Saturday, November 30, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Thirty

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful!

Day Thirty: 
I am thankful that today is the last day of Thirty Days of Thankful... for food that is good for you and tastes good too! In a world where fast food is the norm, I am thankful to be able to reach for something that is fast AND healthy! Currently, I am digging the Archer Farms Sunny Cranberry trail mix! 

Friday, November 29, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty Nine

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful!

Day Twenty Nine: 
I am thankful for the wonderful mommas who have graciously agreed to let me share their birth stories on my blog in the series titled, Thursday Birth Day! I know birth can be a private matter but I continue be blown away by the strength of these mommas! If you are interested in sharing your birth story, please email me at notsoaveragemomma@gmail.com

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty Eight

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful!

Day Twenty Eight: 
I am thankful for the hospitality of my parents. Every year they open their home on Thanksgiving to friends of ours who are either new to the area or don't have anywhere else to celebrate.  My parents are great at showing Christ's love to others and I am so proud that they are my parents.

Thursday Birth Day: Max's Birth



Welcome to Thursday Birth Day!  My hope is that this series will help to encourage women who may be expecting their first baby or their second/third/fourth/etc.  These posts will provide some real life experiences that we can all appreciate and maybe even learn from.  I also hope for this to be a place where women who have gone through birth can have a place to share their beautiful stories.



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Baby Max's Birth Story

My story begins on August 30, 2013. It was the Friday before Labor Day. I was 35 + 1, and at work like any normal Friday and started to feel what I could only describe as menstrual cramps. I asked a co-worker (who happened to be pregnant with her 2nd child at the time) what contractions felt like and her response was, “like cramps.” I imagined the next weeks would be full of these cramp-like pains. I spent the 3-day weekend attending another friends baby shower, with Chad at the hospital after he hurt his shoulder, spending some time on our new boat at Lake Proctor, and visiting my grandparents. Monday morning I woke up to discover that I was starting to lose my mucous plug. I was having more “cramping” pains and felt really tired. I took it easy and got some rest. Tuesday was another normal day. I went to work and felt fine the entire day. A co-worker and my boss both joked to me that I better not have the baby that week as they both had plans to be off of work. I really did not expect to have a baby at 35 weeks anyway, so I laughed their comments off. I spent the evening with Chad. He injured his shoulder and got orders from the doctor that he could not lift his arm, so he got the week off of work. He worked 12-hour night shifts leaving me home alone most nights. Something that often concerned me being pregnant and alone 30 miles from the hospital or him. That night he cooked dinner, I brought home some movies, and we camped out in the living room enjoying a night together. I folded laundry… it was like any other night. The hospital bag was packed, but in another room. I never thought I would need it yet.
At 2 am I woke up in pain. It was not severe, so I use the restroom and return to bed. I was so tired and all I could think about was going back to sleep. I was unable to fall asleep no matter how hard I tried and the pain was not getting better or going away. Then I started to throw up. Each time I would think I felt better I would try to go back to sleep, but it just was not happening. By this point I was worried that maybe I had eaten something bad, or maybe I had a stomach bug. Vomiting and diarrhea were not signs of labor that I had heard or read about. I began to pace the hallway of our house. Sitting or lying was not an option. Our dogs were following me everywhere I went. They knew something was wrong and would not leave me alone so I had to kick them outside. Back and forth, back and forth I paced the hallway. I remember hearing Leddy, our weenie dog, under the house whimpering, pacing under the house with me. I would throw up and then try again to go to sleep. I just knew that I would be so exhausted at work the next day and could not afford to use a sick day as I needed it for maternity leave. Chad woke up a few times during this time and asked if I was okay. Not thinking anything about labor I just told him my stomach was upset and that I was okay. I continued to pace the hallway, and try to get rest, but the pain was getting worse. I could not lie down any longer. I thought to myself once, “what if this is labor?” So I opened a contraction counting app on my phone and remember trying to use it but getting frustrated and in so much pain that being on my phone was the last thing I wanted to do. I could not concentrate on anything. I started to sweat and get really hot, then freezing cold, really hot, then cold again. Am I running fever? What if this hurts my baby? Being in labor never crossed my mind again.


