After sending the kids and their cranky pants off to school (sorry teachers!), the little two and I headed out to run errands and do some shopping. Next, we headed over to gymnastics open gym. It was about 890 degrees and smelled horribly like feet and cat urine. But, as grossed out and hot as I was, the girls had a great time.
E was jumping and running and playing and B was chasing the big balls and trying to keep her balance on the squashy floor. I had sat down at one end of the "floor" and B had wandered to the other side. I realized (a little late) that she was about to wander right into a bigger boy swinging on the rope swing. I got up and sprinted across the floor (my heart was pounding--or maybe that was my feet banging on the floor--that's incredibly loud) leaping over little toddlers as I went. I dodged the boy on the rope swing like Mr. Anderson in the Matrix dodges bullets as he went behind me. Then, I grabbed B right before he would have hit her on his return. I am a ninja. Just ask the other pre-school open gym mamas that witnessed my glory.
Then, I snuggled her and pulled up my almost-too-tight-jeans that were fighting all day with my muffin top for position. The muffin top won in my all-out sprint. Maybe I should sprint a bit more so my pants don't fall down...should have worn some ninja spandex. I'll make note for next week.
So, after my heart rate came back down and open gym was over, we headed to lunch. We decided to try a new soup, sandwich and salad place. It was kind of packed and had no available tables, but we thought we'd try it anyway since we were out of the car and in the restaurant--that's half the battle right there. After asking for an allergen sheet soas to avoid eggs for B, it took quite a while to figure out what we were going to order. Then, we ordered, paid and got our drinks. As we were waiting for our food, a couple of guys cleared their table and told us that we could have it--so nice! E was hovering while they were clearing out, and I called her back and asked her to give them a moment to leave. As I called her back, the 2 ladies behind me swooped in and took our table. I took a quick breath, said a prayer and stood with baby in arms, a pre-schooler famished from her gymnastics workout hanging on my pant leg and all our food waiting for another table while the women at "my" table finally got their food.
At another table, two women stood up. I asked if they were leaving, and they said yes and that they would be happy to give me their table. Thank you, God. I put down our drinks, then walked across to get a high chair. Then again to get the food. I then got dirty looks from the people behind me as she loudly said (while walking to our table) "Well, someone is taking this table." I did not respond, but in my mind I am thinking "I have 2 small children who are behaving incredibly well as they wait for their food. I was here before you and those other ladies for that matter, so you can just put a sock in it and wait your turn. Who do you think you are, and what entitles you to get a table and cop an attitude before me?"
My mind returned to a moment a few weeks ago at the grocery store where the little girls and I were checking out and the grandma behind us said "You should let me go first" as we were readying to leave the store through the breezeway. I smiled and said "Sure! Go right ahead!" Then, she finished her sentence "because you are just taking WAY too long!" Okay, simmer down, grandma. I just let her go ahead and laughed to myself. Then, she stood outside the door getting her rain hat and umbrella ready before she went to her car. I had the girls in and the groceries loaded into the car before she left the stoop. Too slow indeed!
Back to today, we sat and ate our luke-warm, overpriced meal and I tried to have a good attitude for the girls. E said she didn't like the place. I couldn't disagree. I wasn't exactly grumpy about it, but I was thinking about it for a while when that word, entitled, came back to me as God held up a mirror to my heart. I was the one who was acting entitled (in my heart anyway). I was the one thinking that someone should have helped me. Did it even cross my mind that someone should have given up their table? I am ashamed to say it did.
I have 5 kids. I had 2 with me today. That doesn't make me better than anyone else. That doesn't entitle me to more (or less). I didn't say much on the outside, but E could sense how I was feeling and that wasn't a great example for her. I am thankful we got a table and had lunch. I will probably not go back there, especially not on a Friday at lunch time. I will try to keep a better attitude and set a better example when we're asked to wait next time. I wouldn't want to be a righteous granny basher.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Card conundrum
Today I came home from church (after being challenged about slothfulness) with a list of things to accomplish today...decorating, crafting, laundering, cuddling, exercising, playing, reading and Christmas carding. I accomplished one thing all afternoon after lunch. I got the Christmas cards done. (I also drank half a Mt. Dew and ate a bunch of Hot and Spicy Cheez-it's but that doesn't exactly count, right?)
I spend a while browsing the different card types, the different sites and their prices, which pictures to use and so on. Then, I picked the card, uploaded the pictures, chose my witty caption and message and even included a little bonus artwork on the back done by my sweet 8yo. Ahhh....now I can relax.
