Let's Circle the Wagons

Those of you that know me well know that I have MANY weird quirks:  I can't sleep by a door, I fold towels a certain way, I like things cleaned a certain way, I have a bubble around me and don't like people in that bubble; and these are just to name a few.  Well-I'm afraid some of those have been passed down to my kids. 

 

Kyra loves to play and when she plays she has to have the toys in a circle, with absolutely NO space.  We wonder if she was a pioneer in her former life because she "circles the wagons".  I went into Tristan's room the other day and she had done the same thing with his Batman castles.  Silly girl.

 

 This is how I feel everyday--I just don't fall asleep in my food.  Some days I wish that were an option for me.

Poor Little Kyra-I don't think she is getting enough sleep.  She falls asleep in the weirdest places.

Burps, Toots, Poop, and Hormones

I find it funny that while our little ones are babies we encourage, cheer, praise, and hope for; a good burp, a loud toot, and by all means; a diaper full of poo.  But, when our little ones are old enough to talk (say around 2) and giggle about it--we scold them and teach them to say "excuse me".  Our little Brynlee has had issues with all the above baby praiseworthiness's and after 3 weeks of being born-is getting to be somewhat "normal".  Poor Byrnlee-she has definitely not been your typical baby.  I'm thinking that because she was 9 days early, her body just needed extra days to get to be normal.  We were so worried about her because she didn't have a poopy diaper for 10 days.  You read that correctly-10 DAYS!  I spoke to her doctor, called a nurse twice, my mom searched the internet for solutions and/or advice, we tried several things the doctor and nurses suggested-but none of them worked.  We knew her tummy hurt but didn't know what to do.  The first few nights at home were not pretty and I would just cry with her.  We pleaded with her to poop on the floor, poop on your sister, poop in the bath---we didn't care---we just wanted Brynlee to poop.  Poop watch 2013 was officially on.  After being home for 10 days with no action in the diaper I was overwhelmed with joy when the poopless streak was over.  I even sent a text to my mom. 

 

 

I was so thankful my mom was able to stay here for a month.  It worked out to be about 2 weeks before the baby and another 2 once she was born.  I honestly don't know how I would have survived without her.  Devin has been here--but you all know (or will know once you're married with kids) how helpful husbands can be.  ;-[    You would think that by having a 4th child I would be a pro.  Not so much.  I will never get used to the sleepless nights and the lack of naps.  Nursing didn't go so well at first-  I thought since I had been a "milk cow" for close to 6 years over the past 13 and the fact Kyra was finally over it in November my tatas would be primed and ready to go:  Nope!!!  The pain we as mothers go thru.  It really is a miracle we keep having babies and on top of that, nurse them.  Brynlee, like her sister Kyra is not gaining weight as quickly as she should be.  I have to take her in for weekly weight checks and make sure she is eating at least every 3 hours if not more.  I need to make sure I rest and keep my stress level down so my milk supply isn't compromised. (that is easier said/written than done.)  We are in the middle of re-financing our home and found out last Thursday that per our credit report Devin and I have a property in Spokane, WA.  WHAT??? (this is odd b/c I monitor our credit every month and haven't noticed anything)  Friday night I get the mail and I have an Insurance EOB for the hospital.  My bill has been rejected due to the fact pre-certification was not completed.  (this wasn't needed for the other 3 births) and since it is a Holiday weekend, I can't get any more information until Tuesday.  Talk about stressing out.  A 2 1/2 day hospital bill with "no insurance"?!?!  That's just awesome.  I'm so glad we pay our monthly insurance premiums to have our claims denied. 

 

This pregnancy from the beginning was an emotional roller-coaster.  Not sure why, but I think it was in part-timing.  Finding out I was expecting a week after losing both grandparents was difficult.  And that little black cloud of grief hung over me the entire time and continues to do so.  Sitting in the hospital the following morning of Brynlee's birth was hard for me.  I kept finding myself waiting for my phone to ring with grandpa telling me congratulations because that is what he always did.  His call was the first call I had with Tristan and Kyra, and with Cortlynn they came over to the hospital bright and early.  With Brynlee there was no celebration with grandma and grandpa.  I know they are looking down from Heaven, but it still has been a tough one.  It does make each day worth it when you see your children smile, and Brynlee has begun to smile.

