Birth Story

I remember making fun of my mom and women in general when I was teenager. It seemed that whenever you got a group of women together they inevitably ended up sharing their birth stories. That of course was something I was NOT interested in at the time. Times have changed, as they often do. Having done it a few times now(given birth that is) I understand what a life altering experience it is. It's probably impossible not to talk about from time to time. So at the risk of being mocked by those teenage girls out there I'm going to share my most recent experience.

This time around I decided to have my baby at home. Kind of crazy in some peoples' view. But it made sense to me. I have been lucky enough to have all my kids naturally and the last two I had water births, which by the way I highly recommend. Plus I really hate the hospital and all the poking and prodding and waking up they do there.

I had the most wonderful midwife in the world, Dawn Wadleigh. I love her. She is extremely knowledgeable, kind, compassionate, and seemed genuinely interested in me as a person. I loved every visit.

Pregnancy seems to get a little harder each time. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed it. My back and hips hurt all the time, acid reflux is the death of me, and of course my vain side doesn't really enjoy watching my butt get wider. It's all worth it though.

Ada's due date was January 7th. I was hoping she would come just a week early so we could claim on our taxes. But that was not to be. I had a few sleepless nights thinking perhaps I was in labor and then much to my chagrin fell asleep and woke up babyless. But on Sunday the 10th sometime in the night I started having pretty painful contractions about 8-10 minutes apart. They stayed that way all night and through the morning. Even after five kids I wasn't really sure if it was the real thing. I called Dawn and my lovely friend Sarah who was going to be my doula. I asked Sarah to come and hang out with me for moral support and told Dawn we'd keep her updated. Sarah got to my house and within just a few minutes the contractions moved to only two minutes apart. Someone called Dawn, not sure who. And then in only a few more minutes they were right on top of each other. I got into the birth tub and could tell it would be only minutes until our little girl would be with us. The only hitch of course was that the midwife wasn't there yet. Everything progressed so quickly.

Sarah is going to school to become a midwife and has been a doula for quite a few people. I am very thankful for this because it was her who ended up delivering sweet little Ada Leigh. She was awesome. So calm under pressure. She even knew exactly what to do when the cord was wrapped around her neck. The whole experience was strangely peaceful and calm. I just knew that everything was as it should be and was perfect.

Dawn arrived just a few minutes later as all the kids were meeting their new little sister. She took care of all the post birth stuff while Sarah fully realized what she had just been able to do and freaked out just a little bit.

Although everything didn't go exactly as I had planned I would do it all again. It really was the best birth experience I've had. To top it all off she was born on my mom's birthday. My brother and his wife also had a baby just two hours before me. All in all a pretty exciting birthday for her.

Ada Leigh Judd

She is finally here! Ada Leigh joined the family on Sunday January 10th. We're not absolutely sure of the time but Marley says it was 4:47 pm. She weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long.

I'll post all about her exciting arrival soon. I feel accomplished just getting a couple pictures put on here. But suffice it to say she is very loved by everyone. She is a sweet and perfect little baby.

This Month

I haven't gotten around to blogging (or doing much of anything) this month. I have those end of pregnancy blahs. I don't feel like doing much of anything but cleaning and organizing. Yes, I'm nesting. So here are a couple pictures I managed to take.

Thanksgiving with my family. My parents have fourteen grandchildren and two more on the way. My sister Melanie went to Spokane this year so we only had eleven of the fourteen running around shrieking with joyful mischievous delight. Here are the ones lucky enough to sit at the kids' table.

My sweet Jairus with his future wife. He loves Molly Beecher. And I'm pretty sure she loves him too.

Me and my belly. Only six more weeks to go. Crazy.

Ephraim in his bunny suit with a chocolate covered face. Halloween was a good day for this little guy.

1953

Here is a little treasure from 1953. My wonderful friend Marianne let look through her collection of vintage patterns. This beauty was just meant to be. The measurements fit Marley perfectly right now. (Marley was quite concerned that I wouldn't finish before she grew) We had just enough of this fabric in my fabric stash. And it goes perfectly with the coat I made her last winter.

I love all things vintage. How wonderful that my powers of persuasion are rubbing off on my girl. She too loves all things old fashioned. A girl after my own heart. Aislyn still just loves all things pink. I'm working on her though.

Look at this beauty! I can't believe she will be twelve in just a few months. She is a girl of many talents and a kind heart. I can't imagine life without her and all she does. If you haven't already, you should check out her blog. It often makes me giggle and is very sweet. It's on my list of blogs- upside down and right side up.

I finally broke down

Yes, I finally broke down and turned on the furnace yesterday. Most people think I'm crazy to have waited so long. I probably am. But really, who wants to pay that extra bill through the winter months? Anyway, in preparation for a nice toasty warm house I replaced the furnace filters and decided to vacuum out the vents downstairs. Who knew I would be in for such a surprise.
Let me list the treasures I found in just one vent:
-A rock measuring about 4 inches in diameter.
-5-6 smaller rocks.
-2 jolly ranchers.
-A plastic muscle man action figure.
-3 pens.
-2 pencils.
-A rubber band.
-And a very stale dinner roll.

Apparently this has been someone's special summer time hiding spot although no one has any idea who would do such a thing:)

It's Been Awhile

What has happened the past few weeks? Well, not picture taking that's for sure. So here's a list.

-Jairus celebrated his fourth birthday with cookies and a Hot Wheels car ramp complete with a skull that you drive your cars into. Strange that my sensitive, tender boy is all about skeletons right now, or "skimitoos" as he pronounces it.
-Thomas and I got to go to the temple with his cousin Holly and her husband Joe for their first time. Very sweet experience.
-Our computer crashed, then miraculously started again, then died again, and is now hopefully really and truly fixed, thanks to John. What a roller coaster.
-I started a hornet's nest so to speak of political debate, kind of a weird position for me to be in.
-Ephraim wrote on the wall with red pencil and then cracked the plaster and started picking at it and now we have a three inch hole in our hallway. Awesome.
-We set up the crib for the baby, always fun for me. I can't wait for her to get here. Only ten more weeks to go.
-Marley turned into a teenager overnight and is now very concerned about privacy and all the injustices of having brothers and sisters.
-Townsend went to Grandma Carroll's house for a week and had a lovely time. We're glad to have him back though.

Up next....Halloween which I have not prepared for at all and then Aislyn's sixth birthday party which she has been inviting people to for the last six months.

Happy Birthday Ephraim!

Our little guy is now a big two years old. A little something about Ephraim. He likes to eat. He holds the family record for eating pancakes. Seven! He prefers to communicate by answering all questions with a nod or shake of his head. He's very tough and has no trouble holding his own with all these big kids around him. He loves to hug his brother Jairus and play horsey with his sister Marley. He is an escape artist and has given his mother a near heart attack a few times now. Most of all he is the most lovable two year old I know.