Just popping in in to say HI!! ~HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!~

Just thought I would drop in and say hello! We are all doing alright. Matthew is such a sweetheart and I have just been enjoying lot's of snuggling. There have been quite a few squabbles here with the other kids....they all fight over who get's to hold/change/burp/snuggle Matthew!!!LOL

I'm in the process of doing the birth story, it's in draft right now!!!LOL

Matthew went for his one week check up on Friday and he now weighs 8lbs 4ozs!! He's gained a little over a pound in ONE WEEK!! What a little butterball!!! The dr joked and said "I guess there is no milk production issues with you, is there?!?!?" I have a feeling he's going to be a big guy, like Robbie was. Robbie was always 'off the chart'. I have been bust taking pics though and will post them in the Flickr either tonight or tomorrow. Yesterday we had a birthday party for Alex and today we are putting up the Christmas tree, so lot's of pics!!! I also did a pic of my super gorgeous (NOT!!!!) 10 day post baby belly pic, that I may post!!LOL

I can't believe my Alex is 10 years old today.......double digits!!!
Happy birthday buddy!!! Mama loves you!!!

One of these days I should type up ALL their birthstories!!! But, I will definitely start with Matthew's!!!LOL!!!

But, I need to get back to the decorating and picture taking!! Can I ask you all for prayer for us? We are just in trying times (nothing to do with baby) and I'm feeling the pull and drain on my spirit and with Christmas just a few weeks away....ugh. We need a financial miracle to come our way, so please pray for us. Thankyou all so very much!
God bless,
Penny

Matthew James Arthur

Birth Story


We arrived at the hospital shortly before 7:30pm and they got me all registered and then hooked up to the fetal monitor to check out baby and to see if I was having any contractions. I was but they were pretty small and sporadic. At 8:15pm the nurse comes in and asks if I am Group B positive, I say "I don't know, but I have never tested positive before" she goes and phones the laboratory and as it turns out I am GB positive!! So I need to have some antibiotics in me...FUN! I tell Bill it's a good thing I am being induced otherwise given my labours, I never would've made it in time do administer the antibiotics. The doc on call comes in at 8:50pm to attempt to rupture my water, this is when we learn that my cervix has not cooperated and is still un-changed. She tries hard to break my water, but just can't quite reach it!!LOL

I then ask that if they're going to start me on pitocin if I could have my epidural first. Apparently they will not do this until you're showing some cervical progress!!UGH! So, my first low dose of pitocin is started at 9:15pm, she tells me I most likely won't feel anything different with the first dose except maybe some minor contractions in about 1/2 an hour. At 9:40pm I have a bit more painful contractions then I had been having and then another 5min after and then another. The nurse comes in and says she is just upping the pitocin a bit more...ugh.... so I decide I should probably go for a pee since it had been over an hour!!LOL I learn that the anesthesiologist is in a c-section and won't be available for at least 45min. My contractions are a bit stronger and are now double and triple peaking (THAT really sucks!!!) I had a couple that were 2min long!!!OUCH!

Finally just before 11pm my doc comes in and breaks my water, I am now about 3cm dilated and we learn that baby is sunnyside up!! They tell me that this will likely increase my labouring time and why I am having so much discomfort in my back. At this point, I still wasn't in unbearable pain, the contractions were definitely not fun, but I was doing alright. I decide at that point that I wasn't going to have an epidural, I figured that by the time the pain got so bad, I would be so close to pushing that I wouldn't get one in time anyways. The nurse I had was so wonderful and was coaching me through different positions to hopefully get Matthew to turn, there was just something about her that I knew I could do it naturally.

At 11:30pm, I have some troubles....Matthew's heartrate isn't reacting to well to the contractions, so we stop the pitocin and get some oxygen in me. The doctor is confident that once I get some better oxygen in me. Sure enough, after about 10mins when the pitocin had cleared and I had some oxygen, everything was fine. 12:40am, they decide that my contractions are now to far apart!!! They are about 90sec long and still hurt, but they were now about 10-15min apart. So, back on goes the pitocin so as to hopefully get me in a good pattern. Shortly after 1am, they are really picking up speed and I am DEFINITELY feeling them. I asked to be checked because of the intense pressure I keep feeling, turns out I was only at 4cm!!! So, I stay like this and keep breathing through my contractions Bill and my nurse are soooooo good and guiding me. 1:30am I get up for a pee and begin to shake......I figure I must be getting close to transition. I have to really breathe through the contractions now and I can't seem to stop shaking!!LOL 1:40am, the nurse checks me and says I am at 6cm, but can easily stretch to an 8cm.

