Welcome Isaac Mark

Our 5th baby was born May 23, 2016. 

 My water broke Sunday morning the 22nd and Isaac was born at home very early on Monday morning the 23rd at 3:46am! I still don't know if my labor was 18 hours or just an hour.  My contractions didn't start until about an hour before he was born.  Isaac's birth was the longest yet fastest I have had so far.  

Happy 4th Birthday Levi!

 Levi turned 4 years old!!!  I think I say this every birthday but I truly can't believe he's 4!!!!  He is my most cuddly child and loves to give me kisses.  If I ask for a kiss he holds my cheeks and kisses me.  I can't wait to get a hug from him when he's all grown up and taller then me.  I know his hug then will be just as sweet and cuddly as it is now.  Levi is naturally a giver....he loves to share and he loves his sisters.  He asks to play with them.  Right now I'm teaching both Lulu and Levi to read.  Lulu and Levi have become closer these past few months.  Ila May and Levi are closer in age and have been best buds always but now I think Levi enjoys the things that Lulu is doing a bit more.  Ila is just tagging along with them both.  It's been fun to watch.     

 Levi was my 6 hour labor baby.  We didn't know what we were having.  We had the names Levi and Ila picked out.....and to my excitement I looked down and saw we had our first little boy, Levi!  So far he's been my biggest baby at 9lbs 9ozs and 21.5" long.  

Here is his birth story and some pictures from that wonderful day.

My parents drove over for Levi's birthday and stayed for the weekend.  

 Levi got some really fun gifts!  Blocks, trucks, bathrobe, cowboy boots, coonskin hat and some other fun things.

 While my parents were here we visited the zoo.  During the summer they have a boat ride that we were able to go on.  It was really fun.

 My dad just had his hip replaced and is doing really well.  He's been very good about his exercise.  The kids joined in on it too. 

Check out my mom's blog about Levi's birthday!

Silas's Birth Story

 Silas Mark was born on Thursday, May 2nd 2013 at 7:53pm.  He weighed 7lbs. 9oz. and was 20.5" long.  

Thursday, May 2nd started out like most normal days with breakfast as a family.  My mom was on her way from Redmond, WA to come for the birth.  We decided to have her come early before my due date  (due date May 16th) because I was already 4cm dilated and my midwife felt I was going to go early by how things were going.  My mom was planning on arriving in Boise around 1 or 2pm.  I had my weekly midwife appointment that day so as a family we headed out to my appointment that was at noon.  My appointment went great, I was exactly 38 weeks.  We left my appointment and headed home and at that point my mom was about an hour away.  I had no idea I would be in labor later this day, I felt great and normal and not in labor at all.

My mom arrived at our house 1:30pm and I then got to take a really great nap.  When I got up I visited with my mom and she made dinner.  Then just my mom and I went to my weekly chiropractic appointment at 5:15pm.  While I was on the table at the chiropractor I had my first contraction at 5:30pm.  So when we got in the car I told my mom I wanted to head right home.  I just knew my contractions were real and this was it.  My mom could tell I was serious and drove me right home.  We got home and Mark and the kids were heading out to get the mail.  I told Mark that I thought I might be in labor.  So I went inside, went to the bathroom and from the bathroom called my midwife to tell her to come now!  She said they were on their way.  I went outside to find Mark and when they got back from the mailbox I told him that my midwife was on her way.  So Mark knew this was it.  He ran up stairs to get the bed ready and all the labor things out.  Lulu went up with him to help.  My mom got the kids upstairs to get them ready.  I just did my thing and headed up stairs too.  I got dressed into my labor dress and was all ready for the evening ahead.  My contractions at this point were about 2 min apart and coming on strong.  So far all my labors have come on strong and go fast so I knew Silas was coming quickly.

