Adaleigh Jane Low is here!!!!

She is here!!! I did it!!! YAY!!

May 5th (one week ago today!) we went in for the induction. They put the gel in about 9 A.M. I had annoying cramps and some contractions but nothing regular and consistent, so at 11:30 A.M. they broke my water. I was a bit nervous for this because I remember that after they do that things really intensify and there is NO TURNING BACK! ;) And they did, but they were still pretty irregular, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer, sometimes really painful, sometimes not. I could tell that my nurse didn't really think it was working too well because she said I looked too comfortable still (I was sitting on a birthing ball, laying back on Justin with my feet up on the bed...yeah, I guess it looked pretty comfy. Looks can be deceiving though...) and they weren't regular enough. If that didn't work they would start the drip at 3:00 to make things stronger and more consistent. Things were getting a bit more intense so I got on the bed on my side for a bit. Well, she went on her coffee break and got called back because at about 2:15 I was kinda feeling the urge to push. It was much different than Zach's induction was. I had the drip for his all morning long. It was intense enough, but not like I remembered Zach's being. I remember being mind blown about how hard my body was working to get Zach out. I kinda doubted my feelings of needing to push this time, because it didn't feel strong enough, but I had a few times where I thought I needed to push or go to the bathroom or something so I told Justin to go get the nurse to check. Another nurse had to come in and check since mine had just gone on break thinking it would be a long time. She said "no wonder you need to push, you are complete, ready to go!" I was SOOO happy to hear this because going into this delivery I didn't know if I could do it or not without the epidural. If I still had a ways to go, I think I may have caved and gotten one. I am not against epidurals at all, I just didn't have the best experience with one last time. This time if I had back labor or had to be induced and was hating it I was going to get one, but I am so glad I didn't! I had a relatively quick labor once things started happening and I didn't have an I.V. or continuous monitoring or anything. It was pretty freeing. I could move where and when I wanted to, walk around, labor on the birthing ball, go to the bathroom, with no strings attached. :) Not that is was fun or anything. It still was uncomfortable, but it was MUCH better (and quicker!) than Zach's induction and labor. My nurse came back and my doctor had gone home, but she lives close so she made it back too. I probably pushed for 5-10 minutes and then she FINALLY came out at 2:25 p.m. I say finally not because it took a long time, but because I felt like I pushed way more than I should have had to! The girls came out SO easy, tiny little 6 1/2 pounders. Adaleigh felt like she was just stuck! They kept telling me to push, a little push, push...and all I can think was "Seriously?! Still? She should be out by now! I am pushing!" That was another thing, pushing her out I felt like my contractions weren't working with me to push her out. They were strong when I was laying on my side, but when they had me roll on my back they didn't feel as strong. And I didn't have a mirror. They didn't have one! I like to see my progress with any peek I could take. Bummer. Anyway, she came out! All 9 lbs 4 oz, 21 1/4 inches of her. And she felt that big! And I hope I never have any baby bigger than that! :) But man I felt SO GOOD afterward!! Such a relief, SO HAPPY, and so excited to meet our little Miss Adaleigh Jane. :) And the funny thing is, the day before delivery I looked at the clock at 2:23 p.m. and thought "Tomorrow at this time I could be having my baby!!" I was right!

 LAST PREGO PICTURE!! 41 weeks.

Hallelujah!

Here she is!! The nice thing about overdue babies is they are nice and clean! No cheesy white vernix all over them. I didn't hold her right when they pulled her out, and I kinda regret it, but I kinda don't because then they can quickly do their thing and I can hold my baby and not have them take her away again. :)

And here is her placenta. :) I know you were all dying to see this. My mom was shocked when she saw I was putting this on here. But it is my blog and I think it is cool! And yes, I have pictures of all of my babies placentas. :) The nursey side of me I guess.

 (And no I don't keep it or cook it or bury it.)

Look at those LONG toes!

Minutes after, just meeting our baby Adaleigh. :)

I was SO happy and felt SO good. It was great to just see and feel her out of me.

