Brighten Our Days

Having a new baby in the house, I have heard some funny comments from the kids. Brynna said we should have named him handsome. I was changing his diaper and he was crying. Corban was trying to help by holding his binki in his mouth. He was still crying. Corban said, "I don't think he likes me." I explained that babies just don't like to have their diapers changed because of the cold air, wipes, etc. Kjerstin said, "Oh yeah, I remember when Daven did that. Memories." Like she has been around for a long time. I had to chuckle. The kids were asking what he knows how to do (nothing) and I said that he learn how to burp, etc. One of the kids said that they could teach him. Corban said, "As long as we don't teach him any swear words." I am glad he is not teaching them to him but why is that what he is thinking of? It has made me chuckle (and made my stomach hurt) and remember the sun that shines through the clouds to brighten our days.

Gideon James Critchfield

Well after a very stressful Tuesday, I went into labor Tuesday night. It was very unlike my labor with Daven. My contractions weren't regular in time or in strength but the painful ones were crippling. I finally went into Labor and Delivery at 4:30am and the nurses of course didn't think I was in labor. When they checked, I was dilated to a 8 with my strong contractions but the baby still wasn't dropping down and staying down. The baby's heart rate was dropping dramatically with contractions and they thought there might be a nucal cord around the baby stopping him from dropping. I was nauseated because of a migraine I had all day on Tuesday and was vomiting. There were no anesthesiologists who were willing to do the epidural because it was a change of shift and the guy getting off didn't want to take me and the guy coming on said it wasn't his time yet. They finally decided they need to do a C-section and found someone to come give me an epidural. I was still vomiting when they were doing the c-section. Gideon was very blue and not moving when they got him out. After spending several hours in NICU he was doing well and I was finally able to see and hold him. After doing the C-section they have no explanation for the difficulties he was having. It is a different kind of sore and it is driving me crazy not to be able to just jump in and take off from where I left off. I feel bad and like a cripple not being able to lift up Daven or do things for him. I think any hopes of a flat stomach are now out for good. He is a really good baby so far. Brynna and Daven have really had a bad cough and now it sounds like Kjerstin is getting it. Daven is on an antibiotic for an ear infection because we were up with him all night my first night home. I missed the last step coming down our stairs and bruised my tail bone. I hurt all over. I think five is my limit. I had basically said before this was it but I am FEELING it now! I keep telling myself, "this too shall pass" and "all these things shall give thee experience." I just need to feel it! I promise I will be more positive when I feel better!
P.S. He was 7 lbs 12 oz and 20 1/2 inches long--my smallest so far!

No baby yet!

Well I have passed my due date and there is still no sign no indication that the baby is anxious to come out. My Dr. is out of town this week so there will probably be no induction. I am fairly sure this will be the last child we will have, so I guess I am getting as much pregnancy as I can so I won't miss it (as if that could happen). Kjerstin last night prayed that the baby would come out so I wouldn't have to worry about (what I heard) cooking, (what she said) kicking. I haven't had a menu for the last 2 weeks because I haven't known if I would need it. You can tell I heard what I was thinking about. We had the missionaries over for dinner a few weeks ago. One of the elders birthdays was February 15th. He thought it would be cool if my baby had the same birthday. I was sure that was impossible. I am once again proved wrong! I guess it just goes to show that children listen to you no better in utero than out! Don't feel bad for me, though. I have done an adequate job of consoling myself with sweets that I don't normally eat. Not the best idea but it is working for now! I will just have to pay for it later!
P.S. Just a funny side note--my girls we playing Super Nanny the other night. I am pretty sure that was not a game I played when I was growing up. I was doing dishes and cracking up just listening to them. At least it made dishes go by faster!

In Limbo

Why is it that everything in my life (in my mind) is connected to when my due date is. It is February 8. February 6th is not February 6th but 2 days before my due date. Bridger wanted to have a "Souper bowl" Party on the 6th where people bring their favorite soup and we play games. I told him I don't know what I will be doing. I can't really plan anything in my life at this point because I don't know when this child is going to come. If I could, it would make the waiting go faster because I would have something to do besides wait. I really envy people who deliver early and people who have scheduled C-sections or inductions. I know there are usually undesirable extenuating circumstances that make such conditions necessary, but it sounds SO tempting right now! I am too much of a planner to feel in limbo like this. There is really nothing I can do but make the best out of it. My visiting teacher, who has a 6 month old and was in this same condition 6 months ago, reminded me that the baby is fed and happy and I should try to enjoy it. So much easier said than done at this point!

Jot it down!

I got the title from one area of Corban's scout Bear manual. He is encouraged to write different things down. I can benefit from it, too. Here are some things that have happened that I have thought I have been cute/profound. Brynna said to me the other day, "I just wish I would have got what I wanted for Christmas." She was the last person I was still trying to shop for because I couldn't figure out what to get her. Curious what it was she really wanted, I asked. She responded. "I don't know." I had to laugh.
Corban prayed in his prayer the other day that my belly button will return to normal after this pregnancy. He is quite concerned. I thought that was cute.
Last night at our weeknight relief society meeting, they encouraged all women in our ward to participate in the Personal Progress program. They then showed how easy it could be by having 4 women and 4 young women say what they had done for their projects for different values. I was especially impressed with a 13 year young woman who for her faith value project composed a song about faith. She also read John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." She then shared how God must have had faith in Christ when he sent him that he would accomplish the task at hand and how he similarly has faith in us. She then said how Christ must have had faith that he could accomplish the task set before him and how we need to have faith. I have never thought of it that way and was quite impressed by the knowledge of a 13 year old. Another sister in our ward started a service blog. She is living with her parents right now while her husband is unemployed and having a hard time finding a purpose in her life in a house with 2 moms and 2 dads. She decided to look for service opportunities. She spoke of how it has blessed her life. I don't know that I LOOK for service opportunities. When I did personal progress it was to get it done because I was supposed to. I think I will try it again now because I want to. I was a very nice night!

Inspiration

I have been reading "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and also "Sink Reflections" (it is a book by the "Flylady" Marla Cilley on how to keep your house clean in minutes a day). I am wondering how I will get it all done with another baby on the way when I don't feel like I am keeping up like I want to now. Bridger and I went to the temple on Saturday. I got the strongest impression while I was there that it will all be okay (which is probably a given for you all since we know the Lord doesn't give us more than we can handle). I just feel that my abilities will increase whatever needs to happen so it will all work out. It is always comforting to get those revelations because you know the Lord knows you and your situation and cares about you.

What is on my mind

I really loved having my kids home during break. They were so helpful and it was fun to do some stuff we don't normally have time for (movies, out the lunch, cousin time). Back to reality and a busy schedule. It is good for all of us, I suppose. We had 3 cases of strep throat of the break. Maybe that is part of the reason why it was so nice to have them home because they weren't feeling as well and weren't as wild! We went to a baptism preview for Kjerstin on Sunday night. She is SO excited for her baptism in June. It helps that it will be ON her actual birthday. It's amazing to me my kids are getting so old! It feels like we just did this with Corban and it is Kjerstin's turn already. I guess the getting older thing helps with the getting helpful thing. I would say I don't feel old so I don't know where the time has gone, but through my pregnancy tinted glasses I am wearing I both look and feel old! This Friday I will be one month away (not that I am counting)! And the good/bad part is I have done really well so far with my blood pressure/ pre-eclampsia concerns that usually arise so I don't see an induction in my future unless I am overdue with a 10 pound baby! See, I need the schedule to keep me occupied so I don't worry so much about when this baby will come!