Newborn Pics

Ethan's Birth

So after shocking most of the people I know by having a "crazy home birth," I've decided to share my experience, and the reason I made the decision to have my baby at home. When I was pregnant with Tyler, I planned on a natural, drug-free birth (I guess I'm a little crazy to begin with). I took the classes. I did the relaxation. I planned. I was prepared. Unfortunately, things don't always go the way that you plan. My water broke at home, I went to the hospital, and had about 7 hours of perfect labor until everything went wrong. I got an infection (probably from being in the hospital and having nurses check me all too often) and a fever of 103 that wouldn't break. My pulse was racing, and my blood pressure plummeted. Tyler became distressed and passed meconium (that yucky black tar baby poop) in utero. That's when the doctor decided that this baby had to come right now! So I ended up having an emergency c-section, the one thing that I hadn't planned for. Tyler had to be whisked away to the NICU because he had contracted the infection that I had, where he stayed for the next 8 days. Needless to say, it was not the birth that I had hoped to have.

It took three years for me to get up the guts to get pregnant again. At about 12 weeks, I was woken up at 5:00 am in excruciating pain. I rushed to the ER thinking that I must be having a miscarriage, but it turned out to be an ovarian torsion. My left ovary had twisted, cutting off the blood supply, and basically died inside of me. I was rushed to the OR, and it was removed. The doctor tried to remove it laproscopically, but it was too enlarged, so I had to be cut open again! Luckily, babies are pretty resiliant little creatures, and can handle surgeries just fine. But recovery was just like having another c-section. After that, both Nathan and I decided that we could NOT go back to the hospital. Since every time we do go to the hospital, I end up having surgery. That's when we started thinking about a home birth.

Luckily, Nate's older sister's mother-in-law (did you follow that?) is a midwife. Not just any midwife, but a really amazing midwife! She's been practicing for 30 years and has delivered nearly 3000 babies. So after talking with her, and some fasting and prayer, we decided that we needed to have our baby at home. So onto the actual labor/delivery story.....

I was in early labor all day Saturday. Lots of contractions, but not really uncomfortable yet. Over the course of those 20 hours, I dilated from a 2 to a 4. We went to bed that night, and real labor started at 7:00 am. When my midwife checked me, she discovered that my pubic bone was flat (instead of curved), so I would have to labor mostly in a reclining/laying flat position so that the baby's head could pass under the bone. I spent two hours in the recliner, and another two hours in the bath tub with water poured on my belly with every contraction. The next thirty minutes were spent on the bed, on my side with one leg elevated (weird position I know, but apparently it helps transitional labor go by quickly) with Nathan by my side. When it was time to push, Valerie (the midwife) said, "This can take 30 minutes or 3 hours, but we're going to have this baby no matter what." Well, I wasn't about to have it take 3 hours, so I made sure to make every push count, and 30 minutes later, little Ethan was here.

I honestly believe that had I gone to the hospital, I would have ended up with another c-section. Nobody would have been there to coach me and put me in the positions I needed to be in for my labor to progress. And when you don't progress with a VBAC, there's nothing they can do besides another cesarean. I'm not going to lie and say that a natural birth was easy, in fact, there were a few times that I had to remind myself that "This is better than a c-section" but in the long run, it was easier. No stitches or staples, no 7-inch wound in my abdomen, and no long weeks of recovery. In fact, Ethan's birth and Tyler's birth could not have been more opposite.

For anyone who has considered ever doing a home birth, I highly recommend it. It was wonderful being able to stay at home, where you are most relaxed, and sleep in your own bed at night! Not to mention, not having to be hooked up to monitors, or have nurses check on you every couple of hours. It was the best birth experience that I could have hoped for. I still look at Ethan and can't believe how perfectly everything went. It seems too good to be true!

Ethan N Ekstrom

Ethan was born on March 21 at 11:53. He weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz. and 20 inches. Mom & baby are both doing well after a wonderful home birth!

Tyler is 3!!!

I can't believe that my baby boy is already 3! Seriously, where have the last three years gone?

Tyler requested another Cars cake this year. I don't know if it's because the cake was easier, or because I've done a lot more cake decorating since last year, but it took me about half the time. He was so cute after I finished the cake. He sat staring at it for about fifteen minutes, and he kept saying "I love my beautiful birthday cake!" and "You're such a good Uma, let me give you a great big hug!"
And, like last year, we had his birthday party at Jumping Jacks (his most favorite place) with both sides of the family. Thanks to everyone that came!Ty got WAY too many presents (as usual), and my house has been a disaster since Friday (because he won't let me put any of the new stuff away).
And since he is my Valentine's baby, I had to make him some birthday heart-shaped pancakes (also his favorite food). After I made them, he informed me that he loves "heart pancakes" the most. :)Going to town on his second (that's right) birthday cake. He woke up the day after his party in tears because his birthday cake had been devoured. So, being the amazing mother that I am, I made him a new one. Granted, this one was only one layer, instead of two, and a little more sloppy in the decoration department. Happy Birthday Tyler! We love you and can't imagine life without you! You make me smile everyday, and bring more joy into my days than I ever though possible!

The Cone of Shame

Ever since I can remember, my mom used a newspaper bowl around my dad's head every time she cut his hair indoors. Actually, my sister does too. So of course, I had to follow in tradition with my own family. When Nate & I first got married, he thought it was hilarious. He made me take a picture of his first haircut.
Now Tyler is old enough to get his own paper bowl. Thanks to a tractor DVD, he held still for the length of his haircut. It was sad to see all that long hair go, but it was getting in his eyes, and I don't want to cut it again before the baby comes. Will he hate me for this picture when he's older? I think he might.
Tyler Quotes:

Walking into TJ Maxx the other day:
Tyler: Hey, this is a TOY store!!
Me: Yes, they do sell toys here.
Tyler: Look, here are some mommy toys (pointing to the jewelry).

This morning at breakfast, eating oatmeal:
Tyler: Uma, this oatmeal makes my poop nice and healthy!
Me: (Giggling) Did you just say that oatmeal makes your poop nice and healthy?
Tyler: Uh huh, but it's kind of hard to push out.

First thing in the morning:
Tyler: Uma, Daddy, I need to go pee!!! (This is how we wake up most mornings)
Nathan gets up to take Ty potty.
Tyler: (standing in front of the potty) NO, not you daddy!
Nate: Why not me?
Tyler: Because your breath is stinky & going to ruin my PJs!

Crafty or Crazy???

Last week we were all sick. So since I was stuck inside, I decided to be a little crafty and make a few things for the baby. Here's a carseat canopy (that doubles as a nursing cover).

A bunch of burp cloths. I loved using cloth diapers as burpies with Tyler, so I decided to make them a little cuter this time around.

Some binky clipsA nursing cover for meAnd a springtime wreath for my front door. I know, it's not spring yet, but I'm hopeful! :)All of the above items (except the wreath) will soon be available on my baby webstore www.hushstyle.com

New Temple in Payson!!!

Big, big, big news for our little city! There will be a new temple across the street from our house! I guess there's no excuse not to go now! Read about it here