Trip #4 (yes, FOUR) to L&D

Last night when I went to bed about 10:30 pm I started having contractions. I had them all night long (again). Some of them were shoot you up out of bed and make you wanna cry kind of bad. They didn't seem consistent though (again) so I tried not to wake Trav up.

This morning I decided to start timing them around 9 am. I decided I'd get up and make the kids pancakes (ok, I wanted pancakes) while I timed them. Contractions were 3 min. apart. Travis started getting excited. I told him not to get his hopes up. We dropped the kids at Trav's parents' house and went back to L&D.

I got to L&D and the nurse told me I was at 70%, -2 & 4 cm. Now, remember, the PA I saw on Thursday told me "You're about as effaced as you can get." So, I threw that 70% right out the window when I heard it. I'm taking the PA's word here, NOT the nurse.

They put me on the monitor for about 30 min. and then had me walk. Fortunately for me, my contractions were mostly showing up on the monitor this time. After being monitored for 30 min. I got up and "waddled briskly" around the floor. Much to my surprise, I was the ONLY pregnant woman on the ENTIRE floor. I was hoping this would mean that they might start me if it wasn't "for real".

After walking for 30 min., the nurse checked me again. She said I hadn't made any progress. She also said that it looked like I had "uterine irritability" which is where you basically have one long contraction that never goes away. This was likely due to my having walked. So apparently this negates the contractions I was having that were a minute and a half apart.

I asked if I should go walk or what I should do. The nurse told me no because I'll pretty much just drive myself crazy. Why? Because if it isn't real labor, it will just continue the unterine irritability. I asked how I'm suppose to know if I'm in real labor or not. She told me I'd have contractions I couldn't walk through. Really? Cuz that's already happening here lady!

The nurse was trying to be helpful and tells me. You're first on the induction list for tomorrow. We've started taking inductions at 5 am now so call us at 4 am instead of 6 am to see if we can get you in at 5 am. Really? Cuz I was first on the induction list with Caleb too. Anyone remember how that went? After 12 hrs of calling the hospital my dr. finally told me to "just go in, don't call again." Great.

So, after about an hr. and a half we were sent home. Yes, sent home. I'm at a 4 and my contractions are a minute and a half apart and I'm being sent home...AGAIN! I think I'm destined to have this child at HOME!

We went back to Trav's parents' house and have been here since. I've been laying down having contractions all afternoon while Trav has monitored kids. His mom made a super yummy lunch earlier too. So, here I sit, hurting from my belly button to my calves, having contractions, doubting the intelligence of the people at LRH, and wondering if this child is EVER going to come out....

PS Happy Mother's Day

Blog Challenge Day 25

Day 25: My house & my favorite rooms in it

I think my favorite rooms in my house are going to be the kids' rooms once they are finished & moved in! For the first time EVER I get to do a girly girl room and a room that's pure boy. Sam & Nash have shared a room since we moved in 4 yrs ago & before that we were in an apt so we couldn't paint. We've had to be quite neutral until now! I can't wait to finish up these bedrooms and take pictures! I've had some really fun ideas and can't wait to see how it all comes together!

Here are some pictures about what I do love about having a HOUSE rather than an apt.:

We've got to do a TON of this in the privacy of our own yard...

and we like to hang out in cowboy boots rather often as well...

We've had LOTS & LOTS of this (probably way too much thanks to Caleb)...

we like to see these visitors in the winter time (as long as they don't much on my flowers!)

We get to shovel TONS of this (on the bright side, we're on TOP of the hill so when it melts, we don't get all the runoff from the neighbors!)...

and we get to color on sheetrock with dad when he finishes a room in the basement!

Blog Challenge Day 24, Nash's Mother's Day Tea, & My new niece

Blog Challenge Day 24: My favorite photo - I couldn't pick just one...so, I picked several!

Nash had a Mother's Day Tea at school today. I think he was terrified I wouldn't make it. He asked me at least 6 times before he went to school if I'd be there. Poor boy! All I could say was, "If I'm not having your sister, I'll be there!" When I finally walked into his classroom he was all grins for me. I could just see a big sigh of relief on his face that I was there. It was super cute. They did a short program for the moms. They sang a few songs and they had each drawn a picture that was "If I could give my mom anything in the world, I'd give her ___". The most popular items to show up were flowers and watermelon! A few kids were actually original in their ideas because one mom would get a new car and one would get a mansion and one would get Dove chocolate and one would get steak. It was really cute to listen to all of them. After their little program, they served the moms cake and sprite. Nash was just thrilled that I was there and that was all that mattered to me. Yesterday he asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day. I told him that the year he was born he was my Mother's Day and then asked if he thought Brookelyn would be my Mother's Day present this year. His answer? Nope. Gee, thanks for that vote of confidence!

My new niece: Trav's brother's girlfriend was due June 15th. Olivia was born today, May 6th. She was 5 lbs 5 oz and 17 inches long. It sounds like it was a good thing she was born. She had meconium in her water and a knot in her cord. I haven't heard if she's in the NICU yet or not. Sounded like she was doing well though.