Rewind to last year. Picture this: all 7 of us dressed up real purdy-like holding hands, walking through a field with beautiful fall foliage behind us, smiling and talking as we walked. The professional photographer smiling as she captured the perfection that is our family (ha!). Beautiful picture. I made exquisite cards from the perfect pictures. In fact, they were double-sided card stock ornaments! "Oh, Kim! I just LOVE your cards! Simply the best one I've ever seen!! I will cherish it and hang it on the tree every year now!" (that was my imagination running away...)
Did you get your perfect 2011 ornament card from us? No? Yeah, unless I handed it to you, you didn't get one. The beautiful cards came in square envelopes which required more postage. Did the site warn me before I ordered? Yes, but no big deal, I can just bring them in to the post office and mail them. Nope. Between the two littles getting sick, the big ones being off school and my procrastination in ordering them and waiting for them to be shipped, I ran out of time. No problem, I'll send them late, blog about how I didn't get them out in time (everyone will understand since I have a 2 month old and 4 other kids) and put the blog address on the envelope. Everyone will still love and cherish my cards and get a good laugh about it, right? You didn't get that late card either?
Sigh, I just found the envelopes with the cards that never made it to my lovely family and friends that I didn't see last year. *hangs head in shame. If you want the perfect card with the perfect family picture, let me know and I'll hand it to you when I see you next, but don't expect me to mail it--I don't have that kind of postage.
This year, I decided not to take any chances. I uploaded my address list to the website, and they sent them for me (an extra $10 seems totally worth it!). You're welcome. You should have your card in time for Christmas this year...unless I didn't have your address. Then, look for it by Easter.
I spend a while browsing the different card types, the different sites and their prices, which pictures to use and so on. Then, I picked the card, uploaded the pictures, chose my witty caption and message and even included a little bonus artwork on the back done by my sweet 8yo. Ahhh....now I can relax.
Rewind to last year. Picture this: all 7 of us dressed up real purdy-like holding hands, walking through a field with beautiful fall foliage behind us, smiling and talking as we walked. The professional photographer smiling as she captured the perfection that is our family (ha!). Beautiful picture. I made exquisite cards from the perfect pictures. In fact, they were double-sided card stock ornaments! "Oh, Kim! I just LOVE your cards! Simply the best one I've ever seen!! I will cherish it and hang it on the tree every year now!" (that was my imagination running away...)
Did you get your perfect 2011 ornament card from us? No? Yeah, unless I handed it to you, you didn't get one. The beautiful cards came in square envelopes which required more postage. Did the site warn me before I ordered? Yes, but no big deal, I can just bring them in to the post office and mail them. Nope. Between the two littles getting sick, the big ones being off school and my procrastination in ordering them and waiting for them to be shipped, I ran out of time. No problem, I'll send them late, blog about how I didn't get them out in time (everyone will understand since I have a 2 month old and 4 other kids) and put the blog address on the envelope. Everyone will still love and cherish my cards and get a good laugh about it, right? You didn't get that late card either?
Sigh, I just found the envelopes with the cards that never made it to my lovely family and friends that I didn't see last year. *hangs head in shame. If you want the perfect card with the perfect family picture, let me know and I'll hand it to you when I see you next, but don't expect me to mail it--I don't have that kind of postage.
This year, I decided not to take any chances. I uploaded my address list to the website, and they sent them for me (an extra $10 seems totally worth it!). You're welcome. You should have your card in time for Christmas this year...unless I didn't have your address. Then, look for it by Easter.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Thankful Tuesday
I am loving seeing the thankfulness posts on facebook this month. Although I haven't been updating my status daily with the things for which I am thankful, my cup is overflowing! Here's a quick list (and certainly not in any order nor is it meant to be all encompassing)
Sleepy nap time giggles.
Hearing my name: Mommy, Mama, Mom.
Inside jokes with my husband.
The moment when the kids get off the bus, or come in the house after school.
The semi-peaceful prayer time before school.
Night time routines and snuggles.
Seeing my kids grow into who they are and gain more independence.
That I'm still "cool" to my children and don't often embarrass them.
Watching my kids play together.
Swinging and giggling with the kids.
I am the "tickle monster".
I can still take down my oldest son (not for long!)
Playing in the leaves.
Hugs and kisses just because.
"I love you" whispers.
Butterfly and Eskimo kisses. (is that PC?)
Family suppers.
Remembering to give and receive grace.
Kids that can clean up after themselves, help fetch things, make meals.
