World, Meet Thatcher!

Our sweet baby boy Thatcher surprised us and made his appearance a couple of days sooner than expected! Here's his story...

Because I had a c-section with our 19-month old Tucker, I was scheduled for another c-section for our second baby. I had received a form letter in the mail - your "surgery" is scheduled for Monday, November 22. The idea of having another c-section had already upset me and this letter didn't help things. There was no drama or element of surprise with a scheduled c-section. Never would I experience the craziness of rushing around to get to the hospital or trying to calm down a freaked out husband. Or so I thought...

Thatcher's birth story begins a few days before his birth. My dear sweet grandma had unexpectedly gotten very ill (blog about this to follow) and at our final OBGYN appointment on Monday, November 15, I spoke to my doctor about possibly rescheduling my c-section. I knew my grandma wouldn't be with us much longer and there was no way I would miss her service in case we lost her before our scheduled c-section. The doctor was very empathetic as she had lost her own grandma recently and she said we could reschedule as necessary. When we left the doctor's office, my step dad called to let me know they were taking grandma off of life support. We were just leaving the parking garage at the same hospital so we drove around the block then back to the hospital. I got to say my final good-bye to my sweet grandma while Thatcher kicked away in my belly. It was such a surreal moment.

Grandma's service was held on the following Thursday and I just kept telling baby that we just had to wait till Thursday. If he could give me that, I would be forever grateful! At my grandma's service, my niece Laney kept saying she wanted me to have the baby on Saturday so I could make it to Thanksgiving dinner the next week. All I cared about was paying my final respects to my grandma. If I could make it past that, then I was ready to have the baby at anytime.

On Friday, November 21, I rushed around at work to catch up from missing work when my grandma was sick and when I took off for her service and to get somewhat prepared to take some sort of maternity leave. When we got home from work that evening, Alec's parents took us out to eat but Tucker didn't feel well so we had to call it an early night.

Saturday I woke up feeling like a not-so-great mom. Whenever anyone in my family feels sick, I immediately want to clean and sanitize my house. So I started on the kitchen and I scrubbed it from top to bottom! I pretty much wore myself out and rested the rest of the afternoon. Later that afternoon, I went upstairs to finish up some work on the computer. Alec and Tucker came up and played while I worked.

Alec and I had tickets to see Brad Paisley at the BOK Center Saturday night and we went back and forth about going. I had told him several months before - if Brad Paisley ever comes to town, I want to go see him! I'm pretty sure Alec writes the songs Brad Paisley sings...I mean - all of those songs are about me - right?

Anyway, I was tired from my crazed nesting earlier that day and I was super swollen and huge. I was still on the computer trying to figure out parking around the BOK Center. I had total pregnant brain so Alec wanted on the computer to check things out. Before I stood up, I felt something weird. Later, a nurse asked if I heard a "pop" but I think maybe I felt it instead. When I stood up, holy cow, my water had broken! Alec sat down and I just stood there - frozen.

Me: Uhm...my water just broke
Alec: No it didn't. (I had been the "girl who cried water broke" for a few weeks now and he was on to me!)
Me: (pointing to the puddle on the floor) Yes it did.
Alec: Ok...Ok...Ok...HAHAHAHA!!! Ok...Are you ok? OK!
Me: What do I do?!?! What do I do?!?!
So I waddled off to the bathroom, sat on the toilet and started making phone calls. Alec called our doctor who told him I didn't have time for a shower - she didn't want me contracting and miss out on my c-section. We needed to get to the hospital ASAP.

I thought it was a little silly I couldn't shower so...I took a shower. I'm not sure what Alec was doing while I was showering and getting my stuff together. I think he fed the dogs and loaded up all sorts of stuff in the car. Then we were off to the hospital!

Alec drove fast, but very well :-), to the hospital. We may have been on 2 wheels during the entire 6-story climb to the maternity floor at the hospital, but we got there fast and in 1 piece.

Let me tell you something about when your water breaks - which only happens with 1 in 10 pregnancies. When it breaks, there's no stopping it. So while Alec was getting Tucker out of the car and in his stroller and grabbing all sorts of bags, I did the "I gotta pee" dance in the parking garage. Of course I didn't have to pee - I just had amniotic fluid pouring out all over the place.

The distance between the parking garage and the labor and delivery area is incredibly long and I kinda power walked/ jogged the whole way while trying to hold my knees together and carry my purse and overnight bag. Pretty.

My water broke around 4:00, we checked in around 4:30 and were in surgery by 5:45 - super fast...and dramatic!