At 5:30 am Chad came in to the bedroom to me crying on the bed. The only words I can remember him saying are “It is time to go to the hospital?” I ask him to wait for me to take a shower as I had been sweating so badly. I am pretty sure he was amused by my request, or maybe annoyed, but he let me know pretty quick that the hospital would not care about my sweat, and if they did who cares. I mentioned earlier that I had folded laundry before bed. Well, I left those folded clothes on the dining room table. I knew there was a pair of white, cotton, elastic waist shorts on the table so I ask Chad to grab those for me. I will never forget that he brought me back a pair of khaki shorts. Even in pain I had to laugh about it and tell him, “No, babe, white elastic shorts. These are khaki." Finally I was dressed, and ready to go. On the way out I asked him to grab a plastic bag for the 30-minute trip in case I had to throw up in the car. He then asks me where do we keep the plastic bags. Males are so funny. I think I may have yelled at him this time. (Sorry, babe.) I bet he never forgets where I keep those plastic bags now. I walked so fast to the car. It was nice to know that relief was in sight. The car ride was the coldest, longest, most painful ride of my life. Chad stayed quiet the whole time. I, on the other hand, was not quiet at all. I yelled at him once to slow down. What will we do if we get pulled over? Then I will just be in pain longer. How rude of him trying to rush me to the hospital.  I had the A/C up as high as it would go. Chad was freezing and turning all the vents towards me, shivering. I could not sit at all anymore. I was holding my self up off the seat by my arms. Using the console in the middle and the passenger door handle. Crying and moaning, I even told Chad, “How will I ever achieve natural childbirth if I can’t even handle this pain?"

We arrived at the hospital around 6:10 a.m and entered through the emergency room. We told the triage lady what was going on. Since I was over 32 weeks they bring me a wheelchair and begin to wheel me up to labor and delivery. That is policy, she tells me. A man pushed me up, but I could not tell you what he looked like. Chad was silent still. The pain was so severe, and again, sitting was so painful. I was holding myself up off the chair. We enter the elevator and another man enters. Again, I didn’t even look up. He asks the man pushing me if I was having a baby… the guy pushing me says “Nope. Something else is going on. No baby yet.

When we arrive at L&D they do not have a bed ready so (for what seems like an hour) I am stuck in this wheel chair, holding myself up with my arms. It was actually only minutes, long enough for them to make a bed, and they push me into a room, and ask me to get into a gown. I kept feeling like I had to pee. I would try to lie in the bed and then run back into the bathroom. When I finally got into the bed I told the nurse that I kept having the urge to pee, and that it was painful to sit down. She told me that I had to sit so that they could check the on the baby. I was checked almost immediately and the nurses all began to scramble around in a hurry. I began to panic and asked them what was wrong? Why were they in a sudden hurry? “You are having a baby!!” one of the nurses responded. “NOW???” followed by “WHERE IS CHAD??

They started to walk out of the room when I felt it happen. A sudden release of pressure, and the bed became wet. My water broke. I told the nurses “Uh, I think my water just broke.” No, she said, it hadn’t yet. I had to tell her, no, I mean right now. Chad entered the room then and all I can remember is being so happy to see him. We were having a baby, holy cow, not at all what we were expecting. They told me that they were waiting for my doctor, and he seemed to arrive immediately, bed head and all. I started to push, and I was so thirsty I remember. At one point one of the nurses was telling me not to push. HA. I later found out from Chad that my response to her was not a nice one. They were telling me to push while holding my breath but that was not happening. The growling sound I was making is one I will never forget. But I did not care at the time. Then it happened. The ring of fire. It is no joke. That phrase explains it exactly. A few more pushes and my perfect baby boy entered the world. I immediately asked what time it was. 6:54 a.m.
5 hours after I was awaken in pain, less than 1 hour after arriving at the hospital, at 35 weeks 6 days, my boy was here. He was placed immediately on my chest. The nurse to my right said, “He looks like his daddy.” He cried and Chad and I laughed through our tears. His chin was mine, we decided. His fingers and toes were all there. He was perfect. He was ours. The delivery was over, and I did it. I have never felt so proud of myself before. My doctor asked Chad if he wanted to cut the umbilical cord, and he did. I still had not looked up from my baby. I have never seen anything so beautiful. Then I felt my placenta being delivered very soon after. I asked to see it. My doctor smiled and seemed happy to oblige. Chad gagged and looked away as my doctor held it up. I am so glad I looked. The next few hours are a blur of blissful happiness. Max Owen was here… 6 lbs 3 oz 19.5 inches long. One of the nurses later told me that my delivery was one she will never forget. She started calling Max “Stone” because they thought I was there due to kidney stones. I was glad to know that I was not the only one taken by surprise by my symptoms.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty Seven