Body slams and steam rollers.
Hearing all 5 kids giggle at the same time (one of my daily goals is to hear each of them giggle).
Singing along to Christian radio at the top of our lungs.
Great teachers who miss my kids when they're not there.
So, so many more. God has certainly blessed me!! I am in awe of His goodness.
Here is our "rainbow" family from our 8 year-old's art party in August. Seriously blessed.
Sleepy nap time giggles.
Hearing my name: Mommy, Mama, Mom.
Inside jokes with my husband.
The moment when the kids get off the bus, or come in the house after school.
The semi-peaceful prayer time before school.
Night time routines and snuggles.
Seeing my kids grow into who they are and gain more independence.
That I'm still "cool" to my children and don't often embarrass them.
Watching my kids play together.
Swinging and giggling with the kids.
I am the "tickle monster".
I can still take down my oldest son (not for long!)
Playing in the leaves.
Hugs and kisses just because.
"I love you" whispers.
Butterfly and Eskimo kisses. (is that PC?)
Family suppers.
Remembering to give and receive grace.
Kids that can clean up after themselves, help fetch things, make meals.
Body slams and steam rollers.
Hearing all 5 kids giggle at the same time (one of my daily goals is to hear each of them giggle).
Singing along to Christian radio at the top of our lungs.
Great teachers who miss my kids when they're not there.
So, so many more. God has certainly blessed me!! I am in awe of His goodness.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Excuses! Excuses!
Excuses, Excuses! (you have to say this in your best Spanish accent to get the full effect of my obscure movie reference--bonus points if you know what it is)
As most lazy days at home go, I asked the 4 older children to straighten their pigsties, I mean, bedrooms this morning. I have had to break up fights, kiss and pray for boo boos, shoo them out of the wrong rooms, discourage horseplay, ninjaplay and archerplay. I have tried motivation and encouragement, bribery with Halloween candy, and then switched to (shame shame) threatening and yelling. Not a bit of it has helped. It is now 11:34, and they've been at it for a couple of hours. If they had done their best and not allowed themselves to get discouraged, we could all be playing board games, putting together puzzles and playing on the Kinect by now.
I have heard every excuse in the book:
She made me.
He won't let me in my room.
The book was too good to just put away.
We just made a little army fort.
I really wanted to go swimming. That's why I put on my swim suit.
I can't do it without your help.
I'm too tired.
They apologize for their behaviors, but don't change their hearts. They say they're sorry and then add a "but..." on to it. As I am talking to them about their hearts and their obedience, I hear a little voice in my head about excuses and apologies. I can hear myself saying "I'm sorry I got upset and yelled, but you need to obey me the first time." Ouch. Have I stopped, prayed and asked for forgiveness and the power to change my behaviors starting in my heart? Not so much. I am thankful I was able to hear that still small voice reminding me of my own sin and my own traitorous heart. And I am thankful for the strength to stop, pray, repent and try again. I hope I am able to set that example for them and extend the same grace.
So, next time I'm thinking Excuses! Excuses! I will try to stop, pray, repent and try again. What works for you?
As most lazy days at home go, I asked the 4 older children to straighten their pigsties, I mean, bedrooms this morning. I have had to break up fights, kiss and pray for boo boos, shoo them out of the wrong rooms, discourage horseplay, ninjaplay and archerplay. I have tried motivation and encouragement, bribery with Halloween candy, and then switched to (shame shame) threatening and yelling. Not a bit of it has helped. It is now 11:34, and they've been at it for a couple of hours. If they had done their best and not allowed themselves to get discouraged, we could all be playing board games, putting together puzzles and playing on the Kinect by now.
I have heard every excuse in the book:
She made me.
He won't let me in my room.
The book was too good to just put away.
We just made a little army fort.
I really wanted to go swimming. That's why I put on my swim suit.
I can't do it without your help.
I'm too tired.
They apologize for their behaviors, but don't change their hearts. They say they're sorry and then add a "but..." on to it. As I am talking to them about their hearts and their obedience, I hear a little voice in my head about excuses and apologies. I can hear myself saying "I'm sorry I got upset and yelled, but you need to obey me the first time." Ouch. Have I stopped, prayed and asked for forgiveness and the power to change my behaviors starting in my heart? Not so much. I am thankful I was able to hear that still small voice reminding me of my own sin and my own traitorous heart. And I am thankful for the strength to stop, pray, repent and try again. I hope I am able to set that example for them and extend the same grace.
So, next time I'm thinking Excuses! Excuses! I will try to stop, pray, repent and try again. What works for you?
