So after all of this posting about cesareans--you can tell that there's one (well, two) things on my mind right now--what is the resolution?
::
One day I was at a playground with two of my children and had just become pregnant with Isaiah. I believe that I was 7 or 8 weeks along. A grandma came onto the playground; she had two children with her. One was a healthy two year old girl and the other child was an older boy. I think he was 4 or 5 at the time. He was laying in the stroller, clearly disabled and unresponsive. He was still in diapers. I asked what his name was and then what his story was. She told me his name and then told me MY labor story with Morgan but it didn't end with a cesarean. It ended with many more hours of labor, heart decelerations, and a vacuum and forceps delivery. He has severe cerebral palsy as a result. My heart was racing--I knew that God sent her to me to ease my mind and stop my emotional difficulty. He told me to let it go. I listened to Him.
::
I figure that every woman who is alive and of child bearing age has her own reproductive cross to carry. Some women cannot become pregnant. Some women need assistance to become pregnant. Some women miscarry. Some women are sick throughout their pregnancy. Some women end up with bedrest. Some women have agonizing labor and deliveries. Some end up with a cesarean delivery. Some suffer postpartum depression. Some have difficulty nursing or producing the amount of milk that is necessary to feed their babies.
A cesarean is my little cross. It's easy for me to become pregnant, easy for me to remain pregnant, and while pregnancy is not a picnic, it ends as it should--with a healthy baby. And nursing is a breeze. So if that's the worst it gets for me, I think that's a light cross to carry and I'll happily carry it and offer up this small suffering for mothers who have it much worse than I do.
::
So we use NFP carefully to space our pregnancies farther apart than some couples do. I consider, with each pregnancy, that this just might be our last baby and treat the experience as such--that is, I try to cherish each thump, each kick, each roll, and then every little newborn thing. I am so very grateful to God for blessing us not one but FIVE times!
::
There are perks, too!
1. A cesarean is on a planned date at a planned time and so far, we haven't delivered early. The kids go to Grandpa and Grandma's house the night before and we're off.
2. No labor--no wondering whether it's time to head for the hospital or waiting, waiting, waiting for those contractions to finally start. It doesn't matter whether baby is 9 pounds or 5 pounds; the surgery will be the same.
::
Do you have a story to share?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Planned Cesarean Details
What happens in a planned cesarean? Here is Isaiah's birth story.
On the morning of a planned cesarean, we wake at 4 a.m. We need to be at the hospital at 5:30, which is two hours before the surgery is scheduled to begin.
After a quick check-in, we are shown to a labor and delivery room. The nurses hook monitors up and we listen to Baby's heartbeat for two hours. They watch him and monitor him to make sure everything seems normal. I can hear some poor mother moaning in the next room. My heart aches for her because I know what labor feels like.
The phlebotomist comes in to take blood. The anesthesiologist comes in to discuss our options. I tell him that an oxygen mask over my face will make me feel panicky. He agrees to put tubes under my nose instead. The nurse shaves my abdomen and swabs me all over with iodine. Another nurse comes in to start an IV. I sign several forms. We watch the sun rise over the city and know that our baby will be here soon.
At 7:00, the nurse has Jeremy get into scrubs. We walk down to the operating room and I see that there are already four people milling around. One nurse supports me in a sort of bear hug as the anesthesiologist inserts the needle into my spine for the spinal. After the spinal has set in and I have reminded the seven people milling around to cover my exposed body, the nurses insert a catheter. They put my body on wedges so that I am inclined slightly to one side. They put monitors on my chest and spread my arms as if I'm the letter T and attach them to the table. The screen goes up. They ask if I'd like a mirror to see Baby's birth? (No way, Jose!) I can hear my heart pounding away over the monitors and I wonder if anyone else notices how odd it sounds. I'm nervous and that usually means I have PVCs--a benign but irregular heartbeat. No one seems concerned.
My doctor arrives and then the surgeon arrives. When they are sure that I am numb, they begin. I hear only the chatter of the surgical team and feel very little for several minutes and then the tugging begins. My body jerks around a little. Then it feels like someone is sitting on my chest. Just when I think it'll go on forever, I can suddenly take a deep breath and I hear Baby's cries and it's almost over! Surgery started at 7:30 and it's 7:36. I've got an excellent surgeon, folks. They take the oxygen off of my face and release my arms.
They hold the baby up and take him over to be cleaned. My doctor brings him to me almost immediately and it is good to see him in all of his wailing glory. I cry. I can hear the surgical team finishing their work, counting tools, and suctioning.
At 8:00, Jeremy, the baby, and our doctor disappear to the nursery. After a short bout with dry heaving which is miraculously cured with something into the IV, I head to recovery. Jeremy and the baby come to recovery and the nurses tell me that I can begin breastfeeding. But I'm not sitting up yet and I know that I'll be moved into a room soon. I ask how long and they say about 15 or 20 minutes. So with Jeremy's help, I hold the baby and talk to him. I'd rather wait to nurse when I'm in my own room with nowhere else to go (it's a good thing, too, because that first nursing session lasted over an hour).
