he's finally here!

On September 9 we welcomed our final arrow to the family.  He came as fast as one and our lives are forever changed!

I survived bed rest and on Tuesday morning (the beginning of my 37th week of pregnancy) I woke up with energy and a desire to get things done so that I'd officially be ready for Anchor whenever he came.

I put together his crib and organized his room, finished packing my birthing center bag, cleaned straightened house, and got a pedicure - the most important part!  Far from bed rest, it was an active day even though I thought I wasn't doing much.

I woke up Wednesday morning at 3:00 after feeling a really strong kick my water break! I immediately stood up, not wanting to flood my bed.  BAD IDEA!  Now it was trickling down my legs onto the carpet! I waddled to the bathroom and sat on the toilet.

"I'm NOT ready for this!" I said to myself.

I had Kenny text Donnellyn that my water broke. She asked if contractions had started, and I honestly didn't know.  I was having strong period-like cramps but they weren't like Braxton Hicks... I thought baby contractions were supposed to be more like Braxton Hicks... WRONG!

I hadn't showered since Sunday and I was disgusted at the thought of my unshaved armpits.  So in-between contractions, which was only about 1-2 minutes, I shaved my arms!

Twenty minutes later I figured it would be safer to assume these were labor contractions rather than waiting to find out.  I told my midwife and she said to go ahead and come in.

Kenny already had the boys loaded up.  At 3:30 I walked to the truck, through the sprinkling rain, again thinking, "I'm not ready for this!"

I was now finding it difficult to breathe through contractions.  I was taking short, shallow breaths, and squeezing Kenny's hand tighter than I ever have.

We arrived at the birthing center at 3:44.  Donnellyn took me to the exam room to check me and listen to the heartbeat since I had not felt him move since my water broke.  I told her I needed to pee. (Looking back, I'm so embarrassed by my crass language!)  She told me I could once she checked me.  I replied with "I can't do this!" and then "I really need to poop!"  (Again with the crass language.)  She walked me to the toilet but as soon as I sat down I realized I wasn't needing to go to the bathroom, I need to push... NOW!

I told her that as she's running around trying to get supplies together. Kenny had already started filling up the tub (PRAISE THE LORD)!

I started to step in and my body just started pushing! I briefly felt the "ring of fire" and knew I needed to just sit down.  Once I hit the water, his head popped out. Donnellyn kept telling me to turn around so she could see but everything was happening so fast. I was still thinking "I'm not ready for this" and how all I wanted was a chance to catch my breath.

I heard Donnellyn tell Kenny to grab a towel...

I barely got turned around and my body pushed again...

Donnellyn told Kenny to forget the towel and come catch his baby!

He was here!  Born at 3:57AM... 13 minutes after we arrived at the birthing center. SO CRAZY FAST!  She put this black headed, purple baby, still covered in vernix on my chest.

My first thoughts were, "he's purple... he's not mine... I'm not ready for this... what just happened!?!?"

Donnellyn (who didn't even have time to get her gloves on) assured me he was fine and I heard him cry.  Such a relief!  And what a whirlwind of a birth.

One hour ago, I was asleep in bed... now I have our baby boy in my arms! What!?!?

He's perfect though.  Hairy.  But perfect.

7 pounds, 10 ounces, 19 inches of cuteness.

Melissa made it about 2 minutes after he was born, and Chloe Ann came shortly after that.  I'm bummed they weren't there for the actual birth, but so thankful we made it!  I knew it would be fast, but had no idea it'd be that fast. 

student midwives: Blair and Irene

Janette brought the boys up to meet their new brother, and they were instantly in love! Such a sweet moment. (I'm kicking myself that I didn't get a family pic of us on the bed...)

They've been hugging and loving on Anchor ever since.  I can't wait to see them grow up together. 

I'm beyond blessed by how God worked out the details and gave me yet another awesome birth story to tell.  He is so good to us!  

I can't imagine having my babies anywhere else but with Donnellyn at AAB.  I love her warmth, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and encouraging personality. She just exudes peace and any fears I have leave when she enters the room.  The presence of God rests heavily on her and I'm so grateful the Lord saw fit to cross our paths so many years ago.  I'm dreading my 6 week postpartum appointment... as it will be my last. 

my death sentence

I had my 36 week appointment on Wednesday.

My blood pressure was a little high (120/60... high considering I'm usually 100/50).  And my fundal height was measuring 38cm at 36 weeks (+/- 1 cm from the week you're on is okay).

But those weren't even the biggest concerns.

I was 70% effaced and dilated to a 1.

As a Thurman, we have amazingly fast labors.  Maverick came in about 3 hours.  Anna Beth delivered her first in 45 minutes and Chloe Ann delivered her fourth in 45 minutes.  It's genetic.  They're gonna come fast... ready or not!

Thankfully, Donnellyn is being super protective and careful with me (one of the many, many reasons I adore her so).  She put me on bed rest to ensure I make it to 37 weeks so I can deliver at the birthing center.  She also gave me instructions not to wait for most labor signs normal women do to call her.  The moment I think I'm in labor, we're going to head to the birthing center and labor there.  No risks!

She also checked to make sure Anchor was head down... and thankfully he is! I'm praying he stays that way.

But back to this "bed rest" thing. How is a mother of two ACTIVE boys supposed to lay on a couch 24 hours a day for 6 days?!?!? It's impossible. Even without kids, I feel like it would still be a death sentence.

Janette came to my rescue and watched the boys all day Wednesday and most of Thursday so I could just rest.  My mom came on Friday and plans to stay until Monday. She's been helping me clean, make meals, organize, and prepare for baby on top of watching the boys.  Both of them are angels to us during this time, such a blessing!

But it's exhausting laying on the couch.  My heartburn is excruciating when I lay down, so much I so that could live on TUMS and it'd still probably be bad.  My head aches from constantly being on a pillow. It's hotter than hell. And I feel so lazy laying here, when there's so much to be done before Anchor arrives!

I want to be spending my last few days/weeks as a mother of two having fun... playing games, cuddling, swimming, going places, seeing people.  Instead, I can't even pick up Maverick to put him in his highchair, change his diaper, or lay him in his crib.  Janette encouraged me that this would help transition him for when Anchor comes.  While I'm so grateful God designed it this way, my heart aches to hold my little boy a few more days. I know once Anchor comes, Maverick won't seem so little any more.  I'm mourning... how can his baby days have gone by so fast?!?!?

Joshua is being a big help, but needs to be outside - riding his bike, swimming, hiking, and playing in mud. I'm so tired of telling him "it's too hot for mommy" or "I can't lay down outside so I have to stay  inside on the couch."

I realize this is a season, and "it too shall pass."  But it's been mighty hard for me... emotionally.  I'm realizing my life is changing forever and I can't do anything to stop it.  I don't necessarily want to.  I just want to keep my baby boy, and have another, and watch them all grow up/be done with the "babies" season of our life, all at the same time.  I want to have my cake and eat it too.

I realize that can't happen.

So I'm learning to soak up every moment... from my couch.  Watching the boys wrestle and give each other hugs.  Watching Maverick sit on the couch to line up his cars and play with toys.  Having Joshua sit next to me to feel Anchor move or read books.  I hate that I'm forced to watch from the sidelines, but I know someday I'll give anything to have this back.