Super Undies!

Makes you giggle, doesn't it?  But I'm talking about a real product.  A few months ago, I went to a cloth diapering guru asking for ideas on how to get my oldest son JG out of overnight diapers.  With two boys in them every night, a good deal of our "Baby" budget category was flying out the window.  She suggested something they hadn't yet tried, "Super Undies."  They are on the expensive side for cloth at $30.00 a pair, but if you invest in them early on... they save you TONS!  Here are parts of the review I wrote for their budding business in the overnight cloth diapering category...

They are so soft!  I tried to wash by hand, and WOW they hold a lot of liquid!  I now machine wash after talking to customer service, and they have held up perfectly. They do take a bit longer to dry since they hold moisture so well.  My son also had to get used to the puffiness compared to a more slim overnight diaper, but he loved the softness.  Wanna know the best part?  I think because Super Undies are NOT a diaper, my son subconsciously quit wetting the bed!  With overnight diapers, he'd wake up to a soaked diaper (and sometimes bed) every morning.  Since having Super Undies for a couple months, he's wet the undies five times or less!  And for our family, they're so super that they also helped us figure out that our younger son no longer needs overnight diapers either -- or a Super Undies.  So one pair of Super Undies and two months took us from buying 60 overnight diapers a month to two boys who wear underwear to bed!

I would also add here that as a mom who never did cloth, these were the perfect solution.  There is no disassemble or reassembly for washing.  All you do is pull the cloths out of the little sewn in pocket, but they remain attached on side.  Pop it in a mesh bag for laundering, then just fold and push the cloths back into the pocket.  No pinning or anything.  Another good thing -- I'll have a pair for Eme when she is day trained but still working on night training!

If you want more information for yourself or a friend or you just wanna know more and watch a video:

Super Undies Nighttime Undies Potty Training Pants

Judah's Story: Part 6

An infinity of minutes later, my doctor returned from surgery to check on my progression.  I thanked him for returning which he apparently misunderstood as me thinking he wasn't going to come back.  I was truly thankful he was back because I was in so much pain!  He had returned at 4:45, less than the hour he said he'd be gone.  Over those minutes, I had begun to sort of welcome thoughts of a c-section because that meant an end was in sight.  I believe this was God's grace in preparing me for what HE had written rather than what I assumed for years would be my first birthing story (which did not include a c-section or drugs).

So handsome, eh?

I had not progressed at all, and Judah's heart rate was dropping with each contraction.  Judah's head was not going to allow a natural delivery.  A c-section was quickly and quietly decided upon.  What did I do?  I cried!  Tears of relief, not disappointment, poured forth.  I was taken off pitocin.  Matt was given the lovely blue garb of husbands headed to the OR.  Autumn, my mom, and Nonie stood around my bed holding my hands and just touching me.  Even 6 years later, I very vividly remember the cool, soft touch of Autumn's hands.  I kept telling her to touch my head, my cheeks, my forehead -- it felt SO good!  Matt came over, and we prayed.  I was able to call my Gramps and let him know that his great grandson would indeed be a birthday present, and I was also able to briefly talk to my good friend Jaclyn (though I don't remember that conversation at all!).  The time came for me to be wheeled out of the labor room and into the operating room.

Don't mind the land whale...

I remember the c-section actually being enjoyable.  Dr. Sugar was back to give me the happy juice.  (Pretty sure you REALLY don't want to feel a c-section...).  My doctor was there with his assistants chatting it up.  My contractions had completely stopped by the time I got to the room, so it had been the pitocin keeping me going all day.  Everything was just bright and cheery -- as I had always dreamed (except the c-section part).

My first-born son!