Justin's mom was in on the delivery too. She delivered 8 babies of her own, but hadn't ever seen a birth. Hopefully I didn't scare her. I was quite vocal pushing that big head out. :)

Proud daddy and professional birthing coach. Funny when labor feels like a date! Quiet alone time with just you and your hubby...and his mom, but she was quiet too. :)

"Hungry? Why Wait? Grab a Snickers."

Sorry, just had to do that! I could hear the snicker's commercials while I ate it. I was laboring all morning and they were bringing food in but I did not want to eat. Justin showed me this right after delivering and I thought "Why not?! Yes please!" :) Maybe this could be their next ad campaign. :)

And yes, we had a rain/snow storm while I was in labor and the rest of the day. Very wet snow. Crazy!! We will always remember that it snowed on her birthday though! May 5th. Crazy Canada.

The kids got to come meet Adaleigh 2 hrs after she was born. This was one of the funnest parts of the day, watching the kids meet their sister for the first time. Justin's dad was at home with them while they napped and then brought them to the hospital. Thanks for watching the crew Brian!

Kara has been so excited for this baby. She is a little mother. She was so excited that Adaleigh finally came out!

I love this picture of Kate. She was so happy and just wanted to hold her, but not touch her hair because it was dirty (hadn't been bathed yet!). When it was time for them to go she almost cried because she didn't want to leave the baby! We told her we were bringing her home and she could see her there. She was okay with that and left happy.

Zach was so funny and cute when he met her. He kept saying the funniest things. We got it on video, but I don't know how to downsize the video from our big camera.

And proud grandpa with his 4th new granddaughter THIS YEAR! Within the last 6 weeks 4 grand girls have been born to Joanie, two to Julie, and our little Adaleigh! Lucky Cousins! And on my side we have had 3 born in the last 6 weeks too! Cannon, Adaleigh, and 3 days later tiny Aleia.

We are a happy family. :)

She loved her bath, can't you tell?? Poor girl. She was SO reactive at the hospital. She didn't like to be bothered at all. And they bothered her/us A LOT! Since she was over 9 lbs they said they had to check her blood sugars 3 times just to make sure she was okay. that meant 3 heel pricks after her shot that she had already been given, oh yeah and then add in the other routine testing they do that they had to do 2 more heel pokes with all within 24 hrs. :( So delivery, 5 heel pricks and squeezes, and a shot. I know it is all for their good, but it was so sad. What a welcome to the world!

:)

Post bath. Look at that hair! :) She looks so different than our other babies. I may finally have one that looks like me! My mom says she reminds her a lot of me as a baby. Justin's nose, but the rest may be me! I never thought the "Low" genes could be dominated. We will see! Good timing though since she is semi named after me. We liked the nick name Addy/Addie and my middle name is Leigh (pronounced Lee) so we just stuck them together. Adaleigh. Jane is just a cute name that I have always loved and I thought it went really beautifully with Adaleigh.

Hospital time was special. It was just me and her for a lot of it. Justin came back in the morning and we all just hung out. It was quiet and nice. As fun as it was having twins, I am LOVING just doting on one. Looking back, twins were a lot of work! Double duty! So if you are going to have twins, just have them first. That's my advice. :)

Our hospital visitors...Justin's cousin's Jaclyn (with her fiance Justin) and Annalee Jean holding Adaleigh Jane! Pretty crazy hey? Too bad Addy (Addie? Hmmm...) wasn't born 6 days earlier, it would have been on Annalee's birthday!

Time to go home!! Poor girl looks beat up! She started getting tons of red marks all over her face and body. :( We weren't sure what it was from either the linens, her clothes, or a common rash 50% of full term newborns get...erythema toxicum neonatorum.

Ready to go!

A bit after we got home Barb came over!! She happened to be in Raymond for the weekend so she stopped by to visit!! Thanks Barb!! I miss you!!

Check out that double chin. More like saggy skin chin.

Adaleigh got the girls these sweet glasses. :)

And rocket balloons for her big brother!

Mer Mer (my mom) came to visit on Wednesday! Justin took Kate and Kara to pick her up in Great Falls. Mom said they were so cute with their signs.

