Rachel's Checkup Update

Somehow when I don't blog for awhile its hard to get organized to get going again. Plus the little problem of 3 children 3 & under. Anyway here is a record of Rahel's doctor visits.This is some of her firsts. Top left is her first car ride home. Under that is her first visit to Uncle Marshall's house of the fourth of July celebration, (her first time out of the house was to the Dr, then Target for pictures) and she is being held by her cousin Megan. In the middle she is getting her first bath on June 25. On the top right was first tummy time where she held her head up really well on July 5. I'm afraid this one is in a hurry to grow up- wanting to sit and stand and be a part of everything. Bottom right she is with her great Grandma and Grandpa Johnson after her first time at church for Eric's cousin Tiffany's farewell on July 24. Grandma was was so tickled to see her because Jewell is her maiden name.The birthing center was able to do most things to check on her and even keep track of her when I went back for postpartum visits I still wanted to check in with her Dr especially to get the PKU done so we went in on June 24 two days later. At that time we found a discrepancy on height and head circumference. She weighed 8.38 lbs in the 77%, was 21 in long put her at 83%, and 13.5 inch head being in the 35%. Said she looked wonderful and just to watch for jaundice. We also took a bunch of newborn pictures both at home and at Target. This one was from home on June 25 going in on Mon the 27, amazing how much they change in those few days!Next we visited the Dr for her 2 wk check up on July 7. She weighed in at 8.71 lbs putting her in the 62%, same tall dropping her to the 56% and head measured at 14 in putting her at the 38%. Overall a drop in percentile and the Dr was concerned because she wasn't back up to birth weight yet. I believe it was because she was soo sleepy she had a hard time focusing which also gave me mastitis and that really wasn't fun. Luckily it all cleared up and we went back to check on weight on July 19. She passed being 9.55 lbs (65%). Picture of all kids on July 6 in some of their Independence Day clothes. They love their sister!

Rachel on July 17 wearing one of my dresses. She gets to wear a different dress every week for the first several months of life. Also she is wearing the Grover traditional turquoise bracelet.

By August I was getting concerned about the quantity of her spit up and we were enduring a lot wailing as she has a touch of colic. So we went to the Dr to check out the possibility of GERDS (gastroesophagael reflux disease) and I thought her tongue was white with thrush (thinking that was just what we needed) on August 1. She weighed 10.47 lbs (73%), 22.5 in long (85%) growing apx 2 inches in a month, and head was 14.1 in (10%- luckily not the big head Aaron has). I got a lesson on how to look for thrush which she did not have thank goodness and we got reflux medicine which seems to help quite a bit. Picture taken August 6 chilling out with Daddy on the floor. She quite likes laying on the floor as long as she isn't spitting up. Sometimes when trying to calm her it works to just lay her on the floor.Back to Dr on August 22 for her 2 month check up. She weighed in at 11 lbs 15.5 oz gaining a pound in 21 days! That puts her in the 80% and boy can I feel the weight in sore arms and shoulders carrying her around all day. She is 23 in tall (growing .5 in in 21 days!) putting her in the 76% so she is definitely proportional. Head is 14.75 in- 19%. Currently she has grown out of newborn clothes and is wearing 0-3 mon, though I haven't figured out her wearing pattern yet (long body vs long legs). Wearing size one shoe and diaper. She likes to smile and "talk" to us making the cutest noises ever. This picture was taken the same day at Costco as we did a bunch of errands after the appointment. Doesn't she look content amidst all the groceries?

Invite for Rachel

All are welcome to come to Rachel's blessing on August 7, 2001 at 11 AM. If need directions to our church please call us. Also welcomed to join us for lunch after the meeting. We would love to introduce you to Rachel. Rachel is growing and growing. At her 2 week appointment the doctor was a little nervous that she hadn't returned to her birth weight so asked us to come in the next week just to weigh her. We didn't get back for a week and a half but she had joined almost a whole pound in that week! I figured she was too sleepy which also caused me to have some mastitis that wasn't fun. She is by far my sleepiest baby.
Miriam still loves her so much as shown here sliding with her on July 20 at 28 days old.

The Rest of the Story

After my experience at the hospital I was more determined to find a midwife and another birthing option. I loved Miriam's hospital for its homey atmosphere, but our insurance doesn't cover it. So around Thanksgiving I found a midwife group. I enjoyed seeing them if only because we never had to wait at our appointments!

As it came closer and I got bigger- all in my belly (I had so many more random people ask when I was due because I was obviously pregnant) I looked forward to my sister Jennifer coming to

help us out. She came May 21 and stayed to June 26. She was a great deal of help cleaning, cooking and watching out for the kids. She also kept us on track with our routines particularly bedtime. It was nice if they fell asleep in the car on the way to our errands that she could just stay with them and I could still get my errand completed.

