Kitchen Helper

 I found a new trick to making dinner without any interruptions.  

Sometimes, I need a little help from my main man, Caillou.  

Maybe Kaden likes it so much because they are both bald.

Just Sayin'

You know what's funny, I bet most people research more about the next car they are going to buy than they do about the birth and parenting choices they are going to make... 

...But when you bring up a topic of parenting, suddenly everyone has an opinion, more so than if you bought the cheapest piece of crap car. 

And they will offer it even without asking, whether it's where you should birth, how often to give your baby a bath, how your baby should sleep, when to start on solids, whether or not to vaccinate, how to deal with rashes, how long you should breastfeed for, whether or not to use a pacifier, whether to use a carrier or a wrap, or  what kind of diapers to use.

Do you know how many different cars are on the road today?

Probably the same number of parenting choices. 

So guess what. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER.

Even if you would choose something else for your child, guess what again: 

IT'S NOT YOUR CHILD.  

So when someone comes along who actually DID research more about their parenting choices than what car they drive, why the heck are you still offering them advice when they don't ask for it?  They more than likely already know more about your argument than you do.

So unless advice is wanted, just keep driving, stop honking when no laws are broken. 

And just for the record, I drive a Chevy. So bring it. 

But mine doesn't look this good... hope no one says anything...

Little Houdini

Kaden made a big mess in his diaper. Not only did he need a diaper change, but a change of  clothes too.  I set him down with a new diaper in his little play area and ran upstairs to get a new outfit for him.

This is how I left him. Perfectly content.

I grab a new outfit for him, and dash back down the stairs. When I walk into the living room, he is like this. 

HE IS WATCHING TV.

Regardless of how he got there, he seems fine, so I go into the kitchen to take my vitamin. I come back, and he is like this:

WHAT.

I'm onto you, kid. 

Heather's Story

This mom reached out to me on the internet, and her story is worth the sharing.

 "...I myself am a mother to a quirky little 6 year old, Lily. She is my only child, and my whole world (I’m sure you know the feeling!)  The very beginning of Lily’s life was a little more turbulent than I would have hoped for. When Lily was just 31/2 months old, I was diagnosed with Mesothelioma; a type of cancer that kills 90-95% of those who have it.  As I’m sure you can imagine, the first thing that came to mind when I was diagnosed was my baby girl and how I wasn't going to be able to watch her grow up..."

When you think you have it bad, stop thinking! It can always be worse. What I love about this mom is she has turned her experience into a story of guidance, inspiration, and hope.

Learn of her story for yourself by clicking here for her blog.  You'll be glad you did.

Daddy Time

It's so cute to watch Kaden and Chris together. 

The other day, Kaden got sleepy, and Chris decided to rock him to sleep. Once Kaden fell asleep, I snapped this photo:

Dad. Please. I'm trying to sleep.

Then I snapped these photos the other day when they were napping together. Next to my home birth, our decision to co-sleep was one of the best we have made as parents.  

Holding hands... (that golden blanket that they are sharing is Kaden's baby blanket) 

They caught me! (I love that they have the same look)

There is always cuddle time after waking up...

Mom, enough with the camera...

He better get use to that thing in his face.

Lazy Boy

Who needs recliners...

... when you have Daddy!

We could potentially save a lot of money if he can keep this up.

Rollie Pollie

For the very first time, Kaden rolled over all the way last night!

And he learned a very valuable life lesson while doing so:

If you never give up...

... and never surrender...

... you will get your reward!

He's such a tough little man. He was trying so hard at this all week. Whenever he had the chance, he would try and roll over, grunting with all his might.  So glad he finally did it! I know every new parent says this, but I really can't believe he's growing up so fast.

Little Helper

Yesterday, Kaden had one of those days where all he wanted to do was be held.  By the end of the night, my arms couldn't take it anymore,  not to mention I wanted to make some frozen yogurt and chocolate chip cookies (I'm working on my sweet tooth). And nothing was going to stand in my way. I compromised with Kaden and put him in the carrier.  So he helped me bake stuff. But I couldn't get the carrier dirty, oh no. So I put my apron over both of us. 

Bakin' in style. Oh ya. 

Yes, the frozen yogurt and cookies were worth this picture. 

