Introducing: LANDON GARY

Landon was born on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 8:32 pm. He weighed in at 9 lbs even and was 20 inches long. I was induced at 9 o'clock that morning. This is, I think, the only pregnancy picture of me just before I was induced.Landon still had not dropped so they could not break my water. I was dilated to a 4, and there I sat for 9 hours, with the pit as high as they are allowed to turn it up, until my midwife was able to break my water. Until then I was feeling the contractions but they were not uncomfortable at all. Pretty soon after he broke my water I started to feel a little uncomfortable. I quickly got EXTREMELY uncomfortable and Landon was born 2 1/2 hrs after Pete broke my water. This was quite the different labor for me. I hardly brought anything to do because all of my labors have been so fast. I think the major difference was they were not able to put me on pitocin AND break my water. Landon came out as healthy as can be and nursed very well immediately and has continued to be an excellent nurser. His cord was really long. I guess they could of been a bad thing but since it wasn't it was quite funny. Pete (my CNM) kept saying ok, here is the placenta, only to pull out more of the cord. I thought later we should of taken a picture. Maybe be in the Guiness Book of World Records for 'Longest Umbilical Cord'. Landon's brothers and sister have all been very thrilled with his arrival. They all fight over who gets to hold him. The first picture is Noah with Landon when the kids came to see me at the hospital and the next one is Tahirah trying to imitate Landon's lips. Carson has already been a huge help and keeps asking me what else he can do. Here is is at the hospital. I just wanted to thank everyone for their love and support! We appreciate it so much! Love you!!

INDUCTION SCHEDULED!

Well, I went in for my OB appointment yesterday. My blood pressure was high (142/91), I was still at a 3 and he is still way up there. I think I've lost any hope I had left for a non-induced labor so I asked him when he could start me. We have it scheduled for TOMORROW! I know I really did not want to be induced but I'm at the point now I just want him out. I've been having a lot of pelvic pain and can hardly walk today. (I'm hoping that doesn't cause me problem during labor.) I will post again as soon as I can with pictures! Wish me luck!!

Another Baby Update

I had another OB appointment on Wednesday. Landon's heartbeat has already straightened itself out so that was really good to hear. I am dilated to a 3 now which was quite a jump from last time but I still don't have to much optimism because I was at a 3 with Noah about this far along too. I got to a 4 and just stayed there until I got started. Pete told me to try using Evening Primrose Oil capsules and see if that helps things along anymore. I tried that for the first time last night. I am once again tempted to try going over my due date since his heartbeat is back to normal but the huge concern with that is Landon getting too big. Pete has tested me a few times now for gestational diabetes but they all come back normal so I guess I just naturally have huge babies. Noah was 9 1/2 lbs and I was started on his due date. My other two kids were 8 lbs 11 oz and 8 lbs even and I was started with them a week before their due date. I guess we'll see what happens at my next appointment (next wednesday).

The Last of the Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday we finished up the birthday celebrations for Carson and Tahirah. We usually have a family party every year for the kids' birthdays. I thought this one turned out very nice. Carson and Tahirah enjoyed playing with all the kids that came and loved the wonderful gifts that they were given. All in all they seemed to have had a great time. I did end up making the "birthday cake". They were cupcakes with gummy worms in them and Oreo cookies crushed up on top to look like dirt (the easiest cupcake idea on the web!). Not anywhere near what my mom can do but the kids seemed to enjoy them all the same. Thanks to everyone who came and made their birthdays special!
This last picture is Noah finishing off the cupcakes after everyone had left.

Happy Birthday Carson and Tahirah!

Carson birthday is on the 18th of March and Tahirah's is on the 17th (don't ask me why I like to have babies in March) I decided we had to get this birthday stuff done earlier in the month not because I would EVER have a baby before my due date but I knew the closer it came the more I was not going to want to do it. I had given both Carson and Tahirah the choice to either go out on a date with Mom and Dad or have a friend party. Carson choose the date and Tahirah choose the party.