Zach loves his little sister. I love watching him with her. He comes up to her and says "Hello girl. Hi cutie!" in a baby voice. I have loved the ages of the kids. They actually understand and know what is going on.

Milk drunk. I love being able to practically induce a coma just by feeding my baby. :) And that nasty cord was so stinky. I kept belly shirts on her just trying to help it dry out so we could be rid of it!! Yuck! Every time Zach walked past her and saw it he said "Eeew...it's still there."

 It worked! The next day (when she was 6 days old) it fell off! YAY!! I had a scary experience though...I had put a bran muffin with raisins in the microwave and took it out to eat it, picked up a raisin that fell from my plate and popped it in my mouth...then spit it out.

It was a raisin. Luckily. :)

 What a cute little belly button. Zach was right. Cords make belly buttons. :)

We had a delicious BBQ outside. Spring is a good time to have a baby. :)

She loved the pineapple.

Mer Mer giving Adaleigh her first post stinky cord bath.

Adaleigh likes to be home. We like her her here too.

She is a very smiley baby. Like REAL smiles. She looks at me and smiles. I love it.

Officially Prepared...

Wow. What a week. Well, I am now 5 days overdue. It wouldn't be so bad, I mean I went 12 days over with Zach, this is nothing! BUT I had high hopes of going on my own, of not being induced like my last 2 (or should I say 3?) deliveries were and even have had several glimpses and teasings of it to none avail. I've had my bags packed, cameras cleared and charged, my waterproof mascara on, my hair done, my legs shaved and toes painted (you know, all of the important things) for the last 2 weeks. :) And I won't even mention the fact that I know 4 people who were due 3 days, 2 weeks, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks after me that have now had their babies before me!!! And my sister in law who was due 2 weeks after me will now have her baby 3 days after me. Oops, I mentioned it. :)  I know I sound bitter. Because I am a little bit! I am tired of being pregnant and I am worried about my baby and just want her here! I had to repaint my toenails and shave again and I should probably charge the camera battery again too. I still have 36 hours before the induction and yeah, I could still go on my own, (actually having a pretty strong contraction right now!) but I am fine and resigned to the fact that induction is the only way to get my babies out of my oh so comfortable uterus. :) Anyway, enough whining. Really, I wanted a May baby, I am getting one for sure, and May 5th sounds like a great day to be born! Cinco de Mayo! Our little Juanita Maria will come to us. Onto the post. With all of this said I am going to now turn to the positive side of being overdue...more time to prepare!!!

 This was me at 40 weeks 1 day...officially THE LAST Sunday I would be pregnant. Yay! Justin had 2 weeks off for paternity leave and since his schedule was how it was, he had to take this week and next week off. Another reason I wanted her to come early, BUT it has been SO nice having him home to help get things REALLY ready for a baby. Our house is very clean and organized, both cars are clean on the inside and outside, our yard looks great, AND I had time to run errands, go to my appointment, and create without kiddos!!

 My first crafty creation was TONS of flowered headbands! I know this is way overboard, but it is pretty awesome at the same time! My sister in law Leslie ordered a bunch of these flowers and Kamry let me grab "a few" from her stockpile! The best thing about this is that I found a way to make them interchangeable so there are SO many options!! Any color band with any color flower(s)...possibilities are endless with 19 flowers and I think 25 bands...yikes. And they can even be put on a clip. This better really be a girl! Thanks for the goods Kams! 

And here is my next creation!!!! My first quilt! My friend Heather Jubber and I made quilts together. She really walked me through every step since she had just made one for her unborn baby boy (due 4 weeks from now). She had some leftover fabrics that we started off with and then I went and got some more fabrics that went with it and Voila! It is really just backing, batting, and a muslin top with a bunch of 2 1/2 inch squares sewn on top. Meant to look vintagey...aka wrinkly lucky for me!

 I really like how it turned out. I love all of my fabrics and the brightness of the colors and man it looks really wrinkly in these pictures! :) Oh well, it supposed to be like that and the edges of the squares should fray a bit.

