babymoon

 The first week of life for Stahle was pretty much bliss...in a different sort of way.  Other than the usual soreness that new moms experience, I was feeling pretty good emotionally, and I was way better about taking it easy and trying to soak in the beautiful newborn in my house.  I didn't worry about anything but me and baby.  I didn't worry about messes, cooking, cleaning, I pretty much sat in my chair, nursed Stahle all day, held her and snuck in some naps.  Making a really conscious effort to rest made a big difference for me.  I think with the others, I was in such a hurry to "get back to normal" and try to catch up with housework and life, that I didn't soak in as much as I should have, making my recovery take longer.  I was so grateful that Jan took Janelle for the rest of the week.  It made such a difference . Michael did get to take Tue and Wed off which was nice . Dad came Wed afternoon, helped with kids, stayed the night and then left the next morning for temple work and then to go home.  We had meals brought in all week which was so nice.  The nights were special even though we were tired.  It was really indescribably sweet to have this precious baby with us.

 First sponge bath

 My midwife and Barbara came over a couple times to check in on us and do some weight checks and such on Stahle.

 This is my midwife, Katrina

 some visitors

This sums up my babymoon.  I sat in this chair and held her all day long and took pics of her.  It.was.heaven.

coming home!

 Coming home was awesome.  Jan and Janelle welcomed us.  Michael took a video of Janelle's reaction as we came through the door with a new baby and it was priceless.  Janelle has by far been the most excited about this baby out of our kids.  She tells everyone its "her" baby and has been anxiously waiting and asking about this baby for a long time.

 Stetson and Kandace were both super excited, too.  It was special to see their reaction and to see how much they loved her.

 Looking at baby books to see who Stahle looks like.

Not long after getting home, I went upstairs to lay down for a while and then Charlene came over with pizza for lunch.  Michael and Jan took care of kids, ran errands, got dinner and then Jan and Janelle took off that evening.  It was great to be home and surreal to be home with our baby.

birth story

On September 22, I woke up at around 3 having contractions.  They weren't anything big, but different from the ones I'd been experiencing the last couple days.  I figured something was probably going to happen that day which made me excited but I also had a sense of panic come over me as I contemplated life with 4 and thought of all the things I hadn't done to get ready for baby.  I was so tired and pretty much did the minimum during which was supposed to be my nesting phase.  So I laid in bed, got in the tub at like 4, recorded contractions but they weren't closer than like 15 mins apart so I got back in bed and pretty much laid there.
I told Michael when he woke up but I knew we weren't close to having baby obviously so he went to clinicals, we got the kids ready for school and went about our regular routine.  I even took Janelle to the park that morning realizing it might be the last time for a while.
We'd been in touch with Jan the whole day so she knew when to come.  Michael offered to come home at noon but I wanted him to save all his time off for when baby came so I told him to stay.  Some time in the afternoon I called Jan and told her I'd been contracting all day but nothing close or consistent and so she didn't need to worry about coming.  At 6ish they all the sudden were getting stronger and closer.  Ever since my water breaking in the van with Janelle, I'd had this fear of my water breaking at any point in time and not getting to Katrina in time because for me, up until Stahle, once my water breaks, things move very quickly.  So I called Katrina, she said to come at 7:30, then I called Chantel and asked for her to bring Carlee over to watch the kids until Jan could come.  During all this I was frantically doing some last minute "Nesting" which consisted of sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor, cleaning the kids room and finishing packing my bag.  As soon as Carlee came, Michael and I started some dinner for the kids and hit the road.  I was excited while we headed over because things were finally happening.  Contractions in the car were pretty good. In saying good I mean pretty painful.

We pulled in, took a pic in front of the clinic and went in.  Katrina and Barbara first checked babies heartbeat and my blood pressure.  Then they did some stuff around the clinic and Michael and I hung out.   Things very gradually picked up.  I was at a 5 at around 8 or 9 I would guess.  Katrina then suggested we go on a walk.  I didn't like the walk.  Michael was wanting to keep walking further from the birthing center but I kept worrying my water would break and we wouldn't make it back in time. haha.  So we headed back.  I started needing to lean over the bed for contractions, Barbara rubbed my feet with some essential oils which felt wonderful.  I was sure I'd have to get up from my foot massage with each contraction so I could lean over the bed (my preferred position) which were 5 mins apart by now but I focused on breathing and was able to stay put.  That was probably the most relaxed I was in the whole labor.
Shortly after that my water broke during a contraction and I thought halleljuia!  BECAUSE, when my water broke with Janelle, I had the urge to push right after and had Janelle within the next 20 minutes.  Well this was not the case with baby Stahle.  So my water breaks and they start filling the tub and I'm thinking thank heavens, this is almost over.  I get in the tub, it feels great, until my contractions start again.   This is probably where Michael was the most instrumental in all of this.  It was in the tub that I started getting worried, panicky, disappointed and scared that I wasn't having the urge to push.  I had to lean over the side of the tub with each contraction and I was leaning on Michael who was sitting right outside the tub.  It almost makes me cry thinking of that.  He was so supportive and willing to do anything to help.  I kept asking what we should do and why I wasn't having the urge to push.  Katrina and Barbara were saying that each birth is different.  They were trying to help me visualize things during contractions that would help me relax and I really wasn't having any of that. lol.
They suggested a few times that I get out of the tub since a change in position can help.  So I got out, went to the bathroom, got back in the tub, got back out, went to the  bathroom and when I stood up and started having a contraction I decided to push.  I didn't have the overwhelming urge to push but Katrina said to go ahead anyway, and I wanted to be done so badly I went ahead.  This part really is hard to describe.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, even though pushing was only about 5 minutes long and only took 4 pushes I think, but I was standing while Michael was holding me up and the pressure and burning were overwhelming and completely different than my other births.
Stahle's hand was up by her face making it hard to push her head out, but out it came, and then her shoulders and so on and when she was out it was of course the most incredible moment.  It was so bizarre that she was here but we fell in love with her instantly.  She was born at 11:58pm, 2 minutes before her due date. :)
After that Katrina and Michael cut the chord, I got back in the bed, had some skin to skin and took it easy.
Katrina and Barbara fed us some soup at like 1am, got us all squared away and then they took off and Michael and I stayed the night.  It was really peaceful and calming staying there.  Totally more personal than a hospital and more intimate.  Stahle latched instantly and nursed very well.  We enjoyed her immensely.
The next morning I took a bath, Michael went and got us breakfast and we took off at about 10 with our precious new bundle.