Friday, September 21, 2012
Here we go again
So, it's been over a year since I've posted anything...yeah. Just a little bit going on around here.
We welcomed numero cinco to the family almost exactly 1 year ago. She is beautiful, funny, smart, and loads of fun! We've been busy with sports, church, school and family events. I also started teaching Pilates and Pilates-Inspired Circuit at a women's only gym here in town and I love it! However, there is not enough time to go through all of the mundane details of the past year.
I just wanted to take a moment and jump back in to the blogging world for my whole 5 followers.
Last spring and early summer I started hosting a story time in my home because the Bloomington library stops in April and I was missing the social aspect and fun that my 3 year old had there. We moved it to the backyard as the weather grew warmer and had quite the turn out every week (a dozen or so moms with millions of kids ;-) I loved having an event to which I could invite new friends and help the old meet the new. As our schedule got too full and my backyard too small, we couldn't host it anymore. I had been thinking and praying about a way to create those same connections in some way and things are falling into place for a new location.
So, I am pleased to announce that I am going to be hosting Brew Me a Story at Fusion Brew in Normal!They have graciously allowed me and my other at-home mama friends (and their friends and their friends) to hang out for some story and latte time. Tuesday mornings at 10:30. I start next week with a fall theme for the stories. I am really excited!
As a side note, we don't really do too much for Halloween and so I won't be reading any scary or witchy books in the month of October as most story times do. So, if you're not into that stuff either, you can bring the kiddos on over.
I will read a few books in the same theme and usually we'll do some type of song or rhyme or actions to engage the little listeners. I want to welcome all ages and would love to have older homeschooling kids come as well!
Please, invite your friends (and their friends and their friends)!!
We welcomed numero cinco to the family almost exactly 1 year ago. She is beautiful, funny, smart, and loads of fun! We've been busy with sports, church, school and family events. I also started teaching Pilates and Pilates-Inspired Circuit at a women's only gym here in town and I love it! However, there is not enough time to go through all of the mundane details of the past year.
I just wanted to take a moment and jump back in to the blogging world for my whole 5 followers.
Last spring and early summer I started hosting a story time in my home because the Bloomington library stops in April and I was missing the social aspect and fun that my 3 year old had there. We moved it to the backyard as the weather grew warmer and had quite the turn out every week (a dozen or so moms with millions of kids ;-) I loved having an event to which I could invite new friends and help the old meet the new. As our schedule got too full and my backyard too small, we couldn't host it anymore. I had been thinking and praying about a way to create those same connections in some way and things are falling into place for a new location.
As a side note, we don't really do too much for Halloween and so I won't be reading any scary or witchy books in the month of October as most story times do. So, if you're not into that stuff either, you can bring the kiddos on over.
I will read a few books in the same theme and usually we'll do some type of song or rhyme or actions to engage the little listeners. I want to welcome all ages and would love to have older homeschooling kids come as well!
Please, invite your friends (and their friends and their friends)!!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Baby Girl!
Got on to blog again and found this old post I hadn't published. How timely. The story of my little Brinley who just turned one 2 days ago (today was her due date). Made this Mama cry remembering how this sweet little blessing busted her way into our hearts and lives and we wouldn't want it any other way!
So, I haven't been able to blog for a while. I suppose that's what 5 kids does. I do, however, want to share my birth story of Baby Cinco.
September 14th--contractions about 5 minutes apart for a couple of hours. Called the in-laws to ask for help picking up the kiddos. MIL brought them home and I was still contracting regularly. I decided to take a shower to see if they became worse or stopped. And...they stopped. Bummer! I hate how I'm always second guessing if it's the real deal or not. This was about the 3d time I'd had contractions grow steadily stronger and more regular but then stop.
September 16th--Doctor's appointment. I told the doc that I had had some bloody show that morning which usually means about 24-48 hours (less than 24 in my history) until the baby comes. She told me that she would be out of town learning a new surgery technique at a conference. Oh well, it's baby 5--I just hope we make it to the hospital. She told me that my old doctor would be on call (whom I really liked, but he switched out of my insurance coverage so I had to switch to Dr. Emm).
Our car seat had expired, so we went into Toys R Us to trade in our old one and get a new one, thinking we'd need it that night or in the morning. Everyone was put on alert. Went to sleep that night with a few contractions, some even strong, but nothing too regular.
Saturday, Sept. 17th. Went the whole day without many contractions...starting to think she may not come in the 24-48 hour window that is usually predicted by the show. This is a bit discouraging for me, but hey, she's coming sometime, right?