And here is my 3rd project!! A cute little scalloped banner with the fabrics of her quilt. I like how much color it brings to the big blank boring wall there. None of my kids have had a "nursery" decorated and such. Well, the girls got one when they were 9 months. Zach didn't even have a real crib until he was 9 months or something?! I feel like such a cool, prepared modern mom. Of course the nursery is done before the baby is here! Is there any other way? (Good thing she was late and Justin was home all week!) She just wanted to come in style. That's why she waited so long.

Just double sided half circles sew into bias tape. I didn't know bias tape came in so many colors! Yes, I am new to the sewing world.

And from each view of course. I still need to decorate the other walls and have one more banner I could use, but I don't want to over do it with the banner thing. And I want to put some pictures up, but I guess she needs to come out before I can even do that! Too prepared. :) Maybe I should just hang the empty frames now. More chance of it being done that way!

 I found this printable online and it matched perfectly! Yay. I thought it would be a good reminder in the middle of the night, especially next to my cute mommy holding her baby. I am entrusted with a child of God.

 I love this figurine. My mom gave it to me when I had Zach. It is the same sculptor as the one that we had as our cake topper and I just think she is cute.

Speaking of cute...this girl is cute! Mischievous and incredibly BUSY but pretty cute. I heard the water on outside...BAD SOUND, but I went out there and saw Kate had grabbed her ducky watering can from her bath toys and said she had to water the plants. She was very careful not to step in the mud, which is odd for her, but I was grateful. I also LOVE tulips. I didn't plant these, but I sure love the colors! Yellow and a coral color. I love the mixed ones too. They remind me of those big Popsicles that are orange and yellow mixed. Know what I am talking about? (Big Sticks? No...) Anyway, projects accomplished, green leaves on my trees, beautiful blooming tulips, and a brand new baby coming in less than 48 hours. I'd say this is a great week. :) Being overdue isn't so bad. Life is going to really change around here. Pain, healing, getting up at night, breastfeeding, having 4 kids...WHAT?! 4 KIDS?!! ME?! Anyway, I've just had more time to enjoy the present and prepare for what's ahead, and both are great. Next post is a baby!!!!

One Hot Waiting Game...

 Does this look like summer or what!!! April 23rd. Nice. It was 30 C! (86 F). After Zach's school we set up the pool and slip and slide and went to town. It was SOO hot. This baby needs to get out soon because I don't have any summer maternity clothes nor do I want to buy any since I should have -2 days left. Boo. Anyway, Kara wasn't feeling well, so she stayed inside most of the time, but Zach and Kate went to TOWN as you can see! And I let them. :) I know I am a pretty relaxed parent, but they had 2 rules...DON'T TOUCH my tulips, and #2 if you are going to get all muddy you will have to be rinsed off in teh pool or the (cold) hose water before coming in! Pain! I think it was work it to them though. and they found some warmish pockets of water on the slip and slide to roll around in and rinse mostly off. Man, that was messy. Messy messy fun.

 I love this girl. And I don't know how she did this, with her hands or face plant. The latter wouldn't surprise me. :)

 Just in case you couldn't see just how messy she was...

 Bonding time.

So Zach doesn't have a brother, but he has a sister that will do the brotherly things with him at least! (wrestle, play in the mud, dig for worms...)

 Daddy took the kids for a tractor ride. They LOVED it.

 And here we were at the park on the warm, warm day. Just hanging out and waiting...Yes. I am still pregnant. Over due. Boo hoo. But I can say this is my LAST SUNDAY being pregnant. Induction date is this coming Saturday May 5th if nothing happens sooner. Just a waiting game now...

 And waiting and waiting. I've never gone into labor on my own, I am really hoping for it. I just want to see what the difference is. Our house is clean, her clothes are ready, I even made her hair bows last night. I figured maybe she was just waiting for that. A girl has got to be properly accessorized, right? :) I do need to bind a quilt that I sewed, but that is it. Tomorrow. Then she will come out. She's just waiting for her own blankey to be wrapped in (as opposed to the millions I have left from having twin girls!) But I do have to say, I will miss carrying this little one and feeling her move around inside. I really love that. She has been a super active one and I loved to feel and see her pokey heel, booty, whatever it was moving around.