At 1:50am, I tell her to get the dr and start setting up because I am going to be pushing!!!LOL The dr comes in and they have everything set up (the bed is dropped and they are gowned, my legs are up etc!!!)meanwhile I am grunting and trying with all my might not to bear down. The dr checks me and says "NO, DON"T PUSH!!!!YOU'RE ONLY 6cms!!!!" I am shocked, I have to continue breathing through the contractions, but cannot stop myself from bearing down as well. Finally, the dr says she will try to stretch my cervix over his head...1 contraction I am 7cm, another contraction 8cm....another contraction 9.5cm and then there was the top portion left of my cervix which she says she can easily pull over top of his head with the next contraction. However it is at this point that Matthew decides to start turning and his heartrate begins to drop dramatically, like in the 20's. They begin to start calling things out and other drs to come in, she tells me I can start pushing with all my might at the next contraction, I glance at the clock, it's almost 2:20am. I'm not completely aware of what is going on, kind of in that labour fog and was concentrating on the contractions and following my body's cues.

I begin pushing, but something doesn't feel right, like I'm not pushing hard enough or something...I keep on pushing because the urge is so strong and this is when they tell me his shoulder is stuck. I vaguely here the dr tell me about the vacuum if it doesn't come unstuck with this next contraction, Matthews heartrate is still doing funky things on the monitor and they're not sure if he's in distress or if the cord is being compressed because of him turning. The next few minutes are very foggy. I remember hearing get the vacuum and the dr telling me about possible complications and holding it up between my legs, I couldn't even tell you what I saw...a diaphragm with a cord?!?!? Then suddenly the bed drops back and I am lying with my butt and legs higher then my head and then two nurses and Bill shove my legs back and down...I swear my thighs touched my earlobes....I think that was the most painful thing.......then they say PUSH!! That was so hard, but I sensed that there was urgency and pushed with everything in me.

In that contraction, the next thing I heard was here's his head and then this little creature was flopped onto my belly!!! I couldn't really see him because of the angle I was at, but I felt his little head!!I looked at the clock and it read 2:36am!! They then whisked him over to the little area where they check them out. I deliver this HUGE placenta and a very long cord!!!LOL Turns out it was the cord being compressed after all.

While they are checking him out, they discover that his lungs are filled with tons of gunk and Matthew was trying to hard to get air. They had to suction him like crazy and called in the pediatric team. He wasn't crying, just making these bubbles come out and kind of grunting noises. The pediatric dr begins to tell Bill and I that he will need to take Matthew to the special care nursery and have an IV put in and oxygen. He says to us that they may have to keep him in there for a couple of days. I am devastated and Bill is obviously upset. My dr suggests that I be allowed to hold him skin to skin before they take him, and the pediatric allows that.

While I am holding my precious little gift, I am praying with all my heart for the Lord to heal what is going on, begging the Lord to make him better and stop what is going on. Within a couple of minutes of my holding him and praying and quietly talking to Matthew and telling him to be a brave boy and cough that gunk out, a miracle happens. The pediatric dr says "Hey, he's not blowing bubbles anymore and he's not making gurgling sounds, can I check him again?" I pass him my sweet little baby, and the ped dr looks at us in disbelief, little Matthew has perfectly clear sounding lungs, they check and re-check him...all clear. The ped dr hands Matthew back to me and says "Sometimes a Mothers touch is far better than medicine" I get the OK to go ahead and nurse him and he latches on like a champ!Praise the Lord!!!

