Brighton - One Month

(I typed this up when you were actually one month, but forgot to put it on the blog. Third Kid Problems)

05/23/2018

Brighton, you are one month old!! Time is already flying by and I feel like you are huge already. You are already over 9 pounds! We’ve been working on your latch issues by seeing a lactation consultant and also a physical therapist and you’ve been doing great at both. Things are getting better, but not quite 100% yet. Clearly you are getting the job done because you are gaining weight; it just hurts ME every time you nurse. We are just working on the way you move your tongue.

I think your brothers are your favorite people in the world. Trenton especially, gets some of your biggest smiles! Tucker is warming up to you as well and he is asking to hold you more often. These boys love you SO much! The way they talk to you and give you all their attention is just the greatest thing to witness as a parent. They are going to be your protectors and biggest fans as you grow up. I know at times it’ll be frustrating to have so many brothers (biological and Boys Town) taking care of you and wanting to protect you, but I also hope that you embrace it and realize that being the only girl, and the baby at that, you are deeply loved and cherished and they will only want the best for you. One of our past guys who visits often (Michael), has always been adamant that he is biologically ours. He’s the only guy I’ve allowed to hold you. He can’t wait for you to get bigger and call him Bichael like Trenton did :) he already loves you as his baby sister as well.

Your daddy is also smitten by you and you’ve already accomplished the goal of getting him wrapped around your tiny little fingers. Whenever you smile or coo at him, his heart melts and it is so precious. Now if we could just work on you letting him hold you for more than a few seconds before crying for Mommy!

This month we got to spend time with Daddy’s side of the family when they visited for a week when you were born. They got to love all over you and your brothers. It was so great to have them here. It helped in my recovery and also helped keep your brothers entertained by having your cousin here too.

In our home, we also got to see two of our guys graduate high school and three others leave successfully! We really hope and pray that this group of boys can do well in the real world and be successful. Trenton and Tucker really enjoyed having most of them as their big brothers. As you get older, you will learn to have your heart open to all the guys that move in and out of our lives. They all love to play with you little kids! Pretty soon we will be getting practically a whole new group of guys since right now we only have three.

Sweet girl, you are growing too fast already and life continues to go by at warp speed. I pray that we can cherish every moment of you being our last baby, as well as live in the moment with your brothers, while also teaching all our other guys how to be successful adults, sons, and future husbands and dads. We have a lot on our plate! You are so smiley and perfect and don’t care that your brothers scream and are extraordinarily loud all day long, which helps the craziness that is our lives :)

I love you Brighton Zoey.

 How can you resist those little cheeks and lips??

Your hair is starting to curl so early!

I just love your cheeks, Baby Girl

Trenton had a Mother's Day Tea at preschool and he insisted that you join in our picture

He also insisted that he have his own picture with just the two of you :)

My first Mother's Day as a mom of three!!

The love your Daddy has for you is like no other. You should compare every man you meet with your dad and make sure they live up to the high standard!

Those sparkly eyes

Your brothers love you so much!!!

Brighton’s Birth Story

Brighton was born on Monday, April 23rd at 5:31am 7lbs 10oz and 20 inches long!

Monday morning at 2am I woke up from a contraction. They were immediately 5-7 minutes apart but not very intense. Stronger than the Braxton Hicks I was occasionally having but for being that close together, not very strong. So I took a shower, made sure my labor bag was organized and together, and just kind of walked for a bit. Around 3:15-3:30 contractions started getting a little more intense and about 2 1/2-4 minutes apart. Still not as strong as I felt they should be for being that close, but I called my midwife and then went to wake up Joseph. 

Waking up Joseph when he is in a deep sleep is always a highlight for me. He always gets so angry and it is perfect opportunity for me to mess with him. Since contractions weren’t super strong, I have to admit I probably didn’t look or sound like a woman in labor, so poor Joseph was really confused when I told him he needed to get up and get ready. I did tell him he could take his time though because I did think we had at least a few more hours before she was born. While Joseph packed the car up and we waited for someone to come sit at our house, contractions started getting a little more intense and I started feeling slight pressure. Though I still thought we had awhile. Some nausea came with a few contractions and I took some Zofran just in case and told Joseph to bring a bucket as precaution since we had a 45 minute drive.