Sleepy Time

After Kaden's bath last night, he got very tired and went to bed (early!). While Chris and I were watching some Lost downstairs, we heard Kaden fussing on the baby monitor. When I checked on Kaden, he seemed to be half asleep/ half awake and wouldn't fall back to sleep all the way. So I brought him downstairs, thinking that he was done sleeping. Once I brought him to the couch to chill with us, he zonked out completely.  But every now and then, he would open his eyes to make sure that I was still holding him, and once he realized that, he would relax and go back to sleep. I was going to get up and clean the kitchen once the episode was over...

Sorry, kitchen, I'm too busy being a mommy. 

Dishes can wait.

First Halloween

Ladies and gentlemen...

I present to you...

The fifth member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers!

Flap those wings like it don't mean a thing

While we're on the subject, I found this little drawing from an 8 yr old friend (who is such a RIOT) in my previous ward. She drew this for me just after I had Kaden. 

I'm a "Nice Witch" who is holding a star wand and I am standing in my birth pool. Kaden is in my tummy about to be born and he is saying "I'm squish." 

Love the detail. 

TMI Part III

Chris wakes up early for school, earlier than Kaden and I. Yesterday, he got out early from his first class and made it back home before we had woken up. When he came into the bedroom to check on us, Chris found something quite new.

I was snoring. LOUD. Chris said he has never heard anyone snore as loud as I was snoring just then, which is saying something because he has heard my dad shake the walls with his infamous snores. He knew I wouldn't believe him, so he recorded it on his phone.  When I woke up, I was still a little out of it, and he had me listen to my snoring on his video.

I thought it was a  high powered public restroom toilet flushing over and over. 

Being a new mommy really takes it out of you!  

The best part: Kaden was sound asleep right next to me the whole time. 

The New Mullet

Mullets were SO last year.

Kaden is starting a new trend. It's all about the business on the top, party on the bottom.

I have high hopes for this kid.

Re: Home Births Are Stupid

I recently posted a picture on Facebook stating some sad, but serious facts about the cesarean section trend in the United States. This sparked some expected comments from friends who have received c-sections, which is fine. But I also discovered two unexpected, rude, and uncalled for comments from an acquaintance and her husband. This is what she had to say:

Ouch, right? I will admit, this hurt for a few days. So many friends came to my rescue while I was still trying to make sense of it. I let others on Facebook continue on in the thread, defending my birth choice, while I stewed over what I wanted to say to her, and how I was going to say it. So many thoughts went through my head. Since her attack was so emotional, I wanted so much to be emotional back... but I knew that it would only do more harm than good. I decided to take this opportunity to share with her almost everything I knew about the choice I made, and then some. So I wrote her a nice long, cordial message.

I posted this message for all to see because I want it to stop.Whether they or silent or spoken, I want all the harsh and ignorant judgments to stop. I want as many people as possible to see inside the point of view of one mother who decided to do a home birth. I know that Heather's comments are probably how most people feel towards home birth, but they choose to say it with a little more tact.  However, I think if you open your eyes, you will find that there are more of us than you think.  So to anyone who still thinks that home births are stupid, I direct you here:

Heather, 

You comment confused me a little because it seemed as though I have hurt or offended you or Jordan.  Believe me, that was far from my intentions.  Either way, I am sorry if my post struck a personal chord with you, and I am sorry if I somehow hurt your family.  I frequently post birth and pregnancy tidbits of information, and it is not intended to offend, but to raise awareness.  My overall goal is for every mom to be able to make the most informed choices about pregnancy and childbirth as possible, and this is why I make these posts.  I have frequently posted about how I am grateful to be living in a time where our medical technology is so far advanced, and when they are used in the correct circumstances, they can absolutely save lives.  It doesn't matter to me whether or not women choose home birth, a natural birth in a hospital, or a cesarean.  As long as they know that there are many options out there, and that they have the ability to make informed choices, that's all that matters.  

I want you to know that 3 years ago I thought exactly like you do. I told Chris that I wanted to have an epidural in the hospital and everything.  However, when we began to try to have a kid, I took upon myself the responsibility to research every birth option possible to make sure that I was making the best pregnancy and birth decisions for our family.  We prayed and pondered about our decisions a lot, and I am confident that the decisions we made were confirmed by the Lord. 

