Weeks 21, 22 & 23

Playing Catch Up...

2 Weeks...

7 lbs 2 oz   20 inches

Eats every 3 hours

Sleeps like a champ

Smiles in his sleep

Wakes up 1 to 2 times a night

Loves to snuggle

Talented Pooper

We love him!

He's Here...

William James Anderson

May 7, 2012

6 lbs 15 oz   19 in

12:16 pm

I can't believe he is here. Today was supposed to be the day but he decided to come a few days early.

Birth Story:

I have been having braxton hicks contractions since I was 20 weeks pregnant. It was something so new to me because with the girls I never experienced them before. I started having serious contractions and lots of cramping and pain starting on April 29th. I was contracting every 10 minutes for about 4 hours. I really thought I was going to have him then. For the next week I continued to have lots of cramping and pain in my incision from my previous c-sections. My doctor put me on bed rest on Wednesday the 2nd until I hit 38 weeks on the 5th. She said if the contractions came 5 minutes apart or if my water broke that I could go in. She wanted me to be at least a 3 with contractions before she would take me....that was my goal! All week I was resting and still having contractions every 15-20 minutes. When I hit 38 weeks I was ready to go. I had been foot zoned twice and ready to bring on labor (foot zoning was the best...google it!) I went walking and started cleaning the house. I was having contractions 5 minutes apart for about 2 hours. The first time I sat down they stopped. NOTHING...all day. I was so sad.

Monday May 7th:

I had an appointment at 9:45. I kept thinking that something was wrong because of all the pain I was having the previous week. I had all my bags packed and everything ready just in case I was a 3. I saw my doctor about 10:05 and to my disappointment I was a 2 and 20% effaced.  I explained to her about the pain and contractions. My doctor didn't seem to think it was a big deal but just to be cautious she sent me next door to labor and delivery. I was so sad and trying not to cry because I was so wanting to be a 3 and head over to have this baby. I thought I wasn't having any contractions and I just knew I would be going home in a few hours. 

The nurses hooked me up to an IV to hydrate me to help me feel better from my "braxton hicks" contractions. (I really think my doc thought I was faking it) A while later they hooked me up to the contraction monitors. The nurse came in about 20 minutes later and was shocked that my contractions were 5 minutes apart with 2 or 3 little ones in between. I didn't feel a thing. By this time I had already called Bodi and told him not to worry about coming. My mom was on her way to pick up the girls from school and a friends house to watching them while I was being observed. The next the next thing I know the nurse is running into my room with the anesthesiologist. She told me that we were going to the OR as soon as we could. They were asking me a ton of questions and making my sign my life away all while I was trying to get a hold of Bodi and let everyone know I wasn't going to be coming home anytime soon. 

Bodi got there about 5 minutes before we went back. We only had time to snap a picture and for him to put his cute scrubs. My doctor ran in and they wheeled me away about 11:45.

 Bodi was allowed in the ER while they did the spinal so it helped to keep me calm. Everything happened so fast. Before I knew we were under way. My heart skipped a beat when I heard a big gasp from my doctor and all the nurses. My uterus was stretched so thin that it was see through. (That is super dangerous) She tapped it with the scalpel and it burst. She told me that she was so glad they delivered me when they did because a few more hours with heavy contractions like I was having would have caused my uterus to burst and would have put myself and the baby in danger of death. 

At 12:16 he was born. My doctor thought it would be funny to say "It's a girl!" Bodi just about died! He had a little squeak of a cry. They brought him over to me for a second and then he and Bodi went off to check him out.

 He was just perfect! Bodi got to help give him his first bath and he really liked that. 

Daddy and William were waiting for me when they brought me to recovery. He was just the sweetest thing I had ever seen!

 I am so glad that my Mom already had the girls so they were there within a few minutes of my surgery. They were so excited to see him! Laynie couldn't stop touching him and all Sophie wanted to do was kiss him!

 Our 1st family photo...we are a family of 5! 

Here he is in his car seat for the ride home. He fell right to sleep!

Nothing about this pregnancy or birth were the norm for me. I can't stop thinking about what could have happened differently. We were defiantly being watched over. We are so blessed and I am so grateful he his here and we are all safe and healthy. 

We just love this little guy!

38 Weeks...

How far along? 38 weeks

Total weight gain? I have not gained as much as I thought I would. 30 lbs. 

Stretch marks?  Still no stretch marks! 

Sleep: Sleep is harder and harder to get. I think I am starting to get used to it. I just wish my body didn't hurt so bad.

Best moment this week: My best friend Abby took some maternity pictures of me out at the orchards at This is The Place. They turned out so great!

Baby Movement: He is still so wiggly! He loves to play the drums on my ribs...especially at night when I am trying to sleep. 

Food cravings: I want to eat ice cream all the time. I think about it all day and dream about it at night.

