Please Pray

Please pray for us right now. Malachi has come down with a bad respiratory infection with a little bit of the flu. He is really quite sick. This is the first time that he has been truly sick (beyond a simple cold). To make matters worse, as you all know, Ezekiel is only a week old. Daniel had to care for Malachi while I cared for Ezekiel. I feel horrible. My son is sick, and I can't do much to help him. Please, please pray for Malachi's quick recovery and that none of us (especially Ezekiel) don't catch what he has. We definitely don't want to infect our youngest. Thanks for lifting us up!

Labor and Delivery

I have been meaning to post the events (not too gory) of the birth of our second son. It was almost a dream. It was honestly almost a perfect labor and delivery---almost exactly the way I had hoped it would go. I just wish I could have waited like 2 or 3 more days. I'm glad he came when he did, though.

Wednesday started out as the typical day at work. I began realizing, however, that my contractions were beginning to be a little more different. They were becoming more consistent and definitely heavier. I know that I had said these things before, but something was just "different." By the end of 5th period (2-2.30pm). My contractions were consistently 6-10 min. apart and had been for awhile and getting stronger. I was supposed to go to the chiropractor at 4pm, but I called them and asked if I could come in a little later. I had a feeling I might not make it to school on Thursday. I started getting everything together and laid out for Thursday and Friday. I informed the teacher next door to me that "I might not be here tomorrow," and showed him where a few things were. I was honestly expecting to make it to next week. Thankfully, my mentor and fellow 7th English teacher was still there after school and stopped to check in. I told her how I was feeling, and she (being the mom of 3 boys) assured me that I was going to go soon. Wednesday was also the day that she had chosen in the pool at school for our little boy's arrival date. Anywho, I filled her in on my plans, and she told me not to worry that she would take care of everything else. Thanks, Mrs. M! You really help put my mind at ease.

I was able to leave the school about 4:30pm, feeling more and more certain that I would not make it into school the next morning. I got home and called the chiropractor again to cancel. They offered to see me tomorrow. I declined, and they got excited that I was in labor. Since it was Wednesday, we were planning to go to church for Bible Study. I was still planning on going at that point. I made an executive decision, though. This would probably be the last chance I got to eat out with only one son and no crying baby. We went out to Brooklyn's for some pizza. It was good, but my contractions were getting MUCH stronger, and my body ran the food straight through me. It knew that I needed to be cleaned out for delivery. I told Daniel that we weren't going to Bible study and that we would be going to the hospital at some point this evening. We played at home with Malachi. Daniel went out to run a last minute errand, and I put Malachi to bed (knowing this would be the last time as a Mom of one). I then took a shower, so I would feel as clean as possible for the arrival. Daniel got home, and I laid down in the bed to rest. My contractions were about 6 min. apart at this point. They were definitely too intense to sleep through, but I did dose off once or twice in between the frequency of them.

A little after 10pm, my water broke and continued to leak out. I had called the doctor on call earlier. She told me if my water broke to come in. I told Daniel, and he began to pack his stuff in the suitcase while I walked around. Your water breaking definitely makes the contractions worse. We left about 10:45pm, and left Grammy and Grandpa in charge of a sleeping Malachi.

We arrived at the hospital at about 11pm. I told them I was in labor. They didn't seem too thrilled to see me. They asked if my water broke, and I said, "yes." They immediately were interested and whisked me back to the bathroom where a nurse checked to make sure that it was my water breaking. We bypassed the initial check rooms and went straight to a delivery room. I was changing into a gown, and they were shooting off quesitons for the check-in process. The nurses checked me first since the doc wasn't in yet. I was 7-8 cent. I laid down in the bed with the monitors on. The contractions were getting unbearable, but I didn't want an epidural yet, and none of us thought there would be enough time anyways. I got some pain med. to take the edge off the contractions and waited through. The nurse told me to let them know if I felt the need to push. They still figured I had a few hours to go. There was still fluid in my "water sac" which the doctor finished breaking when she arrived.

