Wren's Birth Story

Let me just begin by saying that all of the stars aligned for this birth and everything about it just really seemed to work in our favor. Baby girl was still a week away from her due date (July 25th) and I had just had my last in clinic appointment, rocking a 2+ dilation and contracting all the stinking time. I wasn't planning on her coming earlier than the 24th since Sawyer had only come two days before his due date and Dawson, just one. My mom had invited the boys to have a sleepover with her and my dad Friday night (the 19th) just to give everyone a break I think. So Dillon and I made plans to have a very casual date night since it would likely be the last for a little while. 

When we dropped the boys off I remember thinking, "It sure would be nice if we could just have the baby while the boys are already set up at my parents, but there's no way we're that lucky." And so, Dillon and I set off for part one of our date night- grocery shopping ha. It was actually nice to be able to wander around together and it was doubly nice to basically have a stocked house right before giving birth. After Wal-mart, we went and picked up dinner then came back home to watch some of our Netflix list. 

I managed to get some sleep but was up pretty often in the night due to bathroom trips and my back muscles being extremely sore and achy. I mostly just figured that my grocery store strolling was just too long for my poor, tired body. But at about 4:00 am the morning of the 20th, I made another bathroom trip and noticed that I had lost my mucus plug (I wish there was a nicer way of describing that, but it is what it is). The same thing had happened with Sawyer, followed by contractions but I didn't go into legit labor with him until two days later. So I decided to kind of hang out for a minute and see. I started having contractions right away but wasn't fully committed to the idea that this was the real deal. I decided to take a shower since I wouldn't be sleeping anyway and, if I was in labor, I would at least be freshly cleaned.

While I was in the shower, my contractions became more intense and I knew that we were going to meet our baby girl that day. I timed them and they were about six minutes apart. I got out of the shower, decided to eat and start getting ready, and I woke up Dillon to tell him we were having a baby. About an hour had passed since my initial contractions and they had already gotten much closer together- 2-3 minutes apart. They were definitely uncomfortable and I would stop to rock my body through them but I decided to finish getting ready before heading out. I wanted to wait long enough that I was at a good dilation and they wouldn't question whether or not I was really in labor but not so long that I was pushing baby out in the hospital lobby (which for my body, is a really fine line. when it's ready to go, it's ready to go). 

Dillon and I both finished getting ready and hopped in the van. I called my mom to let her know that it was go time and that we were stopping by to drop off the boys' bags. We stopped in for literally two minutes. The boys happened to be awake so we told them that we were headed to the hospital to have baby sister. Sawyer excitedly hopped off the bed and asked, "Can I bring my sword?" He was all ready to come with us and meet his sister, toy sword in hand. So we had to explain that he was staying for now but that Grandma and Grandpa would bring him and Dawson to meet her in just a few hours. We gave hugs and kisses and knuckles and then were off to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital at about 6:30. So at this point I had been having contractions for a little over two hours and they had been 2ish minutes apart for an hour. As we were checking in and giving all of our information to the front desk nurses, they asked for my provider's name. When I told them Dr. Gatherum they replied, "Oh he's out so you'll be seen by Josie instead." My initial reaction was, "You've got to freaking be kidding me." Which I didn't say out loud, I just told them that he had joked that I couldn't have her two days ago because he would be gone at Girls Camp, he didn't say anything about the weekend. And then my mind came around and I said, "Well, this baby is coming either way and I'm sure Josie will be great." (I'd heard really good things about her).

I then told them that my babies come fast, my first two labors were only 4 1/2 hours each, and that I had already been in labor two hours and would really, really love to get an epidural. They were the best group of nurses I could have asked for and instead of doubting me, one of them immediately called the anesthesiologist while a couple of others led me into a room to change, be checked, and be monitored. 

When my first nurse, Nurse Jess, checked me I was already at a 5 1/2 dilation and so, was not going to be sent home. All of the checking in, changing, and being checked actually happened really fast and it was only 6:45 at that point. Technically they still had to monitor me for a little while but they only had to do it for 20 minutes instead of an hour and then I was full on admitted and "officially" having a baby. 

When my second nurse, Nurse Vicki, came in to do my IV I explained to her how much they had struggled placing it when I had Dawson. It had taken them over an hour and they ended up giving me a local to get into a much deeper vein. So I told her that if she needed to do that, feel free, and do it right at first. She was a champ and said that that sounded like a deal. But she actually managed to get it on the first try but she definitely had to use some force and special finagling. As she was placing it she exclaimed, "Man! You have really thick skin!" Ummm.. thank you? We both just laughed and then she said that's probably why they struggled so much last time. They had to use so much pressure to get the needle through my skin that it would then cause my much more fragile veins to pop instead of holding. So anyway, I have thicker skin than normal but Vicki is a pro and my IV was placed within minutes. Contractions were still nice and steady and the baby was doing great.  