My midwife showed up with her assistants around 6:30pm and they got all their things situated.  I called some friends from church who were planning on helping during the labor.  They showed up around 6:45pm.  My mom was right there with me and helping me get through my strong contractions.  She also took most of these pictures below.  It was an answer to prayer that my mom was at this birth.  We weren't sure how it was going to work out to have her at the birth since she lives about 8.5hrs away but God knew and we are so amazed how perfect it worked out.  My kids were all there showing me love while I labored.  Lulu and I had memorized some Bible verse to say during labor.  Lulu would come up and whisper them in my ear to encourage me.  That is probably one of my favorite memories of my labor. Levi played Legos upstairs in the kids room for most of the labor and would come into our room to check in on me.  Ila played too and stayed with Mark mostly.  All 3 kids did great and I love having them close to me during labor.

Around 7:35pm my water broke and I felt so much relief then.  The pressure was gone and now I had a bit of a rest.  Although I was a bit discouraged I wasn't pushing right away.  I didn't have the urge to push for about 15 more min.  Then once I felt like I needed to push my midwife slowed me down and I gave a good slow push and Silas was born at 7:53pm.  I birthed Silas standing up leaning at the foot of our bed.  I pretty much labored the entire time in the same spot.  My midwife handed Silas right up to me and then I got to lie down on the bed with him.  At this point we all noticed that Silas had not cried yet.  I kept asking my midwife if he was ok.  He was really purple/blue too and we could hear he was struggling to breath.  They got the oxygen on him and my midwife had to take him from me to try to get him to cry and breath.  He was struggling and not getting better so they called 911.

The paramedics showed up took Silas to the ambulance and helped me down the stairs out the front door and got me onto a stretcher.   Everyone was praying and really there was a peace that we all had.  I wasn't panicked  at all.  I was of course concerned but at peace.  The paramedics were amazing and so helpful and kind. They were working with Silas in the ambulance with oxygen and once they got me into the ambulance they handed him right to me.  He was still naked but I had two blankets around him with a blue little hat.  Mark grabbed an outfit for Silas and my purse.  My mom stayed with the kids while Mark and our midwife and good friend from church all went to the hospital.  The ride to the hospital was actually really nice.  I got to nurse Silas for the first time on the road in the ambulance and Silas was already doing so much better.  I had to hold oxygen over him while nursing but I could just tell he was doing great.  His latch was great and his suck was strong.  I just knew he was healthy by his suck and that he was nursing so well.  We arrived at the ER in the Children's hospital and they took Silas from me and got all the monitors hooked up to him to check his oxygen and heart rate.  He was placed on the table and Mark and I were able to be right by his side.  Silas's numbers were so bad on the monitors yet he was doing great and only getting better.  The nurses and doctor were amazed he was doing so well with such bad numbers on the monitor.  We were all praying over him.  We even had a Christian nurse which Mark and our good friend prayed for on our way to the hospital.  They prayed that we would meet a Christian in the ER.  What a blessing.

So since Silas was doing so well I asked if I could nurse him.  They handed him right back to me and I got to nurse him right there and again he nursed great.  I was so happy.  The doctor wanted to keep him for 24hrs to monitor him but we decided to take him home and monitor him ourself.  So we left and got home around 11:30pm.  When we got home my midwife finished the newborn check, weighed him and measured him.  She made sure I was doing fine and once everything was done everyone went home and we got to go to bed.  It was truly the perfect labor and birth even with the little trip to the ER.  The best part about all of it was to see so many prayers answered and how amazing our God is!  Also that we have a healthy little boy.  

 Lulu giving me a kiss during labor.

 In-between contractions.

 I love this one with Levi playing with his train on our bed while I labored. 

 Mark taking video!

Here I am with Silas on my chest right after the birth with oxygen on him.  Lulu was right by my side like always.  Love that girl!!!!  She is truly such a servant. 

 Here you can see the paramedic in the back holding Silas.  They handed him right too me which was so comforting to me.  

 Here they are wheeling Silas and I into our room in the ER.

 I love this picture because Silas was giving us a great cry and he's really pink too!!!  Praise God!!

 Getting him hooked up to the monitors. 

 Mark got to hold his oxygen mask over him.  