My little 2013 graduate

I can't believe that my little Tristan graduated from Kindergarten last week.  He has grown up so much over the last 9 months and has learned even more.  I cannot express how proud I am of him and how much I truly love him.   

 

Tristan and Mrs. McMinn

Brynlee Onyx McIntire



The last week of being pregnant was a tough one.  Things were going on with my body that I didn't think were "normal" and I thought my symptoms could inspire an episode of "Greys Anatomy". While I was at my last doctors appointment I told the nurse what was going on and she just stood there and stared at me.....with a look of "hmmmmmm" on her face. 



Later that evening I began having contractions but kept them to myself.  They only lasted a few hours so I didn't think that much about them. Devin and my mom figured it out later that I was in deed having pains.  They are very observant.   Friday morning I woke up and had to run to Fred Meyer to take care of some errands.  The entire time I was having contractions but kept them to myself.  I even sat down with Devin and several co-workers but kept quiet---Prior to leaving I did tell Devin that he should stay by the phone.  When I came back home--we ate lunch and I helped with Tristan's homework.  The contractions weren't getting "regular" but they were definitely getting stronger.  After several hours and my mom telling me that I needed to call Devin and get him home--I finally caved and called a little after 3:00.  Holy cow---some of my contractions were incredibly painful!!!!!  but again--nothing regular.  Some were 8 minuted apart-others 15 minutes---nothing I could set a clock to.  Devin finally got home around 4 (he told me later that he stayed to show employees things and complete work-until his boss told him that he better get home to me)  My mom was actually on the verge of driving me up herself.  (I have my babies in Idaho Falls--about 45 minutes away)

 

Since the hospital built their new women's center at the hospital we weren't sure where to check in and of course we went to the wrong place.  Oh well---they were still able to check me in.  Unfortunately the entire women's center was full.  FULL of women having babies and full of women that had babies.  There was no "room at the inn" for me.  (at 5:00 there were 5 babies ready to be born and that didn't include me)  They put me up in a very small room at the end of the hall.  I had to walk across the hall to get into my gown and the bed they had me get on was actually a stretcher.  The nurse checked me and I was already at a 5 close 6 and there was no turning back.  Because I was so far along-they found me a birthing bed of sorts.  It was quite crooked but it worked better than a stretcher.  For about an hour they searched for an actual room but came to the conclusion it wasn't going to happen and that the "closet" I was in would become my birthing room.  After a while of being there I asked for an epidural (with Kyra I waited toooooooo long and it didn't work--so I experienced natural childbirth, knew I could do it naturally but didn't want to experience it again)  The guy came in and had a difficult time getting it in---the bed was crooked-which in turn made my spine crooked.  The first attempt was a fail-so he tried again.  That time we thought it was a success until I realized I was only kinda numb on part of my right side.  Dr. Hall came in to check me and to break my water while the anesthesiologist was called. So----a 3rd and 4th attempt were made.  The 4th one finally worked!!!  Yippee!!!!!  Devin was upset-but what do you do????   It probably didn't help that my water really broke while the 3rd attempt was taking place.  I swear I lost 10lbs.  The floor became a small lake and I apologized to the nurse for getting her shoes all nasty.  I was thankful this didn't happen in public--I would have been mortified. The entire thing was comical---closet room, stretcher bed, multiple epidural attempts...... I kept setting of the alarm for my blood pressure because it was so low!! the machine wouldn't accept the numbers--after listening to the alarm for more than an hour-the nurse decided to place it on my calf (not sure why--but the alarm quit going off.)  At 8:00pm the doctor came in to see how I was and to check my status:  He pulled up the sheet and informed the nurse, me, and Devin that the babies head was right there and I was ready to have the her.  The problem with that was the fact no one was ready, the room wasn't prepped, and they had to try to find some help with the delivery.  Dr. Hall asked if the room was safe for delivery and if it was ever used in that way---they said it could be used for delivery but had never been---they brought in a baby warmer, the table of doctor tools, and yet--another nurse/helper could not be located. A few minutes later another nurse came in and told me that she was paged to room 126 for delivery and she had no clue where room 126 was.  :-o   I began pushing at 8:15---I felt bad because Devin couldn't really assist or even be by me; the room was so small that the nurses and doctor were around me and Devin had to stay out of the way of the monitor. I was in the stirrups with all my glory being out and facing the hall with the DOOR OPEN!!!!!  Yep-pretty sure the dude walking to the restroom got an eye full.  I didn't care because he wouldn't be able to recognize me outside the hospital.  Again-my contractions weren't regular.  I would push thru one of them and then we had to sit and wait for another one.  It was like a scene from a movie---the movies "Tombstone" and  "Wyatt Earp" came to mind:  the stand off at the OK Coral---everyone looking at each other with no words spoken...This went on for what seemed like forever.  Crickets were playing in the back ground.  Devin and the doctor were about to sing when I asked, "Can I push, now?" 