There are some things in your comment that I would also like to address. (Again, I don't want you to think that I am personally attacking you, you and Jordan are very nice people and you have been great friends to Chris in the past, and I have no reason to dislike you or offend you).  I want to begin with the very last thing you said, because I think once I address that, it will give everything else I say a little more credibility.

1) "You should do more research."

As I said, once Chris and I began preparing to have a child, I began my research. I have been researching every and all aspects (not just the one I chose) of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for a little over two years now. It has become a hobby for me, and I am still researching it, even after Kaden was born. I have read over a dozen books, watched 3 birth documentaries, read countless articles and statistics, attended 3 childbirth classes (one of which was by someone who teaches in a hospital), I am a member of 7 online birth groups and am connected with over 1,000 birth professionals and women who have had every type of birth imaginable, and I am in communication with them daily. I have helped about 8 women with their own pregnancy and birth research, watched countless birth videos of all types, and I have kept a pregnancy and birth blog for almost a year now.  It seems like you have done your own research to help form your own strong opinion on the matter, so if you think I have missed a scope of research, or if you know of any other research that I can get my hands on to further my ongoing education on the matter, I would accept it with open arms. So please share!

2) "I'm pretty sure that most women and children died from giving birth before our medicine was advanced"

If more women and children were dying than were being born, our population would not have increased over the ages, but the human race would have died off.  So logically, most women actually had healthy babies throughout history.  I personally believe that Heavenly Father created the female body to be fully capable in its natural and intended form to be able to birth children. Women were not created to have defective uterus's.  However, I do believe that Heavenly Father also blessed our time with medical advances that gives us the capability to aid mothers and children who truly need help, cesareans are one of these advances.  

3) "Why put your life and child's life at risk for selfish reasons"

What is selfish about wanting my baby to have the best birth possible? Research and prayer have told me that home birth was the healthiest and best option for me.  The fact that the United States spends the most money on healthcare than any other nation, and is 46th in the world for infant mortality, with 98% of births occurring in the hospital, logic would suggest that there is something wrong with the United States birthing trend as a whole.  Statistics aside, most people picture midwives to be these really old ladies who just come over to catch a baby. This does not do them justice.  Midwives are required to go to nursing school, and are then required to go to an additional two years of special schooling in order to be state certified nurse midwives.  They come prepared with a lot of medical equipment, and are constantly monitoring both mother and baby with their medical instruments throughout labor and birth.  In fact, after I birthed Kaden, I nearly fainted.  The midwives hooked me up to an IV  and I was fine.  Midwives are trained to help prevent a lot of birth complications that occur in the hospital, and are trained to know when it is necessary to transport the mother to the hospital if necessary.  Most midwives make sure that the mothers are within a reasonable distance (10-15 minutes) to a hospital before labor at home is considered.  In the event of a medical transport, it could take 15 minutes to go to the hospital, on the way there, the midwife will contact the hospital and tell them to have an operating room ready by the time they get there.  If a cesarean was necessary at the hospital, it could take around 30 minutes to prepare mom for surgery.  Therefore, the amount of time lost in the event of an emergency at home is zero, and no added risk was done to the mother.   

4) "Your baby could have died from being in such a stressful labor for such a long period of time."

I need to begin this segment by telling you that there was absolutely nothing stressful about my birth whatsoever. I created a birth plan that would allow for peace the entire time.  I was completely relaxed and in tune with my body, and I had people ready to help when I needed them.  I had studied natural labor and birthing techniques to help me experience the least amount of pain.  I was able to labor with absolutely zero fear and with complete confidence and faith. Giving birth to my son was one of the most spiritual experiences of mine and Chris's life.  Kaden entered the  world perfectly calm, and Chris and I grew closer together.  There were no bright lights, no cold metal objects, no strangers rushing around, no one talking over me or telling me what to do.  The lights were dim, everyone was silent, I caught my baby and brought him right up to my chest, right where they were intended to be immediately after birth. 