 I think humans should have pouches too, so we can conveniently put them away for a while when we need 2 hands and they could be hooked up to a feeding system inside, tucked away safe and sound. :)

And THIS little girl is waiting and waiting too!! Kara is SOOOO excited to have a baby in the home and tells me several times a day what our baby is going to do and what she is going to do for our baby and how she will hold her. Kara says she is coming "reawwy reawwy soon!" I hope she is right!

Crazy Weekend!

A couple weeks ago Justin was working in Milk River, then had an academic conference in Medicine Hat, and then had to be on call again in Milk River so it was either stay home alone from Wednesday morning until Monday night OR party all weekend. ;) We decided to party. We swooped down to Milk River, picked Justin up from work, drove to Medicine Hat and stayed in a hotel for 2 nights. This hotel has water slides which Zach and Kate especially love. Justin went with us the first day after his courses, and then the next I was on my own, 38 weeks pregnant at the time, but still got my suit on to go to the pool and watch them go up the stairs and down the slide. The things you will do for your kids. I DID NOT climb all of those stairs or go down the slide though. :) Poor Kara wouldn't go alone. The first day she went with Zach, but I think some dumb older kids went too soon after her a couple times and since they weigh more, they caught up to her I was there to catch her, but those boys came right afterward and kind of pulled her and Zach under. Now she won't try again. Dumb boys. ANYWAY, here is a long, kinda funny video of Kate on the slides. She was in the zone! She and Zach went so many times! And each time they climbed over 60 stairs to the top. CRAZY!

 

Poor Kara...see her shiner. This girl is the princess of bad luck. Zach thought he would start a pillow fight with unaware Kate, which pushed Kate's into Kara's cheek bone. Sad. Same thing when she chipped her tooth. Kate had a metal bowl on her head and tripped and just happened to hit Kara right on the corner of her tooth. At least it was only one. Poor, poor Kara.

Kara, my little poser, on the MASSIVE chairs at the Med Hat Lodge.

Kate, exhausted as only part 1 of our 3 part trip ends. She propped the pillow on her own. I just thought it was cute.

After our 2 nights in Medicine Hat and 1 night in Milk River (population 850) the kids and I headed to Cardston where Jason and Kamry and their kids were staying for the weekend while Jason worked. It was so fun to see them again! The kids LOVE Talia and baby Jace. And they all played really well! I am sad we moved when we did, because that is when Talia really seemed to become a big girl and talk and play interactively a lot more. At least they still get to see each other sometimes. And hopefully they will move soon!!! Here is a little after church iPad time.

And Zach and Kate. I know this picture is horrible quality/lighting, but they were playing so nicely together and doing something silly that I don't remember, but I just love Kate's sweet pose and face here. :)

Oh, Pregnancy... :)

So, as some of you may know, I am pregnant. 39 weeks 1 day as I type...crazy how the last days feel like weeks and weeks feel like months...Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about pregnancy and how beautiful and amazing it is...and how WEIRD it is!!! I thought I'd do a post related to all of this.

A week and a half ago my friend Devynn offered to take these pictures of me and my baby belly. She is a very talented photographer here in Southern Alberta. It was really fun and I think she did a great job! Catch her at www.dbimagesblog.ca or on facebook at dbimages.

This picture captures my first thoughts on pregnancy. Being pregnant is amazing. I am co-creating another life. Someone will 'be' because of what has been going on the last 40 weeks of my life. A little body is created and functions (mostly) on it's own. With all of the intricacies of fertilization and implantation, zygote, morula, blastocyst...and growth of a fetus with nerves, bones, muscles, a brain, a miniature fully functioning heart, it is amazing to me that any baby is born healthy/normal (whatever that is). Truly a miracle. Spiritually speaking, I am an active part of Heavenly Father's plan in creating another spirit's mortal life. I really feel VERY blessed to be a woman and to have this chance because I do think it is incredible and beautiful. I feel like I am fulfilling a divine role that I have been assigned. Yeah, it isn't all fun and games for sure, but it is so special and unique to feel life inside of you, to bond and grow to love a brand new baby even before you have ever seen them. I am so excited to see this sweet little one's face and add her to our Eternal Family. Grow... I mean...Go Team Low.

