day two.

I woke up the next morning, after having more painful contractions 3-4 more minutes apart all night long. I was hopeful. I was checked. Barely a one. I was devastated. So, I was started on pitocin. But since my contractions were already regular and pretty close together, I had to have a very low dose. All day long I was on pitocin. Just sitting in the hospital room with my kids at home, worrying about everything from unfolded laundry to where I was going to send my kids. At the end of the day, around 6, they checked me again. I had to have dilated more, it was impossible not to after having so many contractions. However, nothing. No change. So, it was decided that since I was already a week and two days over due, and since I was already having painful contractions, they would do another cervidil. To see if that made any difference. At this point, Adam would not be sharing a birthday with his daughter!

day one.

My due date was August 29th. August 29th came, and then went. I didn't have an appointment with the midwife until September 1st. But, this was is my fourth baby, I just knew that she would be early...she had to be. Adam went with me to my appointment, in hopes that they would say, "Oh my gosh, you're dilated to a 6! Get to the hospital!" But instead, they said, "You are barely dilated to a one, maybe." Not what I wanted to hear. She attempted to strip my membranes. She was very sure that I would most likely go into labor on my own over the weekend, if not that day. But, just in case, she scheduled an appointment for Monday, Labor Day, to go to the hospital for a NonStress Test and an Amniotic Fluid Index test. We walked around San Luis for a little bit, but nothing was happening, so we went home.

Nothing happened over the weekend. So, we went to the appointment. The test showed that I was having regular contractions, ever 4 minutes. Sometimes even 3. But, the baby was good. Her heartrate was great, and the fluid level was awesome...apparently there was a lot of fluid. But, since my contractions were so close together, the midwife thought just a dose of cervidil would be the trick. I had had it with Jacob, and it worked great, so it was promising.

There wasn't any room in our preferred hospital, so we were ready to go to the other hospital in town, which was more expensive, to be induced. But, Adam played the "My mom did this exact same thing 34 years ago, and because it was a holiday she had to wait another day" card, and it worked. They found room for us. I was admitted. They did the cervidil at 6PM, I wasn't dilated any more than a 1. I was assured that I would most likely have a baby in my arms by 6 AM the next morning, Adam's birthday.

She's here.

Avila Maren Christensen
8 pounds, 1 ounce
21 inches long

(she is finally here. And only after about 48 hours of labor! The full story will shortly follow, as well as a picture. But, I can't get my phone to load one.)

And it's time.

So, labor day could mean more in the christensen house. I have one hour left today. But, most likely adam will bw sharing his birthday with his baby girl! Plans are to have her in my arms by tomorrow morning around 6. It is getting so close.andEverything is ooking fine. Updates will be sporadic. I can tell you this, she has no hair and is a very happy mover!

40 weeks.

I hate due dates. Just tell me I'll have a baby eventually. I don't need to know the date, and think about that date every day, and countdown to that day. Because, well, that day is tomorrow. And we have no signs of labor. I'm thinking I'll start charging the doctor/midwives a "overdue fee" like they do at the library...each day I'm late, the fee goes up! Seriously, I feel like I have been pregnant forever. Seriously. It probably has felt like the longest pregnancy of the four! I guess it didn't help that I got the baby stuff out as soon as I knew what I was having, or that the midwife predicted that I'd have an early baby and be at least 5 weeks early, or that the hospital called to verify my appointment on August 5th {that seems like forever ago}, or the fact that I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions pretty much from like 20 weeks on. 

But, I guess the end is in sight. I will hold this baby girl soon. Very, very soon. I'm not very patient, however. I'm very excited about this baby girl. And so is the rest of the family. Especially Jacob. He has a nighttime ritual of rubbing my evergrowing belly, and talking to the baby through the "mircophone", or my belly button. He has been telling the baby to, "COME OUT!" for quite a while now. He has named her Robot. And insists that this is her name. We don't have a name officially yet. We aren't trying to hide the name, we aren't like that. We don't care if people know...the problem is, we don't know. Maybe that's what's holding her back! ;-) We've tried everything. I've walked for miles. I've walked in the sand. I've carried Jacob up and down the stairs. I've eaten spicy foods. I've eaten fresh pineapple. And tonight, I had Eggplant Parmesan. And, the result is just what I thought...they don't work.

I don't mean to sound so negative, though. I mean, I feel fine! And that's the bad part. I want to feel terrible and in excruciating pain. I want to be in labor and crying and saying "I forgot about this part...what were we thinking!" I just can't wait for this new little arrival! Seriously, having a sewing machine {or a borrowed one, thank Jen!}, and pinterest has made this pregnancy a little more fun! I've made a few blankets, blessing dresses, embellished onesies and burprags, made hair bows, and am thinking about attempting the crib bedding. Which, I may wait on just until I know 100% that this is a little girl! That project is a little more daunting than the others, and would be awful to be a waste! 

I guess there are good things about not having a baby early. I was able to see my first baby girl off to Kindergarten. I got to dress both school kids in their new school clothes everyday for the first week. And walk them to the bus for their first busrides, and pick them up afterwards. I was able to get them ready for picture day, and make sure they looked just so. I've been able to spend time with just Jacob. I think it's been good to have just Mommy/Jacob time. He is such a funny kid. We've been able to cuddle a lot and have lots and lots of tickletime. I'm hoping that this will make the transition a little easier. 

And now we just wait. Hopefully not much longer, however. I want to see this little girl. And see who she looks like, and what color {if any} hair she has, and how big she is, and how well she nurses. I can't wait to have this babe in my arms! I guess, all good things, come in all good time. 