My labor wasn't long, either.  Natural labors, from early labor to when the baby is born, will spend on average between 12 and 36 hours in labor... and that is normal and expected.  My labor was only 22 hours from the very first Braxton Hix contraction to the very last one, and I was only pushing for 30 minutes.  To me, though, I felt as though the entire experience was only 5 hours.  When the female body is left to do what she was designed to do, and in her own unique way, she will experience the least amount of pain possible, and in the least amount of time possible. Only when she is intervened and interrupted will her natural instincts shut down and her hormones halt, and her body will not flow in the rhythm it was designed to.  As a result, she will need more interventions to help her body along, and many times this ends up in a cesarean birth. So no, my body was in the right place and was doing the right thing for me and my baby, and I wouldn't change anything about my birth.   

5) "You wanted to be all macho and do a home birth"

I wrote a blog post on this very subject: http://thebatemanbabyblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-yes-im-planning-on-home-birth.html

All I can add to what my post already says  is that your statement is nothing more than an incorrect assumption, and frankly, to have someone who doesn't know me tell me that I love myself more than my baby is one of the most disgusting and insulting things that anyone could say to me, or any mother for that matter.  I would lay my life down for my baby, as I'm sure you would. I chose a home birth first and foremost because I wanted a peaceful experience surrounded by people who love me and believe in me so that I could focus on my body.  If you really knew me, you would know that I had my baby's health at the top of my list of interests the entire time.  

In the hospital, women are told to lay down on their backs.  With the exception of hanging upside down, this is the worst possible position she could be in to birth naturally.  This puts pressure on the pelvis, reducing its expansion capability by 30% (making it much harder to push baby out), and puts pressure on the artery in your back that feeds your heart and the placenta, which could lead to lowered heart rate for you and baby, which could lead to a cesarean, which could have been avoided if the mother was allowed to labor the way she wanted. Laying on the back in labor is simply a modern medical trend that only benefits the OB so they can catch the baby easier. 

Also, a note to Jordan: Sorry, I should have been more clear with that other picture of the U.S. being ranked #34. Yes, I am aware that there are more than 34 countries in the world.   The reason that they all weren't included is because that was the list of industrialized nations.  It would be unfair to compare the United States healthcare with 3rd world countries for obvious reasons.  However, that table was created in 2008, so I wanted to find a more recent one with all of the countries included, and I found this: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2091rank.html

In this table (created in 2011), the United States is ranked 46th in the world for infant mortality rate, and it has continued to drop over the years, while the cesarean rate in the country is rising (it is over 3 times higher than what the W.H.O. recommends) 

Again, I have already said it on Facebook, but I want to reiterate it because I don't think you read it: I know that cesareans save lives. They are a wonderful invention, when used for the right purpose. I know that there are times when it would benefit mom and baby to have a cesarean.  

Below I have listed some relevant articles, statistics, and studies that would help you better understand what I have said above. But above all, I stress these two documentaries the most (and these links allow you to watch it online for free):

The Business of Being Born: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/business-being-born/

Pregnant in America: http://www.hulu.com/watch/235715/pregnant-in-america

There are 47 other helpful links on this website, address everything from birth politics, to cesareans, to making informed decisions (complete with statistics and studies):

http://www.hencigoer.com/articles/

I'm not posting those links to make you change your opinion on birth, I just want you to know why I chose the birth I did. If you have further questions, I would be happy to talk. But if all you want to do is ignore what I have tried telling you and still keep the same hostility towards me, than there is nothing more I have to say to you. I would prefer the former option, though... :)

Take care and good luck,

Julene

Baby Talk

I know whenever Kaden is tired; and it's not because he gets cranky. He speaks to me. Every time. I decided to record it to show you.

This is Kaden saying, "Mommmmmmm... I'm sooooooo tiiiiiiiiiiireddddddd...."

You Almost Done?

This seems to be Chris's favorite thing to say lately.

I frequently ask help from Chris when he is home from school: "Hey, can you watch Kaden real quick while I go do this thing?"  Usually, Kaden is asleep. Other times, he is just chillin, so I don't feel too bad about asking a quick favor. I legitimately try and hurry most times, because I know there is no substitute for a mommy.  However, every time without fail, Kaden somehow becomes "unbearable" and I have to stop what I am doing to come and take Kaden from Chris.  Sometimes, it is his own dang fault, other times, Kaden mysteriously starts fussing. But sometimes, Kaden isn't fussing at all.