12 hours later, the nurse helps me into the chair next to the bed. It's good for me to move because my rear end is really starting to hurt from sitting in bed. First thing the next morning, all of the tubes come out and I walk to the bathroom for the first time, use the toilet, and take a shower. We go home on the fourth day.
On the morning of a planned cesarean, we wake at 4 a.m. We need to be at the hospital at 5:30, which is two hours before the surgery is scheduled to begin.
After a quick check-in, we are shown to a labor and delivery room. The nurses hook monitors up and we listen to Baby's heartbeat for two hours. They watch him and monitor him to make sure everything seems normal. I can hear some poor mother moaning in the next room. My heart aches for her because I know what labor feels like.
The phlebotomist comes in to take blood. The anesthesiologist comes in to discuss our options. I tell him that an oxygen mask over my face will make me feel panicky. He agrees to put tubes under my nose instead. The nurse shaves my abdomen and swabs me all over with iodine. Another nurse comes in to start an IV. I sign several forms. We watch the sun rise over the city and know that our baby will be here soon.
At 7:00, the nurse has Jeremy get into scrubs. We walk down to the operating room and I see that there are already four people milling around. One nurse supports me in a sort of bear hug as the anesthesiologist inserts the needle into my spine for the spinal. After the spinal has set in and I have reminded the seven people milling around to cover my exposed body, the nurses insert a catheter. They put my body on wedges so that I am inclined slightly to one side. They put monitors on my chest and spread my arms as if I'm the letter T and attach them to the table. The screen goes up. They ask if I'd like a mirror to see Baby's birth? (No way, Jose!) I can hear my heart pounding away over the monitors and I wonder if anyone else notices how odd it sounds. I'm nervous and that usually means I have PVCs--a benign but irregular heartbeat. No one seems concerned.
My doctor arrives and then the surgeon arrives. When they are sure that I am numb, they begin. I hear only the chatter of the surgical team and feel very little for several minutes and then the tugging begins. My body jerks around a little. Then it feels like someone is sitting on my chest. Just when I think it'll go on forever, I can suddenly take a deep breath and I hear Baby's cries and it's almost over! Surgery started at 7:30 and it's 7:36. I've got an excellent surgeon, folks. They take the oxygen off of my face and release my arms.
They hold the baby up and take him over to be cleaned. My doctor brings him to me almost immediately and it is good to see him in all of his wailing glory. I cry. I can hear the surgical team finishing their work, counting tools, and suctioning.
At 8:00, Jeremy, the baby, and our doctor disappear to the nursery. After a short bout with dry heaving which is miraculously cured with something into the IV, I head to recovery. Jeremy and the baby come to recovery and the nurses tell me that I can begin breastfeeding. But I'm not sitting up yet and I know that I'll be moved into a room soon. I ask how long and they say about 15 or 20 minutes. So with Jeremy's help, I hold the baby and talk to him. I'd rather wait to nurse when I'm in my own room with nowhere else to go (it's a good thing, too, because that first nursing session lasted over an hour).
12 hours later, the nurse helps me into the chair next to the bed. It's good for me to move because my rear end is really starting to hurt from sitting in bed. First thing the next morning, all of the tubes come out and I walk to the bathroom for the first time, use the toilet, and take a shower. We go home on the fourth day.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Cearean Birth
Inspired by Morgan over at Adventures in Diapering and Beyond, I am attempting a post on cesarean birth. There's a lot more to it than you might think--it's more than a surgery and more than a birth. I've had four cesarean deliveries and am heading toward my fifth. Why write about this now? Anticipating this upcoming birth has got my stomach in knots and I'm way more worried than I should be. *Note: this is probably the same feeling many of you experience when anticipating labor and delivery! I wrote this post several days ago and am not so "knotted" up now. :)
Where do I start?
When I was pregnant with Morgan, my oldest, I anticipated labor followed by pushing and a nice, natural birth. After all, I was born with these great birthing hips and couldn't think of a good reason why I shouldn't be able to squeeze a baby out of them. I never, never imagined the possibility of a cesarean delivery. My water broke at 4 in the morning after a night of mild labor and we headed to the hospital. By 9 a.m. I was asking for my doula and by noon I wanted my mother. By 3:00, when the contractions were coming 30 second apart and I was still only 5 cm, my doctor suggested an epidural so that I could relax a little. Shortly after the epidural was put in, the pain melted away and I was ready to go again. But Morgan's heart rate began to dip with each contraction. When it dropped low enough to scare him, my doctor went for a second opinion and as my mother walked into the room, I was told that the baby needed to come out NOW and that I would need a cesarean to make it happen.
