My "Hollywood" delivery

Samuel Clifford Smith was born to us July 20, 2010. I got my perfect labor and delivery story that I have always wanted! (I have been induced with all 3 of my previous babies.) In the middle of the night I start feeling labor pains... I lay awake for an hour... pains actually not going away this time... this might be it! I take a shower and contractions are less then 5 minutes apart. I actually get to wake up my hubbie (just like all the movies) and say: "Honey- IT'S TIME!"
We get my packed hospital bag that has been sitting by the door for 2 weeks and head out the door at 4:30am.
We drive up to the emergency room entrance, park and see the security guard chuckle as I waddle in at Jake's side. He said "I suppose you are looking for the labor and delivery" and we headed up. I got to tell the front desk "I think I am in labor" and they said they would check me out. I put on the awesome hospital gown that never quite covers properly and by then contractions are 2 minutes apart. Jake is cracking jokes and charming the nurses as we settle in. I sip on cranberry juice and we send out the big news via text to all of our family. By then contractions have slowed down and so we walk the halls to get something going again. Nurses gave me pitossin to speed things up a bit and the pain starts pretty intense. I decide on the epidural. I was contemplating being tough and going natural but I already proved that I could do that when I had my 2nd son Luke so I decided since this was my last one- why not enjoy it pain free? I was a little nervous because I had a bad reaction to the epidural with my 3rd son and ended up screaming at the Dr. to yank it out. But Jake made enough jokes about suing the anesthesiologist that he did a fantastic job! (I did pass out for just a minute from low blood pressure but he said that was a common side-effect.)
So pain free, sipping on cranberry juice and my wonderful mid-wife Anita Sheetz tells me she thinks it is time to push. I pushed through 4 contractions and probably would have been less but the babies hand was up by his face through delivery, making it more difficult.
Our beautiful baby boy was born at 11:33am perfect and chubby at 21 inches and nearly 9lbs. I cried at how perfect and wonderful he was and how much I already loved him! They gave him to me right away and did all the tests on him right in my arms. Jake cut the cord (now an expert!) and made all the calls. I can't even tell you how happy this baby makes me and we are loving every minute!

Advanced Maternal Age...and its benefits!

When I went for my first prenatal visit last December my doctor referred to me as "advanced maternal age." Very nice way of saying "kinda old to be having a baby!" She informed me of my risks etc and let me know that everything would be just a little bit harder. True- it has been 10 years since I had my first child. The first 2 semesters of all my pregnancies have been full of mad dashes to the bathroom to throw up on a daily basis, and this one has been no exception. I think I have thrown up on every street corner and gas station in Idaho, Utah and Las Vegas. (By the way- my gas station of choice to throw up in Flying J because their bathrooms are usually pretty clean and the stall door goes almost all the way to the floor so that no one sees me crouching before the toliet.)
As the pregnancies have progressed through the years and especially this last one noticed that I had an even bigger problem to deal with then throwing up - that is peeing my pants while throwing up! I wised up with this last pregnancy and began grabbing the garbage can or a plastic bag while actually using the bathroom and it has significantly raised my spirits and reduced alot of tears.
One big advantage of having this baby at age 36 is that my other 3 boys are a HUGE help! They are so concerned for me and the baby and would do anything for me. They do all my "up and down the stairs" errands and will pick up anything off the floor for me because they know that I can't bend over. They bring me water and make sure I rest. Luke reminds me that I can't lift anything over 20 lbs and Tommy lets me know he has a fat belly just like me because he is growing a baby too. Jett will babysit for me anytime I ask without ever complaining and will even call me on the phone while I am out to tell me to "take your time...everything is fine here!) I can nap almost anytime I want to and the boys are quiet and take care of themselves.
All my family members and friends are wonderfully supportive and make sure that I am resting... allowing me to take more guilt free naps!
I indulge my absolute (almost daily) need for cheeseburgers and really don't feel that bad about it. I know it will be a hard habit to kick once this baby comes but for right now - I do it and I guilt free enjoy it!
And when else in your life does every random stranger feel free to pat your belly or make a comment or wish you well?!? How boring life will be when I don't have random strangers making funny comments every where I go?
Yesterday as I was walking though Home Depot a clerk yells out "Hang in there honey.. you're almost there!" Walking across the street to get the mail a neighbor lady, 5 houses down, who I have never met, screams out "been there- done that- wouldn't want to be where you are again!" At Walmart last week the clerk told me that she couldn't even believe that I was out of the house!
But the truth is - I am not that miserable! Everyone keeps asking me if I can hardly wait to be done or if I am walking around trying to get this baby to come - and the answer is "No- I am not." I don't know if I am just a wierdo or something is wrong with me but I am actually enjoying these last few weeks of pregnancy. I love feeling the baby move around and wonder what he is thinking inside there. I love napping everyday. I love having my husband and sons be so excited about the upcoming baby. In fact I am not sure that I am really in such a hurry to give it all up. Yes I waddle terribly, my ankles are swollen and black and blue, I get up to use the bathroom a minimum of 5 times per night and then cant go back to sleep... but its all worth it. I think in part I am enjoying this because I know this is my last one.
Now- next week at this time I might have had another hormonal wave swinging me the other way and you could find me out on the trampoline and yelling "to get this baby out!" but for now being an old pregnant lady ain't so bad.. so I am at peace and relaxed... taking one day, and one cheeseburger, at a time.

