Pumpkin Pickin

The day before the boy was born I knew we had to get our pumpkin patch trip in or we never would. The only types of pumpkin patches I'd ever been to growing up were those that had a bunch of pumpkins pre-picked sitting on hay stacks for your choosing. This totally worked and it was always so fun to go and try to find the roundest, orangest, most perfect pumpkin. 

Well here in MA, there are farms outside the city, tons of them. These farms are full of pick your own fruits and vegetables and around Halloween they are brimming with pumpkins.

Leon had just had an event he was in charge of that day, but I insisted that we leave as soon as possible because the patches always closed around 5pm. This mean no time for a clothes change. But doesn't he look so good in a suit? Maybe not the best choice for mission: find the perfect pumpkin, but we did what we could.

Ellie stuffed her face with left over Papa Johns (her favorite) from Leon's event and fell right alseep on our ride out to the farm. This left for quality Mr and Mrs time riding in the car. We mostly talked about the imminent arrival of the boy and of course politics :) When we got there, Ellie was so excited to see the baby cows. One was named Trick and the other Treat. She wanted to touch their shiny, wet noses. She was even able to feed them.

After we loved on the cows a bit, mission: find the perfect pumpkin began. We carted Ellsie away in her little wagon and headed out to the patch. This was much different from the southern California pumpkin patches I described earlier. It was dirty and thorny and all the pumpkins were still on the vine. Leon's attire was a bit of a hindrance, which left the dirty work to Mama and Elle. We pushed through all of the pokies to find our perfect little pumpkin. Ellie loved it and gave it a big hug and a kiss. When we checked out the lady gave us a little white pumpkin for baby Jet. Ellie was so excited to give this to the baby haha. I love her.

Well, we now have our little pumpkin from straight off the vine that we can't wait to carve and light up.

Happy Halloween.

A Birth Story

October 26, 2012

What a beautiful day.

The heavens opened and sent us another angel and we couldn't be happier.

Here is how it happened.

I went in to see Dr. H Thursday afternoon, fully expecting her to strip my membranes and put me into labor that night. So I went in and she told me i was 90% effaced and 4-5 cm dilated. Seriously, what is my problem? 4-5 cm...that is like 2 inches. Why in the world has my water not broken? So, she stripped away and I left hopeful. Ellie and I went out to Pink berry and the park. I wanted to relish in her last day as an only child.

That night I spent the entire night waiting. I couldn't help but hope the contractions would start at any moment. I finally fell asleep and to my disappointment woke up for my regular bathroom intervals with no pain whatsoever. Boo. I was feeling so discouraged. It was like I was failing at going into labor. I could tell Leon was hopeful too and I felt like I had even let him down by not succeeding to start labor that night. We woke up early that next morning and went for a walk down the street and through the cemetery near our house. It was cold and the air was brisk. Perfect fall morning to say the least. The leaves were changing all around us, which kind of fit our lives at the moment and the street was somewhat silent, which made for a perfect environment to share with my Mr. We decided that we would go ahead and call Dr. H that morning to take her up on the offer she had made to induce me the day before. Mind you I was very hesitant having just finished the Business of Being Born Documentaries. I know it's silly. I was just worried being induced before 40 weeks had a bad wrap. It kind of screams wimp and I did not want to be a wimp.

I called and was told to come in at 11am. This was so weird to me because it was so different from what happened with Ellie. Something in me fully expects to make the early morning hospital drive because labor had started that night. But here it was late morning and I was driving to the hospital not even in active labor. But whatever, at least I was getting this baby out.

So we got to the hospital and were shown to birthing room four. I took it all in as I settled, knowing that my life would change forever in this little room. I undressed and talked to the nurse. She was very chatty and thought she needed to explain everything to me. I told her I was a PA and she continued to ask me if I was familiar with the 1-10 pain scale and gave me a full on lecture on how oxytocin works. Seriously? Yes, seriously. Anyway, finally and thankfully Dr. H shows up and starts the digital exam. She looks at me confused and asks, "Do you want to guess how dialated you are?" Then goes on to tell me that I am 7-8 cm and 100% effaced. We decided that she would go ahead and break my water.   

Hospital Bag

Going to the Hospital

Then she told me that the process would be fast and told me if I wanted an epidural I needed to get one now. I had been entertaining the idea of natural child birth since Elle was born. I didn't have anything to prove, I just wanted to know what it felt like. I didn't read any books or take any classes so I was unsure if I was mentally prepared or not. Lots of people do it, right? I mean women since the beginning of time have been doing it, it can't be that bad. I can do it too.

Well, it was worse, much, much worse. I never though pain like that was possible. It came on gradually and it was hard at first, but I would just close my eyes and imagine I was the ocean and each contraction was a wave that would build up and release. This helped until it got worse. I didn't want anyone talking to me, touching me, or telling me what to do. And for some reason every person in the room was doing all three of those things (except Leon of course he must have been scared out of his mind). I was so unsure of what to do. I mean I had no IV, no fetal monitors, no blood pressure cuff, nothing attached to my body whatsoever, but I couldn't even imagine moving positions or walking around. I eventually tried different positions but nothing helped with this awful pain. 

Then came the question of when do I push. With Ellie the nurses and doctor were monitoring my contractions and they just told me when to push, but this time around I was doing everything myself and I had no idea what I was doing. The doctor said I would just know when to push which meant nothing to me. Then all of a sudden I understood. I couldn't help but push. Yet it was so painful I could feel myself holding back. I was so scared of the pain that I decided to prolong it haha. I was literally screaming and crying and yelling, "I can't do this". Then the doctor was yelling at me "Yes you can Brittany. You can do this" I felt like I was in trouble from my teacher, and I just wanted to say sorry. I finally decided to just push this child out.

