4 Days Old!

We are still doing great. Spencer is now 4 days old and a very sweet baby. We took him to the doc today and he is now 8 lbs. 1 oz. So, he has gained an ounce every day of his little life. He is finally having a lot of awake time during the day and loves to have bonding time with mommy in the middle of the night. He really only cries when you get him naked to change his clothes and only makes a little sound when he is hungry.
Our sweet friend Jill came over today and took some awesome pictures of Spencer for us. The picture on the top is one of them. ISN'T IT AMAZING!!!!! JILL, YOU ROCK!!!!

His hospital photo has posted on the internet and this is the one they used. He was only 14 hours old!

WE ARE HOME!!!

Mommy, Daddy and Spencer came home last night. We got home around 5 pm. He wasn't even a day old. Oh, it is so nice to be home. Nani(my mom)drove to the hospital with Austin & Annabelle and picked us up. The picture above was taken when Spencer was 24 hours old.

So, now for the birth story.....

Well, here is the timeline:
Wednesday- March 25th, 2009(8 DAYS OVERDUE)

11:00- We were admitted to the hospital so they could give me prosteglandins. I was given them every 4 hours and having strong contractions but they weren't consistent enough to make cervical progress. We did this ALL DAY LONG. That night I was up all night cramping.
We were going back and forth from our room to labor and delivery during this time. Lots of walks around the hospital.
Thursday- March 26th, 2009
9 am. -more pills still nothing cervical change.
1 pm. -more pills but contractions are getting really uncomfortable.
4 pm. -started bleeding. 2 cm.(contractions are every 4 minutes and STRONG)
5 pm. - mommy asks for a workout ball to sit on to try (John is playing some nice
Itunes for me.) This is very helpful!!!!
6 pm. - 5 cm., ask to get in tub
7 pm. - midwife takes me to the room with tub and has put relaxing oils in it and everything. Lights are dim. John also brought our music. Things were great until about 7:30 and then I was suddenly VERY VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. Kinda shaky and very irritable.
7:45 pm.-John got me out of the tub and I knew we must be in TRASITION. I got about 4
feet and yelled for him to get the midwife. Told him I could feel the babies head coming down.
8:00 pm-I was 8 cm. The midwife decided it was a good idea to break my water because it was bulging.
8:25 pm- My mom walked in! Yeah! I could never imagine what she was thinking when she came in and saw me on my knees on the bed. They had the head of the bed raised up and my arms up on the top of it.
8:30 pm- Flip over. Start pushing.
8:46 pm- Spencer is born.

He is so beautiful!! I immediately thought he looked just like Austin did when he was born. But, looking at this picture, he looks just like Annabelle.
As soon as he came out they put him on my chest and he started nursing right away. He ate for 30 minutes straight and then nursed on the other.
Did anyone notice my GO NOLES t-shirt I delivered in. I hope you are proud Uncle Bubba.

All I can say is that it was an AMAZING experience and I am totally impressed with my dear husband. He was right there by my side for all of it and ready to help with my every request. He offered many ideas throughout.

I guess by now you have figured out that my mom stayed. She was supposed to leave us Wednesday and instead rearranged her EVERYTHING in order to stay with us. WE LOVE YOU NANI!!! No words can describe how wonderful this has been for me. Not only having MY MOMMY here with me but also to have the kids Nani with them. They have had a blast and she was able to bring them to the hospital and keep the family updated back home. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU NANI!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

This is a picture of mommy and baby waiting to come home from the hospital. Two nights of no sleep and the birth process wore me out.

Spencer Baron Bartholomew

Congratulations to Jen, John, Austin and Annabelle! Spencer Baron was born at 8:46pm in Wiesbaden,Germany. (3:46pm EST) He weighs 7 lbs 13 oz. Mom and baby are doing great! Isn't he the cutest!!!!
This is Graham(I'm sure Jen will post as soon as she gets home). Nani and John were by Jen's side and said she did AMAZING!!! And NO drugs!!! She is feeling great and will most likely go home tomorrow. It's 1am in Germany now so they are hopefully all getting some rest and will post more pictures tomorrow. I can't wait to hear what Austin and Annabelle think about their new brother!!

SOME FUN!!!!

My mom's best friend(Annie-Anne to us) and my friend Jill have been sending some uplifting messages for us to get a giggle while we wait and wonder. I though I would share. I hope everyone enjoys them. Thank you so so much Annie-Anne and Jill. It makes me smile everytime I read these. The first two are from Annie Anne and the 3rd is from Jill.