Before I went to bed that night, I sent out an email to all of the kidschurch workers saying that I would most likely be there in the morning since nothing was going on, but just in case I included the 3-4 year old lesson plan that I usually go over with the teachers before church. Clint and I watched a movie and I did have some strong contractions through it, but I didn't even pay that much attention to them because they still weren't regular. Since this is my 5th kid, I knew that I was 0% effaced and not at all dilated. I contract for about 6-12 hours before my body does anything, but once it starts, it's game on! I go from 0-10 in a matter of about 2 hours.
I woke up about once an hour (I think--I didn't look at a clock) with a kind-of strong contraction, but was able to go back to sleep. Can't be labor, right?
5am I woke up with a big contraction. It felt like I might have had one pretty close before that, but I was asleep, so who knows. I looked at the clock, woke DH up and told him I thought we should pay attention to the contractions. I got up and went to the bathroom.
"Call your mom now!" "Are you sure?" "Nope, it's just my 5th kid and I've only been up for about 10 minutes and I'm 2 minutes apart with crazy hard contractions, but if you want to wait, that's cool." No sarcasm there ;-)
I got dressed, told him which bags to pack and went downstairs to wait for his mom. The contractions were very hard and the only thing I could do was run back and forth in the basement. I hadn't moved that fast in months!! Realizing it was pretty nice out and I could go a little farther, I went out and ran up and down the sidewalk while waiting. I made him call his mom again to see where she was. I thought we might have to call a neighbor and get on the road. I kept thinking that I must look awfully funny running up and down the sidewalk between about 4 houses nonstop bc now the contractions were right on top of each other.
His mom made it, and I climbed into the Yukon directing DH to get a towel in case my water broke. "You call the hospital, tell them I'm coming and that they need to have a wheelchair ready to run me up to a labor room and an anesthesiologist waiting." DH is always calm and collected (grrr) and started laughing telling me that it was going to be fine.
We got to the hospital at about 5:45. I am out of my mind in pain. Who knows what kind of junk is coming out of my mouth. Yeah, yeah, yeah, nurse, get me upstairs so I can push this baby out!!
They checked me, and I was at a 6. A 6!! You've got to be kidding me! Hecks yes, I want the anesthesiologist! I'm only at a 6! I didn't think I was going to make it!
Dr. O came in and checked me again about 10 minutes later and I was at an 8. That's more like it. "Do you want to wait for the anesthesiologist?" "No! Just break my water and let's get on with it." So, he did. Then, he left the room so they could ready it for delivery.
I started screaming and heard the tell-tale "DOCTOR!" from the nurses. He came back in and told me I was at a 10 and it was time to push. Okay. Here we go. Crap. I can't do this...I CAN'T DO THIS!! DH chuckles "You have no choice and you've done it before. You also might want to stop squeezing my hand so hard." Does it HURT?! (as in, are you kidding me, you're complaining?) "No, but you'll probably hurt your hand." He grins. GRRR!! How is he always so calm?!
So, I'm thinking about how I don't want to tear...at all. (never have, so this is somewhat irrational, but you never know, right?) I push and Dr. O gets right in my face and says "Kimberly, I think you're ready to have this baby, but you're working against yourself. Next contraction, give it all you've got." Fine. I guess I'll be okay if I tear. Women recover from that, right? So, I give it all I've got, yell an expletive and here she is!! My sweet, perfect, nameless beauty! They placed her on my belly and she crawled her way up to nurse. What a beautiful baby! How'd she get that perfect head?
DH and I marveled at her and at how fast she came. What is her name? We settled on Brinley Maria. Maria is my MIL's middle name. The best descriptor of this little one was "perfect". She didn't get a bath or weighed for at least an hour or more. DH waited to make the calls until we knew what she weighed. 7 pounds, 3 ounces 18 inches long--my biggest girl!
What a whirlwind, but so happy she only took about an hour and a half of labor. She was born at 6:17 am on Sunday morning, Sept 18th. (Due on the 20th)
Crazy the euphoria you feel after that! I know a lot of people think it'll be hard to add another baby and have enough love to go around. Not at all true! Your heart simply multiplies, it doesn't divide. God has blessed us with 5 perfect babies. I cannot begin to explain what that means. He has trusted us to raise 5 of His children--what a responsibility!!
