Johanna Ruth - story of her birth

Johanna Ruth Plattner ~ August 28, 2009 ~ 21” ~ 10lb 12oz

My week leading up to her birth ~ this will help understand her birth a little.

This past Sunday I had mild contractions most of the day, getting a little stronger and then tuckering out in the evening. The following couple days I had some mild contractions but not anything major. I had other signs including sleeplessness which added too my weariness the last couple days.

Wednesday night I had strong contractions during the night from midnight till 5 AM; most were about every 10 minutes with some closer to 20. Last night I had even stronger contractions starting shortly after I lay down and lasting all night. The problem with all these contractions is that they only occurred when laying in bed or sitting in certain positions. This made it quite difficult to get rested and I had no energy to do anything standing up!!! When I lay down to take my nap I still had those contractions. So even though I got some sleep it was not without interruption.

I had been in contact with my midwife so she knew what was going on. I spoke to her this AM, but though the contractions were getting stronger and longer they were still sporadic unless I was lying down. I thought it was likely today was the day, so Grandpa Plattner came and took the children to their house.

The contractions were the same this AM. I was so tired I tried in vain to find a position I could rest in. Chad went to work (about 7 min from home) for a little while, I called him home when I couldn’t rest and felt pretty miserable. Shortly before he arrived I started having some hard contractions while up and about. Shortly after Chad got home they were doubling up on top of each other. Chad called my midwife and shortly after I told him she wasn’t going to make it and that he should call a friend nearby that knew somewhat about what to do. It was the third friend we tried that was home and she left right away. While Chad was on that last phone call my water broke which for me means delivery isn’t far away! A few minutes later Johanna made her grand entry and shortly after that came our helper! Even though she didn’t make it in time for the birth we were grateful she was there to help till my midwife’s assistant got there.

From the time I new that this was the “real thing” till birth was probably 30-40 minutes!!! I went from sporadic contractions only occurring when lying down or sitting in certain positions wondering if this would ever turn into the real thing to transition and a quick birth.

It would not be our choice to have an unassisted birth, but we are thankful that all went well. Obviously all those warm up contractions were doing something, but if I had the choice I wouldn’t do it the same way again although it was quite nice to have just an hour of the real thing!

That is our story! I will get some pictures uploaded later and tell about the childrens first meeting!

Cookie Cousins

A couple weeks ago Grandma Plattner came to help with some food prep and baking. Tyler, Abrey, and Chelby were staying at Grandma's, so they came along. Tyler and Abrey were more interested in exploring the woods, but the younger ones didn't last so long. They helped Grandma mix some yummy Monster Cookies! Grandma's special ingredients are to replace M&M's with Reese's Pieces and add some peanut butter chips and white chocolate chips with the chocolate chips ~ Mmmm Mmmm Irresistible!!!

Happy Birthday Jubilee

Happy Birthday Jubilee!!!

A little late on blogging but we did celebrate on her birthday, decorations and all; although I never took pictures of the decorations.

The children go through their "things" and pass them on as gifts to their siblings! Some of them actually buy something, Jubilee enjoys them all.

She got a couple puzzles and a playdough set from Chad and I and I couldn't begin to tell you what all she got from the others. A punch balloon from Javan is all I can think of.

We had Blackberry Custard Pie for her birthday and it went over well. Jesse asked for Custard Pie for his birthday without the fruit. I will probably have a warm fruit topping for those of us who like it. His birthday is Monday.

Update on LL

Friday night we were blessed to be able to use a friends pool while they were away at the fair. I took the opportunity to do some exercising that I can't normally do. Because of bouyancy I was able to move my bad hip in it's full range of motion quite a bit. I had an annoying ache even after the chiropractor had adjusted me and I could walk better. I must have been able to relieve whatever the issue was because I had a GREAT day yesterday and today was pretty good too, although I sat most of the day so it has not had the opportunity to be moving around as much. I am still careful and slow, but that's to be expected when you are so close to the end.

We still figure Labor Day weekend, although I am hoping and praying that it will not be so long. Jesse's birthday is a week from tomorrow (the 24th), so I would really like to give him his present he asked for 10 months ago of having a brother on his birthday. Actually he asked for twins, but I'm pretty sure that is not going to happen. :) We did actually have one baby that came on his own only 8 days late, so 9 days late is not completely unheard of, just not likely!

We still have not decided upon a name, so if you think of any more feel free to send them our way. I like a lot of the suggestions that have been made, we've just been too busy to really focus on it.