Erin & Derek

After years and years of her insisting that she will never get married, I'm happy to announce that Erin is indeed getting married! And we couldn't be more excited for her! I knew there was a reason that we had her come live with us in Santa Maria. It took a few years, but Derek finally came along. It's been so fun to watch her be all lovey dovey. If you know Erin, you know she is not that. She giggles and blushes if you ask her about Derek and has for a while. She practices writing her new name...that's something that I never thought Erin would do!;-) We love Derek, he's a great guy. And, perfect for Erin. They are both very very happy. Every time we see them they are smiling, and just so in love. Aww.

Although I don't get to plan the wedding like I would like, it's still be fun to prepare for the big day, and at least give my input on a few things! The big day is fast approaching. We are so excited to welcome Derek into our family. Jacob adores him and gets so excited to see him. And, I'm pretty sure Derek really likes him back! 

Congratulations Erin and Derek!!

the first week

We all survived the first week. It was quite an emotional week. Pregnant mothers should not be sending their kids to school for the first time. Especially when they are due very very soon. Very poor planning! It took us a few days to figure out the whole bus thing. We missed it one day, it never came another...and after two phone calls to the Transportation department, I think we're good. As long as we wake up on time to get to the stop at 7:30.

Macie loves Kindergarten. She loves going somewhere everyday. And going there on the bus. She gets a little concerned every morning, however. There hasn't been the same bus driver everyday, and that bothers her. She likes consistency. She always comes off of the bus with a grin. She loves when I ask her what she did, because I really don't already know! She loves her teacher and her new friends that she has made {even if she can't remember their name...it'll take time!} She loves that she's able to eat lunch at school...all by herself. She's such a big girl now, and a big Kindergartner. And I can't believe it! 

Noah loves First Grade, as well. It's quite a long day, and he comes home with bags under his eyes, and is obviously ready for bed around 7. He loves doing Math and reading his stories. He is so proud of himself when he passes off a book and gets to bring home the next one. He's learning so quickly. He gets a little shy at school, I think. He talks very quietly and not much. {which is totally opposite of what he is like at school} He is definitely a people pleaser. He tells me everyday who got in trouble and for what, and he assures me that he won't ever do that, because his teacher does not like that. And I grateful that he realizes that! He's a good kid, and very smart. All day school? Yeah, he loves it.

 I'm so proud of my little school kids.

they say it's your birthday...

Happy Birthday to you, Mom. It's kind of funny though, I turned 29 this year. I finally caught up to you. ;-) I wish that we were able to celebrate this special day with you. {If this baby would have cooperated, maybe we could have been!} I hope that your day was great and a wonderful day...as it should have been! We love you a lot, and are so grateful for you and miss you so much! We can't wait to see you soon...baby girl included! Enjoy the rest of your birthday week!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

the first bus ride.

Macie was so excited to ride the bus. We had a carpool with Noah, so he only got to ride the bus home on Fridays. But since there are two in school now, and they come home at different times, and I'll have a new baby soon, the bus seemed like the best option. Macie hadn't really ever got to ride a bus before. She kept telling me that the only other bus she has been on was from the Disneyland parking lot. So, this was a big day for her. We got up really early to catch the morning pick up bus, got all ready, and left the house to walk to the stop at 7:30. The bus was driving away. It isn't supposed to leave until 7:40. I was a little frustrated, as were the kids. But, after much reassuring that they would ride it home, and we'd leave earlier tomorrow, they were content with me just driving them to school. 

At noon, I walked down to the corner to wait for Macie's bus. When it came, of course, I got a little teary. And she just got off like she was the most confident little girl ever. This whole kindergarten thing has changed my little girl. Funny, I know, that in only 2 days of school, she could be different. But, she really is. She seriously gained so much confidence over the past two days. She's independent. Her first bus ride was a success. She loved it. And loved that she got to sit by a girl in her class. She told me that she will not sit by any boys on the bus. Only girls. Hopefully this will last a little longer, she was already pretty boy crazy, but maybe school will calm that down a bit! ;-)

first day of school.

My baby girl is in Kindergarten. She is so little and so young! She's only 4...Noah had a whole year on her when he started Kindergarten. Maybe that's why it was harder to leave her at the classroom door this morning! 

This morning they both were awake by 7, and all smiles. Macie came into our room and couldn't hold in her smile, she was SO EXCITED to go to school. They ate breakfast, and were crazy. After getting dressed, doing hair, and brushing teeth, we were ready to go. Adam went with us to be my emotional support for the first day, but he wasn't so supportive! ;-) As soon as we get in the car he turns on Taylor Swift's song, "Never Grow Up", and yes, the tears came. I was already crying on the drive to the school, dangit! It wasn't nice! 

Macie lined up at the Kindergarten door with all confidence. She didn't even bat an eye when I said by to her. She just smiled and waved and walked in the classroom. I think it helped tremendously that we already know the teacher well, and Noah just did it last year. But, of course, I cried. Even a little sob. {Hey, I am pregnant, you know! ;-)} It'll be only a few hours until I pick her up. I can do this. 

Noah doesn't start until 15 minutes later, so we wandered over and found his classroom line, and he was excited to see his friends, but didn't want them to think he was too excited, so he just stared at them. I think he might have been in a little bit of pain, however. On the walk to the school from the car, he was telling me how excited he was for his FIRST day of FIRST grade, and he walked right into a big pole, poor kid! But, he's a trooper. I helped him find his chair, and said goodbye to him at the door, and of course teared up thinking that I won't see him until 2:35!

My kids are so big. It's sad. But, it's exciting! Have fund a school guys! 

{And tomorrow, will be a whole new set of emotions as I send them both on the bus...}