Things started to happen quickly. The nurses prepped my tummy for delivery and I signed form after form. I was wheeled down to the operating room where an OB/GYN whom I didn't know (my doctor is family practice) began the surgery. Soon Morgan was out in all of her wailing glory.
I wasn't prepared for the feeling of failure that came with Morgan's birth. So while I was struggling with a body that didn't do what it was supposed to, I was flogging myself for feeling that way. I had a healthy baby, didn't I?
When Morgan was five months old, we found out that we were expecting another baby. I was geared up for a VBAC when we visited our doctor. He said that rules and regulations had just changed and that in order for me to have a VBAC, there would have to be an OB/GYN in the hospital the whole time I was laboring. I went to a maternal-fetal specialist for a consult. He told us the risks of VBAC. The chances are that 1 woman in 50 will experience uterine rupture during an attempted VBAC. Because our pregnancies were so close together, my risks were higher. I didn't want to be that 1 in 50, so much to my dismay and with me feeling like a complete failure, we scheduled our second cesarean.
Madeleine was born 13 months after Morgan. The recovery from her cesarean was easy and went well. When she was five weeks old, I began jogging.
When she was eight months old, we found out that Noah was on the way. By the time he was born, I'd had three cesareans in 29 months. The recovery from his birth was not sweet nor was it easy. I don't know if it's because I had three children under 2 1/2 or because of the proximity of my cesareans. I don't know if it was a fluke. There was something on my left side that pulled and hurt and required an ice pack every two hours for several months. A year later, that stinging, pulling feeling finally started to fade.
Using Natural Family Planning, we were able to put a bigger space between our children. We wanted more children, we just wanted to give my poor body a chance to recover between surgeries. Noah was 2 1/2 when Isaiah was born.
Before Isaiah's mouth had been suctioned, he was crying. I could hear him gurgling and then wailing as they delivered him! My surgeon (the maternal-fetal specialist) removed scar tissue, closed me, and sent me on my way. For the first two weeks after Isaiah was born, I felt great. But a few weeks after he was born, the same pain set in that I had experienced after Noah's birth. It was intense this time. If I stood for too long or walked more than a block, I had to sit with an ice pack again. It went on for months. Ice and ibuprofen helped, but even now, almost three years later, I can still feel a twinge inside of me--in a corner of the incision--if I exert myself too much.
Now we're racing toward our fifth cesarean, our fifth child. I've had a consult with the same maternal-fetal specialist who delivered Madeleine, Noah, and Isaiah. I told him about the after pain and he asked me to remind him of it the morning of surgery so that he was aware and could look for a problem and also work to avoid a potential problem or recurrence.
So I've been humbly praying for a good, quick recovery from this child's birth. I don't want the recovery to dampen her newborn phase.
Next ... what is a planned cesarean like?
Where do I start?
When I was pregnant with Morgan, my oldest, I anticipated labor followed by pushing and a nice, natural birth. After all, I was born with these great birthing hips and couldn't think of a good reason why I shouldn't be able to squeeze a baby out of them. I never, never imagined the possibility of a cesarean delivery. My water broke at 4 in the morning after a night of mild labor and we headed to the hospital. By 9 a.m. I was asking for my doula and by noon I wanted my mother. By 3:00, when the contractions were coming 30 second apart and I was still only 5 cm, my doctor suggested an epidural so that I could relax a little. Shortly after the epidural was put in, the pain melted away and I was ready to go again. But Morgan's heart rate began to dip with each contraction. When it dropped low enough to scare him, my doctor went for a second opinion and as my mother walked into the room, I was told that the baby needed to come out NOW and that I would need a cesarean to make it happen.
Things started to happen quickly. The nurses prepped my tummy for delivery and I signed form after form. I was wheeled down to the operating room where an OB/GYN whom I didn't know (my doctor is family practice) began the surgery. Soon Morgan was out in all of her wailing glory.
I wasn't prepared for the feeling of failure that came with Morgan's birth. So while I was struggling with a body that didn't do what it was supposed to, I was flogging myself for feeling that way. I had a healthy baby, didn't I?
When Morgan was five months old, we found out that we were expecting another baby. I was geared up for a VBAC when we visited our doctor. He said that rules and regulations had just changed and that in order for me to have a VBAC, there would have to be an OB/GYN in the hospital the whole time I was laboring. I went to a maternal-fetal specialist for a consult. He told us the risks of VBAC. The chances are that 1 woman in 50 will experience uterine rupture during an attempted VBAC. Because our pregnancies were so close together, my risks were higher. I didn't want to be that 1 in 50, so much to my dismay and with me feeling like a complete failure, we scheduled our second cesarean.
Madeleine was born 13 months after Morgan. The recovery from her cesarean was easy and went well. When she was five weeks old, I began jogging.
When she was eight months old, we found out that Noah was on the way. By the time he was born, I'd had three cesareans in 29 months. The recovery from his birth was not sweet nor was it easy. I don't know if it's because I had three children under 2 1/2 or because of the proximity of my cesareans. I don't know if it was a fluke. There was something on my left side that pulled and hurt and required an ice pack every two hours for several months. A year later, that stinging, pulling feeling finally started to fade.