"Hey Babe, you almost done? Kaden needs his mommy."

"Okay, I'm coming." *rushes over*  "He looks fine."

"No, he is getting fussy."

"No he's not... he's smiling right now."

"Well, he was just making a frownie face right before you came over here."

*****

Every time, I know Chris is done watching Kaden by the same simple line: "You almost done?"  I could be doing things like:

Folding clothes... "You almost done?"

Taking a shower... "You almost done?"

Making dinner... "You almost done?"

Doing dishes..."You almost done?"

Getting dressed... "You almost done?"

GOING TO THE BATHROOM... "You almost done?"

Going grocery shopping... "You almost done?"  This happened today actually... I get a phone call half way through my trip telling me to hurry. So I hurry. Then I get another phone call while I am at the check out: "Hey, Kaden is asleep now, so you can take your time..."

The other day, however, I was addressed with a new line.  Kaden was sound asleep and Chris just got home from class.  I asked Chris to watch Kaden while I hopped in the shower.  "Ya no problem. You can take as long of a shower as you want. Take a nice relaxing shower."

"Really? Um... Okay! Cool!"


About halfway through my shower, just as expected, I get a knock on the door. He said I could take a long shower, could he possibly be asking me if I am almost done? Maybe he is asking if the dishes in the dishwasher are clean. Because, NO, I am not almost done."  


I cringe, waiting for him to ask the question. But it doesn't come. Prepare yourselves, because he did NOT ask me if I was almost done! Nope. Instead I was greeted with a very informative statement:

"You might want to start thinking about wrapping it up."

Mhm.... ya, I hurried alright...

Q.O.T.D.

My relaxing shower was cut short tonight. I heard knocking, Chris's voice, and Kaden crying. Then I heard more knocking. And then some more. And Kaden still crying. "Weird," I thought. "Kaden was sound asleep when I went upstairs." 

I open the bathroom door and there is an exhausted Chris holding Kaden. 

He starts handing Kaden over to me, "I will never sneeze near a sleeping baby ever again."

As I'm taking Kaden from Chris's arms, he pauses and says, "I bow to you. I don't know how you do it."

I take showers. That's how I do it. 

The Mommy Mind

I think mom's are entitled to certain things.  Girl time with friends, massages, pretty flowers, etc.  I also think mom's are entitled to a little leeway when they do things that are completely stupid. I didn't realize this until I became a mom, but I swear some of my brain cells died during childbirth.

Do I really have to say it?

This is me. 

For instance (this was actually while I was pregnant): 

I went shopping with the MIL. While approaching the checkout, I try to scope out which checkout lanes would be the quickest.  While I'm looking, I hear this old lady to the side of me talking to this girl saying "you can come over here, sweetie. This way, sweetie. Sweetie..." And then I realized that she was an employee and she was talking to ME, directing me to her lane. Ugh.  AND THEN after she rang up over $100 worth of groceries, I realized that I forgot to give her the freaking coupons. AND THEN she told me that I accidentally included something that could not be purchased with my WIC checks. So I had my MIL run and replace it with something that I thought could replace it. AND THEN she told me that the new item didn't count either. My poor MIL got some great exercise in the store that day. 

So last night, I am texting my dad about egg rolls. Right before I send the text, I realize that I had spelled "egg roles" and I almost didn't catch it. 

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME????  Something tells me that "The Mommy Mind" is going to be an ongoing series of blog posts. 

Don't worry. I still think he's worth it. :)

Proof

Yep, he's really my baby after all.

I know this because he just had  to stay awake nearly the whole time. He loved looking at all the stuff!  That's my boy :)

Get Ready, Get Set

You know how excited you get when you create something, and you want to show it to everyone? 

Or how anxious you get when you see a really great movie and you want all of your friends to see it too?

Multiply that by 100 and that's how excited/ anxious I am for my family to fly up from Las Vegas too see Kaden this weekend for his baby blessing. Also they are helping us move into our own place... Lots of exciting things going on this weekend! 

Oh, and I will finally be seeing my brother Jacob after his two year mission in Germany. 