Having a c-section is a unique experience.  I was completely awake and talking.  I could feel nothing from the rib cage down except occasional pressure.  Matt was able to watch almost all of the surgery and said it was very weird to see his wife that way.  (I can't even imagine what it must be like for husbands to see that -- and now he's done it three times!) I could tell when they were trying to pop Judah's head out because it felt like they were pushing super hard on my rib cage.  (With Elijah, it felt like an elephant was sitting on my rib cage...but that's his story.)  Once he was out, Matt went with Judah's nurse to watch him get all cleaned up and take pictures.  He was so cute all bundled up when they brought him to me.  I'm pretty sure I kissed his cheeks and cried, but I don't remember it that well.  As they were finishing up the c-section, I remember telling Dr. Sugar lots of women must love him.  I also heard my doctor and his assistants talking about various breeds of dogs.  Such a relaxed atmosphere.

Judah Gabriel was born at 5:07 PM, March 10, 2006.

He weighed in at 8.6 pounds and measured 18.75".

I was off to the recovery room for about an hour.  Once I was able to sit up a little and wiggle my toes, they brought Judah to me so I could nurse him.  Wonderful, quiet moments after 14 incredibly hard hours ending in surgery.  And all so very worth it.

Interesting Notes...

1) Judah's always been in the upper percentile for head size.  ;-)  But that was not the reason he was not coming out naturally.  When my doctor opened up my uterus, he found that Judah's head was lodged sideways in my pelvic bone and presenting his forehead first.  This explains the lack of progress and the intense pain I had.  It was encouraging to hear a few nurses tell me that I had indeed had a harder-than-normal labor and that I lasted much longer than a lot of women before asking for drugs.  Some consolation for the battle against feeling like a failure in those first few months after having Judah.

2) Judah's birth story is one of the two stories in my life that God has used to teach me that I should never assume things will always go the way I think they will or that my way is what is best for me.  Basically, that I'm not in control.  I never would have chosen pain relief drugs, but it was impossible for me to continue in labor without them.  I never would have chosen to have my children by way of c-section, but that is what He chose.  I still don't know why, but it is obviously best because it has come to pass and God is sovereign.

3) Judah's birth story is a vivid reminder that medical knowledge and advancements are a gift from the Lord that we should be thankful for when it is necessary.  My dad (a doctor) said that if this birth had occurred even 70 or so years ago, both Judah and I would most likely have died.  Though I still wish I knew what it is like to complete a natural delivery, I am very thankful that c-sections exist so that mothers and babies with risky deliveries can live life together.

After all that labor, surgery, and feeling the need to guzzle vast amounts of water, I was swollen.  To put it lightly.

Teeny Toes!

Next up... Part 6: Recovery and Home!

Judah's Story: Part 4

My doctor told me that induced labors are no harder than non-induced.  After he put me on pitocin at noon, I could not help but think he was a liar.  My contractions became incredibly intense.  My belly hurt.  My gut hurt.  My lower back was killing me.  And I can't even describe the kind of pressure I felt in the nether region.  I had dilated to about 6, but was not getting much farther.  Around 2:00, I remember looking longingly into Autumn's eyes with tears welling up in my own, silently asking her if it was ok to ask for drug relief.  I had told her in the weeks leading up to labor that I wanted her to push me.  I wanted her to tell me no the first few times I might ask for drugs.  And I had not asked for drugs.  But at that point, I wanted to...so badly.  But I didn't want to feel like I was giving up.  Like a failure.  A wimp at labor.  That's why all I could do was just look at her and cry.

I suppose I must have somehow asked for the drugs because I received them.  I later found out that my mom and Nonie had been praying I would ask for relief because they could see my pain was so great.  The drugs were also a good idea, I was told, because I really needed to relax during the contractions.  The combination of contractions, back labor, and "down under" pressure was not allowing me to breath through contractions.  I tried my best (probably the hardest I've ever tried at anything); but at the climax of each contraction, it was as if my body took over and convulsed from the pain.  I truly did not have control over it.  That was causing my cervix to swell, meaning it was starting to de-dilate.  Not good for progression of labor.  Pain relief would allow my body to relax and hopefully help my cervix dilate properly.

