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.

pregnancy update: week 33

how far along:  33 weeks... no I can't believe it!

baby size: spaghetti squash (18 inches, 4 lbs)

maternity clothes: yes and can.not.wait to be back in skinny clothes!

sleep: yes, but becoming harder with all the heartburn and getting up to go to the bathroom... I have a hard time falling back asleep

best moment of the week:  the most amazing shower ever!! I've cleaned out Maverick's room and ready to transition into Anchor's nursery!

movement: yes, but not as strong... he's running out of room

food cravings: not really... just need to not eat so much

what I miss: wearing my wedding ring! I was able to wear it the whole time with Maverick so I don't know if this is summer/heat swelling or what, but I definitely miss wearing my ring.

what I'm looking forward to: getting his room ready and meeting him!!!!

pregnancy symptoms: continued pain under rib, heartburn, swelling... the usual... oh and warts! tons of tiny annoying ones on the inside of my hands/fingers... really weird!

stretch marks: a few... trying to lotion like crazy!

belly button: flat

Anchor's baby shower

I am truly blessed with some wonderful friends, family, and life group.  Last night, some girls from our life group gave me a shower for Anchor.  Because he's our third and another boy, I was leery of even having yet another shower.  There was already a bad taste in my mouth from my previous showers for Joshua and Maverick (for one, they were just so close together, but another reason was that a friend went to A LOT of trouble to throw us a shower and NO ONE showed up or RSVP'd for that matter... extremely humiliating and frustrating).  We had everything we needed as far as clothing and baby gear is concerned. At the time, I had no plans to change the decor in his room.  (Since then, I've decided to throw out the pooh and decorate with anchors/whales and use more gray/blue instead of brown/green.)

I talked with Kenny and agreed to let them since they offered and we did need diapers/wipes.  I told them I just wanted to keep it small and celebrate life and not worry about gift registries, etc.

A friend recently gave me some maternity clothes and I found this gem of a dress! I was so glad it was blue and this was the perfect occasion for it!

They had it Grimaldi's Pizzeria in Grapevine.  Everything was decorated SOOOO cute.  Small and intimate... it was truly perfect! We were all able to sit at one table. We ordered pizza and played a game where you had to guess the children's book that certain quotes came from.  I collect children's books but didn't remember telling the host that... a tiny detail she remembered from when we had talked about homeschool curriculums... and it made the night so special.

mom won! 

Our life group leader made s'mores cupcakes... another FAVORITE of mine that I had not shared with her! They were ah.maz.ing! AMAZING!! Toasted marshmallow on top, moist chocolate cupcake, graham cracker crust... melted in my mouth! I'll definitely be ordering some more from her soon.

We got lots of diapers, wipes, and Target gift cards which will be so handy! My mom and sisters gave us a Snap N Go stroller... an absolute necessity!! Nicole made an awesome wall hanging with three arrows and Janette gave us a pillow with anchors on it.  The host gave us another wall hanging... and oddly enough, the colors all coordinate beautifully!

I couldn't stop talking about the evening to Kenny... it was such a blessing and healed my heart after my previous experiences with showers.  I've been thinking a lot about friendships lately and what makes a good friend vs. an acquaintance. I don't know why the Lord brings friends in and out of our lives for certain seasons, but He does.  I haven't been able to keep a friend for more than about five years.  I don't know yet if it's me or them... but I'm praying for a best friend that can stand by me no matter what and who's willing to invest as much into the friendship as I am.  I'm tired of being burned.

I'm now so eager to get Anchor's room ready, his clothes in the drawers, his initials and hangings on the wall, etc.  He'll be here soon!!!  I can't wait to meet him.

I was dead set that this one was a girl. But oh how sweet the Lord has been to me... teaching me that His ways are truly higher, that Anchor is exactly what He wants for our family. He gave us the perfect name.  And my love for him just grows deeper and deeper every day!

pregnancy update: week 29

how far along:  29 weeks

baby size: butternut squash (15 inches, 2.5 lbs)

maternity clothes: yes, even had to buy some new shirts to cover my big belly!

sleep: yes, but becoming harder with all the heartburn!!

best moment of the week: I heard his strong heartbeat yesterday.  My friends are planning a baby shower so it was fun picking out some new items for his nursery.

movement: oh my, yes yes and yes! I keep trying to video it but the stinker knows every time I turn on the camera.

food cravings: anything I see on a  commercial, still carbs/sweets but I'm trying to do better!

what I miss: having more energy, I feel like an 80 year old!

what I'm looking forward to: meeting Anchor, holding him, and nursing him! Yes, I know I have a long way to go. And I want him to stay in there as long as possible. But I am very ready to meet him!

pregnancy symptoms: major pain under my right rib, heartburn like crazy, stuffy/bloody nose, sometimes round ligament pain
*my hemoglobin was a little low (9.5 and they like it to be around 11-12)  I need to be more consistent about taking my chlorophyll and I'm starting NingXia Red.

stretch marks: not yet!