I just wish all my extended family (or as we say it, the whole fam damly) could see Kaden this weekend. Hopefully sooooooon!

Questions

What baby pees twice during one diaper change?

Does he do it on purpose?

And did he know that even though I had him covered the first time, that I was without a second cover within arms reach, so I had to finish changing him with nothing to cover him (because once you pee, you generally pee out all you have, right?)?

How can his aiming skills be that good already?

And did he know that smiling and making cute baby sounds at me right afterward would make me melt so I couldn't stay frustrated?

Either way, he's dang good. 

Taboo

This weekend, I did the unthinkable. I have always been strongly against it. But when the offer was made to me, I went for it. Part of it was because of the pressure, although I'm afraid most of the blame goes to my weakness for the need for a good time and the need to do something beyond the norm.

Guys, I took a newborn to the movie theaters. (GASP!)

I KNOW.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I will be the first to roll my eyes at someone who would take a newborn to the movies.   I mean, why would someone intentionally bring a ticking time bomb of noise to a place that requires complete silence from its audience members?

Here's the deal, the husband is gone on a fishing trip with the men in his family, so it's just us girls at home.  Since having the baby, I have gone out of the house twice: once for a midwife appointment, the other to go grocery shopping. I was in need  of something to do outside of the house.  So when the offer was made by my MIL and SIL to go see a movie with them, my brain ran in two different directions.  I love going out and seeing movies, but I also love not being the center of ridicule from my own standards and philosophies. 

I was on pins and needles the moment we bought the tickets.  He could get fussy at any moment.  Once we sat down, Kaden made a face like he was going to cry, so I commenced "the mommy rock" in my chair. He calmed down immediately.  I was afraid that the loud noise was going to irritate him, but he actually LOVED it! 

I couldn't believe it, but he was great the entire time!  Although, I'm pretty sure I still got some weird looks after the movie was over because who wouldn't wonder where the loud snores and extremely loud poop sound came from?  Of course, those two events both occured at quiet moments in the movie. At the very beginning, Kaden fell asleep and began snoring very loudly.  Then, about half way through (while still asleep), he made one of the loudest poop explosions muffled only by the diaper on his bumb. I KNOW people heard that one.   Imagine the sound of a strike when a bowling ball hits the pins, now imagine it a couple octives lower. That is what his poop sounded like. Nice and long and bubbly and juicy. All during a quiet and dramatic turning point during The Help.

I'm still calling it a WIN night though. I think everyone would rather hear a giant poop explosion than a baby cry the entire time, right?

Kaden's Birth Story

I admit it. I was in denial. On Friday, July 22nd (my actual due date), I was in early labor and didn't know it. I spent the afternoon learning how to make raspberry jam by my mother-in-law, and by 3pm, I noticed that the mild cramps I had been occasionally experiencing for the past month had noticeably become a little more frequent. I messaged my doula-and-childbirth-educator aunt, Amy, about my frequent crampage.  She informed me that it is indeed a a sign of early labor, but that it could also go away just as quickly as it came.  I thought for sure that it would go away. For some reason, I didn't expect him to arrive until next week (actually, I think it was because I wanted to do one last super date with Chris before the baby came... I'm so selfish), BUT, Kaden definitely has a mind of his own, and he came when he wanted to.

Side note: this is also the day that my mom and sister, Sydney, flew up from Las Vegas to Seattle to be here for the birth. They were going to fly up later that week, but decided that flying up on my actual due date would give us some time to hang out before Kaden came. Little did we know that this would be perfect timing for them to arrive just in time for the birth

*****

That night, Chris and I spent our time in front of the TV while working on compiling the songs I wanted to listen to during labor.  I still experienced my cramps, but didn't pay too much attention to them. Chris, on the other hand, was completely convinced that I was in labor and made all the last minute preparations necessary.  Me? I just took a shower and sat around.  By about 2am, I gave in.  I noticed these cramps were becoming a little more intense and frequent.  "Alright, maybe we should start timing these contractions."  Good thing we did, too, because from that point on, labor was not slowing down at all. 

