Hayes Happenings

Well, I have not been a good blogger. I've been too busy being grumpy, I think. This has not been my shining moment, folks. I think this season has served to highlight my deficiencies quite well thankyouverymuch.

My babies and my husband, however, are as wonderful as ever. I mean really. They are just such a delight.

Every Saturday we pack up and head to Berg Park.

The babies love it!

Gimme a pound, dawg.

She's such a homie.

I thought Moses was going to blow a gasket when we saw this fire truck on our walk. The fire department does white water training at Berg Park and this was Mo's lucky day!

And of course we are spending as much time outside as we can.

I swear she is having a good time.

I would like to take this opportunity to warn you all never to buy the off brand otterpops. The extra dollar really is worth it, in case you were wondering.

Babies + water = True love forever

Bonnie gave Moses this monkey for his birthday. It drinks milk, burps, hiccups, laughs.. oh and totally creeps me out. Moses, however, has suddenly become fascinated with the thing. He feeds it, burps it, then brings it to me to love one it. "Here, Mama, here!"

That's all from the Hayes family! Hopefully next time I will be introducing you all to #3!

The waiting.

Waiting for my babies to be born is not easy. I admit, it was easier with the first two. This time, however, I was certain that #3 would make his or her arrival well before my due date. I just knew it. Yeah, that just about sums up my "mother's intuition"! Ha! I had not been nervous about the arrival of #3 because I had planned everything out. I have meals ready, my pantry is stocked, the essentials are loaded up on, and I had plenty of help lined up... but it all hinged on #3 coming a bit early, at least on time. As my plans began to unravel so did I.. just a bit. I called the midwife to ask about scheduling an induction, but that isn't a possibility at this point so I have been forced to take a step back and think about who is in control of this whole thing in the first place. It's not me, surprise, surprise. I have wrestled with scripture, knowing that it says that we can ask for anything and it will be given to us, but Jesus also says "not my will but Yours be done". Yesterday it was as if I found a place for my heart to rest:

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance."

Psalm 16:5-6

I am not in control, but God is. Not only is he in control, but my lot is secure and so is my unborn child's. I was resting in knowing that I had help lined up for 6 weeks, but that is not God's plan this time around and his boundary lines for this pregnancy have fallen in pleasant places. I can smile at the future (Prov 31) because I rest in God's plan, not my own planning. Hallelujah.

40 Weeks and a few pictures of my cuties.

On my due date.

Probably the grouchiest pregnant woman I know. I'm working on it.

And because I can't just leave you with a picture of preggo the grouch, here are a couple of pics of my sweeties.

Moses likes to help Sarah walk. "Sarah! Hold my hand, Sarah!!"

Preparing for Baby: Breastfeeding Addition

Breastfeeding and I have had our differences. Oh man. It was the hardest thing I had ever done next to birthing my son. Oh the pain, the agony, the moral conflict! I'm not kidding, either! When Sarah came along I had a few tricks up my sleeve to make those first few weeks easier, and now that we are waiting on #3 to make his or her arrival I feel pretty confident. Not that I don't think anything will go wrong or that there will be no bumps in the road, but I just know what to do this go around. Here are a few things I like to have on hand:

My boppy. Oh man, I love this thing. Not just for feedings, either!

If there are any Duggar's fans out there you may have seen Michelle using one of these to feed her babies. She just straps this thing on and walks around feeding the baby. Pretty amazing. They run about $35, but I scored one at Goodwill for $2.99. I'm excited to try it out.

Oh Soothies, how I love thee. They are so wonderful for those early days when you're so sore. AND, if you keep a glass of ice water nearby you can just stick these to the outside of your glass while you feed and when you put them back on it is sweet relief!

My wonderful lactation consultant gave me some of these. If you have any cracking or bleeding you can use these Medela Hydro Gel's. Kinda like Soothies, but these actually help you heal. Same kinda thing they use on burn victims, believe it or not.

Ah, my pump. This isn't a necessity, but I sure love mine! I have the Medela Pump in Style.

Dr. Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment

Homies. If you have never heard of this stuff, listen up! This is my ace in the hole. I'm not kidding. I asked for the RX from my midwife before the baby was even born this time so I could have it in my bag at the hospital. It treats inflammation, yeast, and bacteria. If you are dealing with yeast, they can even up the amount of Miconazole in it to 3 or 4%. You can read all about it HERE.