Around 7:30 the anesthesiologist walked in and said, "They tell me that you go fast. So my question is, do you want light or heavy on the epidural?" And without blinking I was like, "Heavy." To which he replied, "Yep, when you go fast, heavy is really the way you want it." I couldn't agree more, sir. 

Everything was set up and my epidural was in place by about 7:45 and now I just had to wait (and hope) for it to kick in. When he was placing it, I felt a little zapping sensation run down my left leg so we knew that meant my left side would be feeling it more. I was just hoping it didn't mean that my right side wouldn't be numb at all. But by about 8:15 I could tell that both sides were becoming less painful, although I still had more sensation in my right side than my left. At about this time the midwife, Josie, popped in. We are actually the same age and totally know each other so once she saw my face she said, "Oh! I know you! I was wondering because I didn't think there could be too many people with the name DaNae around here." We talked for a minute and she asked if I was okay with her delivering my baby. I told her absolutely, that I'm sure it would all be great. She offered to break my water but said that we definitely didn't have to if I didn't want to. I decided to wait since there was really no reason for it, I was still numbing up, and baby girl was still doing really well. So Josie said she'd check on me a little later. 

Nurse Jess came back and checked me again and I was already at an 8 1/2 dilation. From a 5 1/2 to an 8 1/2 in about an hour and a half. My body means business and I love epidurals ha. 

An hour or so after I had gotten the epidural, I had straight up dead legs. Like the heaviest, deadest of all dead legs. My right leg I could feel if it was touched (but no pain) but my left leg had zero sensation. Dillon got a kick out of that and kept poking me to see if I could feel what he was doing. Labor is so much more lighthearted when my body is doing the work while numb. My heavy, unfeeling lower limbs meant the epidural was definitely doing it's job. I ended up needing a couple shots of ephedrine at that point to even out my blood pressure. I was definitely feeling weak and sick but bounced back once the ephedrine kicked in. Dillon was sweet and comforting while I waited to feel better, helping me drink water and offering encouraging touches here and there. Such a good husband. 

At 9:00 am Josie popped back in to inform us that Dr. Gatherum was going to be delivering our baby after all. He had come back into town and called in and the nurses had let him know I was there and sitting at an 8 1/2, but not for long. So he said he would hurry and was on his way. He got there at 9:30 and said that he had been up the mountain camping with his wife overnight and she had told him that they should head back early because one of their kids had an event to get ready for. I joked, "Well thank goodness for that!" He agreed and told us he was glad he didn't miss the birth. 

He asked about breaking my water and at this point, I was good and numb, had been in labor for about 5 1/2 hours, and figured baby girl was probably ready to come out anyways; so I agreed to let him break my water. After he broke my water, things were chill for a minute and then for some reason, my blood pressure went weird again but in the other direction. I felt completely fine, baby was doing fine, but my blood pressure had shot up. The nurses were monitoring me and were on the verge of giving me medicine to bring it down when it decided to level out back to where it had been and things were back on course. 

At 10:10 Dr. Gatherum came back in to check me and see if we were ready for pushing. Sure enough, my body was ready and it was time. They got everything all set up and I laughed/apologized for being zero help with my own legs as Dillon and Nurse Jess helped to lift them. Nurse Vicki asked if I remembered how to push to which I replied, "I think so." She told me to go ahead and push since I was contracting and I soon as I started, Dr. Gatherum said, "Yep, she remembers. Baby is crowning!" I pushed again and her head was head out, pushed one last time and her body was out and baby girl was here and crying her sweet little newborn cry. It was about 60 seconds of pushing, all using the same contraction. It was seriously incredible. 

As I held our newest baby while all the aftermath was being taken care of, I couldn't believe how smoothly everything had gone. There had been just the tiniest of hiccups here and there but I was in awe of how everything had worked out and was just so grateful that she was with us and we both were safe and healthy. She was perfect, delivering her was just about perfect, and having her on the outside in my arms while Dillon looked down on both of us was definitely perfect. 

Wren Stevie Thatcher
7 lbs 13 oz
19.5 in

Named after her daddy whose first name is actually Steve, as well as her Papa Steve. Two of the best guys to be a little namesake for. 

  

The boys were so excited to meet her! Dawson's attention only lasted for a little bit and then he was over holding her, but Sawyer was fully into it and liked loving on his baby sister.

Dawson was especially intrigued by her umbilical cord.

Tiny newborn feet.

With Grandma Paula.

With Grandpa Dale.

Wanted another turn holding her. I love how he's looking at her and that he loves her so much.

Mommy and baby selfie.