So, to conserve my energy for when I really needed it in labor, we tried going to sleep. Ya... good idea.  When I laid down is when I really needed to start focusing on my breathing during each contractions. Chris stayed up with me (as if he could go to sleep) to help me through the contractions by rubbing my back and helping my breathing to stay deep and relaxed.  

At 6:30am, I made some phone calls. First, I called Amy and told her what was up. Next I called my mom and told her that I was in labor so that she could leave her friend's house and come over to assist during the birth.  While she and Sydney were on their way, I called my midwife.  She instructed me to conserve my energy, to keep eating and drinking, and to call her again once I transitioned into active labor.  

7:30am is when Mom and Sydney arrived.  I heard them coming up the driveway, so I met them outside.  As they stepped out the car with their luggage, I greeted them by saying "Welcome... to the house of PAIN!"

At this point, Chris was WIPED OUT (we didn't get a wink of sleep that night). I sent him upstairs to sleep for a few hours, he was going to need his energy later too.

Meanwhile, us girls went and sat out on the deck in the backyard of my in-law's house (we are living with the, for the summer until Chris's grad  school starts). It was a perfectly sunny morning, and the three of us just talked in between my contractions.  I was getting to the point where it was more difficult to talk during my contractions, and I began moaning to cope with the intensity.

When my contractions began to get a little stronger, I decided to move into the family room and lay on the couch.  My moaning grew louder, and I had to concentrate on each one.  I made another phone call to the midwife, telling her how quickly things were progressing.

On the phone during a contraction

  She told me to keep fluids down and try to eat foods.  I had a bite of one cracker and threw it up (the body's way of clearing itself out to make room for the baby) .  We decided to just stick with coconut water to keep me hydrated and to keep my electrolytes up. TMI Side note:  I HIGHLY recommend coconut water during labor... not only for its nutritional value... I actually didn't mind throwing up because it tasted like coconut water (Yes, I was drinking that much).

After Chris woke up, he stayed by me during my contractions while making sure I had enough green smoothie for some extra nutrition. 

Chris: "Make a dramatic face for the camera!"

I lost track of time during labor... I honestly thought that all of active labor took 3 hours max.  So I can't really tell you how much time passed. All I know is that when the contractions got stronger, we moved upstairs to our bedroom, where we had planned to have the birth. I rocked back and forth on the yoga ball, which was the perfect height for kneeling.

Meanwhile, Chris was setting things up with my Aunt Amy in Utah. She is a doula and childbirth educator who I have counseled with my entire pregnancy, and it wouldn't seem right if she couldn't attend the birth in some way, shape or form.  So we decided to Skype with her! This was a first for everyone, including the midwives, but guys, it was wonderful! Once Chris got everything hooked up, he brought in the laptop and set it in front of me on a little side table.  

Amy could tell exactly what kind of labor support I needed, so she guided Chris through each technique, this is one technique that worked wonderfully, I am literally pulling all my weight on Chris's shoulders through the contractions. 

I should mention, by this time in my labor, I was LOUD and I didn't care who heard. I moaned in deep "O's" to help open up my cervix, which definitely worked because not long after, my water broke and mucus plug finally showed. Nothing like waiting till the last minute!

Pretty soon, I told Amy that I felt extremely constipated. "That's the baby's head," I heard her say, "Chris, call the midwife and tell her to come right now."  It was game time. While the midwife was on her way, I changed into a tankini top, and everyone else was working on filling up the pool with water.  

Guys, the water felt wonderful.  It helped take some of the weight off, and the warmth helped relax me and eased the intensity of each contraction.  The pool was also the perfect size and "squishiness" for leaning over.  While we waited for the midwife to come, Amy was there on the screen in front of me, helping me to cope with the intensity, and Chris was at my side.  I loved that I had the room to be in any position I wanted.  I could listen to my body to tell me what would be the most efficient way of birthing this baby.  For me, kneeling over the side of the tub with my knees spread apart allowed me to open my pelvis much wider than any laying down position would have. Looking back on it now, I think my laboring would have been much longer and more painful if I had to lay on my back.   

About 15 minutes later (I think), Traci, the midwife, and her assistant, Chelsea, arrived. And a good thing they did, because I was ready to push just as they got there! 