 

At 8:30pm on Friday May 3, 2013 (9 days early)---Brynlee Onyx McIntire came into this world.  She weighed 7lbs 9 oz and was so beautiful!!!!!   I was overwhelmed with joy to meet my new little daughter. 

 

The experience was quite funny and I would have liked to experience labor in an actual birthing room-but what do you do??!!  At least Devin was in the room and not asleep in the car, Brynlee was born healthy, and the actual birth was uneventful: I couldn't have asked for anything more.

 

 

This is a photo was taken in between contractions.

Brynlee's first photo

She HATED her bath

Such a cute little angel



Proud Daddy!

Mommy/Brynlee bonding

 

 

Kyra wasn't too sure about the new baby.  After several minutes she did "warm" up to her.

Brynlee didn't want to get into her car seat-but I don't blame her.  Such a small little girl in such a large seat.  I love the hat---I guess one of the nurses makes these hats when it isn't very busy during her midnight shifts.

 

Kyra really is a very good and loving big sister.

 

Tristan wanted a brother but is happy with a sister.

I have a picture just like this of me and Kyra.  Amazing to me how much the kids all look alike.

Just a few more weeks

I can't believe I only have a little over 3 weeks until my due date.  If this little girl is anything like her siblings-she will actually be here in a little over 2 weeks.  CRAZY!  This being my 4th child-I shouldn't be as anxious as I am; but I guess it doesn't matter how many children you have, you just want the best outcome for the birth.  The fatigue has been awful and the body aches and pains bring me to tears; with all the "negative" parts of pregnancy, I'm trying to enjoy the experience. 

The kids are getting pretty excited.  Kyra will actually kiss my belly now and rub the baby.  She tells me on a daily basis that the baby needs to come out.  When I tell her the baby isn't big enough to come out, she tells me to go to the doctor and get it out.  Too cute!  Last week at my appointment she told the doctor to get the baby out.  ;-)  I just hope they continue to be so excited when she is arrives.

Being pregnant has caused my emotions to be out of control.  I cry A LOT over everything: commercials, peoples comments, TV shows, etc.---lately I have been really emotional knowing that my grandparents won't be physically here when the baby is born.  I went to a baby shower for a friend and she had several of her grandma's there that gave her homemade quilts, bibs, blankets--and I teared up.  I'm not having a shower-but the thought of not having them around breaks my heart on almost a daily basis.  I continue to have very vivid dreams (that I won't discuss on here) and I smell my grandma around my house (where there is no reason for me to smell her) often.  It could be all the extra hormones that I have-I just don't know. 

A couple of weeks ago I was having a really difficult day, but I try not to let the kids know.  Out of the blue Tristan tells me that when people die and go to Heaven, they will come back alive later and will be with us again.  (he learned this is primary)  He kept telling me that Great Grandma and Great Grandpa would come back and be with us.  His comment was just what I needed to hear.  (of course he tied in the fact Michael Jackson would also come back and write more songs)

A magical, wonderful appliance: used only by a mom.