Using Natural Family Planning, we were able to put a bigger space between our children. We wanted more children, we just wanted to give my poor body a chance to recover between surgeries. Noah was 2 1/2 when Isaiah was born.
Before Isaiah's mouth had been suctioned, he was crying. I could hear him gurgling and then wailing as they delivered him! My surgeon (the maternal-fetal specialist) removed scar tissue, closed me, and sent me on my way. For the first two weeks after Isaiah was born, I felt great. But a few weeks after he was born, the same pain set in that I had experienced after Noah's birth. It was intense this time. If I stood for too long or walked more than a block, I had to sit with an ice pack again. It went on for months. Ice and ibuprofen helped, but even now, almost three years later, I can still feel a twinge inside of me--in a corner of the incision--if I exert myself too much.
Now we're racing toward our fifth cesarean, our fifth child. I've had a consult with the same maternal-fetal specialist who delivered Madeleine, Noah, and Isaiah. I told him about the after pain and he asked me to remind him of it the morning of surgery so that he was aware and could look for a problem and also work to avoid a potential problem or recurrence.
So I've been humbly praying for a good, quick recovery from this child's birth. I don't want the recovery to dampen her newborn phase.
Next ... what is a planned cesarean like?
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Simple Woman's Daybook Volume 37
FOR TODAY... January 25, 2010I am thinking ... about how we will have a new baby in this house in less than 4 weeks. It seems almost unreal some days! I can't wait to meet her.
I am thankful for ... Tylenol
I am wearing ... jeans, a T-shirt, wool socks and mocs, a zip up hoodie, and a baby girl with her heels under my ribs.
I am remembering ... to give extra cuddles to my two year old and to my other children.
I am going ... to keep plugging away at my very long To-Do list.
I am currently reading ... Reasons to Believe by Scott Hahn.
I am hoping ... for weather which leaves our streets navigable and doesn't break my husband's back (read: very little snow and ice).
On my mind ... this upcoming cesarean. This will be my fifth. Worrying about it kept me up until 1:30 this morning. I laid in bed and thought too much about it, worried too much about the pain afterward, the length of recovery, and possible complications. I worry how I'll tuck my kids in for naps (climbing stairs), how I'll keep up with laundry (more stairs), and how my body will react to yet another major abdominal surgery. My heart was pounding and I felt like crying. I say this not for sympathy but simply to state it. I'm so frustrated with my inability to control this fear. I need to remember to look forward to this new baby and not so much the way in which she will arrive. After all, it is out of my control and I need to remember that it's in God's hands.
Noticing that ... time is beginning to pass rather quickly. I'll be holding this baby before I know it!
Pondering these words ... "Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me and I will give you rest."
From the kitchen ... it's clean. Do I really have to cook stuff?
Around the house ... Having conquered the laundry (mostly), I'm working on cleaning, straightening, and rearranging the mess of a toy room that we have in our basement.
One of my favorite things ... on a shallower note, my iPod Touch.
From my picture journal...
::
Remember to visit Peggy,
our gracious host!
::Remember to visit Peggy,
our gracious host!
Friday, January 22, 2010
7 Quick Takes Friday Volume 20
7 Things I'll Miss When My Kids Grow Up
Part 2
Part 2
1. Toothless smiles from an infant
2. Semi-toothless Jack-O-Lantern smiles from grade schoolers
3. Wiggles from tickling
4. School age children running across the playground excited to see me after the school day is over
5. The 7 year old leaving a note for the Tooth Fairy asking whether her name is Penelope
6. The 2 year old hanging his head and crossing his arms when he is chastised or doesn't get his way
7. Awe in the little things in nature such as bubbles and bugs
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Let Me Bore You With Me....
I Received this in an e-mail from a friend. If you post it on your own blog, let me know so that I can come over to read it!
::
Describe yourself with one word.
::
Where is your cell phone? Purse
Significant other? Jeremy
Your hair? Brown
Your mother? Medicine
Your father? Photographer
Your favorite thing? Music
Your dream last night? Weird
Your favorite drink? DietMountainDew
Your dream/goal? Heaven
What room are you in? Family
Favorite hobby? Mom
Your fear? Temptation
Where do you want to be in six years? Napping
Where were you last night? Starbucks
Something that you aren't? Gossipy
Muffins? Yuck
Wish list item? Health
Lat thing you did? Laundry
What are you wearing? Baby
TV Program? Survivor
Pet? NotinthishouseEVER
Friends? Yes!
Your life? Miracle
Your mood? Pregnant
Missing someone? Usually
Drinking? Coffee
Your car? Green
Something you're not wearing? Coat
Your favorite store? Target
Your favorite color? Blue
Where do you want to go over and over? Church/Mass
Your favorite place to eat? Fireworks
Favorite place away from home? Colorado
::
Describe yourself with one word.