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Twenty Seven: 
I am thankful for my pup, Jedi.  Although he sometimes gets on my nerves he really is a good companion.  He is always by my side, the first to alert me if something is wrong, and is a great (tiny) guardian for the boys.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty Six

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Twenty Six
I am thankful for this blog.  Although I have been more scarce lately I am really happy that I have a places that I can share my personal thoughts, trials, and triumphs.  I am glad that I have somewhere I can write letters to my children (Everett, Nolan) for when they are older.  And although y'all don't comment a whole lot, I am thankful for those of you who read my blog! I love bumping into people that I know and hearing that they are keeping up with my posts- it is really cool to hear that other people enjoy catching up on the on-goings of the Thompson clan.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty Five

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Twenty Five
I am thankful for our wood stove! Tyler and I are able to use the wood stove and keep our house warm - really warm! It is such a blessing to be able to use this stove to keep our house comfortable and not have to shell out hundreds of dollars a month on gas!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty Four

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Twenty Four
I am thankful that Tyler and I are able to feed and clothe our family and have a rough over our heads.  There are so many things that we take for granted every day and these necessities are ones that are frequently overlooked. 

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty Three

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Twenty Three
I am thankful for the wonderful time that I am able to spend with my friends.  I am thankful for each and every one of them and how they help me through the messiness of life. Each of my best friends probably know me better than I know myself and they are always there when I need them.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Letters to Everett: 11/22/13

Dear Everett,

You are two and a half years old today and have officially graduated from a toddler to a "kid!"  We did a few of your favorite things today, like going to Chick Fil A and baking muffins.  You even got to have a candle on top of your muffin and blow it out over and over again! I think that you liked that part more then the actual muffin. 


You have added so much joy to our lives these past two and a half years and you continue to amaze us every day.  I love that you are such a happy kid these days and that you truly love your family.  You are caring and thoughtful towards your brother (most of the time) and always want to show him love. 

You continue to be picky with your food and still LOVE sweets (just like your momma) but that comes with being two!  We are hopeful that you will branch out from hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and noodles at some point in the near future. I don't act as a short order cook though so there are some nights that you just flat out refuse to eat dinner... but you always eat breakfast the next morning, silly boy!
I think that with every passing day you learn more and more words.  You are able to figure out what words mean based on context and are able to start incorporating them into your vocabulary as well.  You have a great imagination and it is so funny to hear some of the things that you tell us.  I am planning on starting a series called "Chatting with Everett" where I can document all the hilarious things that you say! 

I am planning on writing you letters every few months now that you are older.  I am so glad that I was able to write these letters to you up until now so that we will be able to look back and see how much you have grown.  You are such a wonderful boy and I am glad that God gave you to daddy and I!

Momma and daddy love you to the moon and all the way back! 



xoxoxox,



Momma

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For Letters to Everett, click here

For Letters to Nolan, click here!

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty Two

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Twenty Two
I am thankful for my siblings.  There are not two other people like them in the world.  No one is allowed to pick on them except for me and if you do, I'll come looking for you! They were my partners in crime and the ones I blamed the messes on when we were growing up. Although we fight from time to time they are some of my best friends.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty One

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful
 
Day Twenty One
I am thankful for our cloth diapers. I know it sounds silly but even with all the money I have spent to purchase them, they have paid for themselves over and over!  Using cloth diapers actually helped me to make some of my very best friends! We are hoping to become debt free one day and if I have to wash my kiddos diapers to get there, then that's what I will do! :)

Thursday Birth Day: Aria's Birth


Welcome to Thursday Birth Day!  My hope is that this series will help to encourage women who may be expecting their first baby or their second/third/fourth/etc.  These posts will provide some real life experiences that we can all appreciate and maybe even learn from.  I also hope for this to be a place where women who have gone through birth can have a place to share their beautiful stories.

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Baby Aria's Birth Story


The pregnancy and birth of my daughter did not go as I had always envisioned it.  When I went to my obstetrician for my first visit and he confirmed that I was pregnant I told him that I knew it was going to be a girl, that there would be complications, and that I would end up having a c-section.  The doctor tried to reassure me that things looked great and there wasn’t any implication that there would be complications or a need for a c-section. 




