Birth Story: I had a NST (nonstress test) and 40 week doctor's appointment on Oct 16 at 11am. Ainsley did not respond very well to the NST, she just didn't move much and her heartrate didn't go up and down a whole lot. So, my doctor decided to check my fluid levels and see what was going on. My doc also did an internal exam and said that I was at 4cm and 80% effaced. She stripped my membranes and predicted that I would go into labor that evening. Then she did the ultrasound and couldn't get Ainsley to respond and move and my doc said that the placenta was starting to break down, so she told me Ainsley had to come out soon. My doctor then walked me over to the OB ward and discussed the game plan with the nurses, it was about 12:15pm.

My husband arrived about 1:00 and Dr. Elliot broke my water at 2:30pm. It took about 20 minutes and the little contractions that I had been having intensified. I rocked in a rocking chair and watched "Take Home Chef" between contractions. I was contracting about every three minutes and by 4:15 they were getting rough.

At 4:15 the nurse checked me and said I was a stretchy 5; I was disapointed and started to get scared that this wasn't going to go quickly. I began to consider an epidural. I got back in my rocking chair and by 4:45 I was in a ton of pain and swore that I had to go to the bathroom. The nurse checked me again and I was at a 7-8, so they cancelled the epidural.

From this point on the story gets a little fuzzy. I was checked a couple of more times by the nurse (it seemed like after every contraction because I was feeling pressure). After just a couple of contractions I was at a 10. People began running in and out of my room and I knew this meant I was close; however, I was nerveous about the pushing part, I had never done it without an epidural. My body did take over and after two really big pushes, I had the most beautiful baby girl on my chest. Ainsley Nikole was born at 5:28pm.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is my third pregnancy, but it is just as exciting as the first two. We have two little boys: Grant and Aiden and would love to add a little pink in our home.

We found out we were pregnant in early February. I had a feeling I might be, but I had been wrong before. Our youngest does not let me use the restroom alone so he actually shared the excitement with me!

April 25, 2007

I am currently 15 weeks pregnant and beginning to feel more and more pregnant. I am still sick and exhausted at times, but I am starting to have more good days.

Today I am researching 4D ultrasounds in our area. I am interested to get a peek at our little one, if it's not dangerous for him/her.

My belly seems to change from day to day; today I feel pregnant, but yesterday I didn't.

Last night I thought I felt the baby doing summersaults while I was trying to fall asleep; no matter how many babies you've had, it is an amazing feeling and thought that God has blessed you with carrying another life!

May 7, 2007

Our youngest is two today! I cannot believe he is already two and how fast time flies.

I am feeling pretty good lately. Some days I feel horrible still, but those are getting fewer and fewer between. We have our anatomy check (and hopefully gender check) on May 22. My husband and I (and both boys) are hoping for a girl-but, what's another boy? I've done the "boy thing" and know what to expect. Plus, if the baby is a girl-she will be so spoiled and pink. (We have ALL boys on both sides of the immediate family). Obviously God knows what our family needs to look like and who He needs to work for his kingdom, so I will just trust that He knows what is best.

May 17, 2007

Well, I am officially unemployeed, and loving it! I still have a little over a week left of work, but I am packing up and getting ready to have a very long summer. The baby seems to be doing great. Now that the stress of my job has been relieved, I have a much more relaxed attitude and I am sure that helps everyone in our family.

Our ultrasound is in five days and I am ready to find out the gender. Either way we will be so excited and it will be fun to share with Grant and Aiden if they are going to have a sister or a brother. I think it will make it more real to them (and probably to us too). We also can get started on the baby name game. Grant insists that if it's a boy the name is Alan and if it's a girl her name is Alakavana (he means abracadabra). Luckily, Aiden still can't weigh in on the debate. Jeremy of course would love Savannah and I just as much would love Sophia. I really like Luke for a boy's name, but we'll see. Jeremy seems to think Obidiah would be a good boy's name. :)

May 23, 2007:

It's a GIRL!!!

Our ultrasound was yesterday and the tech said she didn't see any boy parts. She really tried to get a great picture of the anatomy and she just keep saying there was nothing there that looked like a boy and she thought she could see one of the three lines of the female anatomy. So, it's a GIRL!

All of the boys are excited. Jeremy and I already discussed the "dating thing" and we figure with two older brothers so close to her age, we won't have to deal with it, Grant and Aiden will be too protective. :)

I took the ultrasound pictures to the boys' preschool and showed the teachers. So, Grant found out when I told his teacher it was a girl. He got all excited and wanted to see the picture. He looked so proud and and said to his friends, "I'm going to have a sissy." This morning as we were walking into school he asked me the baby's name and I told him I didn't know yet. I figure he wanted to share her name with his friends too. Last night I asked Aiden if he was excited to have a baby sister and he said, "Yes, a sister," in his own two year old language.

All grandparents and aunts and excited too. Now we just need to work on the name thing . . . wish us luck!

Isn't SHE cute . . .

Here SHE is sucking her thumb . . . we are in love with her already!

Here is a 3D/4D Ultrasound from June 22, 2007 at 23 weeks!

Another image of our little cuttie . . .

June 24, 2007 (28 weeks, 12 more to go!)

We are all doing well. We had another 3D/4D ultrasound yesterday and it went well. I am a little disapointed that the pictures aren't a little clearer, but it's still amazing they can look inside at all! We have decided on Ainsley Nikole for her name and have been busy painting her room and getting all of her clothing hung up. I still feel great and am enjoying being pregnant this time. I am starting to be anxious for her arrival, but counting my blessings when I get to sleep for 10 hours straight right now. :)

Little Ainsley Nikole resting in mommy's womb on 7/23/07.

Mommy's little angel getting chubby cheeks! Only 12 weeks to go!!!

October 8, 2007 Well, this is one of my due dates (they moved it up after the 20 week ultrasound). Last night we were in Labor and Delivery for a couple of hours being monitored. I am having LOTS of contractions, but they are not doing anything to make progress. My doctor mentioned breaking my water to speed things up, but then decided not to due to the contstruction and lack of room at the hospital, so here I am.

The great news is that Ainsley seems to be doing great in there! I am ok-just a little worn out, but physically and emotionally. I have been have labor like symptoms since September 17 and am just ready to hold our little princess. I know that God is in charge of her birthday and I need to trust Him to take care of us. Hopefully it won't be long now!

October 13, 2007 Here I am still waiting for little Ainsley Nikole to make her big arrival. My in-laws are here staying until after she arrives, which is a huge help! It's nice to know that even if I go into labor at 3am they are here to watch the boys. (It is also nice because I can rest more; they love to help around the house.)

Today we took the boys to a pumpkin patch and had a ball! I kept hoping that my water would break wandering around in the pumpkin patch, but it didn't happen. I'll just keep waiting!