::
Where is your cell phone? Purse
Significant other? Jeremy
Your hair? Brown
Your mother? Medicine
Your father? Photographer
Your favorite thing? Music
Your dream last night? Weird
Your favorite drink? DietMountainDew
Your dream/goal? Heaven
What room are you in? Family
Favorite hobby? Mom
Your fear? Temptation
Where do you want to be in six years? Napping
Where were you last night? Starbucks
Something that you aren't? Gossipy
Muffins? Yuck
Wish list item? Health
Lat thing you did? Laundry
What are you wearing? Baby
TV Program? Survivor
Pet? NotinthishouseEVER
Friends? Yes!
Your life? Miracle
Your mood? Pregnant
Missing someone? Usually
Drinking? Coffee
Your car? Green
Something you're not wearing? Coat
Your favorite store? Target
Your favorite color? Blue
Where do you want to go over and over? Church/Mass
Your favorite place to eat? Fireworks
Favorite place away from home? Colorado
The Simple Woman's Daybook Volume 36
FOR TODAY... January 20, 2010Outside my window... it's cloudy and rainy with lots of ice everywhere.
I am thinking... that there is no perfect political party to which I can belong. None of my beliefs line up with the Democratic platform. The Green party is much too liberal. Many of my beliefs line up with the Republican platform but I don't always like the way they work. I'm extremely conservative, both fiscally and socially. One thing is true: I love America.
I am thankful for... so many things. God has richly blessed us and continues to do so. We have family, a home in which to live, clothes to wear, food to eat, and reliable transportation. We have health and faith. I hope I would be as content if all of these things were lost.
I am wearing... wool socks, jeans, a blue shirt, fleece vest, and fleece jacket, and a baby girl around my waist (well, everywhere).
I am remembering... the overwhelming emotions, feelings, and relief that come with seeing my child for the first time in the delivery room. I can't wait! Only 30 days now.
I am going... to chip away at my list that is titled Things to do before the baby gets here.
I am hoping... for a speedy, easy recovery from this cesarean. In order to facilitate this, I firmly intend to do little or nothing for a few weeks after our baby is born.
On my mind... politics
Noticing that... time appears to be moving very quickly.
Around the house... the girls are at school and the boys are downstairs. I can hear their children's CD playing and I know they've got the railroad tracks out. I even called to Isaiah (2 1/2) to ask if he'd like me to read a book to him. He replied, "No. I playing."
One of my favorite things... A Vanilla Bean Frappuccino from Starbucks. Mmmmmmm. I only allow myself a few per year, as they are expensive and loaded with calories.
From my picture journal...
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Snow and Forts and Dragons, Oh My!
We gathered at my grandparents' home today to celebrate Eli and Sophie's 17th birthday. Grandma e-mailed ahead of time to have the kids bring outdoor clothes because Grandpa had a surprise for them. I thought maybe it was new kittens or some other farm animal. We spent the drive down guessing what it might be.
::
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story! Captions are beneath pictures.
Family relaxes in the living room after lunch. 
Grandpa and Jeremy visit. 
A SNOW FORT was the surprise! 
Grandpa hollowed out a pile of snow and the kids could go in and out. There were paths to run around on the lawn and the patio. Temperatures were excellent (40+ degrees) so it was good weather to play outside. 
Morgan peeks out of the North Pole. 
Madeleine stands beside the Pole. 
Isaiah greets TJ and Lady. 
Isaiah 
Morgan and Maddie go to visit the horses. The horses stopped eating their hay to come to the fence. They're accustomed to seeing the kids with corn or some other offering ... or they might just like the kids. 
Scene at the barn 
Isaiah 
Proof that there is indeed grass in Nebraska 
Noah climbs a snow hill. He's king of the mountain! 
Madeleine looks a little like a vampire with those two front teeth not quite grown in. It's cute. 
Here's Baby and me with a month to go. 
Morgan was fascinated with this drop of sap that had frozen on the tree outdoors. 
Noah, Maddie, and Morgan run around in the trees. 
Ross (neighbor) crawls in the North Pole. 
Jake, Eli, Leighton, Dad, and Grandpa look at Jake's pictures. Jake just returned from a two week vacation to England, his first airplane trip and his first trip overseas. 
Jeremy played outside for a couple hours (maybe more) with the kids. They built a fort around the North Pole complete with snowballs and a stockade from which to throw them. They also constructed a snow dragon to battle. The North Pole and fort are on the right, the dragon is on the left. I turned the brightness down so that detail could be seen. 
My grandparents work in the kitchen. My grandpa made this kitchen for my Grandma after he retired. 
Jake tells stories about England to Eli and Dad. 
Eli tickles Maddie. 
Brie takes pictures of the Snow Dragon. 
This is Jeremy's healm, complete with snowballs. The fog has just begun to roll in. 