Spencer, Spencer Where are You?
> 9 months in the oven
> We've been waitin what can we do..
>
> Spencer, Spencer it's time to come out.
> 9 months in the over
> You've baked enough, no doubt!
>
> Spencer, Spencer your Mom is going to pop.
> 9 months in the oven
> This has got to STOP!


Austin an Annabelle are you there?
> Mom's having a baby
> Will he have curly hair?
>
> He's waiting to meet you
> He loves you already
> When he comes home will you fix him spaghetti?
>
> If he cries and takes up Mom's time
> Dont get jealous
> Remember that all will be fine.
>
> Teach him and love him
> Because family is best.
> Spencer is coming now go and get some rest.

Dear wee little Spencer baby
You're makin' your momma crazy
Your Nonnie wants snuggles
Your Big Brother is befuddled
so let's make this arrival more hasty.

Update from Appt.

Went to the doctor today and same story different day. He says that I am still 1 to 2 and that the baby is doing great. I was contracting on the Non Stress test and Spencer's heartrate was doing exactly as it should. Dr. Z wants me to come back Wednesday morning and then will induce Friday if Spencer hasn't been born yet. As long as the baby is doing well he doesn't induce until mom is 10 days overdue. He said that I just need better contractions. He wants them to be my contractions though if possible. He says that is much better than artificial contractions(meaning induction).
I just CANNOT believe that Mom is here and leaving in 2 days and there is NO BABY!! How does this even happen. We need her here and she came to far to not see him. Oh, and yes we have tried EVERYTHING meanwhile.
Belle and Austin are doing great and have been lovin having there Nani here. They are about over waiting for there brother but are doing well otherwise. They both love school and get to start soccer in a week. I can't wait to see Belle on the soccer field. This will be here first time playing. She and Austin are on the same team so it should be really fun. This will be his 5th season. But, they group them 3 years to 5 years here.

The Latest

We were told on Thursday to go to Labor and Delivery today to check to be sure everything was still okay. We just got back. They said that we are still around 2 cm. but that there is no plug. Good news. She also stripped my membranes again and we had an ultrasound. The doctor who performed the ultrasound said he thinks the baby is definitely due or overdue. Said that my amniotic fluid had decreased but that there was still a lot in there. He said the baby's head was down to far to get a good look at it on ultrasound but that he thinks he is probably 7 lbs.

We will keep you updated.

A WHOLE LOTTA NOTHIN' GOIN' ON

NO LOOK A ME, NO TALK A ME!!!!(For all you family members you better get that). Thanks Snow Baby, I had to borrow it. That is about how I feel at this point. I think you can probably figure out our news at our appt. today.
No, truly I feel really good. I slept great from 9:30 to 6:30 last night and woke up ready to go. But, as far as this baby coming out, he is just as happy as a lark in that belly of mine.
Now for the report. This was a different doctor this morning than I saw on Monday. He checked me and said that I am really not dilating yet. He said my cervix is very soft. He did offer to strip my membranes and don't you worry I said, YES PLEASE!! He said he has NEVER had a woman answer yes please to the membranes being stripped. I told him we only have mom here until next Wednesday. He then offered to induce me. I just have such mixed feelings about this. He also said that I need to be seen every 2 days now because he is considered overdue. Next thing he said was, "He will be born on Saturday night." This would be pretty ironic if he is right because that is the original due date and as history says with my other two pregnancies. My babies are born on there original due dates. We will see.
Finally, I asked what I can do on my end to get this stuff going before we end up with actual induction. He says 1. NEST 2. WALK AND 3. HAVE SEX! So, we will see what happens from here. I just want him out for he and Nonnie to have some bonding time.
Please keep us in your prayers.

MAKING PROGRESS

Mom and I went to the doctor this morning and we are finally making some progress!!! He says I am 1 to 2 centimeters and would be suprised if I make it to my appt. on Thursday. Seemed to think it would be tonight or tomorrow. Let's hope he is right. We left the appt., picked up the kids from school, had lunch and then off to IKEA for some good walking. We were walking for 2 hours and had contractions consistently right at 5 minutes apart. Whew-hew. At 4 we decided it would be good for me to rest a bit. They have obviously slowed down since resting but, Hey they must have done something. So, more walking we will do.
I am getting so excited to meet this sweet little man of mine and to see what he looks like. It is so strange to love someone so much that you haven't even seen yet. Hopefully we will have pictures of him to share with you tomorrow.