After about an hour of snuggling and nursing, Bill gets to hold him while I go and take a much needed shower!! My back was so sore and the afterpains were quite something, let me tell you, after I gave birth, I said NOW I will certainly take a nice big shot of morphine!!LOL They had no problems with that!!LOL

So, there it is!! Finally!! Sorry it took so long, but this time I had to heal I was so sore!!LOL But, once again, I managed to give birth and not need stitches or an episiotomy, no bruising either. The dr was amazed that with all that trauma (she said they weren't very gentle...no?really? I hadn't noticed!!!ROFL!!!) that I didn't need anything.....nope little ol' me is just proof that when it comes to labour and delivery, it's what's on the inside the counts!!!LOL

Some interesting points:
Matthew was born on a Wednesday at 2:36am and Robbie was born on a Wednesday at 2:36pm!! I laboured in the same room that I did with Alyssa and I spent a bit of time in the same maternity room that I did with Alex. Neat, huh?

God bless!!

Announcing................................

Matthew James Arthur
born:November 15th, 2006 at 2:36am
weight:7lbs 5ozs
length:20 inches

He's here!!!!
Sorry it took me a bit to post, it's been hectic and I've been a little sore!!LOL
We came home Wednesday afternoon and have been just enjoying being altogether. Matthew is a sweetie and I'm head over heals in love with him, as is the rest of the house. He certainly has not been neglected, that's for sure!!LOL He is a nursing champion and apparently missed the memo that he CAN sleep and that he won't miss much!!LOL
I will post a better birth story as soon as I can, but here's the quick version.
We got the call shortly before 7pm to go in on the 14th. They broke my water after administering a bit of pitocin (my cervix had barely moved) at around 11pm. I began pushing at about 2:20am (real pushes anyways....)and he was born at 2:36am!!! There were a few 'complications' Matthew decided to stay sunny side up right up until he began crowning and then decided to rotate, which ended up making his shoulder get stuck, so we needed a little help from the vacuum, not only that, he has the biggest head out of them all (all of my others were 32-33cm around and Matthew's was 36cm!!)

The best part of it all and I am so proud of myself, I laboured and delivered without a drop of pain medication!!!! No epidural or anything!!!Like I said, I will post a better more detailed version as soon as I am able, it was the most 'exciting' birth I've ever had, next to Kayla's!!

Until then, I will be uploading more pictures in the Flickr tonight from today for you to enjoy!!

Thank you again for all your prayers and love!!
Have a blessed Friday!!
~Penny

A Bundle of nerves!!!

WOW! I cannot believe after 10 months of waiting tomorrow is THE day!!! I'm soooo excited and yet nervous at the same time!!!

So, if I can I will post before I leave to go into the hospital, if not, I will phone in (or try to) when he's born!!

PLease keep me in your thoughts and prayers for a smooth delivery!!!

I am going to take one last belly pic...gotta have a 40week one(LOL) and then as promised, I will post postpartum belly pics(although not on the top of my blog.....no need to scare people away!!!LOL)

All my love to you all and God bless!!!
~Penny

Two more sleeps!!!

and I will be sitting on the edge waiting for the phonecall!!LOL

Um, yeah, no baby Matthew yet!! Although, my body is showing me signs that it IS preparing itself, so I am anticipating a smooth induction and I'm praying for NO Pitocin....ideally it would be a blessing to in and have my water broke and then deliver drug free....but we'll see!!!

So, here's the plan, my sister is coming out tomorrow sometime and then will stay until I'm home with baby Matthew. This way, if for some odd reason I'm called in the morning on Tuesday, she's here already and Bill and I can leave right away. I highly doubt it will be early on Tuesday, most likely after supper or well into the evening.

I am soooooo excited and nervous and anxious...LOL!!!I cannot wait to meet my little Man!!

I am planning on doing one last belly pic tomorrow night (or tonight) for 40weeks, figure I might as well since I've never been 40weeks before!!!LOL I also did take some pics of the Christmas pillows we made the other day, so I will post those as well.

Back to the couch I go!!! Have a blessed Lord's day!!
~Penny

Update!!!