It is also a HUMONGOUS responsibility. I think I realize this now more than ever. Your first baby, well at least mine, I was excited for the change in our life. For a cute baby. I felt pretty prepared, like I knew what I was doing baby wise. I had 16 nieces and nephews that I loved and was close to and looked after quite often and have ALWAYS wanted to be a mom and have babies and now it was my turn. I was comfortable. And really, it was fine. Never super overwhelming or anything for me. I mean, yes, you still get surprises, have to figure out birthing, breastfeeding, bathing, taking care of sick kids, cleaning up barf and poop, POTTY TRAINING... you know all the fun stuff that Aunties don't have to worry about.

So the first busy baby boy grew up to all of 1 year and we though, sure, let's add another. He is SO OLD now! We need another tiny baby...Well, Zach was 20 months old when not one but TWO GIRLS were born. We still thought he was pretty old and independent and such. When I see 20 month olds now I am SHOCKED at what babies they still are! No wonder why people would have such a shocked look on their faces when I said I was pregnant with twins. They were scared for me I think!! I have been so grateful for the phrase "ignorance is bliss" in this part of my life because really I think that's what it was! I didn't know it should be or would be hard and so looking back it wasn't. We just took it a day at a time. I LOVED having twins, such a unique experience (or is it? I feel like EVERYONE is having twins these days!!) but man was it busy... for us and for Justin in the busiest year of medical school...I don't even think I remember how it was. I know I couldn't have done it without him though. He is a huge help. I wish I could just go back for a couple hours, (no more) and see that life again and hold those tiny girls. Four little eyes looking up at me. Needing me. Justin's sister Julie just had twin girls and it made me remember those days a bit. And made me grateful that mine are 3.5 now! ;) So fun, but so so busy. Looking back I acknowledge it was a crazy time, but we made it this far, we are all alive, and I really feel like we were blessed and strengthened through it all.

And so this brings me to why I feel like I am really going to be able to enjoy this baby...#1) You know they are going to grow up...a good and bad thing. I feel like with the first one I was always looking toward the next milestone. Now I know what babies do and that they will do them someday, so just enjoy each day. #2) There is only one of them. I had three babies. Three babies 2 and under. I feel like I was on baby burn out for a while. Overload! Everyone. Needed. Something. Always. It was quite overwhelming at times, and let's be honest, it still is! And we are going to have 4 KIDS?!!! WHAT! Four kids 5 and under. :) Still makes me sound crazy. But the difference here is that Zach will be in school and the girls play SO good together and are excited about a baby. I feel like I will have more time to just enjoy being a mommy and I can tell my others if I am too busy at the moment, Sorry, I have to feed the baby! And they will (semi

Here are the rest of the shots...

This one makes me laugh. Enough said.

All preggos dress up in heels and hang out by the barn, don't they??

I like this one. I love the colors and the glow. This is another one that captures the sacred side of pregnancy.

And here is MY capture of the WEIRD/FOREIGN/ALIEN side of pregnancy. THINK ABOUT IT!! This THING sets up camp inside of you, latches on and grows and grows, causing your pear sized body part (uterus) to turn into a massive watermelon. It eats what you eat, makes you feel sick and EXHAUSTED even from the time it is the size of a popcorn seed, creates food aversions, heartburn, hormonal mood swings, EASY tear flow (sorry honey!), loose joints, puffy faces, swollen limbs, itchy bellies, leg cramps, large bosoms, back aches, no back sleeping (BOOOOO!!) and waddling! Pretty much takes over for almost a year of your life. It moves and sticks who knows what body parts out and around and in your ribs, causes your very deep innie belly button to pop out like the turkey timer. As of today, mine is consistently popping out more, so that must mean I'm done, right? PLEASE!! 

But with all of this said, I will miss watching my belly contort and feeling her roll around, guessing what part is where and just what she is doing in there. Sleeping? Upside down? They say they open and close their eyes. In the dark? Why? Weird. It probably seems just as long to them as it does to us! Well Baby, it's a party out here and we are ready for you to join! Brace yourself!

Almost...let me finish your quilt.