!!

So maybe its that I am 8 months pregnant, or maybe its because I just lost my 2^nd counselor in Primary (who failed to plan the Quarterly Activity in 2 weeks and didn’t let me know she MOVED…I found out last week during General Conf.) or maybe its because our building had NO HEAT today, which made it 45 degrees in the building (we all wore coats to sacrament and classes) or maybe its because Brooke was following me trotting like HORSE during primary while all the other kids were being (semi) reverant, but I LOST MY TEMPER (a little) during closing exercises.

I had just stepped on Brooke’s shoe, because she was acting like a silent horse following me around, and she burst out crying as I was doing closing announcement, AS a cute 7 year old boy came up to the front and started taking flyers out of my hand, AS about 3 other kids barked out questions in very loud voices.

No, no fireworks or colorful display of words, but I did say with clenched teeth, “DON’T ASK ME ANYMORE QUESTIONS...and go SIT DOWN!”

As we did VIP, I purposefully whispered softer than normal (a tactic that makes the primary kids HUSHED with anticipation as to WHO it will be) but I must admit - it was softer than most human ears could perceive – and I was NOT SORRY that I was making them STRAIN to hear every utterance.

I just have to tell myself that if I happen to get secret delight in making them ooze with curiosity, that it is no crime. And when I come close to losing it in those WEAK moments, when I am otherwise a very kind understanding figure (at least I tell myself that) then I just remember a precious story as I sat in primary several years ago as a teacher.

The Primary Pres. Then had herself lost it a little and yelled, “EVERYONE…JUST…BE QUIET!!!! JUST BE QUIET!!!”

A 7 year old boy’s eye’s got as wide as saucers and he looked very VERY concerned as he VERY SINCERELY asked, “…or what? WE’LL EXPLODE?!?!?”

Its in moments such as these that I think to myself, “If only I could elicit SUCH a question!!!”

SOME FAVORITE QUOTES FROM TONITES "THE OFFICE "

Ok - that was definitely the most uncomfortable dinner party ever. That break definitely did the writers good. Here are some of my favorite moments:

"Do you have any idea the toll on the body it takes to have THREE vasectomies?"-Michael

"I can’t prove it, but I think Jan is trying to poison me." -Michael

Michael: "Clue: Rhymes with Parnold Portzenager…. Governor of Caleefornia…. The Terminator….

Angela: Can you be more clear? We NEED better clues."

Jim: "You’re Dwight’s babysitter? I just have SO many questions. Can I get your email address?"

Babysitter: "Email?"

Jim: "Nevermind."

I also savored the moment when Jan put on the CD and Andy chimed in with a "La La" while everyone else looked very uncomfortable.

There were MANY more - these are just the few I thought of while brushing my teeth and laughing!!

NEW YORK PICS

Tami teaching the Lose your Mummy Tummy Seminar.

TAmi and I in front of the Manhattan Temple.

Tami and I with her old mission comp and her
roommate. They treated us to dinner.

This is the real Statue of Liberty, right?
We saw Legally Blonde and Curtains.
Legally Blonde was much more exciting, but if you have seen the movie, even the PUNCHLINES are the same (they would just say "tangerine" instead of "orange" and "Beyonce" instead of "Cameron Diaz" for example) Good music though.

A little inside Joke from Freshman year at BYU. Sarah, do you recognize what we are doing???


Melissa is was so good to see you! She lives
about a block away from Times Square. She is
busy being an actress and a yoga instructor for
people like Uma Thurman and Mary Louise Parker!
She was one of the infamous Sexy Six group we
formed as freshman! It had been 7 years since we had
seen each other. I love catching up with great friends!







Standing in line to TRY to win tickets to Wicked in the Lottery they do every night



Meeting up with friends from BYU - Jake and Cami Turpin. They happened to be seeing Wicked the same night we waited in line. And of course we PLANNED to bump into each other. It had been like 7 years. Cami and I are due within a few days of each other. It was so fun to see you guys!



Hanging out at Wicked.






We mostly taught Maternal fitness classes - we saw LOTS and LOTS of pregnant ladies - so Tami and I fit right in. She is due in July, I am due May 14th.

Teaching at the studio while under "jury"


















With Julie - the founder of the Tupler Technique.
Meeting her was MUCH more palatable than the
training was. The day we came in Dr. OZ had
contacted her about being on his Radio Show.
For all my preggo friends, her book "Maternal
Fitness" is the BEST book to read while pregnant
to prepare for labor, close your diastasis which
makes pushing more effective, and learn how to
retain muscle memory to get into your body faster
after labor.

TO LAUGH ABOUT

I was awakened by the cutest little scene this morning:

Tyler comes in at 7:30 to wake me up and says “Mommy, my toast is ready.”

As I came to my senses I thought – how is his toast ready if I am in bed.

I came into the kitchen to see that Brooke had found our toaster in a bottom cabinet, lifted the 10 lb appliance to the counter pulled up a kitchen table chair to the counter and plugged the toaster in. Whereby she fetched the bread out of the fridge and retrieved two slices – one for her and one for Tyler. She climbed up the chair again and put them in, and pressed the level and toasted them until the perfect browness. She took them out of the toaster and put them on a large plate she retrieved from a high cupboard. She also got out two small kids plates – one for her and one for Tyler. After they were on the big plate, she put each piece of toast on the kids plate.

I asked her, “Did you make toast for you and Tyler?”

She replied very perkily and extremely proud, “YES, I CAN DO THINGS BY MYSELF NOW!!” Then she thought about a millisecond and said, “I AM GOING TO MAKE MY BED NOW BY MYSELF.” And she left her uneaten piece of toast and skipped off to her room to make her bed.

I just marveled about how cute the whole thing was.

Just a day before, we had gone over to Grandma and Grandpa Wayne’s house to meet and walk over to get Dairy Queen with Brooke and Tyler's 3 cousins that live a few blocks away. Granma and Grandpa had offered to get something for each of the kids under $2. After we did that the kids and their 2 cousins were playing with the large dollhouse Grandpa had cleaned off and fixed up and had then glued together all the furniture. He had spend a lot of time getting everything ready for the kids to enjoy.

After playing for a few minutes Brooke looked very concerned and said to Grandpa, “But Grandpa, where is the front door?”

He replied, “Oh, I have been putting things together and spending all this time cleaning it…Grandpa has been busy.”

That did not satisfy her, “But Grandpa, where is the front door?”

Again, he went into the long winded explanation of, “Grandpa has been busy cleaning everything and gluing the furniture together and I have taken all this time to get everything done. Grandpa has been trying hard!”

“Well,” Brooke says with certainty, “TRY HARDER!”

From the mouth of babes!