Dr. Sugar.  That was his name.  And, boy, did he live up to it.  He came in and gave me an intrathecal rather than an epidural.  An intrathecal is a shot given where an epidural goes and kills the pain just like an epidural.  The only differences are that there is no tube left in your back so you can get up at will and also that the meds wear off after a couple hours rather than lasting.  Within a mere minute, I was a NEW WOMAN.  The lights were on.  I was laughing.  I could feel glorious nothing.  I think I slept soundly for an hour and a half or so.   At some point, I wanted to eat something.  Three bites of orange jello.  And soon after it came back up.  I think by now, they had figured out Judah's head was not in the best position, so I had to try to move in hopes to help him turn a bit.  I remember trying to get up and go to the bathroom.  I never made it due to the return of the jello.

After a while, the doctor came back and checked me.  Still no progress.  He told me he had a c-section to do and would be back in an hour to check for progression.  If there was none, it would be time to do a c-section.  By this time, they had put a fetal monitor on Judah because of the lack of progression.  It was 4:00 PM.  The intrathecal was starting to wear off which meant the pain was beginning to return.  After what seemed like ages, I looked back at the clock to see how soon my doctor would return.  It was only 4:05.  I tried to sit on a ball and then get in a different position on the bed.  E.x.c.r.u.t.i.a.t.i.n.g.  So back into the same position I'd been in all day.  I was turning into a whimpering wreck.  I did NOT want to feel that kind of pain again...

Next up... Part 5: Never assume a story you are not the Author of...

Judah's Story: Part 3

Part 1   Part 2

BAM!  Pain.  I was awakened at 2:30 AM on March 10, 2006.  Forget all those little tummy tighteners that I thought were contractions.  This was for real.  It made Judah suddenly kick, so perhaps it made him wake up, too.  I woke Matt up to let him know, and he says he was instantly scrambling mentally to figure out what to do.  I went and woke Autumn up so she could help Matt and I time the contractions and move through them.  She encouraged me to eat something since hospitals don't always allow that freedom during labor.  I tried to eat a bowl of strawberry mini-wheats, but the contractions were so painful and came often enough that I couldn't really finish the bowl.  It took me quite a while (like, months) to eat that cereal again without thinking of labor.  :-P

By about 4:30 AM, it was definitely time to get to the hospital.  The roads were so dark and calm that early in the morning.  Just 10 minutes to the hospital -- but oh my heavens.  The LONGEST car ride of my life.  Getting out of the car and into a wheel chair was a very surreal experience.  I remember it, but as a spectator of the memory rather than as myself (if that makes sense).  I remember trying to answer questions and signing paperwork at some desk and then being wheeled with the paperwork up to L&D...where they had more questions for me.  UGH!  A nurse was trying to explain to me that I needed to undress and put the gown on as well as pee in a cup.  She then sent me into a closet of a bathroom.  Now tell me.  How on EARTH was I supposed to put that gown on and pee in a cup when my contractions hurt so bad I had to brace myself against the walls (which were close enough to each other for my elbows to span across).  I remember having to stop a lot in that too-small-for-a-nine-month-belly bathroom to try and breath, brace myself, and stop the shaking from pain.  I do not recall how I completed the tasks (I may not have peed in the cup -- I think the nurse let me give up on that) or how I got back to the bed...God's strength, I guess!

She checked me, and I was at 3 cm.  By this time, I had become aware that with each contraction, I felt a bit of fluid rush out.  That's about the same time she told me that my water must have broken sometime before that based upon what she felt.  I still sometimes stew a little over how the patient was right in that instance.  My water had indeed broken sometime Wednesday morning.  I don't care what that little purple paper did or didn't prove.  I had a broken water for 2 days before going into labor!