We had told everyone about missing Brad Paisley so during surgery, someone turned on the radio and just as Thatcher made his appearance at 6:17 pm, Brad's song "Little Moments" came on the radio. How very fitting. Later, after Alec took Thatcher out to meet the world and I was getting put back together, "Hillbilly Bone" came on. Not sure how that works into the story but I thought it was pretty funny.

Thatcher Rippy Davis officially joined the family at 6:17pm on Saturday, November 20, 2010 (our 2 1/2 year anniversary). He weighed 7lbs, 7 oz and was 21 3/4 inches long. I was surprised at his weight because when they delivered him, the doctors and nurses were amazed at how big he was and said he'd be a football player and that I better be glad I had him by c-section.

I finally made it to recovery and after the nurse scooted everyone but Alec and my boys out of the room, we sang Happy Birthday to Thatcher and he nursed for the first time. Such a sweet moment.

And so now here we are. Alec is back at work. Tucker is back in school. And Thatcher and I are trying to figure things out. He's such a sweet baby! He squeaks and grunts a lot and I pretty much have to strip him down to wake him up to eat, but we'll get it all worked out.

After the roller coaster of emotions I've had over the past few weeks, I'm just trying to cherish every little moment.

It's Not Cute Anymore!

I'm so over being pregnant. It's not cute anymore! I'm definitely in the last few weeks and my patience has completely worn out. I'm tired but can't sleep. I can actually feel my fingers and feet swelling. I really don't like to see myself in the mirror...who's that old fat lady staring back at me? I cry at just about everything. And on top of feeling absolutely horrible about myself, I've got a nice little jealous streak going that has thrown Alec for a loop!

I'm done. I'm soooooo done! Several times a day, I wish with all I have for my water to break, but it won't. The bassinet is all set up, diapers are in the diaper holder, everything is washed and set up and ready for baby. Especially me! But baby could probably use a couple more weeks in the oven.

I get sad when I think about our family dynamic changing - only a few more weeks for Tucker to be any only child and the center of our universe. I feel like I'm sure every other mom of more than one feels - I hope I have enough love, time and energy to go around!

But I can't worry about any of that now. I just want this baby out and for our life with kids to begin!

33 Going on 39

Today marks our 33 week of pregnancy. I'm not sure if it's the beginning of the 33rd week or the end. I'm too pregnant and stupid to figure out the logistics, I just know I have a 33 on my calendar at work.

I'm so over being pregnant. The ants in the pants that I got with Tucker during the 9th month has hit me early this time around. I totally have ants in the pants and absolutely no patience with this whole pregnancy / miracle of life stuff.

This weekend, the baby has decided to put his seat in the upright position and buckle his seat belt for his final decent. His head is low...I mean LOW so now he's in perfect position to kick the ever lovin' life out of my ribs.

I don't have a cute little bump anymore and I'm far from glowing. I'm a big ol' lump of mama just waddling around red faced and popping Tums like nobody's business.

My hands are swollen as well as my feet. The one pair of shoes that offer a tad bit of comfort make my feet look like popover muffins.

Nothing fits. My shirts are way too short and the waist bands on all of my jeans end up hovering somewhere on the dark side of the moon that is my ginormous belly.

I think I need a haircut, a manicure, a pedicure - fun pretty girl things like that, but who am I kidding? I need to get this baby out, lose about 30 pounds and get in my sassy red high heels again!

The only hope I have is that my water will break. There's no turning back then! They can't give me something and make me go home and wait. Once the amniotic fluid flood begins, the only thing that can be done is birthing of the baby!

But I know that's selfish of me. The baby isn't quite finished baking. It's like when you add shredded cheese to the casserole then you need to bake for 15 more minutes until the cheese is all melted and bubbly. The baby isn't quite bubbly just yet...but almost!

I'm just tired and miserable and gross. I keep promising Alec that in a year, I'm gonna be one hot mama, but I want that NOW!

I have no patience. I need week 39 to be here now - whether it be the beginning of week 39 or the end - I'm not picky.

Our Busy Weekend!

Our weekend began at 3:30 on Saturday morning - yes...3:30. Tucker's coughing woke me up so I gave him some medicine and rocked him back to sleep then I was wide awake. I watched 2 Oprahs then headed back to bed. I finally woke up at 8:00 which seems so late!

Alec took Berman to the vet for his annual shots and Tucker and I hustled around to get ready. Then we loaded up an headed off to the Brush Creek Bazaar!

This was the first time we've been to the BCB but we really had a good time! This place we went to was like a little ranch in town and absolutely beautiful! There was a huge pond with swans - actual swans - and all sorts of fall decorations everywhere.