Morgan made the smiley face. 
Grandpa brought red food coloring out for the dragon's eyes and mouth. Pinecones make its teeth, and it's got leaves for plates on its spine and pine needles for spikes around its head. 
Fog rolled in later in the afternoon and made for some very pretty scenery. Visibility was less than a mile and being outdoors was almost magical. It has been foggy like this here in Nebraska all week!
::
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story! Captions are beneath pictures.
Family relaxes in the living room after lunch. 
Grandpa and Jeremy visit. 
A SNOW FORT was the surprise! 
Grandpa hollowed out a pile of snow and the kids could go in and out. There were paths to run around on the lawn and the patio. Temperatures were excellent (40+ degrees) so it was good weather to play outside. 
Morgan peeks out of the North Pole. 
Madeleine stands beside the Pole. 
Isaiah greets TJ and Lady. 
Isaiah 
Morgan and Maddie go to visit the horses. The horses stopped eating their hay to come to the fence. They're accustomed to seeing the kids with corn or some other offering ... or they might just like the kids. 
Scene at the barn 
Isaiah 
Proof that there is indeed grass in Nebraska 
Noah climbs a snow hill. He's king of the mountain! 
Madeleine looks a little like a vampire with those two front teeth not quite grown in. It's cute. 
Here's Baby and me with a month to go. 
Morgan was fascinated with this drop of sap that had frozen on the tree outdoors. 
Noah, Maddie, and Morgan run around in the trees. 
Ross (neighbor) crawls in the North Pole. 
Jake, Eli, Leighton, Dad, and Grandpa look at Jake's pictures. Jake just returned from a two week vacation to England, his first airplane trip and his first trip overseas. 
Jeremy played outside for a couple hours (maybe more) with the kids. They built a fort around the North Pole complete with snowballs and a stockade from which to throw them. They also constructed a snow dragon to battle. The North Pole and fort are on the right, the dragon is on the left. I turned the brightness down so that detail could be seen. 
My grandparents work in the kitchen. My grandpa made this kitchen for my Grandma after he retired. 
Jake tells stories about England to Eli and Dad. 
Eli tickles Maddie. 
Brie takes pictures of the Snow Dragon. 
This is Jeremy's healm, complete with snowballs. The fog has just begun to roll in. 
Morgan made the smiley face. 
Grandpa brought red food coloring out for the dragon's eyes and mouth. Pinecones make its teeth, and it's got leaves for plates on its spine and pine needles for spikes around its head. 
Fog rolled in later in the afternoon and made for some very pretty scenery. Visibility was less than a mile and being outdoors was almost magical. It has been foggy like this here in Nebraska all week!
Friday, January 15, 2010
GO NAVY!
Source: Kitsap Sun
The USS Abraham Lincoln sails past Waterman Dock in Port Orchard on Wednesday. The aircraft carrier has been at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard since April. After about five days of sea trials, it will return to its homeport in Everett. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)
The USS Abraham Lincoln sails past Waterman Dock in Port Orchard on Wednesday. The aircraft carrier has been at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard since April. After about five days of sea trials, it will return to its homeport in Everett. (MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN)::::::::::
BREMERTON —
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard today after undergoing $250 million in maintenance and upgrades during the past nine months.
The ship, which arrived in Bremerton on April 17, will conduct sea trials, testing and training for about five days before returning to its home port of Naval Station Everett, spokesman Lt. Cmdr. William Marks said.
“Sea trials are a culmination of a year’s worth of diligent planning and hard work,” the Lincoln’s commanding officer, Capt. Patrick Hall, said in a news release. “Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Air Forces and the Lincoln crew really came together as a team to make this a successful maintenance period.”
Work on the Lincoln included replacing flooring, painting, renovating 30 berths, modernizing 11 heads, replacing the sound system, adding training areas and classrooms, replacing the ship’s four propellers with ones of a new design, updating self-defense weapons systems and galley equipment, and completely resurfacing the flight deck, Marks said.
The USS Abraham Lincoln leaves Bremerton on Wednesday to undergo sea trials before returning to its homeport of Everett. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)
“I’m extremely proud of what this crew has accomplished over the past year,” Hall said. “Lincoln is ready to become operational, execute our nation’s maritime strategy and rejoin the fleet as a global force for good.”
The Kitsap economy has benefitted from having two carriers, the Lincoln and John C. Stennis, in Bremerton since July. Each is staffed by about 2,700 sailors and has a payroll of about $400 million per year. About a third of the Lincoln’s sailors are single and lived in quarters at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, a third live in Everett and commuted on a contracted passenger ferry or the state ferries, and a third live in the Kitsap area, Marks said.
The Lincoln’s departure can only hurt business here.
“Intuitively, you would expect 2,700 people to have quite an impact, particularly on retail and maybe to some degree on housing,” said Bill Stewart, executive director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. “Particularly to a small retailer — a restaurant, a tavern, a movie theater — those places do make an impact. A loss of any business can hurt some folks, particularly in the (recessionary) times we’ve been in for some months.”