They took me to my labor room.  Gosh, was I in pain.  It's a known fact.  Labor hurts.  You will find no pictures of me in labor.  And I have no idea when Autumn, my mom, and Nonie arrived.  All my pregnancy, I dreamed of having a labor in which I had a bright room, people to talk to, soft music playing, walking around, trying different positions for relief.  It was going to be hard, but it was going to be wonderful!  I could not have been more wrong.  I did not want any lights.  No talking.  No music.  Leave me alone.  I don't want Matt's hand to hold.  I want Autumn's.  I can't be in any other position but this, and don't even think about me getting out of this bed.  Not because I didn't want to do any of those.  I COULDN'T.  I wondered if I was a wimp who couldn't get through labor like millions of other women who have done it.  Either I was a wimp, I had severely underestimated labor pains, or this was harder than a normal labor.

My contractions were not set in a very good pattern, and since I was scheduled to be induced the next day anyway, my doctor went ahead and put me on pitocin to move things along.  That was about noon.  I had no idea how much worse the pain would get...

Next up... Part 4: Pain can come and go...and come back...

Judah's Story: Part 2

Part 1

Wednesday, March 8...  The day my mom and Nonie arrived.  So now I had three women in my family with me!  ::Regan-esque::  "Can life get any better?  I submit that it can not!"  But it did get better.  We got to have Papa Johns and watch Lost that night.  :-)

Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Silliness aside, I noticed that day that I kept...um...wetting myself just a little.  It was beyond me as to why it was occurring.  I was not feeling like I had to go to the bathroom.  But it was enough to cause wet spots on my jeans every now and then.  I went to the doctor to have it checked.  I had no idea that your water can break by either gushing or trickling.  The doctor tested the fluid and said that my water had not broken, that it was just a normal part of late pregnancy.  I think it was his nice way of saying I was a little incontinent.  I felt ridiculous -- and didn't believe him.  There was no way I was not feeling the call of nature and yet wetting myself that often.  And, well, it didn't smell as one would expect.  :-P  I was left with a bit of uncertainty.  My doc's little paper test said it was not amniotic fluid.  I thought it was.  And if your water breaks, you're "not supposed" to just let the baby stay there for days due to risks.

By this time, I had gone through several "home remedies" Autumn knew about for trying to bring on labor contractions. Raspberry leaf tea.  Walking.  Stairs.  Something she likes to call "PBS" without the B (go ask someone else cuz I'm not explaining it here!).  Nothing was working -- proof that it is God who chooses the days and reasons babies are born!  There was one thing I hadn't tried.  Castor oil.  I did it, not once, but twice.  The first time, I blended it with ice and orange juice to equal about 16 oz of liquid to drink.  DON'T do it this way.  It'll give you a cold headache which will cause you to not drink it quickly.  And that allows the castor oil to sink to the bottom so that when you are almost finished you basically get a mouth full of thick oil.  ::GAG::  So why did I do it twice, you ask?  Because I really wanted to have Judah before Autumn left!!  Thursday, March 9, I took a second dose of castor oil, THIS time blended with 6 oz of Hawaiian punch and immediately downed it like a shot.  DO it this way.

Answer me this.  Do you know why castor oil works to bring about contractions?  It never occurred to me to ask Autumn this question, and she never offered the info until I asked (after the fact).  I laugh about it now.  In case you don't know, castor oil is a laxative.  I found this out about 2 hours after doing the doses.  The cramping that occurs in the intestines can cause the uterus to fall in line with its own contractions.  Yikes!  The first dose at the beginning of that week did not cause contractions.  The second dose on Thursday didn't cause contractions....until 2:30 AM Friday, March 10.

Next up... Part 3: Judah's Birth Day!

Judah's Story: Part 1

I've been inspired by my dear friend Jaclyn to ponder the birth stories of my children and put them in writing.  Hearing the stories surrounding the births of children just amazes me -- it points clearly to God's creativity, sovereignty, and goodness surrounding new life.  Children truly are a blessing from Him, and He is the best Story Writer ever!