Around 4:20am we left for Lincoln and headed to the birth center. The entire car ride was quiet as the contractions came and went. They were strong but again, I thought they would get stronger still. I did throw up a few times in the car so very thankful we thought to bring something! We did just buy our mini van after all :) as we got closer to Lincoln, the pressure got a little stronger and I knew the baby would be born soon, but I was thinking in the next couple hours. I didn’t tell Joseph the progression of my contractions or pressure though. I didn’t want him to panic while driving I guess :) 

We pulled up to the birth center around 5:20am and head to the exam room for a quick cervical check. I was 9cm dilated so my midwife called the nurse to come in as well. My midwife left to go turn the tub on in the birthing suite down the hall while Joseph tried slowly helping me make my way to the suite. But as soon as I tried to stand up from the exam table, another contraction came and I couldn’t help but push. Joseph panicked a bit and we both yelled for my midwife to come back in. There was maybe a 30 second break and then another contraction as my midwife came running back into the room. The pressure was still too intense even between contractions for me to move. I remember apologizing to Joseph and Latrice (my midwife) because they were both trying so hard to get me to the birthing room! However, on the 3rd contraction, Brighton Zoey West was born at 5:31am on the exam table/footstool. She came very quick in 3 pushes and was perfect. 

I got back on the exam table and immediately got a shot of Pitocin as the bleeding had already started just seconds after birth. About 6 minutes later the placenta was delivered and I was actually able to walk to the birthing suite to get cleaned up and lay down in the bed. The Pitocin really helped at the beginning as I don’t think I would’ve been able to walk without getting lightheaded without it.

As I got situated on the bed to recover and bond with our sweet baby, blood clots started pouring out with and without every push of my abdomen. I was still hopeful that the Pitocin would do its job and I would stop hemorrhaging soon. My nurse and midwife at the center were fantastic and tried their hardest with IV fluids, meds, and even waiting until the last resort on giving me the med that makes me shake uncontrollably, though I did have to get everything they had at the center even before the next adventure started.

Luckily since I’ve passed out every other time I’ve given birth (and a few times in Uganda), I know what to look out for and have about 20 seconds to alert those around me. I felt a lot of blood clots come and then about 5-10 minutes later I told Joseph to go get the midwife because I was going to pass out. He was holding Brighton so as he tried to juggle her and quickly get help, I felt myself fading. I always though that when I passed out it just looked like a classic faint, like my batteries just died and I shut down. That’s what it always feels like to me. But later Joseph told me it is pretty scary to witness and a different experience for other people. I was only out for a few seconds, because there wasn’t too much of a lull in conversations that I picked up on. Whenever I pass out, my mind is still fully there and alert but my body has completely shut down. I can’t move and can’t open my eyes and can’t talk. The most I can do is shake my head to answer questions. 

I passed out around 8:20-8:30am so other midwives were now in the office to help. They called for an ambulance transfer and soon 3 firemen showed up. They ran some on-site tests and I was feeling good enough to sit up a little bit and was able to converse well. Joseph pointed it out first later, but having 3 attractive firemen seeing you at your worst is always a little awkward 😳 soon after the ambulance and EMTs showed up and moved me to the stretcher. It was my first time on a stretcher and first time in an ambulance as the patient so that was a new experience for me. 

When I got to the hospital and into a room, that’s when the emergency rush happened. Joseph was still at the birth center with Brighton to finish up her testing since we didn’t get that done yet. Since she was healthy, we decided not to admit her to the hospital as a patient with me. I’m glad Joseph wasn’t with me at this time though. It was pretty intense and scary for all that went on. 