I'm not a person who stays on top of the current trends or fads. For one thing, I'm too cheap-and for another; trends and fads are continually changing. But-in our home we have a contraption that I think all households should invest in. Since it was already in the home when we moved in and the owners manual cannot be located; I'm not sure if there is a warning against husbands and children using the 

shiny metal box: perhaps they are afraid of being shocked with a volt of electricity or maybe green slime will drop from the sky and fall on their heads-either reason, it seems only me (the mom) is able to touch it.

 

This miracle sent from Heaven is known as a dish washer.  Yes-it actually washes dishes.  Unfortunately it doesn't load itself with the dirty dishes and it is unable to put the clean items away, but man or man----it sure can clean.  In our home-it seems like only the mom is able and willing to fill it up with the dirties and put the clean ones away.  If you want a room to clear out all I need to do is open the door of this magical appliance and the crickets can be heard.  chip, chirp, chirp.....

 

Don't get me wrong-they know how to do it and will help when asked---but that is the keyword: ASKED!!!!!   I think I will take a week off and do absolutely nothing unless I'm asked.  I wonder how that would go?!?!

 

I took this photo today because Kyra was being so goofy- This is honestly what I deal with every single day.  That girl is so silly and loves to make silly faces and make mom smile.

Easter 2013

I can't believe that Easter has already come and gone.  I haven't really been in the spirit of decorating the house for Easter, but I felt bad that nothing was out for the kids.  I finally pulled a few baskets and eggs out a week and a half ago, making the kids excited for the Holiday.  Like every year-I waited until the last minute to decorate eggs and of course Devin was at work.  For those that know me well-you know that I really don't like messes-so dying eggs seriously almost puts me into a frenzy!  I stress, hover, pace back and forth with paper towels, and wish the project was over 5 minutes into it.  This year Kyra was into it and wanted to do her eggs by herself.  This consisted of throwing the eggs into the dye-causing the dye to spray EVERYWHERE the newspaper wasn't.  Yep-I had so much fun.  ;-|  I tried to keep a smile on my face so the kids would have fun.

 

Easter morning we woke up and the kids and I hurried to get ready to get to church by 8:20am; the hunt for eggs had to wait until after.  Poor kids---they could see the eggs and candy but being the mean mom I am, made them wait.  teeheehee  (the power of being a parent)  Tristan LOVES to hunt for eggs, Cortlynn thinks she's almost too old for it, and once Kyra figured out some had candy in them, she was done.  She found one, opened it, and began to chow down.

 

The rest of the morning consisted of me making deviled eggs and a snicker/apple salad for a get together with Devin's family.  Unfortunately Devin forgot to mention to me that the get together would be at the park in Shelley, so no one was really dressed appropriately.  Oh well- the kids enjoyed being outside and playing on the playground equipment.  I think Kyra went down the slides over a 100 times, even the big/fast one.  I couldn't get to her fast enough and she flew off the bottom and landed face first in the sand.  When the poor girl stood up and began to cry-a ton of sand came pouring out of her mouth.  She had sand stuck in her molars, up her nose, stuck to the back of her throat---nasty.  BUT-she got back up and continued to play.  We had an egg hunt for all the kids---there were eggs everywhere: some had candy, old gag gifts inside, and some had money.  Tristan being the competitive little man he is-had to dump is basket once because it was so full and headed out again.  When it was all over-he had found $17.25 in MONEY!!!!!  He was the big winner.  ALL of the big kids were upset that a 6 yr old came out with all the funds and they were lucky to find a dollar. 

 

Sitting in the sun and chasing Kyra around for hours was exhausting.  By 6:00 I was almost in tears begging Devin to go home.  I get so tired-especially on the weekends.  Usually-I end up crying due to the fatigue and Easter Sunday/Easter weekend was no different. 

 

Overall, the kids enjoyed Easter and everything that came with it.  Until next year.............

 

I asked the kids to look at me and smile and this is what I got.

What a big helper she is.

I have a ton of pictures of Kyra making these funny faces.

On the Hunt for eggs.

Mission completed.

 Devin took the camera and wanted me to pose for a photo.  I posed--in my sexy, model pose.  HAHA  Check out that baby bump!  These two photos will probably be the only two of me pregnant with this little bundle of joy.  So enjoy~

Now this is a photogenic group!