Be prepared for your doctor or midwife to have never heard of this stuff, and I have even had to tell the pharmacy how to make it. Honestly, I can not recommend this stuff enough for those first two weeks! Also, your insurance may not cover it. Last time I had to dish out $35 for the stuff and it was worth every single penny and more!

Some other things I like to have on hand are nursing pads, a ton of different nursing tank tops and of course the number to a fabulous lactation consultant! If you life in my area and need an awesome LC (that is FREE no less!) just ask!

Happy Monday!

38 weeks

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Read 'em and weep.

37 weeks 5 days

1 cm dilated

-3 station

2-3 more weeks to go.

In some ways three weeks is so close.. in others.. not so much. I will do my best to be patient. This child will be born at just the right time. Until then I think I will plan a haircut, pedicure, and lots of fun things with my babies.

37 weeks. And oh my word.

Here I am at 37 weeks and a couple of days. After I saw this picture I did something no pregnant woman should ever do. I got the measuring tape out. Forty five and a half inches around. That is three and three quarters feet. Around. Join me in a moment of silence. I would like to say that I am happy and glowy. Um, I'm not. I'm exhausted. I'm in pain. I pee constantly. The Braxton Hicks contractions have pulled out all the stops this go around and they are not just a "slight tightening". They hurt. Honestly, with the first two pregnancies I thought pregnant woman were kinda wimpy. It really wasn't that bad. This time, oh this time, I understand. Also, as I sat down to write this post I found the post from when I was 37 weeks pregnant with Sarah. You can read it HERE if you would like. This was what blew me away, though.

37 weeks with #3:

37 weeks with #2:

(I think my exact words when I saw this picture after seeing the above were, "Lord help us all.")

I did see the midwife last week and, thankfully, I am at 1cm. Not a whole lot else to report, but I can say I would like to go into labor next Tuesday right after my cleaning lady leaves. But I'd be cool with today, too.

And some happy gardening news, the gladiolus are finally blooming!!

Ah, sugar snap peas. How I love you.

And just for kicks, here is Moses just about two weeks before Sarah was born!

Now I realize how little he was.. how truly close together these three babies will be!

And because there is just something about a picture of my babies sleeping...

Hayes Happenings

What's been going on around here:

************

I have been wanting flowers in the front yard.. leave it to my handsome husband to get the job done! He had a little helper along the way.

Didn't he do awesome? It turns out it's a great time to buy plants, too. Everything was 20% off!

As an added bonus he bought me a peach tree!!

Sweet Sarah playing in the water with Grandma!

We are so glad she is back from Hawaii!

Play, play, play!

I'm really excited about this corn!!

One day short of 34 weeks. Man, this pregnancy is taking forever!

I am swollen. I am exhausted. I'm actually considering an induction.

Happy Weekend!

A little sneak peak.

31 weeks 5 days!

We had a little scare today so we packed up the kids and headed to the birthing center. After some fetal monitoring, an ultrasound, and some poking and prodding all things checked out okay. I'm so, so grateful that this little sweetie is healthy as can be! Also.. #3 is measuring at 5lbs 5oz.. as in as big as some full term babes. Ha! I say bring it. I love big babies. And epidural's. :)

Here is Moses in my hospital bed. Obviously very concerned about me, ha!

A walk down memory lane.

Here I am two months before Moses was born...

One month before Sarah was born...

Two months before #3 is due...

Ahem.. let's just take a moment to say that I think people forget what a pregnant woman.. especially 7,8,9 months pregnant.. really looks like. I am not that much bigger than the first two go 'rounds. Sooo.. world.. let's stop telling me how huge I am.. comparing me to so and so.. and start joining in the excitement of welcoming a new little sweetheart into this world!

This time I'm excited.. not nervous.

I feel ready for labor (haha, ho, ha!).

I'm so eager to meet this little one.

The nursery is done!

The nursery is done! Well.. it has been done for weeks.. and I am just so grateful. I just need to wash the little sweeties clothes and put them away.. and find a place for the rocking chair. I'm pleased with the way it all came together! It is mostly Mo's old furniture and bedding. Yes.. the walls are still blue. If we have a little lady she is just going to have to deal with it until Mama works up the motivation to paint!

Pretty cute, huh?!

I have a feeling I am going to be spending a lot of time sleeping in this bed!

In an attempt to keep Moses from crawling up the bed, Miah taped the cardboard on the ladder. So far it's working!