I had very little braxton hicks contractions and she didn't drop till the day she was born thus I didn't see any effacement till I was fully in labor. I experienced one contraction a couple of weeks ago then none till the Sat before though I didn't realize till I had more Sun morning that was what it was. I had one or so Sun night and Mon morning making me wonder if my father-in-law would get his wish of her being born on his birthday, but no. Wed morning I woke up at 4 with the arrival of Miriam and Aaron to our room. Settled them and then felt a contraction so I left to lay on the couch. I thought about staying up but then thought if this is labor I need all the rest I can get. A contraction arrived every 1/2 hr or so after till 6 when they started coming more regularly. I moved into high gear to finish gathering things, taking care of things before we left including cutting my bangs so they would be out of the way and french braiding my hair. I was disappointed to find the contractions in my back again. I had worked hard to get her turned all month so that wouldn't happen. We left to deliver around 9:45. It was strange labor- the contractions never really got closer just more intense. I also was in a strange place emotionally, kind of disconnected. One of the effects was it seemed to take a long time to get through. I loved being at the new place, it was a relaxed atmosphere and comfortable. I also deeply appreciated that my midwife Trinette never went far, explained precisely what she was doing and what was happening, and gave me options all along. Then I got in the bathtub to ease the intensity which was good, but there wasn't very good support for my back. I hadn't officially decided to have a water birth, but once I was in I couldn't get out again. I felt the pushing motions early it seemed and so felt like I was pushing for a long time. They broke my water which I was hesitant because the other 2 times it made the contractions soo much stronger. This time it actually helped and after apx 11 min of hard pushing (in which I was sure she was stuck) she was born at 12:17. Trinette draped herself over the edge of the tub (no idea how she did it) caught Rachel unwrapped the cord with a quick push and before I know it Rachel is sitting on my chest. She just sort of bobbed up through the water washing the blood off though she was covered in vernix so she looked white. They put a towel over her and we all sat there looking at her till the blood stopped pulsing in the umbilical cord. Eric actually cut the cord for the first time. Then the placenta came and they said it was one of the biggest ones they had seen- wonder how much weight I lost right there between the 3. We just sat in the tub recovering for quite awhile or so it seemed. We finally got out and dried off to lay on the nice queen size bed and get more acquainted.

Still partially covered in vernix, they didn't give her any other bath just rubbed it all in as they checked her out.

It was interesting to see they check her out as I had never done that before. They just had her at the foot of the bed and brought in the scale. Though soon all of this was peripheral as Trinette checked me over and found a tear that needed stitching- drats I was really hoping not to, but I guess with that big of a baby it may have been inevitable. Got us all settled and mom went home to see how the other kids were doing and Eric, Rachel and I took a nap (I don't think I really fell asleep though).
The kids were so excited to see their new sister. Aaron's eyes lit up when he first saw her. Apparently Miriam was already looking out for her because she was quite concerned that Rachel's car seat was in the trunk- mom and Jennifer weren't sure how to get all situated. Also that Rachel had a cut on her belly (ie her umbilical cord). We also caught some funny conversations about how Rachel needed to get on the floor and walk. When we told her she couldn't Miriam thought it was because she needed to put her shoes on. Miriam also adored holding her and constantly asked to be able and hold her. Our new family: mom, dad and baby; three kids and mom!; the girls (I enjoy being able to say that). When kids started getting antsy we sent them home by way of Arctic Circle for corn dog dinner. We rested a bit more then started gathering as we could only stay 8 hrs after the birth so check out time was 10:00. I really wished we could have stayed the night to rest in peace without the other 2. We meant to leave earlier, but of course she needed to nurse then change her diaper, etc- all problems of leaving with a newborn. Another nice thing about this delvery option was a well stocked kitchen we could raid for whatever we wanted at no extra charge.Going home! Rahel all dressed up in her special outfit that looked for forever (wanted something purple and there weren't a lot of choices). Eric went to buckle her in since I wasn't exactly at full strength.We also stopped for my traditional shake. Got home to sleeping children. Ahh the end of a very long, exciting day.

Welcome Rachel Jewell Jones!

She arrived Wed June 22 at 12:17 pm. I was so glad not to have another one in the night- much better during the day! She weighs 9 lbs 4 oz and is 21 inches long. By far my biggest baby! Her siblings love her lots and lots.

Our happy family of 5. I will add a few more birth details later I just wanted to get the word our of her arrival.

Gardening

Here are the fruits of our garden last year that we officially finished up in October. We have enjoyed getting into gardening and being able to eat homegrown food.We mostly ate little carrots as they were bunched together, but Miriam helped plant them and so there were a few outliers that really grew (Eric's holding one of the specimens). We planted just enough peppers for eating so we planted more this year- got a variety pack of all the colors. Unfortunately we wasted a lot of our tomatoes (just getting into morning sickness), bottom right pic is when we pulled up all the plants on Oct 26- got a couple of boxes worth. The top is Aaron by our strawberry bed. We got a handful of strawberries last year, but have increased significantly this year though fighting with bugs and birds for them. Aaron sure loves to pick and eat them. He's getting better about not picking green ones.