I DO!

Who gets a baby shower for their 4th child, their 4th boy at that? I DO!!! My great friend Sierra threw me an awesome baby shower last Saturday.
She went all out with cute invitations, decorations, and the BEST food! Course it helps that her awesome husband is a professional chef- who gets coconut shrimp (my favorite) at a shower? I DO!
She also did lots of other yummy food including strawberry and lime daquiri's.


Lots of generous gifts, games and lots of fun! And to top it off the cutest cake I have EVER seen made by friend Casey.


Seriously- who has some of the greatest friends in the world? I DO!

Yes I am

Yes I am eating way too many cheeseburgers.
Yes I am having dreams about cheeseburgers.
Yes I am currently into the $1 Jr Sonic Burger.
Yes I am spending way too much grocery budget money on cheeseburgers.
Yes I did throw up in the Burger King drive- thru ordering a cheeseburger today.
Yes I am pregnant.

Ghosties in the house

So this past week has been pretty strange in our house. Weird writings have appeared on the wall, toilets have been overflowing with whole rolls of toilet paper stuffed inside, blue markings all over the carpet and furniture. Kinda strange. And of course to top it off, 3 year old Tommy wearing his scary Halloween shirt all week long, explained to us that he was wearing his "Holy Ghostie" shirt.

Dirty Jokes and the Round Swing

Every summer my family made the 13 hour trek to Mexico for our summer vacation. Suddenly all my parents strict checklist of rules didn't apply when we were down there. However one rule that we were constantly reminded of was not to tell any dirty jokes to our cousins. This was always funny to me because I don't think I ever knew any dirty jokes as a child and if so why would I tell my cousins? So as long as we refrained from dirty jokes we were free to roam the Mexican countryside.
Besides being taught to drive at age 12 by my dear cousins, one of my other favorite memories was of the round swing. We would cross the street to uncle Herman's (I have the best names in my family) and climb the hill. We would jump on the rope swing and swing out over the irrigation ditch and out over the hill. It was exhilarating and always a good time.
This past summer my dad just built a round swing in his backyard. He even built a little platform stand to swing off of. I got on and swung out into the ravine and don't think I have screamed that loud in 15 years! My kids love it and we all cant get enough of it. Of course everyone who comes over has to take a ride. We have even had a few Tarzan moments. Thanks dad for building the swing and I promise no more dirty jokes!

My boricua heart hurts today.

Today my little boricua heart hurts. I just heard that Hermano Victor SotoMayor passed away. He was one of my favorite people in our ward in Puerto Rico. My heart aches for the loss of him personally and for our ward Ponce I. He was one of the first members in Ponce. He was 80 years old and very spry. He made us laugh. He was very kind to Jake as a new Bishop, taught him many things, and was very patient. I feel privileged to have known him and had him in my home. Thinking of him makes me smile and I will never forget him. I know it means nothing to anyone who may read this but somehow it makes me feel better to put it down in writing. Te queremos mucho Hermano SotoMayor!!!