Around 20 weeks I was sent by my obstetrician to the perinatologist for some testing.  Up until this point my pregnancy was seemingly normal with no complications so I was not quite sure why there was a need for any further testing.  While we were doing the ultrasound at the perinatologists office we found out that my original gut feeling was right on two accounts, our baby was a girl and there would be complications going forward because they found holes in her heart and discovered that I had placenta previa.  

After that I started having appointments on an almost weekly basis with various types of doctors (a pediatric cardiologist, geneticist, perinatologist, and my obstetrician) to monitor the baby and me.  As it started to get closer the doctors asked if I would be comfortable delivering her up at Children’s Hospital due to the complications.  I decided against delivering up at Children’s Hospital and instead opted to deliver closer to home to be closer to my family and friends. 


We scheduled my c-section two weeks prior to her due date because she began to stop growing and her health was declining in the womb.  The doctors warned me that my baby might need to have heart surgery shortly after her birth but I just knew that everything would be fine once she was born. 

I made a post on facebook about heading up to the hospital to have my c-section, which all of my friends took as an invitation to come along with me.  I had an entourage of 18 family and friends there with me. My c-section ended up being pushed back due to an emergency c-section that needed to happen ahead of me.  After I got the news that I would have to wait even longer to have my baby my mother told me that she needed to go into work because she hadn’t taken the day off.  I was devastated.  My mother was supposed to be there with me for the birth of my daughter and now she was rushing out the door.  


I finally was taken back to the operating room to have my baby.  Aria was born on March 2, 2011 and weighed 5 pounds and 13 ounces; her APGAR scores were perfect, she latched on right away, and most importantly the holes in her heart closed.  

Although this birth wasn’t the birth I had envisioned (home birth, no interventions, etc.) what is important is that Aria is a bright and healthy girl and she made it into this world safely. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Twenty

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Twenty
I am thankful for all of my grandparents (and Tyler's too of course.) I am thankful for the love, friendship, and wisdom that they share with me.  They are always there to chat with, laugh with, and to help me get through life. 

Letters to Nolan: 11/18/13

Dear Nolan,

What a big boy you are! You are growing so fast and it amazes me every singe day! You think that you are a big boy and you want to do everything that your big brother does! You are trying to figure out how to crawl and have some pretty interesting ways to get around.  Rolling doesn't quite work for you just yet because you only roll from your tummy to your back so instead you push off with your arms and "crawl" everywhere backwards.  You have also started trying to scoot around while sitting up.  
We visited Sneads Asparagus Farm to check out the pumpkin patch and took our annual trip with Uncle Aaron, Aunt Krystal, and Colt to the Apple Harvest Festival at Graves Mountain! The fall is always packed with fun activities and family outings.  You also attended your fourth (yes fourth) wedding this month and were the most behaved baby! 
This month marks the first time I have ever left your side.  Since I started working you and big brother get to stay with RaeRae the one day a week I have to go into the office.  You still haven't taken to liking the bottle even though it is still momma's milk, it is just not the same to you! Our routine at home has changed a little too since I am working at home. Suyappa, our wonderful nanny comes to play with you and brother while momma is working and you both love her. 
Last but not least you are really (really) really excited to start trying to eat "real"food.  Whenever we are eating dinner you watch us so intently and even get mad if we don't let you have some of our food! We have played around with some purees and food that is large enough for you to gnaw on and you seem to be okay with most of them.  Anything that is more of a mushy texture you don't care for.


Here's what you've been up to this month:

10/19/13: First time to wear shoes, first trip to Graves Mountain, first visit to Uncle Aaron and Aunt Krystal's house
10/25/13: Started pushing yourself backwards with your hands
10/28/13: First time to try a bottle (of mommas milk), started making more mouth noises, started rocking on your hands and knees, Suyappa started to babysit you 

10/30/13: Tried a bite of apple sauce and you were not very impressed
10/31/13: First time to stay with RaeRae while mommy went to work and you did not take a bottle so mommy had to come home early, first Halloween- you went as Cookie Monster
11/01/13: First time gnawing on teething biscuits
11/02/13: Attended your fourth wedding
11/03/13: Stole mommas apple to gnaw on
11/04/13: Reached out for momma for the first time
11/06/13: Started saying "dadadada"
11/08/13: Ate first Chickfila french fry, able to sit by yourself
11/09/13: Gnawed on a sweet potato fry
11/10/13: Gnawed on a ritz cracker
11/15/13: First time to eat peaches and refried beans
11/18/13: First time to eat yogurt and oatmeal; Six month well check- 20lbs 2.5oz (90th percentile), 27" long (75th percentile)
 