When I got into the room, nurses were all around. A few of them started a second IV in my other hand so I had one IV in each hand. Other nurses asked me some questions, Some more inserted a catheter, and some more nurses and the OB put me in stirrups and the OB said she was going to check my cervix. I was not expecting her to practically rip open my body from the outside. She said there was a piece of the placenta still attached inside me. One nurse gave me pain meds through the IV and said I may feel sleepy. I thought they were giving me anesthesia for an emergency procedure or something. However, I didn’t feel sleepy and I’m not sure what good it did. Whatever the OB did to extract the placenta was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. As it felt like something was ripping my body in part from the outside, I also felt her digging around inside my body, all the way up to my ribs. Never have I cried from pain before. Tears, yes, but I have a pretty high pain tolerance. But this, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. It made me actually cry. I passed out from the pain and one of the nurses waved some fragrance in front of my nose to wake me up. I remained unable to move, talk, or open my eyes again for awhile after that experience. Luckily though, the OB was able to remove it all. She told me later that if not, they would’ve rushed me into surgery for a D&C which could’ve ended up as a hysterectomy if it was bad enough. So thank you Jesus, that I wasn’t rushed into surgery without Joseph being there or even knowing what was going on. 

After all of that experience, my energy levels slowly came back and by the time Joseph arrived with Brighton, I was able to speak and move again. When I arrived at the hospital my iron levels were at 10.2 (anemic is below 10). But since I hemorrhaged and lost so much blood over the course of about 4 hours, I was on watch for a blood transfusion. 

At 3pm I got blood drawn again and my iron levels were at 8.6. Below 7 and I would need a transfusion. So I was finally able to move upstairs since I didn’t need a transfusion!

The maternity recovery rooms at St. Elizabeth’s are pretty great. I had a queen hospital bed so Joseph was able to sleep on an actual bed and not on the horrible hospital pull out couches. If I was able to get up and not be lightheaded or pass out, I could get the catheter removed. The first couple times I got up I was lightheaded but I was able to get the catheter removed by around 10pm. 

On Tuesday, my blood was drawn at 6:30am and my iron levels dropped again to 7.4 but my midwife still gave me the choice to go home if I wanted to. Throughout the day I hardly had any pain, and I didn’t get too dizzy or lightheaded while showering, so was able to be discharged around 2pm!

While in the hospital, Brighton did great. She slept a lot the first day and didn’t want to wake up to nurse, but around midnight she nursed for about 4 hours straight to make up for it. At her one day follow up appointment at the birth center on Tuesday, Joseph said she did great. I was still at the hospital so he took her. Her jaundice levels were good and she only lost 6 ounces! 

She is having trouble latching, since she sucks on her tongue and refuses to put it down, so we are still working on that. Even though I’ve had to pump for the past 4 days instead of nurse, I do have 40 ounces in the freezer already! So a bright side to her latch issues at least. 

Trenton is absolutely in love with his baby sister and always wants to hold her and smother her with hugs. He refuses to kiss her though and says it’s disgusting :) Tucker is interested occasionally in his baby sister but cares more about his puppy than anything

 A friend brought this beautiful blanket by today, just in time for Brighton's one week photo!

Baby #3 - 40 Weeks

Brighton,

We made it to your due date! Not like I was worried or anything, but more like quite the opposite. I was hoping you would be born early! The past month has been extremely painful for me. Every time I stand up or walk it is excruciating pain in my hips and pelvis. On really bad days I contemplate calling the midwife and scheduling an induction or even a c-section, the pain is so bad. It was even worse when you were breech again but got a teeny tiny bit better once you turned yourself around. However, this past week, the 39th week, I have had more good/not horrible pain moments and days than usual, which has been absolutely fantastic. The past couple days your movements have slowed down and you have dropped so I'm hoping within the next week to week and a half you will decide to make your appearance.

One thing that has been bothering me and I find to be extremely sad is the perception on birth here in Nebraska. Almost every single person I have talked to or asked me about you, has asked when I will be induced or "how long will your doctor let you go?" It is so sad! The education on childbirth and prenatal care seems so behind times than most other states. Forty weeks is only an estimate, not an exact day the baby will be born. But it seems like most all doctors here in Nebraska are afraid to let anyone go past 40 or 41 weeks. Not only do doctors not agree with the practice of water birth (laboring in water is fine but birthing is practically out of the question), and home birth with a certified midwife is illegal, but they push induction and what seems like fear into pregnant women. I really hope by the time you have kids, the laws and practices have gotten extremely better and more mother-friendly. Even though the past month for me has been quite miserably painful, I know I ultimately do not want to be pushed into a medical procedure I do not need just because you weren't ready to be born.