First off, THANKYOU soooo much for the phone messages guys!!! It is soooo cool hearing your voices!!(and your accents!!!LOL)

So, here's the verdict from today:
A little bit more progress although not in the way of dilation, however she was able to sweep my membranes (that just sounds nasty!!LOL)and we were able to schedule my induction for Tuesday November the 14th!!WHOOHOO!!! Although I am really hoping to go this weekend, but at least I have a day now!!!! No more drs appointments, which I am sure we are all very happy about!!!

So here's today's stats:
weight:134.5lbs
blood pressure:102/60
Matthew's heartbeat: 145
measuring: 41cm

So, if anything changes before then, I'll post!!

Now I'm off to clean the house....well...as much as I can!!LOL

Have a blessed Friday!!
~Penny

Checking in...............

No baby yet! ARGH! Still having regular contractions, but they come and go...*sigh*. Hopefully....prayerfully......magically......things have progressed to make favourable at my appointment tomorrow..........I'm not that convinced though. :o(

Sorry nothing that exciting to report!!LOL

I'm making my way back to the couch, my two main activities at this point are walking around the house and up and down the stairs, to sitting on my butt! I did however make an Apple Cinnamon Strudel Cake this morning! And have some yummy homemade chicken soup cooking in the crock pot (for tomorrows lunch) tonight I am totally leaving dinner in Alyssa's hands....I think we will be having hotdogs and Mac 'n' Cheese and cut up celery and carrots....works for me!

So, I will update after my appointment tomorrow morning, as soon as I can....I'm thinking I might get that nifty thing Misty has on her blog on mine....then I could just call in to my blog and post that when Matthew is born...how cool is that?!?!?! You guys can call in and leave me messages too!! I think I'll go check that out!!

Please keep us in prayers, not only about my labour and delivery, but the other stuff that is hanging over our heads right now too.
Have a blessed Thursday!!!
~Penny

HoHum News..............

Well, baby Matthew is still in my belly!!!LOL I'm soooooo sorry I didn't update when I got back, the kids were insane and I was trying to get dinner put together...ugh! Then after I had FINALLY got things settled down, my 'sweet' hubby was in the middle of an internet game and my goodness if THAT got interrupted...*sigh* I really need a laptop with satellite Internet!!!LOL

Anyways...on with the update!!LOL

At the very least my 3hrs were not in vain the other night, the DID soften my cervix and bring it forward ever so slightly, so a very small change. (can we say I have a very stubborn cervix?!?!?LOL)I am STILL at 1cm!!LOL So, no induction as of yet. She did however discuss the possibility of using cervadil (the gel to ripen my cervix) and then using Pitocin (or Synto as they call it) and THEN breaking my water, but honestly, that all just sounds pretty ridiculous in MY situation!! I could be in there for 2 days!!!LOL no thanks!!

So, we are just sitting around waiting!!LOL I do have another appointment on Friday morning (the 10th) at 8:40am MST, if things have changed to make me favourable by then, then we should probably get things going this weekend....if not...then we continue with the same plan. I'm nervous about sitting here, but I think the risk of a spontaneous homebirth (or EMS) is better than rushing something that obviously is not ready!!

The kid's theory is that Matthew wants to have a double digit birthday like they all do!!!ROFL!!(Alex-26, Alyssa-18, Robbie-19, Kayla-15, Mariah-22)*I* think this little guy just wants to prove me wrong that I CAN carry a baby to my duedate!!!LOL

Oh, and here are the drs stats:
weight:134lbs (HA!! I knew I was gaining weight!!!LOL)
bloodpressure: 102/63
measuring:39.5weeks
Matthew's heartbeat:140
He was also a bit further down and when I had a contraction while she was checking me, she said that his head comes down even further and then 'bounces' back up afterwards...so without a contraction we're at a -3 station and with she said about a -2.

So, there it is!!!LOL baby Matthew is very content in his cozy environment and is determined to be longest carried baby!!(and at this rate my BIGGEST baby too!!!)

So, I have to find things to keep me occupied because timing contractions just isn't fun anymore!!LOL, so the kids and I sewed a bunch of Christmas pillows for the living room!! I can't do much more cleaning anymore, the body just won't budge past it's limit. So I baked some cupcakes last night and proceeded to eat a few for breakfast!!!LOL
My kids are still pretty grumpy too, I'm beginning to wonder if it's just anxiousness?!?!