When we pulled up, we smelled some yummy goodness in the air. Inside the grounds, there were crafts and food and entertainment. We walked around a bit and stopped by the little petting zoo. Tucker had fun feeding and petting goats, horses, ducks, rabbits, a calf and even a llama!

We sat down for a bit and I enjoyed my first brat with kraut for the season! It was soooo good! While we ate, we watched some clog dancers. Tucker really enjoyed them and danced along to their Lady Gaga number!

We picked up a cute little shelf for Tucker's big boy room and I got myself a cute purse. There was a lady there selling butternut squash for a $1 each! Couldn't pass that up so we got 2 plus a spaghetti squash!

When we got home, I figured Tucker would be worn out from the festivities but he wasn't but I so needed to recover! My feet were swollen and killing me!

Alec went straight to work outside! He cut several branches off of the trees in the backyard and mowed. The trees look so much better and now he won't have to duck to mow!

I whipped up butternut squash soup and it was pretty good! I've never had it before but I like what I made.

By the time bedtime came around, we were exhausted and sore. Baby in belly was super active all day. Not those cute little fluttery movements either. These are big scraping on the inside of my uterus movements. So uncomfortable! I was pretty sure I'd find myself planted to my recliner on Sunday!

Sunday morning was brisk and refreshing! Alec took Tucker to the store so I could have a little bit of peace and quiet before I started my day.

I'm not sure if it was the cool air or what, but I finally had a burst of energy and was able to get so much done! I opened up all the windows and got busy! I cleaned out the refrigerator; I cleaned the laundry room; I did all the laundry and put it away (huge accomplishment for me!); I bagged up some clothes to take to Goodwill; I swept and mopped the kitchen floor; I sorted through the never ending stack of papers that keep piling up on the kitchen counter...whew! I think I did more Sunday than I've done the past 2 or 3 weekends combined!

While I was busy in the house, Alec worked on his next project - replacing our sad tree rings with new tree rings! What a perfect day for this project! I was amazed how much better the new rings looked! Now I just need to plant my fall flowers and add a little mulch and we'll be all set!

Old rings

New rings!

I'm so glad I have a husband who not only does this stuff but actually likes doing it!

Oh - and Tucker knows how to take off his diaper now. Sunday he spilled lemonade on his pants so I took them off and when I came back from getting new pants, there was Tucker - diaper in hand and wearing nothing but socks and a goofy smile!

The Sickos

This past weekend, the ragweed got a hold of Alec and Tucker and wouldn't let them go! They both sneezed and coughed and had snotty noses. It wasn't pretty.

On Sunday, we loaded up and headed to Wynona to visit my mom and grandparents. Alec and Tucker still had snotty noses but that was really it.

On the way home, Tucker got fussy so we stopped at Sonic for some grub and I moved to the back seat to entertain Tucker for the rest of the drive home. Well Tucker had no appetite for his Wacky Pack and I had about 2 bites of my chicken sandwich and was done.

By the time we got home, I wasn't feeling well at all. I was hungry but food sounded awful. I had only had 2 biscuits for breakfast and that was it for the day. Not exactly my usual pregnancy pigout day.

I walked in and went straight to the bedroom. I told Alec I had to lay down for a while. I cried and whimpered and I think I eventually fell asleep.

When I woke up, everything I had eaten the day before was movin' on up and needed out - fast! Alec was amazed that the previous night's dinner was still in my belly. I really don't know how the whole digestion thing works, but it didn't seem very weird to me.

While I'm hugging the toilet, I can hear Tucker outside the bedroom banging on the door and yelling. Oh yeah - no time to be sick, I'm a mama! Tucker and I found Alec out on the couch. Apparently he wasn't feeling 100% either - I don't think he was even feeling 50%!

I'm not a person who gets sick. In fact, Alec and I were thinking about the last time I had actually thrown up and I think it was after Oktoberfest in 2006. And that was from, well, over-Oktoberfesting.

So because I'm rarely sick and I hate taking medicine, I have no idea what to do with myself. I start drinking water - must stay hydrated! Well needless to say, that didn't stay in my belly long either. I went to bed with a very empty belly and a very crampy belly - from all the heaving.

The next day, Alec and Tucker were feeling better so they left me at home to wallow in misery. I decided to follow the BRAT diet that we had given to Tucker when he had an upset belly a month or so ago. So for breakfast, I had a banana and toast; for lunch I had plain rice; and I had an apple for an afternoon snack. I kept all of that down plus 2 big bottles of water. So for my second afternoon snack, I had chocolate milk and a graham cracker with peanut butter. All better!