 I pushed. And I pushed. And I could see his head crowing. This is the most amazing thing one will ever see. I love having a mirror when I deliver because I would hate to miss this moment. The moment when you see your child for the first time. His little perfectly round head was the cause of so much pain but I just had to see more. His head finally came out. Then the shoulders, one by one and the rest just slid out. After 2 hours of labor and 15 min of pushing we had ourselves a baby.

They grabbed him and put him directly on my chest. I was shaking from the pain. I was crying from the pain and excitement of meeting my son. At this point I thought that you were supposed to feel good. I was in so much pain still. I felt like a train had just demolished my lower. I just wanted to crawl up and die. But then I looked at him. And he made it all better. I would never wish a natural birth on my worst enemy, but little brother was wide awake looking right into my eyes practically just enveloping himself in my heart. 

He looked just like Ellie, which for some reason made me love him more. His little round head and face reminded me so much of his big sissy. Then I saw his little toes. They were exactly like his Daddy's. I think that is one of my favorite things about him. I love that he is my little Leon. I love every part of him.

This is how Daddy felt

This is how Mommy felt

This is how Mom felt after there was food.

Jet Van Johnson was born at 2:01 pm October 26, 2012

8 pounds 10.6 ounces

21 inches long

Maternity Shoot

And we finally found time to do a maternity shoot. This is proof why most people don't take maternity pictures at 39 weeks, but Holli is so talented that they turned out beautiful anyway. I am fully in love with the beautiful fall leaves, so we decided to capture the season at the cemetery near our house (they have the best leaves). Kind of "circle of life", but also a little Halloween themed right? Whatever at least we got it done xo.

Baby boy is doing great. He has decided to stay right where he is for another week. I'm 39 weeks and one day and off to the doctor again for another check up this afternoon. She decided not to strip my membranes last week because she felt it was not good care. In other words she delivered one baby monday, two tuesday, and one that morning and she didn't want another one that night. Well, kind of.

He was only 38 and 0, plus he is a little white boy so its a good idea to give his lungs a little more time to develop. It's ok though because we wanted to wait for Mimi anyway. But lets be honest here, the last few weeks of pregnancy are not luxurious. They are awful and I am so ready to be done. I can't wait to run again. I know that is kind of weird, but I would give anything to feel exhausted from working my legs, the blood pumping through my chest, and the breathless sting in my lungs. Maybe thats why Im considering going natural for this boy boy. We will see how that turns out because I'm kind of a baby and I don't have anything to prove I just honestly want to try it.

Ellie also got a few shots in. Ok, the majority of the pics are of the princess. But with a face like that it's hard for the camera to catch anything else. She has had so much fun the past few weeks. We have tried to keep busy and enjoy the New England sunshine before it's gone. She has been to multiple birthday parties, had play dates at the park, got to feed the duckies on the river, and go on hay rides. We love Boston in the fall but are already looking forward to Christmas in California ;) I think she is finally ready for her brother. She asked me the other day when the baby was coming out of my tummy and if it would come out in the tub. Um probably not baby girl lol at least I hope not. She loves babies still and I have no doubt she will be a great big sister.

Ward Halloween Party

First and foremost: yes, I'm still pregnant. The worst part is that contractions have basically stopped and boy boy has decided he is just fine right there in my uterus. Really little boy? You are going to put me through pain for the past six weeks and make me worry that you will be too early and then when it is time for you to make your appearance you are all of the sudden fine? Boys are so fickle...just like Daddy lol.  So, I guess he is just waiting for Mimi's arrival and inevitably so am I.

Second, our ward Halloween party was last night. This year we decided to channel our inner cougar. Not too hard since our family bleeds blue. I remember when I was seven I had a BYU cheerleader costume and went trick or treating as a dead cheerleader. Gross, right? Well, my child is not the scary type so we just went with a cute BYU cheerleader. Dad was a football player and I was the referee (baby boy would have been the football, but he has not made his arrival quite yet). It was quite the ordeal to get Elle ready for the party. All she wanted to do was to put on a minnie mouse costume. Duh, right? I should have seen that one coming. But since when did my baby get big enough to choose what she wants to be for halloween? After much coaxing and bribing (which included letting her paint Daddy's face), she finally gave in. I was so excited to be able to get her all ready. I had this image in my head of her sitting in the sink while I did her make-up and painted her face...why do things never work out as planned? All she wanted to do was play monster with Daddy. 

Ellie "Dad zoo be monster and I be little girl"

Dad "raaaaaar!"

Ellie "Ahhhhhhh!" runs away screaming and flinging her arms.

Ellie "Dad, I be monster and zoo be little girl"

I love when Leon comes home from school at a decent hour, but he gets this little girl jumping off the walls. She CANNOT get enough of her Daddy. I love how much they love each other.

Anyways, with Daddy's help we made it out the door and joined the Belmont first ward Halloween festivities. We ate hot dogs, salad, and cupcakes. I kind of miss the chili tradition of my home ward but what do you do? We played games, colored, read stories, and bounced in the jump house. Then we headed home safe and sound. Are we ready for the big night on Oct 31? Yes. Has Ellie been begging for candy and saying "Trick or Treat Mom"? Of course. Will this baby get out of my belly so we can finally have our little football? Only time will tell.