Steve Green, president of the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce, said losing a ship always has an impact.
“An emotional impact if nothing else,” he said. “Having them leave again, because we’re always glad to have them here. It’s one of the things we have to face living in this community."
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Diary of a Snow Shoveler
December 8, 6:00 p.m.
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our coffee and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from Heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. It was so romantic!
December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had! Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again! What a perfect life!
December 12
The sun has melted all of our lovely snow ... what a disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry; we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll ahve so much snow by the end of winter that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14
Snow, lovely snow! We got 8 inches last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize that I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and two extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my rear end on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like crazy. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17
Still waaay below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for five hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. Man, I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20
Electricity's back on but had another 14 inches of the stupid stuff last night. More shoveling! Took all day. The stupid snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they'r eout. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to go to the bathroom. By the time I undressed, did my business, and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying.
December 23
Only two inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she, nuts!? Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.
December 24
Six inches. Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch that son of a gun who drives that show plow, I'll drag him through the snow and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws show all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents but I was too busy watching for the cursed snowplow.
December 25
Merry merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the white slop tonight--snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. Man, I hate snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot! If I have to watch It's A Wonderful Life one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
December 26
STILL snowed in. Why on earth did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze. Plumber came after 14 hours of waiting and only charged me $1400 to replace all my pipes.
December 28
Warmed up to above -20! Still snowed in. My WIFE is driving me CRAZY!!!
December 29
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it's going to cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30
Roof caved in. I beat up the snowplow driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars, not only the beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel.... The wife went home to her mother. Nine more inches predicted
December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.
January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our coffee and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from Heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. It was so romantic!
December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had! Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again! What a perfect life!
December 12
The sun has melted all of our lovely snow ... what a disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry; we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll ahve so much snow by the end of winter that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14
Snow, lovely snow! We got 8 inches last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize that I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and two extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my rear end on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like crazy. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17
Still waaay below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for five hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. Man, I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20
Electricity's back on but had another 14 inches of the stupid stuff last night. More shoveling! Took all day. The stupid snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they'r eout. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold, it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to go to the bathroom. By the time I undressed, did my business, and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying.
December 23
Only two inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she, nuts!? Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.
December 24
Six inches. Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch that son of a gun who drives that show plow, I'll drag him through the snow and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws show all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents but I was too busy watching for the cursed snowplow.
December 25
Merry merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the white slop tonight--snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. Man, I hate snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot! If I have to watch It's A Wonderful Life one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
December 26
STILL snowed in. Why on earth did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze. Plumber came after 14 hours of waiting and only charged me $1400 to replace all my pipes.
December 28
Warmed up to above -20! Still snowed in. My WIFE is driving me CRAZY!!!
December 29
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it's going to cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30
Roof caved in. I beat up the snowplow driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars, not only the beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel.... The wife went home to her mother. Nine more inches predicted
December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.
January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?
::
This was adapted from an e-mail; I didn't author it. I did clean it up a little. ;) It made me laugh so hard that I cried and had to run for the bathroom (blame that last part on pregnancy). I thought the rest of you might get a kick out of it. We've had over 28 inches of snow in my corner of Nebraska so far this winter and highs have been below freezing until this week.
::
This was adapted from an e-mail; I didn't author it. I did clean it up a little. ;) It made me laugh so hard that I cried and had to run for the bathroom (blame that last part on pregnancy). I thought the rest of you might get a kick out of it. We've had over 28 inches of snow in my corner of Nebraska so far this winter and highs have been below freezing until this week.
::
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Magic
There's a bit of controversy in Christian circles about the Harry Potter series and other stories involving magic. I'll say that I've read all seven books, reread them and read them again. I enjoy them! When I began reading the series eight years ago, I did not know that they were controversial nor did I feel that it was wrong for me to read and enjoy them. I will also say: to each their own. It is not for me to say that people should or shouldn't read them. Each person will decide what is best for them.
The premise of the controversy is that it is against God's commandments to use magic. I agree. Another argument is that it sucks young people in and distorts their view of magic and may even encourage them to meddle in "real" magic, which is indeed wrong.
However, I wonder where is the line drawn?
Do we prohibit our children from seeing Cinderella? There's a fairy godmother who casts spells and makes dresses out of pumpkins and mice. The Little Mermaid is full of good and dark magic. What about Sleeping Beauty? There are two fairies who cast good spells and one really wicked one who casts a nasty spell, then another good fairy who counteracts the nasty spell with a good spell. The Wizard of Oz has two witches and lots of magic. The Lord of the Rings has magic, as does the whole world of Narnia.
Why are the Harry Potter stories more wicked than any of these things? If people are avoiding the Potter series to avoid magic, then shouldn't they be avoiding all of these things along with fairy tales and any kind of fantasy stories?