On a good note, your brothers are so excited for you to be born! Every night they hug my belly and say "Come out Brighton! We want to meet you!" Sometimes Trenton throws in there that he wants you to come out so we can go back to the zoo again :) Even your Boys Town brothers are excited to meet you. A lot of them actually remembered that your due date is today, though I had to remind them that it is just an estimate and you could still take your sweet time for another couple weeks. Please don't though. I really am DONE being pregnant! I cannot wait to hold my sweet, precious baby daughter in my arms. Plus, Daddy and I could really use a "vacation" and some time off work.

I thought it would be fun if you were born on the 26th though. Since Daddy and Trenton's birthdays are on the 20th of their month, and Tucker and my birthdays are on the 26th of our months, it would fit perfect if you were born on the 20th or 26th of your month! And since the 20th has passed, the 26th is left. However, we also seem to be a family (and extended family) who likes to clump birthdays together, so almost every day that is left, is someone else's birthday. The 23rd is Aunt Stephanie's, the 25th is your cousin Kaiden's, the 30th is your Aunt Isa's, May 1st is your Uncle 2-2, and May 2nd is Aunt Tiana's. So really, your birthday will be on or near someone's!

I am also convinced that you wanted to stay inside your nice and warm home while we have had some crazy winter weather lately. It has seriously made everyone, especially me, so angry! Last week I was so livid and I just hated everything and everyone because it was snowing. It was probably a good thing I wasn't around anyone that morning! Luckily though, it looks like the snow may FINALLY be over! I sure hope so. It should definitely not snow in April. Ever. So, Baby Girl, now that the weather is getting better, feel free to come meet the world any time now!

Baby #3 - 36 Weeks

Brighton,

We are at week 36! It has been a pretty crazy month or two. In the past month we have had to go to the hospital twice. Once I was admitted overnight because my breathing was so bad and my pulse wouldn't go down. They ran an EKG, CT Scan, and one other heart test at the hospital to make sure that area was good. I also got tested for the flu and had to have a few bags of IV fluids over the course of the stay. But luckily all came back normal. My breathing has still been a struggle and I get out of breath just from standing up. But when you are born, all should be well again. The second time I had to go to the hospital, I wasn't admitted, thankfully, but I did get some really strong anti-nausea meds and three bags of fluids in just a couple hours. I was fine the day before, but then by the afternoon of the next day I was vomiting, extremely nauseous, and dehydrated. Zofran wasn't working for me so I had to get something stronger at the hospital. Both our heart rates were pretty high and I was also having some contractions that were picked up by the monitor, all due to the sudden onset of dehydration. Luckily we got that all taken care of fairly quickly and our wonderful neighbors helped drop me off and pick me up from the hospital. Daddy has been a wonderful husband and daddy and reminding me to take it easy and not do too much, especially on my good days, so I don't get sick and worn out too quickly. This is very difficult for me since I do not like to sit and do nothing!

Another thing that has happened the past month is that you are breech. Again! At our 30 week appointment you were breech, then 32 weeks you were head down, but then by 34 weeks you were breech again and have stayed there. Currently it feels like you are sitting sideways. I've been to the chiropractor for the Webster technique to try and flip her. My entire pelvis has been in a lot of pain the past week as well so I know there isn't much room for you to flip because of that. We see the midwife again on Monday and then we will talk about next steps. Meaning going to the hospital to try to manually flip you to the correct position. I have read that it can be a bit painful though. Also that it could cause me to go into labor. Hopefully it all goes well and no matter what you are born a healthy, happy, little girl!

Almost every day your brothers ask when you will be born. They cannot wait for their baby sister to get here! Daddy and I have been struggling in choosing a middle name for you and have been simply just avoiding it. A couple weeks ago we asked Trenton if your name should be Brighton Blaer or Brighton Zoey. He chose Brighton Zoey because it's kind of like "zoo" and she is going to work in a zoo when she gets bigger :D Now I don't think we can change it because he has independently brought it up numerous times that that is your name! Trenton is already extremely protective over you. He is such a sweet big brother. Tucker might be the obnoxious middle child brother you will have to look out for :)

Next week is Easter weekend and it also means you can safely be born anytime starting next Saturday! Preferably after Easter though because your brothers are really looking forward to finding eggs left by the Easter bunny. But starting April 2nd, Daddy and I really wouldn't mind if you decided to come early! Daddy is ready for a little "vacation" too. It has been crazy town here at home with your Boys Town "brothers"!