I heard there was some buzz at church about the Hillardbillies missing (it's unusual) and wondering if I had had the baby. Only the pastor's wife knew, and she didn't share. I guess Brinley's announcement came through facebook and everyone knew right after church. (funny how soon news can travel these days with all this fandangled technology). We had a quiet morning in the recovery room since not too many people knew, and those that did were waiting to come until about noon.
3 of my big kids came at noon with my MIL and my parents. Oh so sweet to see them all! We had a few other visitors over the next day and left on Monday around noon. Miss B passed her hearing test with flying colors (which might be a sign of intelligence ;-)
So, now, 3.5 months later as I reflect I realize how fast time flies. It seems that not only does your love multiply exponentially, but how fast time flies does as well with each child! I just changed out all of her 0-3 month clothes with the 3-6 months and it always makes me sad. Bittersweet. I'm thrilled that she's smiling ALL the TIME, belly laughing, rolling over, and filling out, but sad at how fast it's all happening.
God sure is good!!
So, I haven't been able to blog for a while. I suppose that's what 5 kids does. I do, however, want to share my birth story of Baby Cinco.
September 14th--contractions about 5 minutes apart for a couple of hours. Called the in-laws to ask for help picking up the kiddos. MIL brought them home and I was still contracting regularly. I decided to take a shower to see if they became worse or stopped. And...they stopped. Bummer! I hate how I'm always second guessing if it's the real deal or not. This was about the 3d time I'd had contractions grow steadily stronger and more regular but then stop.
September 16th--Doctor's appointment. I told the doc that I had had some bloody show that morning which usually means about 24-48 hours (less than 24 in my history) until the baby comes. She told me that she would be out of town learning a new surgery technique at a conference. Oh well, it's baby 5--I just hope we make it to the hospital. She told me that my old doctor would be on call (whom I really liked, but he switched out of my insurance coverage so I had to switch to Dr. Emm).
Our car seat had expired, so we went into Toys R Us to trade in our old one and get a new one, thinking we'd need it that night or in the morning. Everyone was put on alert. Went to sleep that night with a few contractions, some even strong, but nothing too regular.
Saturday, Sept. 17th. Went the whole day without many contractions...starting to think she may not come in the 24-48 hour window that is usually predicted by the show. This is a bit discouraging for me, but hey, she's coming sometime, right?
Before I went to bed that night, I sent out an email to all of the kidschurch workers saying that I would most likely be there in the morning since nothing was going on, but just in case I included the 3-4 year old lesson plan that I usually go over with the teachers before church. Clint and I watched a movie and I did have some strong contractions through it, but I didn't even pay that much attention to them because they still weren't regular. Since this is my 5th kid, I knew that I was 0% effaced and not at all dilated. I contract for about 6-12 hours before my body does anything, but once it starts, it's game on! I go from 0-10 in a matter of about 2 hours.
I woke up about once an hour (I think--I didn't look at a clock) with a kind-of strong contraction, but was able to go back to sleep. Can't be labor, right?
5am I woke up with a big contraction. It felt like I might have had one pretty close before that, but I was asleep, so who knows. I looked at the clock, woke DH up and told him I thought we should pay attention to the contractions. I got up and went to the bathroom.
"Call your mom now!" "Are you sure?" "Nope, it's just my 5th kid and I've only been up for about 10 minutes and I'm 2 minutes apart with crazy hard contractions, but if you want to wait, that's cool." No sarcasm there ;-)
I got dressed, told him which bags to pack and went downstairs to wait for his mom. The contractions were very hard and the only thing I could do was run back and forth in the basement. I hadn't moved that fast in months!! Realizing it was pretty nice out and I could go a little farther, I went out and ran up and down the sidewalk while waiting. I made him call his mom again to see where she was. I thought we might have to call a neighbor and get on the road. I kept thinking that I must look awfully funny running up and down the sidewalk between about 4 houses nonstop bc now the contractions were right on top of each other.
His mom made it, and I climbed into the Yukon directing DH to get a towel in case my water broke. "You call the hospital, tell them I'm coming and that they need to have a wheelchair ready to run me up to a labor room and an anesthesiologist waiting." DH is always calm and collected (grrr) and started laughing telling me that it was going to be fine.
We got to the hospital at about 5:45. I am out of my mind in pain. Who knows what kind of junk is coming out of my mouth. Yeah, yeah, yeah, nurse, get me upstairs so I can push this baby out!!
They checked me, and I was at a 6. A 6!! You've got to be kidding me! Hecks yes, I want the anesthesiologist! I'm only at a 6! I didn't think I was going to make it!