What are your thoughts? Even if you disagree with me, you can post! My feathers are not easily ruffled.
The premise of the controversy is that it is against God's commandments to use magic. I agree. Another argument is that it sucks young people in and distorts their view of magic and may even encourage them to meddle in "real" magic, which is indeed wrong.
However, I wonder where is the line drawn?
Do we prohibit our children from seeing Cinderella? There's a fairy godmother who casts spells and makes dresses out of pumpkins and mice. The Little Mermaid is full of good and dark magic. What about Sleeping Beauty? There are two fairies who cast good spells and one really wicked one who casts a nasty spell, then another good fairy who counteracts the nasty spell with a good spell. The Wizard of Oz has two witches and lots of magic. The Lord of the Rings has magic, as does the whole world of Narnia.
Why are the Harry Potter stories more wicked than any of these things? If people are avoiding the Potter series to avoid magic, then shouldn't they be avoiding all of these things along with fairy tales and any kind of fantasy stories?
What are your thoughts? Even if you disagree with me, you can post! My feathers are not easily ruffled.
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Simple Woman's Daybook Volume 35
FOR TODAY... January 11, 2010Outside my window... SUNNY!! Because of all of the snow on the ground (and everywhere else), it's BRIGHT, too. It's finally into the 20s here. What a good feeling that is after a couple of weeks with highs closer to zero.
I am thinking... Actually, I'm not really thinking about anything except having a baby.
I am thankful for... health!
I am wearing... jeans, a big T-shirt, a fleece jacket, and a baby girl around my waist and up under my ribs.
I am remembering... I'm not very good at remembering right now, either. My brain cells are all preoccupied with finishing this baby. My memory is nearing the pathetic stage.
I am going... to keep nesting as the urges are finally here. There's a long list of things to do and only a little more than a month in which to do them!
I am currently reading... The Love Dare and The Acts of the Apostles
I am hoping... that this baby will stay put until her set delivery date: February 19th. I haven't had one try to come early yet but since I have to have a cesarean anyway, I'd like to stick to the schedule. :)
On my mind... My to-do list. It became so long last night that I couldn't sleep. I think I'll keep a notebook on my nightstand with a pencil so I can jot down things I worry about (all little things) and sleep better!
Noticing that... 28 degrees feels pretty nice after weeks of bitter cold!
Pondering these words... "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." This quote is attributed to Abraham Lincoln. I'm trying to remember to listen more and speak less.
From the kitchen... Pork chops and a few more healthy meals this week
Around the house... An electrician came today to repair a fixture in the basement that was fried. He'll deliver an estimate for recessed lighting; it would be a relief to have that after these silly looking, exposed flourescent fixtures. It was a relief to open the door and recognize the electrician, an usher from our parish. I always feel better having a familiar person in my home for repairs.
One of my favorite things~ a new baby! Be sure to visit Peggy, our gracious host, to read her Daybook and those of other Simple Women!
From my picture journal...
::
Be sure to visit Peggy, our gracious host, to read her Daybook and those of other Simple Women!
::
::Be sure to visit Peggy, our gracious host, to read her Daybook and those of other Simple Women!
::
Friday, January 8, 2010
Snow Daze
It's hard to imagine that something this beautiful can be such a pain when trillions of these crystals pile up. It buries lawns, gas meters, and mailboxes and renders roads impassable, even deadly! We are two inches shy of a record snowfall here in Nebraska this winter so far. Since temperatures have gotten above freezing only twice in the last month, it's not melting--it's staying put. ::
Note that our standard height mailbox is nearly buried in snow! This is what our house looked like a half hour ago when I went out to take a picture. This is unusually cold weather for us. Usually, it will rise to or above freezing more often than not in December and thaws throughout the winter on random days here and there. ::
Speaking of frigid temperatures, it's so far below zero (-7F right now, and a low of -26F expected tonight) that school has been canceled these last two days so that children aren't exposed to the cold. So what do we do on such cold days when we're cooped up inside? Well, for starters, we all stay in our PJs and turn the fire on. Then ...
We play with play dough ... and mix up ALL of the colors. 
Maddie colors in the messenger bag that Nana gave to her for Christmas. 
Isaiah blows bubbles in a cup with a couple inches of water and a couple of drops of dish soap. 
Noah plays Sheriff. 
Isaiah plays with his space gun blaster. 
Isaiah reads his pop-up construction book. He loves to turn to the house in the back. 
Morgan reads a new book. 
Morgan dresses up as a princess. Nice curtsy! 
Madeleine plays veterinarian with her new pets. This one is getting a shot. 
Noah and Maddie get out Noah's seek-and-find book. 
Isaiah jumps from one crib mattress to another over a stack of pillows. 
Noah goes downstairs to his space tent. 
Isaiah jumps in a playpen full of balls.::
We're staying warm and having fun!
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