Momma and daddy love you to the moon and all the way back! 



xoxoxox,



Momma


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For more Letters to Nolan, click here

For Letters to Everett, click here!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Nineteen

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Nineteen:
I am thankful for modern medicine and the doctors that are able to help in our times of need. Last night/early this morning was spent in the emergency room with E (he's got bronchitis/upper respiratory infection) and this afternoon I spent two hours in the dentists chair. Although we both have had a rough day, I am still thankful for the opportunity to have the ability to see doctors who can help us!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Eighteen

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Eighteen
I am thankful for a break from the cold weather and a chance to spend some time outside this afternoon.  The winter will be here soon but today I will enjoy my flip flops!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Seventeen

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Seventeen:
I am thankful for the wonderful and talented Samantha Martin (and her new assistant Kelli)! She always captures the best and most natural looking photos of our family. She met us in downtown Fredericksburg today and took over 500 photos of my parents, brother, sister and boyfriend, and us! Can't wait to see how the rest turn out! 

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Sixteen

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Sixteen:
I am thankful for the differences and in my boys and how that keeps me on my toes. They say no two kids are alike and that is  holding true for these guys. I love being a mother and learning more about how to keep my boys happy every day. 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Fifteen

I'm taking some time every day this month to jot down something that I am thankful for.  Feel free to post a comment below each day with what you are thankful for or post a link to your own Thirty Days of Thankful

Day Fifteen
I am thankful for an unexpected phone call from an old friend that led to me accepting a new job!  God truly showers out his blessings on my family and this is not an exception.  I was not searching for a job and I was very hesitant to take the position because I did not want to be away from my children.  I knew that me going into the office on a daily basis was not an option for our family and was very (very) fortunate to be offered a flexible schedule where I am home four days a week and only in the office one day a week.  I am working in the same field that I was in before Everett was born and even with many of the same people I worked with before.  It is kind of funny to see everyone again- as if I never even left! I am taking on a new role within this field but I think that it is a really good fit for me.  God is truly blessing our family and helping us to grow and stretch ourselves in ways that we didn't know or believe we could be. 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Thursday Birth Day: Truitt's Birth

Welcome to Thursday Birth Day!  My hope is that this series will help to encourage women who may be expecting their first baby or their second/third/fourth/etc.  These posts will provide some real life experiences that we can all appreciate and maybe even learn from.  I also hope for this to be a place where women who have gone through birth can have a place to share their beautiful stories.

Be sure to check out Katie's blog!

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Baby Truitt's Birth Story
 
Once upon a Time, there was a girl named Katie O'Grady, who married a boy named DJ Marcussen. And so their journey began as two very different people, trying to learn the "How to Become One" part of life when all of a sudden... BAM...3 months go by and she finds out she's been impregnated! Say WHAT???!!! That was not in the plans! Their plan anyways! :)
So of course she decides to surprise her husband and be creative by writing Hello Daddy on her belly and telling him there's someone she'd like him to meet.  Cute, Right? Excitement, Nervousness, Uncertainty followed by his deafening Silence... and then a disappearing act for about 8 hours.  For Real? This 2 becoming 1 just went from Hard to Ruh Row! Eventually he came home with flowers, a card and a reassuring hug. 

Fast forward approximately 9 months later and into 1st person...

I had decided to do the natural birth thing despite the loving warnings from everyone except my mom and husband who were no stranger to the all natural options in life. My husband being on the verge of crunchy and my mom having had delivered my brother at home, no meds with a midwife, were all for it, as was I.  At first I decided to have the baby at the closest birth center at the time which was 45 min away in Alexandria. I loved my appts and the quality time spent with my mom as she went with me every time. But about a month before my due date I decided to have him at my mom's and do a home birth with the reassurance from my birthing assistant and mom that I could do it and would really enjoy the atmosphere and not having to travel. Really, the thing that made me change my mind was they made me believe in myself and my delivery.  So with that decision made I started counting down the days...

