a little about why Oliver was born in the car...

Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry when I tell this story.  I don't know where to start... But maybe by saying I have always enjoyed trying new things.  I loved my water/home birth with Callin.  I didn't mind my hospital birth with Rhett.  I guess I was ready for something different.  I was planning on a home birth with Oliver.  I was planning on having my house clean.  I was planning on having my preschool sub plans all finished.  I was planning on Doug being a little more involved in the whole process from start to finish.  I was planning on having my mom by my side coaching me every step of the way.  I was planning on having a friend take a few pictures of the whole process and film the actual birth.   It turned out a little different, but the end result was still the same. 

Saturday morning I posted about how I still needed to take a picture of my belly.  That day could be summed up very easily: I was in denial. I had contractions every 10 minutes since the moment I woke up.  But they were tiny little 20 second ones that didn't hurt and I had just had an exam the day before... I was sure it was false labor that was going to end any minute.  Doug got home from camping with the boys around noon.  I casually mentioned to him that I can been contracting for the past 5 hours...I called my mom in Arizona and convinced her not to come yet.  I was sure they would stop soon.  I promised to go take a bath, drink lots of water, take a nap, and then call her back.  After about 3 baths, they were still coming, just a little closer together and a little harder, and I told my mom maybe she should come.  She was the only one who got it.  Her bags were already packed and she already had a flight.  Doug on the other hand went to take an afternoon nap since he had stayed up til 2 am the night before on the camp out.  Then he woke up and clean out the car, worked on all the camping gear.  Just before my mom got on her flight, I heard him ask her, "Do you really think this is it?"  My mom told him that she was not going to make it.  That we would need to go to the hospital soon.  Then my sister called and told me I needed to go to the hospital.  The hospital!  I didn't have anything ready.  I called on my amazing friend Kim who came over and packed/cleaned/ and gave me some words of encouragement while her husband took care of the other boys. 

I kept thinking about how I arrived at the hospital with Rhett thinking I was so close to the end, only to labor for about 7 more hours there.  So I stalled... just one more bath... let me sit on the couch... I have to go the bathroom... I need a pillow and a blanket for the car... Oh and some water...And my music please.  I didn't want to go.  I wanted my mom there.  I wanted to stay home and do it the way I had planned.  But my contractions were now only a minute or two apart and they were the really low moaning ones.  The ones where I start to panic because I have no one in my face to help me and tell me what to do.  So we got in the car.  And Kim got in her car to follow us there.  For the life of me I wish I would have yelled for her to hop in the back seat.  And then we raced away....

Our favorite Valentine: Baby Oliver

I know I have to write up his birth story and have had may requests to hear all the details... but that is not the most important focus of the whole story.  So I will start with what is the most important thing. 

We were so blessed to have the sweetest, most angelic little boy come to our family Saturday night.  No one knows the exact time, because we weren't thinking about those kind of details for some time after the birth.  But we guess it was around 6:55.

He weighed in at 6 lbs 14 oz, 2 weeks early.  He looks a lot like his big brother Cal did, just with a little less hair.  He has the worlds sweetest little meow.  The most perfect lips, that begged to be kissed.  His skin is softer than velvet.  His smell...addictive.  The toes...double cowlicks (not triple thankfully!)  But my most favorite thing about him though is his peaceful spirit that he came with that has filled our house. 

    The three little brothers; 

 I love the sound of that!

When I grew my third child and felt really, really full.

This has been a good pregnancy. I have not had much to complain about.  But still I am looking forward to that light at the end.  Somehow I have gone 38 weeks and not taken one classic belly picture of my changing body.  So I am going to write about it, for my memories sake.  (But I think I'll still make Doug take a picture tomorrow.  Because it is rather shocking and I'm sure I will enjoy marveling at the size of my belly someday in the future.)   

My pill box barely closes these days because it is so darn full.  Yes, me and my grandma both have pill boxes. 

My maternity clothes somehow have been shrinking drastically lately. My ankles are full.  My legs are full.  My chest is full-er.  My bum is full.  Even my nose is full.  And just to prove my case, the lady at the temple's comment was, "You look like you are going to explode!"  And then there was the nosey lady on the elevator who had to ask, "How many babies are you having?"  But I am grateful for the Target cart-collector's sincere, "You look beautiful!"  Even if he does say it to everyone.   

