Mr & Mrs Smith

Rebecca Paige Smith We really struggled with agreeing on a name again. We each had several we liked, but only a few were mutual: Katelyn, Hailey, Jacey (only if middle name was Elizabeth) & then Rebecca. I hadn't considered many classic names, this one being very common in the 90s, but when I heard the name at the temple, it felt right. I went there with two questions in mind, and felt that one had been answered. We are studying the Old Testament in Sunday School. I came home and told Mr Smith and he just said "I'll call her Becca". He then told me Lexi had told him the name Paige that same day, and I said the two sounded perfect together. Details 7lbs 13oz 20 inches long 14 in head lots dark brown hair light eye lashes Birth Story Friday, 4/20 elective induction (4/22 due date) - I had GroupB strep for the first time. I had not planned an induction until this added stress, which meant I needed 4 hours on antibiotics before delivery. I was worri...

39 WEEKS PREGGO We have been distracted, but not by a baby yet! I feel the most calm and not as anxious this time around as far as waiting on baby, but sure, I'd LOVE the happy surprise of her coming early this week. I've been having more contractions than I feel like I ever did with the others, but after last Friday with them being 10 min apart for an hour, nothing consistent has happened again, at least not where I've clocked it.  But at least the contractions have kept her moving more.  I am finding myself exhausted by early evening, yet it's only the start of dinner & everything else. It's hard to keep up with the chores wanting everything in its place before she arrives. Including that dumb van, which apparently won't be repaired by then, but I'm counting on Mr Smith to take care of it during paternity leave. We are down to the last week though! It's very exciting. I set the induction date for Friday, April 20th assuming I'll fee...

For me, "negative" or "positive" emotions have never really existed. Perhaps they should, but I do think happy people feel both. I understand where we are encouraged to show gratitude & hope, but those things only come from feeling the pains of ordinary life. It all works together, the good & the bad, to help us grow. You should know I'm growing. But there are negative people in the world, those who never choose to accept that ordinary life is a gift no matter what the day brings. There are those who refuse to accept the flaws of others or that we live in a fallen world full of imperfect people trying to do their best. And even still, we can only choose how we act & react. I will get frustrated when I'm frustrated, but I will own it & I will fight the urge to linger in it. Because of a quote that has stayed with me, "it's not a sin to get discouraged, it's a sin to linger in discouragement" & maybe I should add "by...

It was definitely a great visit when we got to see this wiggly little baby & find out Lexi is going to have a SISTER! Mr Smith was wishing for a boy mostly because Lexi & I were really hoping for a GIRL! I'm so excited to go back through all the little girl things again; I was not ready to go back through little boy stuff so quickly. Dallin will do well to be smooshed between all this estrogen. They also confirmed that I was measuring 2 weeks behind when based off the last period date, but since I told them I'm not average & that I KNEW I was two weeks later, then all is well. April 22 is the due date for this bundle of joy! In all honestly, April is a really great month to have a baby even if the girls hate sharing it later on. And our deductible resets April 1st so I'm glad it's after that! Outside of some mental exhaustion, indigestion, weight gain in the booty (I'm already 15lbs heavier, yikes!), gas, some acne & typical aches & pains, a...

Labor Timeline Tuesday, March 8th Elective Induction, 1 day after my due date Don't I look insanely giddy with my makeup all done and hair straightened? It all goes to pots in 7 hours. I mean I guess I'm still giddy. 6:30 Hospital check-in, 2.5 cm 70%, no contractions 8:30 Petocin 10:30 Doc broke my water, 3 cm 80%, -2 position Hunger pains more than anything up to this point. Eric got breakfast served 11:00 Reached highest dose of petocin 11:15 Pain reaches around the back, fluid still leaking, contractions 2-3 minutes apart peaking for 10-15 seconds, finally feeling difficult contractions but manageable 11:30 Flavored ice chips are awesome. Watching HGTV, contraction patterns good, just waiting for them to get strong and open the cervix. 12:00 4.5 cm, head lower, more fluid leakings 12:15 Ordered epideral even though contractions still manageable 1:00 Epideral, 5 cm, the needle was more painful than expected, legs & bum p...