Since I had a long, drawn out labor with Malachi and an epidural, the pains of childbirth were totally new to me. At about 11:40pm I rather painfully yelled that I needed to push. The doc and nurses ran in and told me to go ahead. I was doing it anyways, so they wasted their breath. As they were getting everything ready, I looked at the clock and it was 11:45. I commented on how this little one might make it today. The nurse assured me that he wouldn't. I pushed two more times with Daniel and a nurse holding my legs. Out he came at 11:54pm. I kept saying, "Hallelujah" and "Praise the Lord." It was by far a much better delivery than the first. It was more painful, but it was much faster and better. Plus we saved a ton of money on not getting the epidural.

The nurses didn't tell us at the time, but Ezekiel wasn't breathing. The cord had been wrapped around his head somewhere. Daniel saw the doc move it. We didn't hear him cry for several minutes, but they never told us anything was wrong to keep us calm. He finally cried after having a tube shoved down his throat. How amazing is our God! He protected our little man. I got to hold him for a few minutes before they took him out to be bathed and watched. He had pooped ahead of time like his brother. I was so exhausted that I was shaking all over. After being stitched up, I tried to sleep with visitors coming in and out of the room. It didn't bother me that my baby was still in the nursery due to my exhaustion. He came to our room about 3pm and the fun began.

Thanks to the Boppy for allowing me to cuddle my baby and type with two hands while he was napping. What a wonderful invention!

Our First Night at Home

Our first night at home was eventful. Ezekiel woke about 11pm and was inconsolable for a long time. Even with the door closed, he was able to scream loud and long enough to wake up Malachi. Since he (Malachi) is so sensitive, he cries when other people get upset. Malachi was up crying several times in his room. Daniel went in once to try to calm him down, but it just didn't work. I'm sure Grammy and Grandpa were up several times in the middle of the night, too.

Well, I spent most of the night in the big chair in the rec room with Ezekiel. He slept and ate a lot. I was able to get Daniel to switch spots with me for 2 hours. Those were the best two hours of sleep in our bed in a long time. In the middle of the night Ezekiel decided to have a huge blowout poop (you know the black, tarry kind). Fun stuff. A few hours later, Daniel went into Malachi's room to get him up at about 8am. What did he find? A big toddler poop! Not fun either. Daniel immediately whisked him off to the shower while I dealt with Ezekiel. Wow! I sure don't want to revisit this night again.

Look out world here I am!!!

Ezekiel Luke was born

February 21st at 11:54 pm.

He weighted 8 pounds

and was 21 inches long.

Happy Birthday Cousin Avery!

It's your first birthday big girl! I'm sorry that we couldn't make it down to see you. I hope that you have a wonderful day and that you all recuperate from your sickness. Much love!

Many Greetings

Happy Valentine's Day from us all! Our day was pretty uneventful. Malachi took a long nap. We all went to my doctor to make sure I was Ok as well as baby. We had to eat dinner in the car on the way to picking up someone for church. A fun time was had by all. Happy V Day!

I want to send a few hour early greeting to Kyla. In a few hours, she will be one year old. She was born on the 15th. I hope that you enjoyed your first Valentine's Day and will enjoy your day tomorrow, Kyla. Happy First Birthday!!!

Avery, I will try my hardest to post a Happy Birthday to you on Saturday. I haven't forgotten, yet!

Update

Malachi is getting ready to get tooth number 12. Once this one comes in, he'll only need one more to make a full one-year-old set up top. He'll still need three more on the bottom. He has all of his one year molars, but he is still missing some of the ones in between. He is growing by leaps and bounds in personality and what he can do. Still pictures cannot portray what he can do and how much fun he has. The boy can run, and I mean RUN. He goes at full speed up and down the house and around the church/daycare. He has two voice levels now (loud and ear-piercing). He smiles and laughs much more than before (even though he always smiled and laughed a lot). He will follow directions pretty easily and is very obedient for a 19 month old child. He loves certain books (like Clifford) because it has a dog or a baby. When asked where his baby brother is, he will come over to me and lift up my shirt, pat my big belly, and put my shirt back down. How cute!

My contractions have become a little more frequent. I still don't know if I will go this week. I'm still predicting after my due date, but most of the ladies at work (who started a pool on my delivery date and baby's weight) chose dates before my due date. I've also got another ailment that I won't go into on a public domain. Not everyone would want to know. I have very, very little that I can wear now, but I am just trying to make due by washing clothes often.