And just for kicks.. here I am at 29.5 weeks. I'm measuring 2.5 weeks ahead. Did you hear that, little one? Please don't make me wait until August!!

22 weeks. And other things.

Here I am at 22 weeks.

The picture is crooked. Sorry.

I feel like such a cheese ball taking pictures of myself.

Sarah is grounded from spaghetti.

The little man helping me making daddy's birthday cupcakes. He ate his weight in frosting.

Last weekend Brittany, Bonnie and I went to Albuquerque for a girls day. It was wonderful.

Have you ever had a latte at The Grove? If you haven't, you must. You simply must.

Going anywhere with two photographers is fun.. and I always feel silly pulling out my little snap and shoot camera that basically doesn't work anyway.

In other news I have been reading through Leviticus.. the idea of holiness has been running around in my brain. Read THIS definition.. I think it will get your head going. It did mine. I mean.. 16 years of being a Christian and I'm only figuring out holiness? Lawsie. I may write more about this later.

Happy weekend!!

20 Week Ultrasound and Thomas the Train

We had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday and I somehow managed to emerge without finding out if we are expecting a boy or a girl. Oh man. I cannot wait!

The little sweetie pointed at us the entire time.

Precious profile.

Stretch, stretch, stretching!!

Both of my little sweeties are under the weather. We headed off to Walmart today to pick up some supplies and Moses spotted some Thomas the Train pj's. Normally I would say no.. but they were cheap and, well, they're pajama's. As in he will only sleep in them. As soon as we were in the car he snuggled them until we got home and he could wear them. So silly.

Here he is, modeling. He may look upset.. but he just really wants Sarah to be in the picture, too.

As he requested....

Happy weekend!

16 weeks.. almost 17!

The midwife push, push, pushes on my tummy. "Susan, you're measuring really big" she says. " Then goes on to ask if I'm having twins.. and for the rest of the appointment referred to the babY and babIES. Ha. Ha. Ho. Ha. No, this isn't some announcement.. just a funny little story. I've had two ultrasounds and I have only seen ONE baby. I mean really, though, what am I going to look like at 40 weeks?!

Oh pregnancy.

Well, today I had a pregnancy first. After a weekend of around the clock vomiting my midwife wanted me to go to urgent care for a bag of IV fluids and a dose of medicine given through the IV so it would be sure to work. My wonderful (really, she is the best) mother in law watched the babies and Jeremiah came to take me to the urgent care.

First, can I just say how hard it is to be the mom and wife I want to be (let alone friend, etc.) when I feel this way? I am just over 10 weeks pregnant so I have now been throwing up for 5 weeks straight, and it seems to just be getting worse and worse. There. Have. Been. Tears.

So anyway, we get to the urgent care and I let them know what the midwife wants and they start telling me how they "hope they can start an IV on me, do I have good veins, we don't do many in this small clinic.." WHAT? Not really the best thing to tell a woman that is so desperately wanting relief. Well, one blown vein later the x-ray tech (of all people) was able to get the IV in. One bag of fluids and two doses of phenergan later I was doing better, but was a little loopy. The doctor could not believe I was still nauseous, and I was rather disappointed. I threw up as soon as we got in the car. Lovely, eh? I really wanted to try to eat something so we picked up some Subway on the way home and I ate it and crashed as soon as I walked in the door. I slept for about three hours straight. Now we just hope that I can stay on top of the sickness and not have to get IV's regularly.

Please be praying for my little family. Moses and Sarah need a Mama. Jeremiah needs a wife. I need to survive. Also, would you pray that I could get relief in the middle of the night somehow? I sometimes wake up every two hours to throw up. I'm exhausted.

To end this rather uplifting blog entry (ha), here are some things I am so grateful for.

• My husband that takes such good care of the babies and I.
• My wonderful mother in law that is so generous with her time - the biggest gift she could give us right now.
• Friends that check up on me.
• God's grace to get through these tough, tough days.

Baby Hayes

I had an ultrasound this week! This little one is due on July 30th, which probably means he or she won't be making his/her debut until mid-August! The morning sickness is in full swing over here, but we're hanging in and looking forward to, well, it stopping :) I'm trying to avoid the Unisome and B6 this go around - I'm just not sure I can handle all those sleeping pills with two little ones to care for! The Zofran helps for sure, but the side effects are pretty yucky and even while taking it I may get sick 6-7 time a day. The good thing about this time around is that I know it will end (even if it takes another 7 months) and I know just how sweet the reward is at the end!

We love you, little one!