Gender: Boy

Labor signs: I have been having steady contractions since 37 weeks. They have been about 20-15 minutes apart for a week. I was dilated to a 1 1/2 so my doctor put me on bed rest for 3 days to make it to 38 weeks. Once I made it to 38 weeks my contractions suddenly stopped (for a day). They are starting to pick up again. Hopefully tomorrow I am dilated to a 3 so we can have a baby!

Belly button in or out? Still in... well flat is more like it. I thought for sure it would poke out this time.

Getting ready for baby? Finally having everything ready. I got my car seat and stroller. I finally finished sewing my bumper and have all the decorations hanging. Everything is washed and waiting for his arrival. I have packed and repacked the diaper bag and my bags. I don't know if I could be more ready!

Looking Forward to? I can't wait until my doctors appointment tomorrow morning. I will get to find out if I will have him then or wait until the 12th.  I am dying to meet this little guy and hold him!

Week 15 & 16...

35 Weeks...

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain? I have gained a decent amount of weight. I finally am where I need to be...but not going to tell!

Stretch marks?  Still no stretch marks! 

Sleep: Sleep is hard to get. I have pillows all around me but I still have a hard time getting comfortable. The worst is that I end up on my back while I am sleeping and then I wake up because I can't breath. Only 4 weeks to go then I will get no sleep because of my sweet baby!

Best moment this week:  My friends Annie Wright and Heather Barnes threw me a baby shower. So many of my neighborhood friends came to support baby William. We got so many cute things for this baby boy! 

Baby Movement: He is so squished in my tummy but that doesn't stop him from moving all over. He is all the way up in my ribs and down low. I think he is going to be a gymnast by the way he moves.

Food cravings: I am not really craving anything in particular these days. I do have a hard time staying away from the sweets.

Gender: Boy

Labor signs: The Braxton Hicks are still hourly but I can deal with those but so far no other signs.

Symptoms: The rib pain has only gotten worse. I just keep telling myself that this is almost over and then the pain will be gone! I have been getting bad charley horses in my feet and cramps in my legs. They are awful but thankfully Bodi is usually there to help me through them. 

Belly button in or out? Still in...I'm not sure how long that will last.

Getting ready for baby? We are just about ready for this little guy. His room is 98% ready. His bedding is done and most of the decorations are set. All his new clothes and blankets are washed and in his dresser. We finally bought some diapers and wipes. I made his car seat cover and love it. If he came now we would be more than ready!

Looking Forward to? I am really looking forward to meeting this sweet baby. My doctor lets me go a week early so I really only have 4 weeks or less. I have an ultra sound next week and can't wait to find out how big he is!

Baby Shower...

My cute friends Annie and Heather threw me a neighborhood baby show this week. My girls and I were so excited! They did such a great job with the decorations and the yummy treats. 

Sophie and her friends were my helpers. They were helping me open presents and loving every second.

 I was so overwhelmed by how generous all my friends were. We got so many cute things for our little guy. For the first time I was excited about boy clothes.

 This is what happened to our living room after the girls went through all the gifts and helped me to "organize".

Thanks to my amazing friends little William can official come now that we are stocked up on boy supplies!

Easter Celebrations...

We love to celebrate holidays at our house. Easter is no exception. We had spring break this last week so we took advantage of the time to do lots of activities. We did the 7 days of Easter all week with the girls. We ready from the scriptures about Christ's last week on earth and about the true meaning of the holiday. 

We started off the week having a glow in the dark egg hunt with our friends the Wrights. The kids went nuts for it! It will for sure be a new tradition.

 We dyed eggs...always a family favorite!

We also made little bird nest treats.

On Saturday we had our neighborhood egg hunt in the morning....

and a family egg hunt and party at my Dads. The girls have sooooooo much candy! {Mom is lovin it!}

On Sunday morning the Easter Bunny came to bring the girls some fun things.

Then it was the best part of the day...church! The girls looked darling in their Easter dresses and all of the lessons at church were just the thing to remind us of the true meaning of Easter!

So excited that our next "holiday" is William's birthday! Can't wait! 

Week 14...

Week 13...

Week 12...

The Big 30...

I can't believe I finally turned 30! I was having a hard time with it being that I was 31 weeks pregnant and not feeling "30, Flirty and Thriving" But my sweet family made it a super fun weekend for me.

The girls woke me up and took me out for a yummy pancake breakfast. They had cards and presents for me! 

My Mom surprised me with a new serger. I was so excited and scared at the same time! She showed me how to use it so I'm not scared anymore.

Bodi  surprised me again with new posts and pans. I have been wanting some for the longest time and now I feel like a real cook!

On Friday night Bodi planned a birthday dinner for me. He invited tons of friends and family to Bucca De Pepo in SLC. I love this place! The food was amazing and it was great to be with everyone. Bodi had a whole presentation prepared with pictures and funny stories. It was great!

I think I am going to like being 30. {I keep telling myself that!}

Week 11...