Day 3 was Saturday. We paid rent, came home and rested. I actually got excited about some pretend contractions & a mucus plug. We went to Toys'r'us because I wanted to see their bike options for Lexi's birthday (still unsure) and walk some. Came home and rested (all that walking…). We got Krispy Kreme donuts. Came home and rested. Day 2 was Sunday, I put on the last top that still covers my belly. Lexi and I both were dressed and ready to leave for 9 AM church on time when dad pulled in from his meetings. We rested. I made dinner. I caught up on some reading while Mr Smith and Lexi played mario cart. I spent time waiting on text updates from my brother. The kitchen was cleaned and Mr Smith actually cleaned up that storage area that has been chaos since his last mountain climb. I woke up from some contractions in the night. I've had them on and off since Friday, but nothing consistent and nothing progressing. Day 1 is today. I woke up at 7 AM. In 24 hour...

Like literally, when you can't count by months or weeks even, the anticipation escalates. "Any day now" thanks for inductions. I'm already in bed by 9 and falling asleep at the dinner table. I'm up with the sun by 7:30 and every morning the same thought crosses my mind first - I guess I made it through another night; here goes another day of potential contractions. At my 39 week apt, I was a tight 2cm dilated, still at 70% effaced. So I've been low for a month, but the contractions are still waiting to get the real action started. My doc tried to stretch things out as best she could and advised that I get to walking. Too bad I have been feeling nauseous again. As if my stomach is in my throat, probably because it is. Typical symptoms aside, it's the anxiety more than anything. Am I REALLY ready for the pain again? How else can I make best use of this time? Am I really ready to nurse and be up all night again? Will I have better control over my emotion...

There have been a couple of days where the house was perfect. No dirty dishes or floors, no laundry and the beds were made. And I thought, the baby can come today, today would be a good day. He hasn't, but the thought now crosses my mind e.v.e.r.y day. Would today be a good day? I didn't think I was out to defy gravity, but it seems this kiddo made his way back on up. My ribs and bra are a little too crowded and that whole breathing thing… it's a miracle most of the time humans don't have to worry about that. Yet I still feel really swollen and sore like a head is ready to fall out of my vagina. How long is he really? I mean this whole human being growing inside you thing - straight up crazy.  Today was my 37 week apt and for the first time I had to wait and for a really long time in a steamy room (it doesn't take much to make me hot), hungry, thirsty & naked. I mean they told me the doctor would be in and I should get undressed, but these fluffy thighs...

Mr Smith feels like he has more control over the name this time around. Just because I chose Alexis or Lexi? It's the first boy and so DAD gets to name him? I'm not sure. I thought it was a guarantee from previous boy discussions, but Mr Smith has a bit of a list. Which doesn't give me any anxiety at all. So for now, he is still unnamed. I went in for my 36 week apt to get the group b swab test. I totally forgot about that test, which felt like nothing (except awkward) but for some reason as soon as they said it I had bad memories. Let's say having the cervix checked was spot on from previous memories. I'm always torn about the cervix checks, because even if you can get progress from week to week, it still creates false assumptions, because really I could go into labor today or two weeks from now; it's up to the baby still. But for what it's worth, I'm 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced. Definitely figured I had thinned. And still +35 lbs. The a...

I love this photo, it almost leaves me speechless. Story time was over. Singing time was over. Yet he kept rocking her as she fell asleep in his arms. It is hard to move a sleeping toddler, but more than just physically not wanting to wake them up, it is so rare to get these sweet moments with them. She is still forever and always our baby Lexi even though we're trying to encourage big girl status.  We are all very excited to have baby boy make his entrance. My previous posts with Lexi revealed that 35 weeks was my tipping point back then and it still holds true. We're ready at this point even though we know 5 weeks still lie ahead. And even with all the discomforts or annoyances that exist with the last month of pregnancy, more than anything, it's the anxiety from the anticipation. At this point, you feel like a ticking time bomb and you're just ready to meet your child. I'm assuming it was a little different with Lexi; this time the anxiety rests more aro...

32 & 33 weeks, a complete basketball I gained 1 lb from 31-33 weeks. 30 lbs in all still.  Symptoms: mid-back, right rib under boob & vagina pain. Slight loss of appetite. The natural muscle relaxant also causes it's fair share of problems. But this is how we really feel . . . week 33 began with a second round of congestion & coughs Mr Smith took this on his way out last week and it cracked me up. She comes to our bed the last hour of the morning about half the time, but only to daddy's side, you see. Because THAT is how she ends up sleeping and that is why mom says no. I finished two, half yard baby blankets. Ended up gifting one to Rand & Sav although it isn't the best gift. My sewing skills have a long way to go and this is the easiest type of blanket to sew! The issue was getting the two pieces to match up. 1. Stretchy fabric 2. Big belly on the floor trying to cut & pin straight. But that's one thing off the list! ...

