Pictures and an update

It has been quite the 6 weeks. Last time I wrote how calm and easy Braden was...well, that was a honeymoon. Over the last month and a half I have learned quite a bit about our fourth child and easy and content are NOT words I would use to describe him anymore; it's more like high-maintenance and crabby. He has a very sensitive stomach ( I think ) which translates into he cries a lot. He does love to eat and for the first three weeks I was feeding him every hour on both sides (I'm not exaggerating). I don't think I got out of the rocking chair much at all during that time. He has at least 10 dirty diapers a day and he doesn't like it in his diaper (I don't blame him) so I'm changing him all the time too. He likes to be around people and he likes to be held. So we've all adjusted somewhat to the fact that Braden is rarely happy and that he cries all the time. The one positive I can say about him is that he sleeps good at night. I get at least a 5 hour stretch from 11/12pm to 5/6 am...that is the one thing that is keeping me from losing my mind. He is a cute boy though and the first time he smiled, I cried. Here are some pictures from those rare happy moments so you can all be jealous that my baby is so dang cute. (And no, these are not pictures of Ethan, though the two could be mistaken for twins at this age).

Braden at one month

Notice the chubby cheeks (proof that he's getting plenty to eat)

Blessing day, June 5th

The new normal at our house

He's HERE!

I'm so excited to announce that I am no longer pregnant!!!! After 19 hours (yes, everyone, 19 HOURS) of labor, Braden Kent joined our family and not a moment too soon. He weighed (drum-roll please) 9 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 inches long! My doctor, who did not deliver me, laughed when I told him how big Braden was because he was so astonished. No wonder my body was done being pregnant, that I couldn't sleep, eat or bend over to pick up stuff off the floor and that my feet were so swollen I couldn't get my tennis shoes on. Did I mention that I'm SO GLAD to not be pregnant anymore? To make a long story short, labor started on Friday morning at about 11 am. I had contractions all day about every 15 minutes. Then Friday night they started coming closer together and with more force so we went to the hospital. They admitted me because I was at a 4 and had to have antibiotics for GBS so I stayed and labored until 3 am. Then the doctor broke my water because baby's head would not engage to dilate past a 7. Then at 4am-ish contractions came hard and fast and by 6 am I was pushing (and wanting to die). Somehow, I was able to deliver without any pain meds, so yes by the end I was ready to jump out the window. However, I couldn't move because of my IV. Braden arrived at 6:27 am on April 23rd and is the sweetest, most content baby I've had. He's adorable with lots of black hair--looks like a mix of all three kids. I feel incredibly blessed that Braden has joined our family and that he slept through most of the night last night.:) I don't have pictures uploaded yet, but will soon.

Think positive, relaxing thoughts...

This morning I went to the doctor for my weekly visit and I was so hoping for some good news. I didn't get any. I am 10 days away from my delivery date and I'm not dialated AT ALL! With my other babies I was open at least to a 2 for about 3 weeks, but not with this little guy. Everything is shut up tight and he's nice and high. So by all appearances I will be pregnant forever. {huge sigh} I feel like my body has reached it's threshold of what it can handle and I'm on the edge of insanity myself. My feet, legs and hands are swollen (but blood pressure is good), my hips ache almost constantly, and I waddle. Also, my kids tell me that I'm being grumpy pretty much everyday. Yes, everyone I am READY to have this baby but I guess he's not ready for us--quite yet. Hope you're all doing better than me!:)

He's Three!

My cute, adorable, handsome baby boy just turned 3! When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said, "presents, cake, and to blow the candles". I was good with that request considering my energy level these days. However, he got more than he bargained for. We went to the Doman farm to watch a basketball game and while there he was able to go for a ride in his beloved Javelin (thanks to uncle Tim) AND in Dad's new toy... the sand rail (or dune buggy). He was in heaven that he got to do those things for his birthday and won't stop talking about it.