Judah's Story: Part 1

In the couple weeks before Judah was born, I was huge.  It hurt when anything poked my rotund belly because the skin was stretched so tightly.  My hips were in a great deal of pain due to life-long loose joints made even more loose by pregnancy hormones.  I was tired.  But, praise the Lord, I took the advice of my sister: "Sleep all you want because this is the only pregnancy you'll be able to."  She was right!  Those glorious days of one or two 2+ hour naps are LONG gone!  :-P  Speaking of my sister...

In the blink of an eye, the Lord worked it out that she was able to fly out to California to be with Matt and I as we waited for Judah to be born.  I was completely relieved and ecstatic!  Of all the people I wanted in the room with me as I labored, it was Autumn.  I found such comfort in the thought of her being near, both in her love for me and her love for labor and delivery.  Not to mention, it was so nice to have a family member near.  California is a LONG way from either of our families.  God provided instant peace and companionship for me when she arrived at our home!

During my second to last appointment with my doctor, he "stripped my membranes" in order to encourage contractions.  I was 1 cm, 40% effaced, and nearing my due date.  Which was debatable.  He said March 6, but I said March 10 according to my "more exact" calculations.  The next week, I was still at 1-2 cm and 40%; so he stripped my membranes again as another gentle encouragement to my body to start getting things ready.  As God would have it, my body continued to be content with a baby inside.  I didn't mind -- it gave Autumn and I a most wonderful day in Monterey and at Carmel Beach.  Such peaceful, lovely memories with my sis in my last days without a child in my arms.  I consider it a huge blessing that the Lord allowed me peaceful excitement in anticipating my first child.

The time for Autumn to fly home was drawing near.  I was so afraid that she'd have to leave before I had Judah.  God made provision, and she changed her flight to almost a week later!  So now the prayer was that Judah would be born sometime before Saturday, March 11, which would be "Induction Day" if he did not want to come out before that.  March 10 would be great -- a birthday present for my Gramps!

Next up, Part 2 - Wednesday, March 8...

T.G.I.F.

I heard Judah and Elijah having a grand old time wrestling with each other.  Hey, why not?  They were all squeals of glee and laughter.  No need to stop them (I think).  All of the sudden, Elijah was spilling forth with laughter, and I had no idea what was so funny.  Then I heard Judah say, "Just let me finish sniffing your eyeballs, and then we'll be done."  ::raised eyebrow

I've only seen it in comedic clips.  Never in real life -- until this week.  I was in Eden's room putting up a wall hanging when she decided she wanted to be picked up.  I told her to wait a minute, and she started in to throw a fit.  Unfortunately (for her), part of that included taking a step backwards which made her trip backwards and fall bum-first into one of her toy bins which subsequently tipped backwards, leaving her folded in half and stuck inside that bin looking straight up at me with bewildered eyes at what had just occurred.  I could only giggle.  And help her out, of course.

It's very hard to crockpot a roast when your sweet daughter keeps turning it off when you're not looking.  Not funny practically -- but it is humorous when I remove myself from the situation.  :-)  Just like wondering how on earth the floor kept getting wet.  Then I realized every cup of soap suds I gave Eden (to get her to play by herself so I could get some kitchen stuff done) was ending up on the floor being wiped with a diaper wipe.  Sweet child was cleaning my floor for me.  :-P

T.G.I.F.

I was doing school with the boys one night, and we got on the subject of the sun and its size.  It was SO much fun to see Judah's speechless amazement when I told him our sun was actually a small star in comparison to the other stars that are out there.  I explained to him that the sun is just big to us because it is the star we are closest to and that there are stars out there way, way, way, way bigger than our sun.  He all of the sudden made the sound of a gun exploding.  I grinned when I realized what he had done.  "Was that the sound of your brain exploding?"  "Yes!"  :-)

As Eden was getting toys for her bath time, she was having to maneuver around the toilet and side of the tub.  I don't think I've ever seen stomach muscles move quite like that as she tried to avoid touching the cold porcelain with her bare tummy.  So cute!  Maybe you just have to have seen it.