Oct 3 was his due date which rolled on by with no signs of impending birth, so come that Sunday Oct 5 we were just doing our normal thing, headed from our friends house to my parents house around 5 pm and my water broke! I laugh when I think about how I responded...
Me: Uhh, DJ... I think my water just broke
DJ: Really? How do you know?
Me:  Well, there's definitely liquid coming out of me and I'm not peeing myself!
(we crack up) Even more so when we realized my phone was between my legs and totally water logged. That was an interesting story to tell the Verizon people!
When we arrived at my parents I called my birthing assistant, Claudia, who started the phone chain. The on-call midwife, Susan called and asked me some questions. (TMI warning) Determined the graying stuff in the fluid coming out was a minimal amount of meconium and she would be on her way. Why go into that much detail... because it relates to the end of the story. Hang in there. 

So as it progressed into the night and early morning I had slowly worked my way to 7 cm dilated. I tried the bath and all the relaxation techniques I had learned in the Bradley Courses. However with my husband, who was supposed to be my "coach" in the process, sleeping, I resorted to zoning in and found my comfort spot in a rocking chair. You can't imagine the pain during labor but I was well informed there would be some, lol. I knew though I would not allow myself to say or think "I can't do this". I'd seen enough "birthing videos and stories" to know I could! What one woman can do...Another woman can do, lol. And I knew it may not be everyone's desire but it was mine. It was in my typed up Birth Plan and therefore, it was going to happen. So I conceded to allow myself to think and say, "I don't know how much longer I can do this..." Minor difference but it made all the difference.  I had set my mind and I had prepared myself to keep it set. You can't Try natural birth. You must Choose it. Otherwise... the pain is just too real, lol. 
With that, I must take a Time Out to elaborate on why I chose a home birth. Don't worry, it's probably not what you think.  I am a firm believer in this process of delivering a human being, to be one that meets the needs, beliefs and desires of the Mom involved.  It is a moment in your life that will have significance and Permanent Memory forever. I am very for it being a very personal, thought out decision and no way that delivers a healthy baby and mom is wrong. Well... except non medically emergency necessary C-sections and their knife happy surgeons.  But that is a pedestal I will not be climbing today. My reasons for a home birth were mostly based on the non-invasive avenue: No needles (NOT a Fan!) Thinking of the long epidural needle gives me the heebee geebees. The low key, positive, comfortable, controlled atmosphere of my home both during and after labor and delivery.  The ability to only have people I knew that would support ALL my desires and whose beliefs ran along side of mine with how the process should go. No shift changes, Unfamiliar Drs or nurses, etc. And maybe more but you get the picture.

Time In! So about this time my midwife suggests I walk down the stairs and get a Coke! ARE YOU CRAZY? I'm having a baby here! However, I wasn't drinking enough fluids. I think I took the smallest sips known to man! and I needed the boost of sugar for energy.  Plus... The having contractions on the stairs thing works! Because by the time I got to the bottom I told her I was about to push this baby out whether she liked it or not. So up the stairs we went and wouldn't you know I was at 10 cm! Push Time!! 
Three hours later... Push Time!!! Why so long Katie? I don't know... my body just wasn't figuring this whole pushing thing out real well. In case you're wondering...( TMI Warning) It should feel like you are taking the biggest dump of your life! I do believe towards the end I even asked if she would just reach in there and pull him OUT! LOL. Funniest part of the pushing part...while I was birthing this melon out of a lemon, My elbow was digging into DJ's thigh who was straddling me from behind to support my back but no way was he saying anything! Good thing we got it on video b/c that was H I Larious!
But nevertheless, in the end, Truitt Marshall Marcussen was born Oct 6, 2008 at 10:14 am. 8 lbs, 20 inches.

First Response: "Woa do you look like your Daddy!"
Second Response:  "Who ever says you forget this pain is on drugs!!"
Sidenote: Although he was great in the beginning, there was a minor concern he may have swallowed some meconium because his apgar dropped. We did end up transporting to the hospital where by the time he got there had fully recovered, however because I was not there at the time, They bottle fed him!! :( and then made us stay for 2 days due to hospital rules! Boo! Furthering my dislike of hospital births. No Matter.

So how did this chapter end... With a Very Loved little Boy who changed our world forever and although we thought we were not ready in our marriage to take on the responsibility of a little life it was the best thing that could of happened because in the end it made us grow up and Become One, So that we could start a Family with the right Foundation. (Read Our 6th Year...) Not 1+1+1=3 but 2+1=3!  Happy as can Be!