 Since I forgot to make a post on 32 weeks...You were breech here too I believe

You can tell by the shape of my belly that you are sitting differently!

Just for fun, the differences between a normal pregnancy (Trenton, Left), a posterior pregnancy (Tucker, middle), and a breech pregnancy (Brighton, Right)! It's amazing how my belly is so different depending on how the baby positioned!

Trenton - Five Years Old

Trenton,

These past 6 months have been a whirlwind of growing for you. Four year old preschool started and you have been thriving in school. You are learning so much! You can write your first and last name and have been practicing writing your letters and numbers by yourself. I bought you a little activity book to practice writing letters and the sounds that go with them and you do a great job! Sometimes you get frustrated and we have to take a break, but for the most part, you are learning how to write. For Christmas, you got a Mr. Pencil activity tablet that teachers you to write letters, numbers, and shapes. It’s been a good learning tool too.

Since October, I have been showing you a calendar and we have been counting down to events like Tucker’s birthday, Halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and your birthday. So almost every day you ask to look at the calendar and see how long until the next event :) I guess one of the next things to count down is your baby sister!

You cannot wait for Brighton to be born. Granted, you have named her Dino Dino-Brighton, but that’s okay. You correct everyone when they just say Brighton. But you love her so much already! Always giving my belly hugs and talking about her coming 😍 Your teacher asked me the other day what her name was because you kept insisting it was Dino but she thought surely we wouldn't REALLY name her that!

You’ve also been really intrigued by maps lately. Gigi got you a world map awhile ago and it came with a picture of a monkey from Madagascar. You put it in an empty frame and you refuse to let us take it down from the tv stand. Every so often you pick it up and tell us you want to go to Africa. You have my heart, my boy 😍 one day I hope to take you to Africa. We also bought you a US state map that is hung up above your bed. We’ve been practicing where a few states are, like Georgia, Nebraska, California, and a few other important states (to you). You’ve gotten really good and recognizing where those three are and who lives there! I hope your love for geography continues and you strive to learn more about the world and other cultures.

Now that you are FIVE, we have been looking at and touring kindergartens for the past few months so you can start in the fall! I cannot believe it. However, it is very stressful! We feel like choosing the right elementary school is imperative to foster a love of learning. We wanted to send you to a Montessori school that is also a public school (so FREE), however, Boys Town is split down the middle when it comes to school districts and we are on the wrong side :( I was very hesitant about sending you to the district we live in, just from things I’ve heard, but we toured our school anyway. Much to my surprise, I liked the feel of the kindergarten classrooms and the way one of the teachers was doing her lessons! Next week you will do kindergarten roundup at that school and try it out for a couple hours. We also toured a private Montessori school that we liked, but it was $900 a month per kid so that would never be feasible. There is one more school I would like to check out, so we shall see! I just keep feeling like this one decision will affect your entire schooling career and I want you to flourish and enjoy school!

Since your birthday was on a Saturday, we made cupcakes to bring to school on Friday. However, you were very disturbed that your class would sing Happy Birthday to you on Friday. You told me “but then they will think today is my birthday!” As we walked into school and all the teachers asked, “is it your birthday??” You would adamantly reply with “NO!!” And I had to explain to them that you were very concerned and wanted everyone to know that your birthday was tomorrow, NOT today. Sometimes you are such a literal kid and it’s hilarious. You just can’t see anyone else’s way of thinking, even if yours makes absolutely no sense. I’m sure this way of thinking will cause you trouble when you get older, so hopefully you can learn to see other people’s point of views. For now though, you are just so silly

The week after your birthday you got to try out kindergarten for a couple hours! We had Kindergarten Round Up at the school we think you will go. You were so excited leading up to it until we walked in the door. Then you shut down with no expression and didn’t talk at all. But afterward you said you really enjoyed it. Being in a new place is always scary. But you did see a couple of kids from preschool so I think that will help the transition next year.

