Well, here goes. I will attempt to recap one of the most incredible and personal experiences a woman can have...
Giving Life.
Let me start with a fair warning. Every mother has an incredible story of how their treasures came into this world. In fact, when a group of mothers come together, it is inevitable that a birth story or 10 is shared. It is such a defining moment. It is so personal, so unique, so painful, and so miraculous all in one. There it MUST be shared. So... be warned that this post might be full of more information than you wanted to read, more pictures or images than you wanted to see and take up more time than you had planned on. BUT, this is our blog, our place to keep records, and our story and it MUST be shared.
With each of my children's births I couldn't help but remember the previous child's birth story. For me, I had a birthing plan for each child, and each child's birth turned out to be NOTHING like I had planned.
Brief (or not so brief) history:
Tracen's plan: I was going all natural. No drugs for me. I had music. I had yummy lotions. I had a birthing ball. We had taken the Lamaze classes. I knew how to breath, count, and breath some more. I had a plan. Then the contractions started and continued for 17 hours. They hurt. Real Bad. But I was strong. No drugs. But I got tired. Physically. Emotionally. I could not handle it any more. I got drugs. Sweet relief. Finally, 10 more hours go by. I push, I think. Drugs were strong. Tracen crowns. 2 more hours... he's stuck. Dr. Cook vacuums, he uses forceps... he is still stuck. Emergency C-section is a must. I cry... this was not "the plan". But I immediately know that this must happen for the safety of myself and most of all my baby. Dr. Smithing arrives. After 29 hours of labor.... Tracen is born.
Perfect... and all ours.
Tyler's plan: I was going to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after ceserean). I was going to try for all natural again. I had a plan. 4 weeks left and we discover that Tyler is BREECH! No problem. Just turn him. They try. OUCH!! No success. He won't turn. C-section is scheduled for 1 week before due date. Ok. Fine. New plan. 38 weeks... contractions start while we are remodeling our basement. I think staining the fireplace mantel might of had something to do with it. Because Tracen's labor took so long, I waited to go to the hospital. I didn't want to walk the halls. Contractions got more serious. Painful yes, but definitely NOT as painful as what I remember with Tracen, so I must not be too far progressed. Called the hospital, tell them I am contracting but am scheduled to have C-section the next week. They say come to the hospital right away. We do. They check me. I am at a 10 and Tyler has started down the birth canal... bum first. Not good. They numb me. Prepare a room for surgery. They strap me to the table. I can't feel anything. I am suddenly very scared. This was NOT "the plan". Dr. Smithing has to kneel on the table to pull him out of the birth canal. I see him pulling with all his might. Tyler is born.
Perfect... and all ours.
Tate's plan: After 2 C-sections I was told/warned that there was no way I could have a VBAC. My uterus could rupture and I could die. Too risky. Not allowed. Therefore Tate's plan became a 3rd C-section. It was scheduled for 1 week before the due date. Early part of 38 weeks, Dan is invited on an overnight camp out with friends at a cabin 1 hour away. He tells them no. I tell him he should go. I am fine. I don't feel anything. No worries. He goes. That very night/morning 2 am, I wake up contracting. I am deliriously tired and fall back asleep. Contractions again. Maybe I will take a hot shower and they will go away. Denial. I shower. I shave my legs. I wash, blow dry and curl my hair. No make-up. These "cramps" are really starting to hurt. Maybe this is real. I call my mom. She says "Duh Deanne! Call Dan!!!" Oh ok. But I hate to wake up the whole cabin at this hour. I realize I do NOT have the cabin phone# in my cell phone like I thought. I call my dear friend Barbi. She answers the phone with "Deanne are you in labor?" before I even say a thing. I have to pause to answer because I am contracting. She says, "I am calling the cabin right now and tell Dan to get to the hospital!" Thank you Barbi! My mom, dad, and nephew, Maverick, whom they were watching overnight, arrive. Mom stays with my boys. Dad drives me to the hospital. OUCH!! These REALLY hurt. We arrive. They give me a gown. I go into the bathroom to change. I suddenly feel immense pressure and feel like he might just fall out. I cry for help. Nurses come. Dress me and take me to the table. They check me. I am at a 10+. My doctor is in Sardine Canyon on his way. They give me a mild epidural to start prepping me for a C-section. My daddy is stroking my hand and reminding me to breath. Dr. Cook and Dr. Smithing arrive. They and what seemed like the entire hospital staff are in my room looking at me with cocked heads. Dan arrives. I feel relief and comfort. The doctors decide that he is too far down the canal for the c-section. It is time to push. I push and push and push. I actually feel the pressure of him come out. It was miraculous and beautiful. Tate is born.
Perfect... and all ours.