weekend

 This pic of Michael was the last Sunday before Stahle would arrive.  We'd gone to the zoo for their kiwanis club family  day the day before this. The couple weeks leading up to baby being born were rough.  Michael and I grew closer together I thought because he could sense my anxiety and his sense of humor and thoughtfulness kept things happy. :)  Our time at the zoo was a special day.  I didn't even mind hauling my big belly around in the scorching sun because I was with my family and truly enjoying myself.

 Michael took some pics of my belly since it was the last time we ever would.  The only one I like is this one because you can't see my fat puffy face. :) lol

shower

This pic didn't turn out great, but I wanted to remember some of the sweet ladies I've met in Billings.  Last Sat, Melanie Talbot (on very left) and Michelle Croft (right) threw a little shower for me.  Since I'm pretty set for girl stuff, they asked that guests bring frozen dinners instead of gifts.  So l-r: Melani, who was in our ward until they recently moved out of boundaries.  We went to spinning and boot camp together. She's also helped me decorate and pick out paint colors.  She's the sweetest.  Then Shan, we go way back, me, Margie Dvorak.  Margie is the sweetest lady you'll ever meet.  She's the primary pres and always makes me feel so appreciated and wonderful.  Her and her sweet husband Norm (she calls him Normie) come visit Michael and I once a month.  She's my VT but she brings Norm.  We love them so much.  Then Sue Jorgensen.  She's RS pres and I've talked about her in other posts.  She's a great example to me and we think their family is great.  Her husband taught seminary and now teaches our adult Sunday school class.  They have a great sense of humor and are good to the core.  Then Michelle.  She has Lovell roots but lives in Billings now.  Her kids actually go to Rose Park so its nice to have more kids at school from the ward.

So in other news, at my last appt which was last Thur, I received the dreaded news that my due date isn't actually until next Tue (23rd).  Bla bla bla.  I was not happy to hear that.  I'm not sure why Michael and I thought all along it was the 19th.  Whoops.  However, I've been contracting more, just not real consistently.  Michael had yesterday, today and tomorrow off so we were REALLY hoping baby would come this week so I could have all that help.  No such luck.  Yet.  I am really grateful he was home anyway though, since I've had a cold and having extra help with the kids so I could rest has been great.  This morning I went and had a massage from a massage therapist and lactation consultant who works at Katrina's facility.  That was nice.  My next appt is tomorrow and Michael will get to go which I like.

Stetson and Kandace are liking school.  Kandace's mischievous ways have trickled into her classroom as her teacher told me yesterday that she's had some "naughty" tendencies.  Not the greatest thing to hear, but we talked to her about it and think its getting better.  We love her and enjoy her personality and love of life so much.  Stetson's teacher let me come help with some testing last week which I was excited about.  I wanted to get in there and volunteer while I could.  It was nice to be in his class and get a feel for things.  He seems to really be liking everything.  He reads 15 mins after school every day and if he reads Ramona (mom's personal fave) he gets an extra 15 mins on the tablet. :0)

Its been fun having Janelle home all to myself.  Running errands are so easy.  If only I had the motivation and energy to leave the house more often.  We frequent the park pretty often and she loves that.

Michael is almost on his 4th week of his 1st clinical at the pediatric clinic and is liking it more every day it seems.  He's getting to see patients on his own and is having more hands on experiences.  He froze off a couple warts a while back.  His preceptor is out of town for a few days so thats why he's been home.
Our friends, Jaran and Sarah are moving to Utah in 2 1/2 weeks so on Monday, we went out to lunch and yesterday she came and helped me clean my fridge.  Michael even moved it out from against the wall do we could clean behind it and under it.  It. was.gross.  I have the urge to do deep cleaning more than ever.  I just wish baby would hurry and come while my house is still clean because it won't last!