 Here I am, I'm truly happy here seeing how well he was doing.  You can tell how quick they got us to the hospital....no time to change my birthing outfit.  I have vernix all over me.  But I didn't care at all! 

 Daddy holding his new son for the first time.  

 Kiss, kiss we did it!!!!  A healthy baby boy!!

Heading home!!!!!!!!  

 My midwife Donna doing his first check up. 

Here I am talking to my dad on the phone telling him the good news and my mom right by my side.  And the picture below is my favorite because I'm in bed with my newborn right where I wanted to be.  Done with labor and feeling great!!! 

Happy Birthday Ila May!

Ila May you are 1 today!! You are so cute and so sweet. You have been taking a few steps on your own for a week now.  You are not timid at all and love to climb over things and hold on to things.  You are very social and not shy. You love to suck your thumb and to be held.  You can say Mama, Dada and "hi" really well.  You also say "nu-nu" for nurse when you want to nurse.  I love when you say that!  You have grown really close to Lulu in the past month.  You think she is just the best thing.  You have always loved Levi but Lulu had to grow on you and now she's your best friend it seems.  Here is your birth story.  I love you!

Happy 36th Birthday Mark!

Happy Birthday!!  Look how cute you were! 

You were born on your due date.Your grandma drove your mom from Ashland, OR to Medford to the hospital there.  Your dad was at work that day.  When your mom had your brother 3 years earlier the doctor told her that the next time she has a baby to be close by since it would go as fast.  When your mom felt the first "butterflies" (as she described them) they headed to the hospital.  When they got to the hospital there was no room in delivery and your mom's contractions were coming on really fast.  So they gave her a shot to stop her labor until there was more room.  Your grandma and mom waited and waited.  Finally your mom felt the urge to push and your grandma ran to get the nurse.  The nurse came in and told your mom that she didn't know what she was feeling and that she was not ready to push.  But when she check your mom, you were crowning!  The doctor didn't even get his coat on and out you came.    

Your mom told me that when you were 3 months old she was up late and couldn't sleep because at this time your dad had left and you all had been in a homeless shelter and just now into a new apartment.   She put you in the swing to sleep by her in the living room.  She looked over at you and your were limp and blue.  She ran an grabbed you and she shook you and you gasped for air.  She ran to the neighbors and they called 911 and took you to the hospital.  They think you had what could have been SIDS.  Praise God your mom was right there with you.

From the moment your mom brought you home your brother loved you so much.  He would tell your mom "my baby."

One thing I find funny is that your mom had to spank you a lot!  Your brother she only spanked once or twice.  She said you love to test her and would make her so angry sometimes, but yet still just melt her heart. 

The thing I love to hear about you from your teenage years is that you were liked by everyone.  You didn't have a "group" and you weren't part of the "cool" clique or the jocks.  You loved the Lord and was kind to everyone you met. 

 Even today you are so kind to everyone and you have a very caring, compassionate heart.  You love to learn and just tonight you told me you wished you could be in God's word 24/7.  I love seeing who God is molding you to be.  You are my best friend and I love how much fun life is with you! You are an amazing dad and I love watching you with our children.  I can't wait for more with you!

Happy 36th Birthday!  I love you.