October 14 found Eric and the kids finishing preparing the ground for our fruit way we planted this April. Eric tilled up about 2 foot row all along our back fence and fertilized it before the winter storms come. The kids really enjoyed helping to dig!Fast forward to April 1 when our fruit arrived. The bottom right is how the row looks along the back fence. The picture on the left is Miriam helping plant the blackberries. Top right is Miriam and Aaron helping dig a hole to place the raspberries. We also planted an almond tree, 2 cherry trees, and grapes. It will be great fun when they start producing. We didn't plant a lot mostly just for fresh eating, but I'm already thinking of salads and parfaits, yummy yum! We also planted a bunch more strawberries figuring we could never have too many.

We decided to wait longer this year to plant besides the onions (3/11) and carrots (4/2). It was a good thing to because this wintry scene was April 29! I didn't think it was a very good joke and it stayed freezing at night through the first part of May. Eric was digging up the last of the roses to take to Delta so we could finish prepping our whole garden area.

Looks a little different here on May 7 when Eric finished roto tilling new compost in. I love how cute the kids are ready for a warm working day. Eric got them the cute matching straw hats, and their camelbacks for Easter.

Of course they had to be in the middle helping Daddy plant on May 21. They also got their own shovels for Easter from my mom.

Planting tomato plants, helping daddy. We also planted peppers, cucumbers, and pumpkins. My role besides taking pictures this year was to sit in my camping chair and give Eric instructions on how to plant the different seeds. I also wrote down in our gardening book what we did and when- sounds tough? ;) Here's to a great garden!

New Arrival

The chickens arrived on May 18 by overnight delivery. I was glad Eric got the early morning call from the post office and he dealt with setting them up and got to see the kids reaction. We believe they were born on May 16 in Connecticut. A few days before the chicks arrival date Eric and the kids got their home ready. First they tried a cardboard box with wood shavings, but Eric soon realized that wouldn't work well. So he switched over to a metal washtub. Then Eric struggled getting the heating lamp secured in our little half bath. The bathroom was chosen because I mostly use it to soak laundry and don't go in a lot plus linoleum for easy cleanup and a easy access sink to wash hands after handling them.
The kids have been totally enthralled. Miriam loves to pick them up, but Aaron is content to just watch them. They were such cute fluff balls when they came. The first day as they were adjusting they would cycle through lots of peeps when walking around and then they would face plant for a short nap and go quiet. Overall they weren't too noisy, mostly when Miriam would bother them then they got loud.

Our 4 new pets- Brownie, Rockie, Lacie, and 'the white one' (still not named).

This is Eric's pet project and in his usual fashion researched quite thoroughly everything from which breeds would be best, to how to care for them, to best house. Here he explains which breeds he chose. If wondering about the red glow that is the brooder heat lamp to keep their temp up. At first we just gave them sugar water and then introduced them to baby chick feed and gravel. So far they are working out great for us, more updates to come.

Random September Happenings

This may be a little long of a post but nothing else tied together so here are a few pictures to document our cute kids. Aaron just looked adorable in his 'tractor' outfit and you can see his curly hair. This was on Sept 2, not looking much like a baby any more!

While I bathed with her from a very young age I sang several different songs. This video taken on Sep 12 shows how she can sing with me and do our hand motions. We also have "Twinkle Little Star" as a picture book that Miriam took to 'reading' to Aaron. Whenever she hears the song now she says "its like Aaron's book" and usually has to go find it. Now she is always singing along with her movies and we've been working on learning primary songs.Both of the kids love to be right there helping to cook. Here Miriam is helping put the cinnamon and nutmeg in the pancakes generously on Sept 14.Aaron still falling asleep when wait too long to eat. Sept 21 and it wasn't many months more that he refused to sit in the high chair and had to seat at the table. Poor guy having a big sister to have pink stuff.We love when Grandma Nicee comes to visit! Sept 26 after church. Miriam is wearing the dress Grandma bought her that summer (in purple of course!). Grandma is the only one who can regularly convince Miriam to fix her hair cute with curls.

September 27 shows Aaron not losing interest in tools. He got a hold of the hammer and was carrying it around. I was glad he could wear those overalls because Miriam wore them first and by the time it was Aaron's turn it was winter. Miriam is wearing her "dancing" skirt that Grandma Nicee got her and for awhile she always had to go get it to dance.Some of the many faces of Aaron. He is 13 months and getting into and out of everything from stairs to his high chair. He also is catching up to Miriam in liking to read books. There is no where he can't go.