Blog Challenge Day 22 & 23, Cinco de Mayo & pictures

I went back to the dr. today to have my membranes stripped again. I didn't see "my" dr., but rather the PA. She was super nice. She told me "Don't be surprised if nothing happens. I've known ladies that have walked around at a 4 for 2 weeks." Wasn't happy about that. She was sympathetic to my situation though. She told me "you're about as effaced as you can get" but I'm also still at a -2 and a 3+ cm. While we were at Trav's parents' house tonight I got to "waddle briskly" around the block with my sil and mil. Been having some contractions. Let's hope they do something already. Although, it would be kind if it would wait to get serious until after Nash's Mother's Day Tea at school tomorrow. His little heart is set on me coming!

We had the "pleasure" of making a trip to the dermatologist for Nash today. He's had this wart on the joint of one of his fingers for ages. We did an over the counter thing once about 6 weeks ago. It made it smaller at first, but after about 2 weeks it was back to its original size. The PA we saw froze it off & then discovered a second, very small one, so she froze that one too. We're hoping she got it good enough that we don't have to go back and have it done again. I think we'd have to drag him in kicking and screaming to have it redone. He cried for quite some time after. Tonight both warts are totally engulfed in blisters. I can't believe how fast they blistered and how big the blisters are. We put bandaids over them before he went to bed tonight so if they pop, he won't get "wart juice" all over his bed. Nice image, huh?

For Cinco de Mayo we got to go to Trav's parents' house for dinner. They bought a new trampoline (Travis killed theirs last fourth of July) and Travis and the kids helped grandpa set it up. They were THRILLED! Oh how they have missed the trampoline. Yes, Samantha was allowed to get on it. I'm not one of those mom's that's like "NO! Stay off the trampoline so you don't get hurt!" I figure we have a daily injury quota at our house that must be filled by someone at sometime. It's just part of growing up, right?

Day 22: A place I've traveled to

I've not traveled much, but then I've traveled a million miles! We make regular trips to Manti (which my kids absolutely love). Trav & I have traveled to St. Louis, Phoenix, Zions, Bryce & Yellowstone. The kids & I traveled to Oregon & Washington. We make fairly regular trips to Lake Powell. We've seen the Grand Canyon. We always love Flaming Gorge. Taking the kids and going off for an adventure is always fun. I always say "It's not camping with the Bowns if there isn't catastrophic weather or some kind of "event"." This year it sounds like we might be making a camping trip to Zions with the kids and with Trav's sister's family. Should be interesting to say the very least. Nothing worked out solid yet, just an idea.

The one major trip I have been on was when I was a senior in high school. My grandparents were on their mission in Wellington, New Zealand. I was lucky enough to have parents that had the time and the means to take us to visit them in New Zealand. Not only that, but we stopped in Sydney, Australia for about 7 days, and then hopped over to Oahu, Hawaii for about another 7 days. We were gone for a total of 3 weeks. Talk about a senior trip! It wasn't even too bad going with my family! We had a ton of fun and there are still certain things we joke about to this very day. I'd love to be able to go back with the kids and Trav some day. Maybe if I'm lucky.

Day 23: A favorite recipe

Anyone that knows me well knows I have a recipe book addiction. I have quite a few favorite recipes. I think one that tops the list these days is the Pampered Chef Chicken Enchilada Ring. It is super yummy and super easy. My kids won't eat it though, so I can only make it when Trav's around - otherwise I end up with lots of food for just me and it ends up going to waste because I can't eat all the left overs quick enough. I'd be happy to send anyone the recipe that wants it.

Samantha update, Project of the day, Sam's dance pix & Blog Challenge Day 21

Samantha update: The radiologist called this morning & we were told that it doesn't look like a fracture. However, she still has to wear the brace for a week & then go in & get new x-rays to make sure the growth plate didn't fracture.

Here's the project I finished today:

In case you can't read it, it says Dance like nobody's watching. I'm going to put it in the girl's room once we get the boys moved downstairs. I still want to do at least one more for the girl's room, but I don't know what saying I want yet. Suggestions welcome!

We were able to get Sam's dance pix back today. When I posted them on fb I hadn't cropped them so they look better here. I should've scanned the group pix, but didn't know how many parents would appreciate it. So, I just did her individuals.

Blog Challenge Day 21: My friends

Not sure what to write about my friends. I have lots of friends - and I love them all dearly. I do however have 1 friend in particular that I consider my "bestest" friend. Laura & I have been friends since we were about 5 yrs old. I'm not even sure I remember how the heck we met! I just know we've been friends for EVER! She's the one that watches my kids while I work. She's the one I refer to as my children's "other mother". She's about the only person (besides my mom) that I talk (or text) to on nearly a daily basis. When I was working in Ogden, I'd call her on my way home & we'd talk until I pulled into her driveway! Travis found out about Halliburton because that's where her husband use to work. She has 3 kids & they fall between mine so together we've got quite the herd. In fact, she's had people ask her if my kids were hers! I keep telling her they could be! Here's to being friends for another 25 yrs "bestie!" ;)