Now that you are five, you are Mr. Know-It-All and the answer is always "because I'm five". So watch out, world! Trenton knows everything. I imagine that it will only get worse :) 

I love you my sweet boy and this next year is full of so many more Firsts for you!

Love Always,

Mommy

 Visiting Boys Town farm and not too sure what to think of the stinky pigs

 First Day of Four Year Old Preschool!!

 You have been begging for a mohawk so we finally gave in, but your hair is so curly that you were not satisfied because it didn't stick straight up. At one point the guys lathered some gel in your hair to try and get it to stand up, but it didn't work

Your first self-portrait! And your expression of what you are doing in your self portrait :)

Big brothers!!

Volunteering at De Soto Bend is always fun when you can check out cool caterpillars

First time riding a bike! There were some frustrating moments, but you started getting the hang of it

Super Heroes!

You missed your friend, Emery, since they moved to Missouri

Halloween and you guys decided to go as Catboy and Gekko from PJ Masks

This is what happens I brush your hair and you need a haircut really bad. Major afro :)

Christmas tree hunting

I love it when you two are so sweet and show Brother Love!

Tucker got a giant teddy bear for Christmas and now you want one too. I don't think we can handle two of these massive beasts in the house though

Cousin Kennedy came to visit and you all had so much fun together! I wish we lived closer to each other

The store had an archery booth set up and you did really well for your first time shooting! And of course now you want your own bow and arrow 

Cousin Love

First major snow fall of the season and you decided to take a break from sledding and chow down, on the ground

Unfortunately with being pregnant and being extremely busy, your cupcakes this year definitely didn't meet my normal standards as they were quickly decorated the night before. Maybe next year I'll be back up to decorating better!

Annual birthday twin picture!! I think it gets more fun every year as you grow more aware of what birthdays are and who is around

Lately Tucker has been extra loving toward you (sometimes) and just won't leave you alone! He's always trying to hug you and be right up underneath you for some reason

Baby #3 - 28 Weeks

28 weeks

These last couple months havent been too much of a change. Except I have been able to eat a lot more variety so that’s great! I still don’t eat a lot of food, but that’s okay. I have been able to eat sweets again though, so that’s a blessing and a curse :) it definitely doesn’t help that we’ve had Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all filled with sweets to help me indulge! However, for the most part you still prefer foods on the healthier side. I find myself snacking on fruits and carrots often. 

Even though eating has become easier, I thought for sure in the second trimester I would get that burst of energy. Nope...I am so tired all the time still! 

One good thing with this pregnancy than with the others is that I’m still able to sleep on my back this far along! I don’t have to stay on my side which hurts my hip. However speaking of my hip, I have been in pretty bad pain the last couple months. My hip kills me every time I get up or bend over or walk a certain way. So now that it is a new year, I have been to the chiropractor numerous times to try and help get some relief.

One thing that has returned to my dismay is pregnancy rhinitis, and boy does it suck. I cannot breathe at night for this dreaded stuffy nose! It makes sleeping difficult and nighttime in general miserable.

You are really starting to move around a lot more lately and Daddy has been able to feel you more easily! Trenton still can’t wait to feel you move 😊

Trenton also told Daddy the other day that you are HIS baby because he is the big brother. Apparently that trumps over being the parents 😏 I’m not sure how much holding I will be getting when you are born, except when nursing. Daddy has already claimed all rights in holding you! Since your brothers are both mama’s boys, he cannot wait to have a baby that prefers him ☺️ we shall see how that plays out....

My glucose test came back great at my 24 week appointment, however my iron levels were too low and put me in jeopardy of losing my ability to birth at the birthing center, so I was prescribed a couple different iron supplements to try and get my levels back up. 

The day of making it to 28 weeks was the day the swelling started and my wedding ring didn’t fit. At least I got to wear it longer this time around. Hopefully not too much more swelling will happen over the next three months!

The first 5 months went by really fast and then I realized that it was going by fast. So naturally, January has been extremely slow. But anywhere between 9 weeks and 14 weeks from now we will have a brand new baby girl added to our family!! 

Just for kicks I made a 28 week belly comparison of all three. Trenton was low, Tucker was high, and Brighton seems to be in the middle. Gotta have one of each I guess!