belly button: still an innie but getting very flat


***I have been SUPER stressed with all that's going on and I was planning to have a horrible appointment today! I figured my midwife would put me on bedrest and be concerned about the protein levels in my urine, high blood pressure, and excessive weight gain.  BUT GOD!!! He is so much bigger than my stress. He knew what I'd be dealing with while being pregnant, He's not surprised by this, and is completely taking care of me!  My blood pressure was 98/50!! My urine was "perfect" and I've only gained 5 pounds... not quite the 1lb/week goal, but not the dreaded 2lbs/week either. My midwife laughed and said "you might have an extra pound to lose but we know you can birth babies... breeched, head up, head down, sideways... you will get them out!"  I'm so thankful for the Lord's provision... and how in my weakness, HE is strong!

pregnancy update: Week 25

how far along:  25 weeks

baby size: rutabaga (13 inches, 1.5 lbs)

maternity clothes: yes and they are getting tight!

sleep: pretty good with a pillow between my legs

best moment of the week: we picked a name and heard his heartbeat!

movement: yes, he loves moving around... he's a swimmer or some kind of athlete for sure!

food cravings: carbs and sweets, DP and chai, CONSTANTLY! My new obsession is this Hawaiian sliced loaf.... especially when paired with Monterey Jack cheese for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich! YUUUUM!

what I miss: being able to bend over to pick things up without heartburn flaring up! =(

what I'm looking forward to: appointments with midwife being every 2 weeks instead of 4

pregnancy symptoms: heartburn, little bit of swelling, hot flashes, and just plain old feeling like a whale in everything I wear

stretch marks: not yet! I keep lathering up my belly to keep them from coming =)

belly button: still an innie

pregnancy update: Week 21

how far along:  21 weeks

baby size: banana, 7 inches (crown to rump)

maternity clothes: yes and getting sick of them... I just want my body back! =(

sleep: okay, I get tired of sleeping on my side but don't think it's good to be on my back. I miss tummy sleeping!

best moment of the week: We found out it's a boy! (more on that later)

movement: yes, HE completely flipped over during sonogram

food cravings: onion rings! I need them ASAP!!

what I miss: nothing this week

what I'm looking forward to: giving him a name

pregnancy symptoms: my back pain has been pretty bad. I've started seeing Dr. Cindy, a chiropractor. It helps tremendously and I count the hours till my next appointment.

stretch marks: not yet! I keep lathering up my belly to keep them from coming.

belly button: still an innie

pregnancy update: Week 18

how far along:  18 weeks

baby size: sweet potato, 5.5 inches (crown to rump)

maternity clothes: yes and I actually put together a few super cute outfits this week that I'm excited to wear more! I bought some jean shorts which I'm looking forward to wearing this summer. The swimsuit? Not so much.

sleep: normal, much better now that Joshua's not waking up several times at night

best moment of the week: People are starting to notice I'm pregnant, and I love talking about it since I dreamed about being able to for so long. I'm so grateful I've been blessed to experience pregnancy twice!

movement: more and more, she's definitely more active than Maverick was

food cravings: nothing really, I need to start eating more protein... I've been a horrible patient this time around (another reason I know it's a girl!)

what I miss: motorcycle rides with husband and feeling sexy in my clothes

what I'm looking forward to: counting the days to finding out the gender in May!

pregnancy symptoms: nothing new!

stretch marks: none, but probably should start using lotion =)

belly button: innie

pregnancy update: Week 17

how far along:  17 weeks

baby size: turnip, 5 inches (crown to rump)

maternity clothes: when I want to look pregnant... yes!

sleep: normal

best moment of the week: hearing her sweet heartbeat! My midwife says she's down pretty low which means the placenta might be up high which is great! I made them check for twins but we didn't hear an extra heartbeat. #thankyouJesus

movement: still only when I'm laying down and paying attention to it

food cravings: I FINALLY got my fried fish! Hubby took us to lunch at Razzoo's yesterday and we had fried gator, crawfish, shrimp, and catfish... YUMMMM!

what I miss: motorcycle rides with husband and feeling sexy in my clothes

what I'm looking forward to: finding out the gender in May

pregnancy symptoms: a little lower back pain, sometimes round ligament, very sore chest... not too much!

stretch marks: none

belly button: innie

Pregnancy Update: Week 16

how far along:  16 weeks

baby size:  avocado, 4.5 inches (crown to rump)

maternity clothes:  If I'm not wearing exercise pants/shorts, definitely!  I've hated anything tight from the day I found out I was pregnant.

sleep:  Other than being extremely hot, sleeping great!

best moment of the week:  feeling her move

movement:  little flutters in the morning when I first wake up and am very still

food cravings:  anything that's mentioned, I crave until I get it; I'm having a hard time eating, especially cooking meals at home.  I've been eating out a lot but I'm praying that will change as it only adds to my weight gain and can't be good for baby.

what I miss: nothing!

what I'm looking forward to:  My 16 week appointment tomorrow!! I love hearing her heartbeat, it never gets old.

pregnancy symptoms: random moments of nausea or vomiting; lower back pain; the dreaded yeast infections; sore chest =)

stretch marks: none

belly button: innie


*We find out in May if we're having a boy or a girl.  Because of what the Lord told me a few years ago, and the major differences in this pregnancy, I'm certain it's a girl... so that's why I'm using "she/her."