Ashlyn's Birthday!

Here's the story, finally! Along with trying to recover from pushing out an 8 pound baby, I've also been sick the last couple days, so sorry I've been slow to update the blog. We went in at 5:30 Monday morning (August 24th) to be induced. They started my pitocin at 7:30, and broke my water at 8:30. I felt like I did pretty good focusing and relaxing through the contractions, but gave in and got an epidural when I was dilated 7 cm. The epidural was only effective on one side for a while, but we eventually got it working on the other side too. I could still feel the pressure really well though, and was able to move my legs decently (perfect!). Anyway, I pushed for about a half-hour I think and Ashlyn Hope Christensen was born at 12:47pm, weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs, 4oz, and 21 inches long!

She came out healthy, although we later found out she broke her clavicle on the way out. She also had a "true knot" in her umbilical cord, which means there was an actual knot in the cord. At any moment she could have turned a certain way and pulled that knot tight, and we could have lost her. She is a miracle! Anyway, the broken collar bone is a somewhat common birth injury and will heal on it's own in a couple weeks. We're not sure where the dark hair came from and are still in shock over it. But her face looks just like Caleb's did as a newborn, so we're pretty sure she's ours! Caleb came later that day and wore his "I'm the Big Brother" t-shirt. He is really good with her. Enjoy the pictures!

My mom was able to be there for the birth, and stayed for a week afterwards. She was so much help and I couldn't have done it without her!

Ashlyn Hope Christensen

Sorry it took so long! It's amazing how fast time goes with a new baby and a four-year-old. Things went well and here's our new little girl! I will post tons more pictures and the story later. Gotta feed the baby now!

Overdue

Yeah, you read it right. That says NEGATIVE 2 days to go. Yes I was due two days ago and am still pregnant. I know I'm not that overdue, but it feels like it. I wasn't prepared to go past my due date with this one, since I went into labor on my due date with Caleb. Anyway, even though I'm not big on elective inductions, I'm going to be induced on Monday. I'm just not patient enough to wait longer. So at least by Monday Ashlyn (or Megan, Kaitlyn, Abby, or Hailey) will be here. I was dilated to three on Tuesday, so hopefully the process won't take very long. We'll post pictures when we have them. Wish me luck!

Naughty Chip

I need help. Caleb absolutely cannot go to sleep lately. He will lay in bed for hours talking. Who is he talking to you may ask? His "friend" Chip. The other night, he was trying really hard to be quiet and go to sleep. About an hour and a half after we put him down, he just started crying a genuine, frustrated cry. I asked him what was wrong and he said his friend keeps waking him up. Last night I told him not to talk to his friend and maybe his friend would stop talking to him, but he says that doesn't work. Chip just keeps talking. Meanwhile my child is very sleep deprived. His imagination is just going wild lately, which I love to see during the day, but how do I calm it down at night? Shall I put Chip in time-out?

Oh and by the way, yes I am STILL pregnant and I wish I wasn't. Therefore I am very cranky and very sleep-deprived. I swear this baby is ready to come, she's just being stubborn. At my doctor's appointment on Tuesday I was dilated to 2 cm already (from 0 the week before), so that is exciting, but also making me even more impatient. Anyway, so there's the update.

Bless the Fly

Caleb is so cute when he prays. He insists on always saying the dinner prayer. Then, especially if we have any extra people over, he folds his arms up on his forehead and peeks underneath. He looks from person to person and blesses each one of them. Tonight, a fly landed on Daddy's arm during the prayer. So here's how it went: "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, thank you for the food, please bless it. Bless Mommy and baby, bless Daddy, bless the fly. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." We actually made it through the amen before we started laughing. Too bad a couple hours later I was swinging at the fly with the kitchen towel. I did miss though . . . maybe the prayer worked!