Now on to Trev's plan: Now that I have proven that my body could handle a VBAC I decide that is the route I will take. After much research, I realize that the risks are actually much lower for me to have a repeat VBAC than to have a repeat C-section. Now, because our insurance changed, I must find a doctor that is willing to let me try. Julia Johansson is highly recommended. I like her, but she hesitates to commit to try the VBAC. I worry. I pray. I soul search. I realize it is up to me to prepare my body. Dr. says she will let me try. I have a plan. This time I do want drugs... but lighter ones so I can feel when to push. I also know that my history says to be ready at 38 weeks for baby to suddenly come. Dan goes no where but to work and home. I have nested. House is clean, baby room ready, clothes, blankets all washed and put in drawers. Bag is packed. Schedule for the boys and phone#'s written out for the next 2 weeks. Mom and neighbors ready for that 2am phone call. 38 weeks comes. I'm ready. I walk every day. 38 1/2 weeks... contractions start. I walk. I'm so ready. "Maybe tonight!" I tell Dan. We are excited. I am comforted that he is here. Next day... more contractions...then they stop. A few more days go by... 39 weeks...nothing. Frustration... I seriously just should have scheduled that darn C-section! A few more days... Tuesday... contractions... they stop. Wednesday... contractions... every 12 minutes for about 4 hours... lay down... they stop. Wake up at 2am Thursday morning... contractions... a bit more painful this time. I get up, shower, shave my legs, wash, dry and curl my hair...still contracting, but not too bad... tell Dan they are getting closer and he might want to shower... put on make-up...call my mom... she arrives around 5am, contractions start slowing down... a lot. Mom decides to stay with me because, "With my history... things could change fast. " Send Dan into work. Mom helps me get kids off to school. She takes me to my scheduled doctors appointment at 9 am. Contractions have completely stopped. I am at a 4 and 85% effaced. Dramatic change from last week but because the contractions had stopped she told me to go home. BUT "considering my history" as soon as the contractions start again and they are less than 10 minutes a part, I should go straight to the hospital. So, mom took me home and stayed with me. Picked Tyler up from school, went to the park and McDonalds. Contractions start up again. Closer, Closer.... 10 minutes a part... 6 minutes... 10 minutes.... 6 minutes... OK "considering my history" I probably had better get to the hospital. Call Dan. He meets us there. They check me in. Mom takes boys home. I am STILL AT A DANG 4!!!! But "considering my history" and they "just don't trust me", they will keep me. So now I am stuck walking the halls. ARRRRRG!! I hate that! "Do you want your epidural now?" "NO!" They are not that bad and I definitely don't want to be stuck in a bed for the next who knows how long! Contractions are getting a bit stronger.... THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING! Why am I progressing so slowly? Another lap and another and another. Suddenly Julia comes around the corner. "There you are. Let's go break your water, girl!" I cannot express the sudden relief I felt. I somehow knew that would do the trick. Mild sting... water is broken. Doctor says, "Let me have them give you your epidural. I will be right back."
I feel happy... this is it.
"OUCH!! This contraction really hurts.
Oh my goodness! I can feel him moving down. Oh my. These really hurt!" Anesthesiologist comes in. Contractions are VERY INTENSE. Needle is inserted while I sqeeze the life out of Dan's hands. Epidural is given. "When will it kick in?" BREATH!!! I lay back... contractions... he's moving quickly... pressure... lots of painful pressure..."I think he is right there! I want to push!" BREATH! Julia literally runs in, gowns up... PUSH, breath in, PUSH hard, breath in... one more little PUSH.... I scream because it really hurt... relief... he is here!!! 53 minutes after water is broken. 7:13pm
Perfect... and all ours!
Dan cuts the cord.
My amazing doctor... Julia, whom they call the ninja doctor.
Weighs in and they round up to 7lbs 6oz.
Did I mention he is perfect.... and all ours.
Not sure he loved all the action.
How's mom doing? Great! The epidural has finally kicked in! But my left eye feels a bit on the droopy side... is that bad?
Dad? Whew! A bit too much excitment.
10 perfect little toes...
10 tiny, but long fingers...
Daddy is so proud.
My AMAZING nurse...
Perfect!
The brothers arrived about 10 minutes after Trev was born.
They were instantly in love.
Tracen teared up as he said, "Oh my goodness, he is so tiny."
Tate, acknowledge him, but was a bit more interested in finding some treats.
Tyler couldn't stop kissing his head.
Grandma Stratford
Grandpa Stratford
Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs
Aunt Leah
Aunt Brittany
Aunt Melanie
And the only cousin that got to visit... Nathan.
Amazing what 3 months growth will do.
Here are a few pics taken at the hospital.
Then it was time to come home.
They get so swallowed up by the car seat and binkies.
Now that he is home.... he gets lots of love...
Kisses, snuggles, nuzzles...
...and plenty of LOUD "stimulation"!
He loves his bouncer.
and sleeps,
and sleeps... So relaxed.
He is such a sweet and mellow little boy.
We are so in LOVE with him.
And THAT is our Birth story.
Perfect.... and all ours.
One adventure down... now onto the next...
Oh and a few other treasures we got to bring home.
All he wanted for his birthday was a...
All he wanted for his birthday was a...
So that is what we did.
I will never again wait until the very day of the party to make something like this happen. 
Tate and Zeke
"What? Is there something on my face?"
Present Time!
And one who thought this gift from Grandma Jacobs should have been his.
Thanks Tyler
Thanks Aunt Christy
And Uncle Shane
And.... Grandma and Grandpa Stratford
Tate and Zeke
"What? Is there something on my face?"
Present Time!
And one who thought this gift from Grandma Jacobs should have been his.
Thanks Tyler
Thanks Aunt Christy
And Uncle Shane
And.... Grandma and Grandpa Stratford
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our 
We Love You Taters!!
We Love You Taters!!