Daniel was offered a seasonal job with good pay, but we would then have to pay for Malachi's childcare, and he would be driving more. I think that he will turn the offer down and just continue to up his hours at the YMCA. He enjoys what he does and has descent benefits.

Little baby boy is looking forward to sharing his name with the world on the day of his arrival. His Mommy and Daddy are excited to share, too. They probably won't keep the name a secret when number three comes along. It's just too much for them to handle. Baby is moving plenty during the day and night. He's causing his Mommy to have a difficult time sleeping as each night comes along.

We don't know if the apartments that we are trying to get to will be open soon, but please pray that the baby can wait until we get moved. We would like to move this weekend if the place comes available. We'll keep you updated. I'm going to try to call tomorrow. A lot is happening, but we are happy, as usual, to be in the center of the Lord's will.

Baby Shower

Last Saturday Lesli threw me a baby shower. It was more of a "diaper shower" since we have the essentials. We still registered at Babies R Us, because there are several items that we still need. All the guests brought a pack of diapers and something else, too. Malachi thought that everything was for him, of course. He helped open all the packages and took the clothes and tissue paper for others to see. It was a lot of fun, and we were/are so grateful for all the wonderful items. Thank you again to all who came and gave. It was a blast!

Grammy read a few words of blessing for her newest grandchild (and got a little choked up, too).

Breakfast was cooked fresh and tasted great!

I don't understand that it is not all about me, yet!
I can still have fun throwing the balls everywhere.

Miscellaneous pictures that I failed to post before

A few days after New Year's Day, I was able to get together with some "old" friends. We went to McAllister's for dinner and chatted for a few hours. I told the girls I would post their picture, but I have failed to do so, until now. From left to right (Julie, Hanna, Morgan, Jess). I love these girls like my sisters and miss them dearly as we all have our very busy lives. I hope you all are doing well. Love ya!

Everyone look at the cameras!

Everyone look at the cameras, and, oh, Avery, stay put. Look happy!

No really guys, everyone look over here and sit still.

Just wait until next Christmas. We will have a 4 year old, a 2 and a half year old, a 22 mo. old, and an 11 mo. old. Wow! I can't wait for those pictures in front of the Christmas tree!

Callie and Avery's momma isn't the only one who can torture her children:)
Actually, Malachi really seemed to enjoy walking around with his pants on his head. He was quite the show-off.

18 months (over a month ago)
I think I'll print this one in 5x7 or 8x10 size and use as his 18 mo. "portrait."

Just to let you know. I am still having contractions. They are not getting much closer together unless I am on my feet a lot. At my appointment on Thursday, the doctor told me I was 1 cm dilated. I think she was just trying to make me feel better, though. I am trying not to do a whole lot and sit most of the day at school (which is rather difficult). Once I get past Friday, I probably won't be as "cautious." Daniel is in Phoenix right now until Thursday afternoon. I definitely don't want to go into labor while he is out of town. Thank goodness we are still with my parents right now. It helps to have a little extra support. Love you both!

Snow Day

Today was the first "snow day" of the year. This is the first time that Malachi has seen snow. We had absolutely no snow last winter. It started out snowing early in the morning (around 5am). By about 9am, we had accumulated about 2 in. of snow. Around 10am it started raining. I had two doctor's appointments scheduled for this afternoon that asked me to come in early since they were planning on closing early. Daniel had an interview at 9:30 this morning. He told me not to take Malachi out in the snow without him. We could have gone out while Daniel was gone, but we actually had to get in the shower, since we slept in until almost 9am. He got home about 10am, and we loaded up the car for my two appts. By the time we got home, a little after noon, Malachi was asleep in the car and most of the snow had melted under the temperature (34) and rain. So, Malachi was able to see the snow but not play in the snow. I am a little disappointed, but he probably wouldn't have liked it. I would like to have it snow once more and maybe get Malachi out in it. There's always next year, right? Who knows in NC?

I never got a chance to post the pictures of our last day off (MLK, Jr. day-Jan..15th). Daniel was off, too, so we went to the park to play a little. I wanted Malachi to play on the equipment, but he wasn't too sure. After failing to get him to play on the equipment, we tried to get him to swing (which he hated). Then we took our soccer ball out on the soccer field. He actually started kicking the ball instead of picking it up. He is very good at dribbling with his feet. I was very impressed.