On the left is Chelsea and the right is Traci 

By this time, I was "in labor land" as they say.  I was completely in tune with my body, I shut everything else out. My eyes remained closed nearly the entire time from here on out, I was listening to my body so intently that I barely remember anything else going on around me. I remember voices talking around me, zippers of bags opening and closing, someone taking my blood pressure a couple times, someone else pressing a stethoscope onto my belly to measure the fetal heart rate, and people encouraging me. "You are doing great Julene!... That was a great push!... Channel the energy you are using to yell and force it down to help you push... I'm so proud of you!"

Unless they were talking directly to me, I didn't care who they were or what they were doing. They were just blurs. Traci remained behind me the whole time to measure my progress.  Chris remained close by to be ready to catch Kaden as soon as he emerged. 

"This has to be the ring of fire everyone talks about," I remember thinking to myself as I could feel Kaden's head get lower and lower.  I knew the only way to not feel it anymore was to just get through it.  Being afraid was not going to get me anywhere, I was designed to do this.  My body  got me this far, and I knew that it could get me the rest of the way.  By now, the time in between each contraction spaced out again, giving my body some much needed rest in between my pushes.  With each break, all I would say was "Drink," signaling my mom to give me the glass of coconut water to sip.  For every push, I gripped the towel in front of me and twisted with deadly force.  Amy noticed this and told Chris that he was needed.  All I remember was Amy's voice saying "Chris... Julene... towel... cross hands...pull..."  She told him to cross hands with me and pull when I pulled on his hands to create counter pressure. This was AMAZING advice.  I felt that each push was way more effective, and it felt much easier.  I became Amazon Woman. I reached so far into myself and found strength I didn't know I had. I brought it to the surface and used this strength to push.  This was one of the most empowering experiences of my birth. I didn't realize until after labor that I was actually yelling into Chris's ear the entire time too, and he temporarily lost his hearing in one ear because of it. 

With Traci behind me, she could tell me exactly how much progress I was making. With each contraction she was able to see more and more of Kaden's head. "The top of his head is starting to appear if you want to feel it," she said. I reached down to feel his head.  It felt a little slimy, especially since we were in the water.  Honestly, it kinda wierded me out, so I just felt his head that one time. I needed to focus on getting the rest of him out anyway.  "It looks like he has light brown hair," she continued. "Told you so," I said to Chris.  After one hard push, Traci told me that his head was completely out and that with a couple more pushes the rest of him would be out.  I knew I was close to the end, but that there was no need to rush because Kaden was still getting all of his oxygen through the umbilical cord.  Traci told Chris that if he wanted to catch Kaden, he would need to get back by Traci so she could tell him what to do. "Nah, I think she needs me up here."  And he was soooo right. 

My next contractions were just as intense, and I worked hard to get the rest of him out, but once his head came out, it became a little easier to get the rest of him out.  I kept pushing and pushing and didn't realize he was out until I heard Traci say, "Here! You can take him now!" I looked down and there was a baby in the water beneath me. Traci had caught him and was handing him off to me so I could take him out of the water.  After only 30 minutes of pushing, he was in my arms.

I pulled him out of the water and put him close to my chest. "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" I kept saying it over and over. I leaned back to the edge of the pool.  Traci gave me a blanket and a little beanie for Kaden to rest in so he wouldn't get cold.  Kaden was perfect. I couldn't help but notice how calm he was. Once he was above the water, his breathing reflexes took over and he began breathing through his nose. His first breath of air above the water ensured me that he was perfectly healthy. Traci waited for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before she let Chris cut the cord.  

I just wanted to hold him forever. He seemed so content in my arms.  There was no baby screaming, no worries about who was doing what to my baby. All three of us just sat there, soaking up each other's presence.  I am so grateful that the birth went so well and that Kaden is so healthy.  I couldn't believe that our little family just grew by one more person. 

Welcome Kaden Christopher Bateman. Born July 23rd at 1:32 pm. 10 lbs 7 oz, 15 inch head, 22 inches long  and perfect in every way.                                                                    

Thank you to everyone who was in attendance: My mother, Danille; sister, Sydney; aunt, Amy; mother in law, Rebecca; sister in law, Cassie; midwife, Traci; birth assistant, Chelsea; and of course, Chris. You all made the birth that much more precious!