Dr. O came in and checked me again about 10 minutes later and I was at an 8. That's more like it. "Do you want to wait for the anesthesiologist?" "No! Just break my water and let's get on with it." So, he did. Then, he left the room so they could ready it for delivery.
I started screaming and heard the tell-tale "DOCTOR!" from the nurses. He came back in and told me I was at a 10 and it was time to push. Okay. Here we go. Crap. I can't do this...I CAN'T DO THIS!! DH chuckles "You have no choice and you've done it before. You also might want to stop squeezing my hand so hard." Does it HURT?! (as in, are you kidding me, you're complaining?) "No, but you'll probably hurt your hand." He grins. GRRR!! How is he always so calm?!
So, I'm thinking about how I don't want to tear...at all. (never have, so this is somewhat irrational, but you never know, right?) I push and Dr. O gets right in my face and says "Kimberly, I think you're ready to have this baby, but you're working against yourself. Next contraction, give it all you've got." Fine. I guess I'll be okay if I tear. Women recover from that, right? So, I give it all I've got, yell an expletive and here she is!! My sweet, perfect, nameless beauty! They placed her on my belly and she crawled her way up to nurse. What a beautiful baby! How'd she get that perfect head?
DH and I marveled at her and at how fast she came. What is her name? We settled on Brinley Maria. Maria is my MIL's middle name. The best descriptor of this little one was "perfect". She didn't get a bath or weighed for at least an hour or more. DH waited to make the calls until we knew what she weighed. 7 pounds, 3 ounces 18 inches long--my biggest girl!
What a whirlwind, but so happy she only took about an hour and a half of labor. She was born at 6:17 am on Sunday morning, Sept 18th. (Due on the 20th)
Crazy the euphoria you feel after that! I know a lot of people think it'll be hard to add another baby and have enough love to go around. Not at all true! Your heart simply multiplies, it doesn't divide. God has blessed us with 5 perfect babies. I cannot begin to explain what that means. He has trusted us to raise 5 of His children--what a responsibility!!
I heard there was some buzz at church about the Hillardbillies missing (it's unusual) and wondering if I had had the baby. Only the pastor's wife knew, and she didn't share. I guess Brinley's announcement came through facebook and everyone knew right after church. (funny how soon news can travel these days with all this fandangled technology). We had a quiet morning in the recovery room since not too many people knew, and those that did were waiting to come until about noon.
3 of my big kids came at noon with my MIL and my parents. Oh so sweet to see them all! We had a few other visitors over the next day and left on Monday around noon. Miss B passed her hearing test with flying colors (which might be a sign of intelligence ;-)
So, now, 3.5 months later as I reflect I realize how fast time flies. It seems that not only does your love multiply exponentially, but how fast time flies does as well with each child! I just changed out all of her 0-3 month clothes with the 3-6 months and it always makes me sad. Bittersweet. I'm thrilled that she's smiling ALL the TIME, belly laughing, rolling over, and filling out, but sad at how fast it's all happening.
God sure is good!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Mr. Fix-it
I am SO BLESSED to have a DH that can fix just about anything (excluding most electronics)! He has done so many things for us and our home from building furniture, to building a garage, to trimming trees, to remodeling from the studs, to cleaning out years of neglect in our yard. He is an organizing nut and loves for everything to be in its place (me too--I love for everything to BE organized, I just can't seem to keep it that way--must be all the "help" I have). He is also very particular and thorough in any job he does. He is also VERY busy with work, family and church responsibilities so "extra time" is hard to come by. One time, I asked my BIL if the water to his in-door refrigerator dispenser was fixed and his answer was "Did your husband fix it yet?" Pretty much sums it up--he's in high demand. He's even become the neighborhood "Rent-a-Clint."
You'd think I'd have one of our two freezer ice makers hooked up after over 4 years of both of us complaining about it and never having enough ice for parties/small group (a weekly event). Must be a pretty hard fix with the drilling through the floor and hooking it all up.