We took Carson out to eat and then to the Clark Planetarium last Saturday. We saw "Under the Sea" in 3D. It was so much fun! Carson is VERY much into sea life and therefore really enjoyed it. He told us that that was the "Best Day Ever"! Well, that apparently changed when I started preparing for Tahirah's party. I felt bad for him because I know he would of really enjoyed a friend party too. But I knew he was only feeling this way because his birthday thing was over and done with and Tahirah was enjoying hers NOW.

Tahirah wanted a princess party so I sent out invites with the background of a scroll with this typed up on them:

Hear Ye, Hear Ye,
By order of the Queen:
Princess (girl's name) is cordially invited to the Van Orman Castle
to celebrate Princess Tahirah's 4th birthday!!!
The royal celebration will begin at three o'clock in the afternoon
on the sixth day of March two thousand and nine.
The Queen has asked that you come dressed in your most royal attire.
Have your carriage arrive for you at five o'clock in the afternoon
when the celebration will commence.
Please RSVP Queen Alisha at 840-4927
if you plan to attend this royal gala...
The castle needs to plan for your arrival.
This is one magical celebration any princess would not want to miss!

She invited 6 girls and they were all able to come. It was a lot of fun to have them come dressed up as princesses. We started out by painting every one's nails and putting glitter and strawberry lotion on them. While they were waiting for their turn to have their nails painted they decorated a tierra with stickers. After everyone had their nails painted they were given their princess accessories which included a necklace, bracelets, a lip gloss ring and a wand along with their tierra they had decorated. I had them stand in front of a backdrop and take pictures and then we all sat down to have our tea party. Tahirah then opened her presents and we then played two games. There was the princess in the pea game where a green bouncy ball was hidden under one of four pillows and the girls had to figure out which one it was under by laying on them. Then we played Wicked Queen freeze tag. Someone was the Wicked Queen and whenever she touched a princess they had to freeze where they were at. As soon as they had frozen all the princesses someone else became the Wicked Queen. I think the girl's had a lot of fun. I know Tahirah did. And although I was REALLY not looking forward to putting on a party two weeks before my due date it actually wasn't too bad (my niece came and helped me...THANK YOU CHYANNE!) and it was worth it to see the smile it put on Tahirah's face!

I still have one more party to go. We are having a family party for both Carson and Tahirah this Sunday. I'm not as worried about it because Dayv will actually be home for that one. My mom called yesterday to let me know she will not be able to make it because she is sick. So, no cute cake at this party (Dayv didn't get one either). Guess the kids will have to make due with a generic store bought one because I'm certainly not making one. Carson is pretty bummed about it. Both Carson and Tahirah really look forward to their cakes. In fact they tell my mom what they want her to do months before their birthday...too cute!

Baby Update

Well, today was a day of lots of testing. My CNM wanted me to do another fasting/2 hour glucose testing. So I did the first one this morning and then had to go back two hours after I ate. I then went to my normal OB appointment. Pete (my CNM) checked the heartbeat, as usual, and noticed there was an irregularity. It sounded sort of like a hiccup in the rhythm. So, he sent me over to the hospital to do a non stress stress (NST). For those of you who are not familiar with these, they sick monitors on your belly and have you lay there for 20 minutes. They also checked my fluid levels and also did an ultrasound to look at the heart. They came to the conclusion that it was probably what they call a PAC or premature atrial contraction. Basically the top half of the heart was beating prematurely therefore causing a skip. It is the most common cause of an irregular heart rhythm, usually does not cause any problems and goes away after one month of life if the problem is still persisting after they are born. So, they told me not to worry but to do kick counts three times a day (count the baby's kicks until I get to 10 kicks. If it takes more than an hour then call the doctor asap). I'm trying really hard not to worry about it but anything that has to do with the heart is a little scary. So, there is Landon's update. OH, and I'm still at a one....