Ila's Birth Story

 I went into labor around 5:30pm on May 9th, 2011.  Ila May was born about 3 hours later at 8:27pm.  Earlier that morning I was an emotional wreck and cried in Mark's arms, so he decide to stay home from work and just be a family and help me out.  We had a great day and I think the Lord knew I needed Mark to be home so I could get some rest.  I took a great nap that afternoon and woke up around 3:45pm.  At 4pm we went for a walk around our neighborhood.  Lulu and Levi were in the bike trailer while Mark pushed it and I tired with every step to go into labor.  Nothing really happened while on our walk but it was a beautiful day and it felt good to get out.  When we got home we had to head out to my weekly midwife appointment.  My midwife is about 30min away from us with no traffic so we headed out around 5:15pm to get to my 6pm appointment.  When we were about 10min away (5:30pm) from her office I noticed a strong contraction, then not 2min. later I felt another one.  Then another and another.  Mark pulled into the parking lot and I headed into the office ahead of my family.  I got in and told the assistant that my contraction were coming every few minutes and they were lasting at least a minute or longer.  I told her that I wanted to head home.  So she went and got my midwife who was with another expectant mom at the time.  My midwife came in and checked me, I was only 2-3cm dilated.  I was hoping to hear that I was at least 4 or 5.  She agreed I was most likely in labor and she sent me home with her and the assistants not too far behind us.  When we left the appointment it was 6:15pm.....a 15min midwife appointment, unheard of.  They usually last 40min to an hour.  On our way home I called my midwife twice to make sure she was really on her way.  Both times she reassured me she was.  About 15min from home on the freeway I got a little worried we might not make it home because my contractions were not letting up.  Mark was driving fast but safe and Lulu and Levi were in the back just going along for the ride.  I called my mom 3 times, the first time I told her that this "could" be it, the last call I told her "meet us at the house."  My dad and her were driving too and about 25min away from out house.  We got home at 6:45pm I went right into the house and started leaning on the back of the big leather chair in our living room.  My mom and dad pulled up right then and my mom started timing contractions and giving me water to drink.  Lulu and Levi were running around the house in excitement and Mark was getting the birth things ready.  Not moments later (6:50pm) the first assistant showed up.  Then my midwife showed up right after her and then the 2nd assistant showed up.  Now I could give birth.  While I labored I walked around our house talked with everyone, stopped to have a contraction then started walking and talking again.  Lulu and Levi were a great distraction, they would come up and hug me, talk to me, rub my back.  A lot of books on labor say to have a nice tranquil environment that is peaceful and quiet so you can concentrate on each contraction.  WHAT?  Who wants to concentrate on a contraction?  I sure don't, they hurt and I want my mind on something else.  So having Lulu and Levi running around making noise and playing really did help me to not focus on my contractions.  But everyone is different and what works for me in labor might not work for others.  Around 7:50pm I was 7cm dilated and my water broke.  Jump forward just a bit and I was up on our bed pushing Ila out.  I had two pushes that only took 3 min and she was out.  She was covered in vernix and Lulu asked me why she was dirty and if she was ok.  Lulu was right by my side and saw her little sister be born.  My mom was holding Levi and he also got to see his little sister be born.  That evening we were in bed by 11pm and everyone was gone.  That night we slept great.  I loved my labor with Ila and I thank God for His protection.  She was 7lbs 5oz and 19" long, my smallest baby so far.    

Happy 1st Birthday Levi!

One year ago today Levi was born. I had a wonderful homebirth and here is Levi's birth story:

It was a Saturday and I woke up and went to an appointment with my midwife. I was going on almost 2 weeks past my due date so Valarie my midwife wanted to see how things were going. When she checked she told me I was 4cm dilated and she could feel the baby's head!! I wasn't having any contractions and felt really good. So, we left the birth center and dropped Lulu off at my parents house because Mark and I were going to go test drive a car that we were looking to buy. Our appointment for the test drive was at 11am. I sat in our van while Mark took the car for a test drive. I made some calls to let some friends and family know that I was still pregnant. I remember while I was sitting waiting in the car I felt a contraction but didn't think much. Then on our way home I had another. We decided to go out and get some lunch. At this time it was noon and I was hungry. While we were eating I had a few more contractions and it was around 1pm at this time. I even told our waitress that I might be in labor and she thought that was exciting. After lunch we went home and I wanted to rest while Mark went and picked Lulu up, this was around 2pm. When they got home it was around 3pm and I was still having contractions but they weren't painful yet and I didn't feel the need to time them yet. I really don't like timing my contractions but finally I noticed they just weren't going away so I thought I would start making a note of how often they were coming because I knew my mom and my midwife were both going to be asking me how far apart they were......so being the good daughter I am I thought I would do this. So at this point they were about 2.5 min apart. I was still feeling really good and in no way feeling like a baby was coming. I called my mom and told her that I think I'm in labor, you might want to head over but I feel pretty good still. Then I called my midwife and she told me she was about 40min away but on her way, this was at 5pm. Then I thought I should let Mark know that I was in labor, even though he was standing right there in the kitchen with me. It didn't really hit him and he thought it was a bit odd that everyone was on their way because I was still able to hold a normal conversation with him. You see, Mark and I both have this odd thing about being in denial about labor. I'm very calm during labor and for me it's not very painful until the baby is actually coming out so my signs are hard to read. My mom arrived at 5:11pm and took over timing my contractions. She is my doula and I don't know what Mark and I would do without her being there. She is the one who thinks rationally in these situations and tells me, "Kimmy, yes you are in labor and this baby is coming soon." Now I love Mark and I think we do really well together during labor and make a good team. Some couples need to actually be next to each other and talking through contractions, but that's not us. While I was laboring Mark was doing dishes and dusting the birth pool.....yes, he was dusting. This works for us, it's not for everyone but for us this is what works. He keeps busy doing his thing and I keep busy doing my thing and then the baby arrives and we get to relax and be a family together. So once Mark was about done with the dishes, Valarie my midwife showed up and it was about 5:40pm. Her assistant showed up at 5:56pm. At 6:30pm my brother Todd and his wife Stephanie showed up and started taking pictures and the video. I want to say a special thank you to them for these amazing pictures that I have posted here. What a gift it has been to have both Lulu's birth and Levi's birth documented by them. Finally at 6:45pm the pain set in and I said "why am I doing this at home?" I remember just wanting it to be over and done. At 6:58pm my water broke and I looked up at Valarie my midwife and told her that I need to push. So we headed into our bedroom and everyone started getting ready for the baby to arrive. I remember not moments later I reached down and felt Levi's head and a few more pushes and he was out!! Lulu was right there while Valarie caught him. Then she handed Levi up to me. I was going to let Mark see if it was a girl or boy but I couldn't help but notice that it was a boy so I yelled out "It's a boy!!" before he even had a second to look. Valarie told me that while Lulu was watching she said "I see the baby!" Levi was born at 7:08pm weighing 9lbs 9oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He was BIG, but I already knew that. By 11pm everyone was gone and we all went to bed. Levi nursed right away after the birth and that night he slept so well and that meant we all slept really well too. It was picture perfect and I give all the glory to God for Levi's birth. Here is Lulu and I standing at the front door to our house about 30min before Levi joined our family. Here is my mom helping me through a contraction. She would give me water and put a cool rag on my neck, just what mom's do best. They take care of their babies even when they are 26 years old.
Here's Lulu hugging me while I was laboring.
Lulu was such a comfort to me during my labor. She did great and showed me so much love and comfort. She would tell me she loved me and how excited she was to meet the baby. It was such a great way for me to focus on her and not the pain I was feeling. I'm so thankful we had her there with us. I will always remember that special time I had with her.
Here's my mom comforting me during a contraction. She played two roles, my mom and my doula. What a blessing she has been for Mark and I during my pregnancies and labors.
Here is Valarie my midwife helping me through a contraction while Lulu was comforting me. Lulu was so hands on and helpful. We had a movie going for her but she wanted nothing to do with the movie. She wanted to be right with me helping and watching everything. I think she might be a midwife someday and a very good one too.
Here is our first family picture moments after Levi was born.
Here is little Levi Mark.
So content from the very first moments. And such a little cutie pie.Here is Mark holding Levi for the very first time.
What a proud daddy and sister.
And here is Levi being weighed. Look at Mark's face in the background......he's thinking are you kidding me? That's one big baby!

I would have to say that this past year has been amazing and Levi is such a blessing. Levi has brought so much joy to our family. Just like our Heavenly Father said in His Word, children are a blessing and we feel so incredibly blessed to have two amazing little children.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17