Well, off to email some more people and then have a couple more cupcakes for snack.......aw c'mon they're chocolate!!! How can I resist?!?!?!

Have a blessed Tuesday!!!
~Penny

It's Monday!!!! It's a new week!!! It's a new day!!!

Nah, I'm really not THAT energetic today!!LOL Actually, I am very tired. I was having contractions every 7min on the nose from 9:30pm until sometime in the wee morning hours. When midnight hit and they were still the same, I knew they weren't going to do much...phooey!!! Now, they've gone back to 20min apart!!LOL I will find out this afternoon if they've actually DONE anything, I have no idea since I have only had the darn contractions and NOTHING else!!LOL

You know, if it wasn't for the fear of a delivery like Kayla's, I would be perfectly fine with this whole scenario. Even with Kayla's it wasn't so bad, I just would've liked to have arrived at the hospital AT LEAST 1/2 an hour before delivery and not 6mins!!LOL I also happen to like to have the opportunity to CHOOSE whether I would like an epidural or not and not have to threaten the poor intake nurse about my desires!!!LOL It would also be nice to be able to drive to the hospital at the posted speed limit and not have to hear my husband tell me to SHUSH! or how much my sounds resemble a wounded cow!!!And that I had better not let my water break in the van!!!ROFL!!!

The kids are awfully grumpy today, I'm not sure if it's the weather change or what their problem is, if anyone should be grumpy around here it should be ME!!They all keep asking me "Is Matthew going to come out tonight?" and "Is your body ready NOW?" LOL!!! They all have days picked out for when they think he'll be born, today is Alex's and Robbie and Alyssa's is tomorrow. My day has come and gone!!!LOL If Mr. Matthew is still snuggly in me by Thursday, this will be my longest pg!! Alex was born at 39w2d, 39w1d, Robbie was 38w3d and Kayla was 39w0d, Alyssa was also 39w0d....maybe that's the deal, Matthew is making a statement!!!He wants his own day...I guess that leaves 39w3d!!!ROFL!!

I have told the kids they could have today off (and yes, they are STILL grumpy) and if the doctor tells me that we will be putting in for my non-emergency induction this evening (or tomorrow evening....or the next)then they can have school off until Matthew is born. If things are not favourable for the induction, then we will resume school as normal tomorrow!! Guess what they're hoping for?!?!?!LOL!!!!

Well, I suppose I should go and throw a load of laundry in....maybe do SOMETHING!!LOL Then I think I will search out some more of the kid's chocolate...YUM chocolate!!!

Oh BTW, just for a funny...when I got weighed at the drs on Friday, guess how much I was??? 130lbs!!!! ROFLMBO!!!!! I have now been 130lbs since week 33 according to their files!!!LOL There is no way that is possible, I think their scale has something against me....just for today I am going to stand differently on it....maybe backwards!!!LOL And yet my belly is measuring about 1-1/2 weeks ahead...LOL!!!! It's the magical pregnancy...LOL!!!.....grow a baby and don't gain a pound!!!ROFL!!!

I'll post later....have a blessed Monday!!!

Update

I thought I should come and check in here!!!LOL

No baby yet, although today has had me with a bit more stronger contractions, but they aren't getting any closer or anything. Of course things can change in a heartbeat with me, but I think I'm pretty safe in saying that nothing is going to happen today...:o(

However, I do have another drs appointment tomorrow at 4pm MST, so we'll see if these nasty contractions are actually doing anything!!!LOL

Other than that, I am just cleaning and resting...LOL!!!

I'll post (if I can) if I leave for the hospital. If not, I'll post tomorrow after my appointment!!

Thankyou for all the prayers and ELV!!!!
~Penny

Doctors Appt Update!!

Just a quick note!

Everything went very well and I am very blessed to have such a great doctor!