STILL COOKIN'!!!!

Baby Spencer is STILL cooking. I just sent my mom an email letting her know that he will at least be less than 24 hours old when she gets here. Hopefully he will wait for his Nonnie. I am going to take it easy today.

As for the GUESSING GAME. If you don't know how to leave a comment on the blog just email me your guess. Here are the guesses so far:

Thanks for playing along. It is always so much fun to see the guesses.

GUESSING GAME

We were wondering if we could get the guesses of anyone willing to play along. We are now due in 5 days for Baby Spencer to arrive. Before I give the questions I thought I would give you some history for those who don't know in order for a fair chance. These are the statistics from Austin and Annabelle.
Austin-
Born on due date
6 lbs. 9 oz.
Annabelle-
1 day early(but dr. said her dates must have been off. He said she was overdue due to the condition of her skin)
7 lbs. 11 oz.

So, Mr. Spencer is due on March 17. Yet, his original due date was the 21st.

What day do you think he will arrive and what is your guess on weight?

My Guess is March 16th and I think he will weigh 7 lbs. 14 oz. just like his Uncle Bubba.

THE BELLY 38 WEEKS AND 5 DAYS

For all of you who keep asking for a belly pic. I just urge you to look at your own risk. For those who haven't had babies yet, don't let it scare you. This is the 3rd and still not normal for most people. I just seem to stick out like a torpedo. Or as Mom and John say a boob. So, here you go!!!

He Shoots, He Scores

I am so so proud of Austin. He had his last basketball game on Friday night and he has learned so much. He does a great job blocking for defense, and scores many baskets each game. We are still working on the dribbling. He can do it now, but chooses to run the ball down instead. In this video you will see him block, dribble and shoot a basket. WAY TO GO AUSTIN!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

AUSTIN

LAST FRIDAY

We decided to let the kids stay up late last Thursday night and just keep them home on Friday from school. About fifteen minutes before what was our regular time to leave for school this was our conversation.

Austin: Mommy, I have to go to school.
Mommy: I thought we were going to spend the day together. You know a special day.
Austin: but Mommy, I will miss what they are learning.
Mommy: what do you mean?
Austin: If I don't go to school, I won't know what they are learning.
Mommy: Mommy will ask your teacher what they did and we can do it at home.
Austin: No mommy, I HAVE to go to school.

So, we rushed to get Austin and Annabelle dressed and teeth brushed and had daddy take them to school on the way to work. When I picked him up from school the first thing he said to me was, "Good thing I went to school or I wouldn't have gotten my ducks in a row(a new counting game they got to bring home) and I wouldn't have been able to make you and Spencer these bracelets." I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER BEEN SO PROUD IN MY LIFE. For those that don't know, he started a new preschool the end of January and it took a long time for him to adjust. But, I can't begin to say how thankful I am that we stuck with it. He has learned so much.

It has payed off because he now has an incredible love for school! Thank you Miss Roney.

BELLE

MR. BARON

Mr. Spencer Baron has apparently taken a new position sitting on my sciatica nerve. VERY SPECIAL. It hurts. Hopefully this just means he is trying to get in position for his grand entrance into this world. I am not sleeping anymore and feeling icky again. Also having trouble finding ANYTHING that is long enough to cover this belly. Mercy sakes. Can you tell someone is about ALL DONE!!! I put on a maternity warmup suit today and Austin looked at me and said, "Mama, you look like you are in workout clothes. You look like a boy." Then he started laughing. Guess you can't wear warmup suits with lines down the sides of the legs unless you are a boy. It is time to have a baby when your other children are making fun of the way you look and happen to be 5 years and younger.
Last night we had some real EXCITEMENT at the house. John and Austin were in the kitchen bound and determined to make us a chinese dinner. They made homeade chicken fried rice, egg drop soup and mini egg rolls. Well, about halfway into the process I started screaming from the living room. I had the laundry going and all of the sudden saw and heard water gushing from the laundry room out onto the hardwood floor in the living room and heading straight for the stairs. When I say gushing, I literally mean GUSHING. I was just screaming John get out here, there is water everywhere. Help!! Help!! Poor guy probably thought my water broke. Well, about 24 towels later we had the water cleaned up. LOVELY!! Apparently a pipe and tube separated and water just started coming out. Luckily John was home because it would have been a total disaster had he not been. OH, DON'T WORRY, THE DRAMA DIDN'T MESS UP THERE SPECIAL DINNER FOR THERE LADIES. IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. Thank you boys!!!