With 9 weeks to go, I gained 30 lbs. Eat that.  All my muscles have long ago loosened and it has made rolling over in bed a task indeed along with all the other lovely symptoms. The top of my stomach is definitely more crowded and it hurts to sit forward or be restricted at all. My body is ready to be done. My mind and body are on the same page. On a good note, my thyroid is still normal on my current dose. And they have me marked down for an epideral even though my husband and doctor have to give me nightmares about having a quick second delivery. I don't want a back up plan! I want to walk into the hospital calmly and receive my epideral people. Let's make it happen. I just know that Lexi came SUPER fast after they broke my water, so if my contractions start and break my water this time, I might be screwed. JK - it's pregnancy & delivery - all will go according to plan. Things I'd LIKE to accomplish before I enter the dark hole of the first month post b...

I do love this hot chocolate time of year. My favorite thing to do for myself when I was single was get Starbucks mint hot chocolate. If I could fit it in to any date, I tried. Now, the boxed mix works well enough since I can't just sit in a coffee hot spot with my headphones in anymore.  Now the holidays are filled with different pleasures... like watching my toddler get excited about seeing a picture of Santa, talking about the presents under her tree & all her favorite ornaments. Lexi LOVES the snow and no matter how many times I tell her not to put her non-snowboot shoe in the snow, she stomps away.  And did I tell you she is excited to open her presents?  She is also still very excited about being a big sister. She woke up this morning telling me that when the baby comes out of my belly she will hold it and how the baby can play with his toys (we started getting things out and calling them his). Her idea of sharing is to take it from them and give it back to...

Glucose Update: The following week I took the torture glucose test on an 8 hour fast. The pros, my mom was in town to watch Lexi and it turns out you only have to drink the crap once. The cons, that one drink is TORTURE to swallow. Like my tongue was going numb, throat was burning, I was starting to fly in the clouds, and my insides were curdling. The nurse said some people like it, (whaaaaat????!?!). I mean I was dripping it on my shirt, shaking… it was awful. After they drew some initial blood and I drank the torture, I had to wait around for 3 hours and get my blood drawn every hour, which was also SO painful because there are basically two spots to get my blood. My right arm, where the vein is small and wiggles or my right hand. For some reason my left side is dead. So imagine getting pricked in the same place over and over. Only a skilled nurse can get it in my arm, but I didn't get a skilled nurse the first time. So the second nurse pierces a bruise. Any way, all that to...

I will probably fast next time even though they don't say to the first time around and I will probably not eat skittles the night before. I will most likely do a bit more walking as well. Drinking the glucose wasn't even that bad (get the orange) but it makes you lightheaded for sure. I chugged it in 2 minutes and followed it up with eggs & toast. I went in thinking the best. That I would be completely normal.  Then immediately after the test she told me at 143 I needed to take the 3 hr test and I wanted to die. I thought surely she was kidding, but she wasn't really the kidding type. Because 1. I hate spending extra money 2. I hate thinking my fetus is at risk 3. I hate having to find a sitter, especially for 3 hours 4. I HATE thinking about being in a doctor's office for 3 hours 5. I hate thinking of drinking the "not so terrible drink" THREE more times 5. I hate thinking I have to get my blood drawn THREE more times since that is always sucky fo...

Technically it's 22 weeks although let's pretend it's my 20 week photo, cause 22 weeks is a little random and I matched the outfit to my first 20 week photo. December 4 2012 vs November 4 2015 Fairly close (although I tried a slight slimming angle that first time around didn't I…)? Probably bigger the second time at least in the legs… because I definitely will not be wearing those pants again. I really hope that all my maternity that I still kept wearing over the last 2 years shrank some because it's a little disturbing how much tighter and shorter things are this time around, lesson learned . However, these days, 2 weeks does make a difference AND I LOVE ALL FOOD. And I love my doctor since they don't even mention my weight, unlike the last one . . . I still think I feel little baby every time he is awake since they sleep a lot and I feel him a lot, but again he probably hates all the tight clothes too. Dad's definitely felt him; we...