Soooo, here's the verdict:
My body is not favourable for an induction right now (via breaking my water) I'm still at 1cm(which is nothing to jump around over when you've given birth 5 times!!!LOL) and there isn't enough forewaters (bulge of the amniotic sac above baby's head) for her to break. She did say that I am in 'early labour', but knowing me, I can be there for a month!!!LOL She did mention that I could go in and have an IV with Pitocin started, but I'm not comfortable with having that unless my body was showing it was a bit more ready. Basically I won't 'allow' anything unless I'm at least 3cm.

So, now I will spend the day cleaning some more and 'enjoying' contractions every 6-8mins!!!LOL!! Praise the Lord I feel good and can do that!!!I'm also so happy that Matthew is a happy little guy in there as well!

So for right now, nothing exciting to report, but if things change I'll let ya'll know!!!!

Thankyou for all your well wishes and prayers!!!
Have a blessed Friday!!!
~Penny

Time for Change!!!

Well, it's November.......time for the winter graphics!!!LOL I won't bombard my blog with Christmas ones yet (even though my house is decorated!!!YUP! Everything but the tree!!!LOL)

We were busy yesterday, November 1st is Christmas decorating day at our house!! The tree will go up November 26th (our family tradtion is either the first Sunday after Alex's birthday or on his birthday, whichever comes first) and then the outside lights get turned on December 1st!!! Whoohoo!!!

Mrs. Seamans came by for a visit today, drop off the kid's marked work and some tests. They all got good marks on their first modules!! It looks as though Robbie will most likely begin grade 2 math after Christmas!!! Alex is also going to be doing a supplementary Language program, because he worked ahead and completed assignments that weren't due until Jan.10th!!!LOL

I went out with Kerri last night and we had an awesome time!!! Even with all my waddling!!!LOL She blessed us with some wonderful treats and I can't thank her enough!!! Truly I am blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life....you have no idea!!!! I am all ready for baby Matthew, all except the car seat. Thankfully it looks as though Becky will be loaning us a seat. Praise the Lord our precious blessing will have a safe ride home!!! Don't ask about what happened with my mother......*sigh*. But, at least my little man has diapers to wear at the hospital and wipes and some wonderfully smelling bath stuff, his bags are packed with cozy blankies and snuggly sleepers!!(and Mama's is packed with hotwater bottles and ginormous sanitary napkins!!!!LOL)

So, tomorrow I will find out what is going on!!! I am sooooooo excited!!!! I cannot believe how fast time has gone! I can't wait to snuggle my little man in my arms and brush my lips across his fuzzy head and inhale that intoxicating new baby aroma!!! I'll be sad to see my belly go and I will miss his movements, but I will embrace the time we will get with nursing!!!! I will post as soon as I can about what will be happening, as well as email friends and family. My appointment is at 8:30am MST tomorrow (Friday). I'm having regular contractions now, they range from 5-10min apart. The further apart they are, they are more painful and start in my back. But the close together ones are just annoying!!LOL So, I know my body is ready!!

I've had a couple emails in regards to being induced (some of you are quite adamantly against inducing!!! Which is perfectly fine!!!But, WHOA!!!) We are inducing because of my rapid labours/deliveries. While I completely agree that a natural birth is the best, in MY situation, induction is the safest. We are 20min from the hospital when there is no traffic and I REALLY do not want to risk delivering on the side of the road with a freaked out husband!!!LOL Not only that, as much as I would love a homebirth, I like the safety of a hospital or at least trained people (even though Alex is convinced her could deliver a baby!!!LOL) not only that, I really don't want all the trauma associated with having EMS here and my being rushed off via ambulance. So, there you have it!! BTW, my inductions are very easy. Typically all it takes is breaking my water and sometimes a bit of pitocin. I'm usually in the early stages of labour by the time we induce.

I hope you all enjoyed our pics!!! We had soooooo much fun painting my belly!!! The kid's thought that was the best part!!! It was pretty cold that night so we didn't trick or treat for long (I think it was around -10 to -13 degrees Celsius) the kids had their costumes over top of their snowsuits!!!LOL But, they had fun!!!

Well, back to nesting!!LOL I'm trying to get as much done as possible!!!!



Keep us in your prayers!!!
Have a blessed Thursday!!
~Penny

Halloween Pictures to share!!!!

Click on the Flickr to view our day!!! Enjoy!!