So, last night the big 2 were heading to VBS for a couple of hours. The baby and I headed to Meijer in between drop off and pick up (and again after that--more on that to come.) DH had #3 with him and went over to the church to check out the project I volunteered him for (he can do anything!) and then on to Lowes to pick up the supplies he needed to do it. I think there was also a DQ stop in there as well--I saw the milkshake ;-)
I was busy picking out a bday present for #4's first drop-off birthday party on Saturday and getting all the items on my list with the coupon matchups. I was checking out with about 20 minutes to go before I had to pick up the big 2. Wow, shopping with only 1 kiddo sure is a lot easier than with 4! We get up to the check-out line and are done. I'm grabbing for the wallet...nope, not in the purse. I'm praying it's in the car. I'll be right back--I think I left my wallet in the car. As we're walking out, I say "Peanut, do you know where my wallet is?" "Yeah!" she says with a cheery grin. "Where?" "I take it out of you puhhs and hide it. In the couch. In the cuuushins." Really? "Yeah!!" Again, very proud of her little self. "Are you supposed to play with Mommy's wallet?' "Yeah!" "Noooo." "Oh. Noooo." I'm trying to be stern, but at least grateful that she knows where it is. So, we head back in to tell them I'll be back later. I was pretty happy that with coupons and sales, I was able to keep my major bill for 2 weeks at $95 and I bought a lot of cleaning supplies! They put the cart in the cooler for me. Must not be the first time that's happened...not even the first time it's happened to me *blush*
So, we rush back across town to get the big ones and I drop everyone off at the house for Daddy to put to bed. Peanut has a FIT when she realized I was leaving. Snot, drool, body flomping (that, apparently is a LeRoy, IL term that means thrashing/uncontrollable movements--according to DH, I'm good at this when sleeping), the whole nine yards...think Daddy needs some more time with her.
Driving back home and now I get to put away the groceries. DH has all the kids in bed, helps unload and says he's headed back to Lowes. He gets back home and says he's going to hook up the 2 ice makers. It's about 9:30, so I'm going to bed expecting that he'll be up for hours doing what must be a hard, time-consuming job. 15 minutes. 15 minutes and both ice makers are hooked up! Awesome, but are you kidding me? 4.5 years I've waited for a job that took 15 minutes!! I'm giving him a hard time, but I am really grateful to have a wonderful Mr. Fix-It as a husband. And very thankful to have ice without having to fill trays! It's the little things :-)
You'd think I'd have one of our two freezer ice makers hooked up after over 4 years of both of us complaining about it and never having enough ice for parties/small group (a weekly event). Must be a pretty hard fix with the drilling through the floor and hooking it all up.
So, last night the big 2 were heading to VBS for a couple of hours. The baby and I headed to Meijer in between drop off and pick up (and again after that--more on that to come.) DH had #3 with him and went over to the church to check out the project I volunteered him for (he can do anything!) and then on to Lowes to pick up the supplies he needed to do it. I think there was also a DQ stop in there as well--I saw the milkshake ;-)
I was busy picking out a bday present for #4's first drop-off birthday party on Saturday and getting all the items on my list with the coupon matchups. I was checking out with about 20 minutes to go before I had to pick up the big 2. Wow, shopping with only 1 kiddo sure is a lot easier than with 4! We get up to the check-out line and are done. I'm grabbing for the wallet...nope, not in the purse. I'm praying it's in the car. I'll be right back--I think I left my wallet in the car. As we're walking out, I say "Peanut, do you know where my wallet is?" "Yeah!" she says with a cheery grin. "Where?" "I take it out of you puhhs and hide it. In the couch. In the cuuushins." Really? "Yeah!!" Again, very proud of her little self. "Are you supposed to play with Mommy's wallet?' "Yeah!" "Noooo." "Oh. Noooo." I'm trying to be stern, but at least grateful that she knows where it is. So, we head back in to tell them I'll be back later. I was pretty happy that with coupons and sales, I was able to keep my major bill for 2 weeks at $95 and I bought a lot of cleaning supplies! They put the cart in the cooler for me. Must not be the first time that's happened...not even the first time it's happened to me *blush*
So, we rush back across town to get the big ones and I drop everyone off at the house for Daddy to put to bed. Peanut has a FIT when she realized I was leaving. Snot, drool, body flomping (that, apparently is a LeRoy, IL term that means thrashing/uncontrollable movements--according to DH, I'm good at this when sleeping), the whole nine yards...think Daddy needs some more time with her.
Driving back home and now I get to put away the groceries. DH has all the kids in bed, helps unload and says he's headed back to Lowes. He gets back home and says he's going to hook up the 2 ice makers. It's about 9:30, so I'm going to bed expecting that he'll be up for hours doing what must be a hard, time-consuming job. 15 minutes. 15 minutes and both ice makers are hooked up! Awesome, but are you kidding me? 4.5 years I've waited for a job that took 15 minutes!! I'm giving him a hard time, but I am really grateful to have a wonderful Mr. Fix-It as a husband. And very thankful to have ice without having to fill trays! It's the little things :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)