Alec and Tucker are still at war with the ragweed, but I'm totally better now. Hopefully I managed to shed off a couple of the 8 freaking pounds I've gained in 1 month! Silver lining!

All Aboard the Potty Train!

We bought Tucker a potty seat a couple of months ago just to get him familiar with it and to see what happens. Of course, our biggest wish is that he's completely potty trained before baby gets here, but...let's not get our hopes up.

At first, the potty seat was a silly toy. Tucker would take it apart and throw the two pieces around. One time he took the little bowl out, stepped inside the seat and fell right on his face. Not a good beginning to potty training.

The potty seat moved from the living room to our master bathroom to eventually the bathtub in the master bathroom. It has since been resurrected and is back in the spotlight - well somewhat.

We sat it on the floor and told Tucker to sit on his potty seat - in a very excited and over the top voice. After all, sitting on a potty seat is the COOLEST THING IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD! WOOHOO!

Tucker walked up to the potty seat, turned around, hunkered down in a bear crawl position then backed up and lowered himself until he was sitting on the seat. Ok. That's one way of doing it. And this wasn't an isolated event. This is his preferred style of sitting on a potty seat. Whatever works for him - as long as he sits on it by himself!

Again - total excitement on our end. YEA! WAY TO SIT ON THE POTTY SEAT! GOOD JOB BUDDY! WOOHOO!

Now it was time for the big test - sitting him on the potty seat with no diaper on. Would he sit until something happened? Would something happen? The excitement was almost unbearable.

So it was bath time. While I ran Tucker's bath, I stripped him down and sat him on the potty seat. Have I mentioned how much he LOVES baths?!?! Needless to say, he would not stay on the potty seat and ran to the side of the bathtub where he managed to pee all over the side of the tub and my feet. yea. way to go. good job buddy. wah wah.

So the next time, we decided to move the potty seat out of the bathroom and into Tucker's room. Alec ran the bathwater and I helped Tucker get undressed in his room. Alec shut the door to the bathroom - pretty sneaky! There's no way that baby knows a nice bubbly warm bath is waiting for him! But alas, our 17-month old is much smarter than his Mama and Daddy. He wouldn't stay on the potty seat and screamed and ran buck naked out of the room to the bathroom door. But at least he didn't make a mess on the outside of the bathtub or my feet!

I've also added a couple of potty training books to our bedtime stories. One has a button you push and it makes the sound of the toilet flushing. Tucker's little finger isn't strong enough to push the button (though he has almost poked my eye out several times) so he moves my thumb over the button and while I'm reading, we flush the toilet about 20 times.

He also knows where to go when we ask if he needs his diaper changed and he knows what a diaper is. So I guess that's some sort of progress.

I know this takes a lot of patience...I just hope I have enough left when new baby gets here in 11 weeks!

Mom and Dad's Day Out!

On Saturday, Tucker went to a birthday party with Gram so we were toddler free for a couple of hours. We've known for a 2 or 3 weeks that this day was coming so we started to dream about what we'd do during these few precious hours. Maybe we'd go to a movie or maybe stay at home and tackle a few projects we can never seem to finish.


As 12:30 (party time) approached, we all had baths and dressed in our nice "I have something to do" clothes. I even fixed my hair and put on make-up! This is a pretty big deal since most Saturdays are spent cleaning, laying on the couch, running errands and keeping Tucker away from the dogs. Rarely is there a bath involved and never hair and make-up!


Tucker was out the door with Gram and Tink and there we were - Mama and Daddy were now Jenny and Alec. Weird. And quiet - so quiet.




So what did we do during these magical hours we had alone?
1. Lunch at Asahi (only cooked sushi for this this mama in a delicate condition).
2. Ice cream at Sonic.
3. Naps.


I'm not much of a napper - too many things running through my head - but Alec is a great napper!


After 2 hours, Alec called Gram and Tink...uhm...when's Tucker coming home? Well he was swimming and eating watermelon and having a grand old time so...not anytime soon.


So we watched TV then called again...uhm...we miss Tucker. He's on his way!


Talk about ants in the pants! We sat and waited and waited. The 20 minute drive seemed to take FOREVER! I looked out the window about a thousand times and suggested we start walking in the direction of Alec's parents house so we can just meet Tucker on the road.




Finally, he was home!



And after Alec's parents left, we sat on the couch watching Tucker torment Lucy, Mango licking Tucker's head and Berman barking for someone to play with him and I smiled. This chaos is our life. And I love it!


What adventures will this day hold for us?