My freezer is full of double pepperoni party pizza's.  My pregnancy weakness. That and the heavenly broiled-turkey-havarti-avocado-bagel sandwich I created. 

My tear ducts are full. I cry when I drive by a funeral procession. I cry when Cal is disobedient. I cry when Doug gets home too late. 

My schedule is full.  Besides the usual life of 2 kids, teaching preschool, NESTING and more NESTING, I had three midwives appointments in the past 7 days.  Plus another 2 on Sunday and Monday.  The problem: my amniotic fluid levels are not full.  We'll see if they'll let me go two more weeks.     

My nightstand is full of non-fiction books.  3 parenting books- to help me with the two children I already have, 2 birth books - to help me with the child I will soon have, 3 baby name books- to help me name the child I will soon have, The Real Romney, 3 Cups of Tea, The Book of Mormon.  I cannot sit down and devour non fiction in the same way as a really good fiction book.  I have found that I do best going back and forth between all 10 of them.  Every time I leave for an appointment, it is always such a hard choice as to which one I will bring that day. 

Every time I lay down... I am quickly grabbing the nearest bottle of tums.  Heartburn, it makes you feel like you are so full all your food is going to spill right out of you.  This kid better have some thick hair to make it all worth it. :)

And last but not least, I am full of gratitude and excitment.  My little family is healthy and happy.  We have been blessed in so many ways and we can't wait to meet the little guy.  (Name still to be determined; remember the 3 baby name books....?!)  

our day of love

Roses are red

Fun Dip is blue

Cupid stopped by with Valentine's, it's true. 

Shirley Temple is black and white (but still a huge hit!)

New pillow cases for boys and dolls are pink

Rhett and Kate are headed for marriage I think. 

 As for us: the married, romantics of the house....

Doug was lucky if he got a kiss.  

He took my advice and bought me face creams for all my wrinkles.  

All those midnight/ 2 am/ 5 am/ runs to the potty and then not being able to fall back asleep is really taking a toll on my face.  :) 

Only 19 more days...

that is until the real party all night starts.  

doug's rockin [literally] 29th!

We rang in Doug's 30th year with some serious awesome tunes thanks to Brandi Carlile (and her twins) and one awesome sister who flew in just for the birthday (and maybe the concert too.) 

So, so good!  Thanks Deedee. 

The douger got a lot of love and was more than spoiled in my opinion....especially that one present that was flat and 46 inches... thanks to his year of saving and all his loving benefactors. :)    

 Our other favorite highlight of the week was finally making it out to the Sam Houston Raceway to see the live Thoroughbred horse races.  I think it is a must see for all Houstonians.  We all loved it, especially our little future Jockey, Cal.  But then again racing horses is in his genes.  My mom grew up with a race track as her backyard and has such wonderful stories of  her dad giving her old race horses and then the horse forgetting that is was not a race horse anymore... and taking off with little Cindy on its back, her falling off the horse, and her and her Dad hiding the broken bones from her Mother.  :)  

(ps. March 10 is Thoroughbred, Ostrich and Camel races for those who can go!  I am supposed to be birthing a baby on that day so we may not make it...But if you want a little Callin excitement for the evening, he is looking for a ride.)  

two: the perfect age I wish I could freeze my baby

I love this little monkey.  He is sweet. Really cuddly.  The best eater.  So good natured.  Independent.  And keeps us smiling and laughing all day. 

 The 2nd annual joint Lewis/Packard family birthday celebration in Arizona!

The actual birthDAY celebration:  Martin Luther King parade  (which he loved and waved and clapped like a professional), picnic at a park downtown. 

That night we had a fun joint celebration with a friend who turned 30....hence the pink birthday cake.  But then again...Rhett did get a purple stroller for his birthday to go with his pink baby doll he got from Christmas.... he is pretty secure with his manhood even with the long locks.  :) 

the magical life of a 4 year old

 My sweet Cal has a very specific way to do everything in life.  Bed time routine, playing with horses and barns, cleaning up toys, quiet time routine, etc.  Learning to ride a bike was no different. And having help from Dad was not in his plan.  But luckily he was a natural and it only took about 5 or 10 "dad minutes" until he was grinning ear to ear in the proudest smile I have ever seen on his face.    

  And from that moment on, he was independently roaming the neighborhood with his favorite Aunt Lindy by his side.  

Oh, to be 4 years old again and be absolutely sure you are the coolest person in the world.