Here he is standing next to the Javelin before he got his ride. He was lucky it ran for the two minutes he was in it because it's broken and hasn't been running at all.

Later, the sun came out for a minute and he went with dad on the dune buggy, on a ride around the farm. They both came back splattered with mud.

Next, he got to open some presents from Grandma and Grandpa Doman with remnants of the birthday cupcakes on his face.

After that fun it was back home to celebrate with Nanna and Papa, pizza, more cake and ice cream and more presents. (And yes, he did blow out the candles at BOTH houses).

By the time we were done with all the festivities he was done hearing "Happy Birthday" sung to him, blowing out the candles and whatever else we wanted him to do. He was tired! We celebrated all day long, he had a sugar and juke food overload, and lots of fun memories. Happy Birthday buddy!

T - 7 Weeks

The other day we were eating dinner at my parents house and as I walked in and took my coat off, my dad looked at me and said, "Wow. I can't believe you have 7 weeks left. How are you going to manage to get any bigger.!" Yes, everyone, I'm huge. Needless to say my self-esteem was bruised and apparently I look like a whale and feel like one too. The sad thing is that he's right. I don't know how in the world my body is going to get bigger when this is the time that the baby is supposed to double in size. Maybe I'm going to have a 12 lb. baby...that will be fun to deliver. {sigh}
Looking on the brighter side, I'm so glad spring is around the corner. My tulips are popping up and the daffodils are almost in full bloom (so funny considering we had snow last week). I wish I could go out and work in my yard, but that is out of the question. I can't pick up toys off the floor without difficulty let alone pull a weed or two out of the ground. So many things I just have to let go of...that's hard for my controlling self. Tyler would say it's good for me. :)

30 weeks and counting

I went to the Doctor today and all is well with baby (no, we don't have any names yet...). He is an active mover and shaker, especially at midnight. Guess that is a healthy sign. I'm feeling like a bloated balloon and today I'm dragging my chin on the floor I'm so tired. I have my good days too...but it seems they are becoming farther and farther between. AND I STILL HAVE 10 WEEKS LEFT! Many have said that with each pregnancy it gets more difficult and now I think I'm starting to believe it. However, when I sit in bed at night and watch my stomach roll from side to side I think about what it's going to be like with a new baby and I'm excited. Not so much about the sleepless nights, but the cuddles and snuggles and pure cute-ness. It is a bit shocking at times to think I'm going to be the mother of four, but at least they all came one at a time. Now to just have the energy and motivation to paint the bedrooms (well, make Tyler paint), get beds all arranged and situated, and go through closets, toys and clothing to make room for baby.

Ramblings

Christmas was wonderful...probably the best we've ever had. The kids got along great, the toys were "just want they wanted" and we (Tyler and I) feel very blessed to have such cute kids! The X-BOX Kinect is very fun and kept Trevor from going crazy (it's been raining so much here that we just don't go outside). It's amazing to just stand in front of the TV and play the games...no controllers needed. It's a great workout and I'm not worried that Trevor will become a couch potato. We love it!
Tyler got a good start on the '39 Ford Coupe he is restoring and the Deacons he has invited over to help haven't chopped off a single finger...in fact I haven't even seen blood. I am getting bigger every day and this baby is kicking harder too...I do love to be pregnant but now I'm starting to remember that when I'm bigger, I'm uncomfortable and sometimes can't sleep. And I have that wonderful thing called Labor and Delivery looming ever closer on the horizon.
I'm excited for this new year for many reasons and having this new baby is one of them. I love to have a fresh start on things I want to accomplish (I don't always meet my goals but at least they are there in my brain). My main goal for this year is to have this baby and survive well. My mom thinks that is a cop-out but I'm not motivated enough for anymore right now. Oh, I got a cricut expressions for Christmas that I'm very excited to start using for lots of projects. This blog is a bit random but I thought I would share some of the ramblings of my brain. Hope you are all healthy, happy and warm!