She looks so much like Sawyer to me. Sawyer with a bow. It'll be fun to see how she changes as she grows.

Ready to go home. Not pleased at being put down and propped for a photo.

July Before Adding a Third

I wouldn't say there's enough for everyone to get their own update this time. July hit and it got hot and I became significantly less fun, though I am trying. We all are just in full on survival mode until baby gets here. She tricked me good in the middle of the night on July third with contractions that were six minutes apart and lasted a good five hours. BUT they never got closer together and never got more intense and then they just went away. So that was just a practice sleepless night. I'm more than ready for it to be the real deal. Sawyer has been really emotional and anxious and basically acting like a teenager. I know he's also experiencing some boredom because our days have been feeling monotonous so I don't entirely blame him. When he was at my parents most recently, he spotted smoke coming from the neighbors house and they thought nothing of it at first, but then Sawyer was like, "It's big smoke!" and sure enough, it was a house (technically backyard) fire. So my dad called 911 and the firetrucks came to put it out (which scared Dawson, they had to explain that those were the good guys). It all got settled and the house was okay, the backyard not so much. Dawson has been his same little self and made me laugh when we were outside and he was pitching to himself so he could hit baseballs then he would run around the bases and yell, "Sawyer, say me good bustle!" So Sawyer would tell him "good hustle" and Dawson would slide into home. Dillon has been on fun patrol with the boys once he's home from work. Their favorite right now to play with him is "hide and keek" according to Dawson. They especially love to play it outside. I hear them all take turns counting and then it's quiet while they look, followed by the best little squeals once they're found/have done the finding. 

We skipped out on traveling this year for the 4th of July (which seemed especially good after my July 3rd contractions) and even skipped our town's parade and opted for the lake instead. It was definitely the right choice for these little boys. 

We took each boy on their own little one-on-one date before the baby. We took Sawyer to see Toy Story 4. 

And it was nice to spend time with just him. 

And then the next week we took Dawson for some ice cream and let him pick some new baseballs at the store. 

Stealing Dad's ice cream. 

I think Dawson loves his dad a little bit. It was so nice to spend time with just little Daws. He doesn't get near as much one on one time as he probably should. Balancing kids is a tough job. 

Home Depot work shop. Building and painting tow trucks. 

I didn't catch her big rolls and jabs but I was at least able to get some of her hiccups. 

Take my smile? 

One of my more desperate attempts to entertain them. Look! Sparkly pipe cleaners! Bend away ha. 

We hit up the July Jamboree. It was a quicker visit than usual because my 38+ week body was feeling it. But the boys, especially Sawyer, really enjoyed it. He kept running up to each car and shouting, "Look at this one! It's so beautiful!"

Just using his sister as a pillow. 

Had to document them playing with the lite brite together so nicely. Most of the time it's one of them pestering the other which ends in screams and/or punches (usually Dawson) and me reminding them once again that they need to be nice to each other. Brothers man.

June

Sawyer

Once school was out, Sawyer got to come along to my baby doctor appointments. We had to have a few discussions about urine samples (glamorous mom life ha) and about how the doctor listens to baby's heartbeat. He started asking me about five times a day (while rubbing my belly), "Is your baby okay?" I'd tell him yes and he'd get back to doing whatever he was doing. He was definitely concerned about her welfare. Already a good big brother to his little sister.

We've officially entered the million questions phase, although the questions don't quite make sense all the time.. "How's that mean? Who's in there? (usually referring to an inanimate object)" etc. So we're working on the what, how, who business and also trying really hard to be patient with the million and one questions coming our way (especially when we're at the store, there are just so many things for him to be curious about).

With Dillon being moved back to the Elder's Quorom and me being released from primary, it was time for Sawyer to try primary without us. I was full on prepared to grab a trash can to catch throw up and to have to talk Sawyer down but we walked him to the door for primary and I told him, "Mom and Dad have to go to different classes now but you get to still come sing and then go to class and we'll pick you up after." He looked at me and somberly said, "Okay", and walked up to find a seat. Like, so easy! And he's been doing great. Although, he does try to talk us out of going to church quite often so I think it's a pretty big effort for him and his anxiety but we've come a long way from where we were a couple of years ago. 

He has regressed some as far as his anxiety now that he doesn't have school. We're back to him having freak outs when I go to the bathroom and, heaven forbid, we're in separate spots for a few minutes. I'm sure the fact that big changes are coming isn't helping. He's aware of those upcoming changes but doesn't know what to expect and that's the exact kind of scenario that makes him nervous. So hopefully things get sorted out once the baby comes.  

He finished up t-ball this month and I think it was a much bigger success than gymnastics as far as Sawyer wanting to try it again. And next time, I think we'll let someone else coach him and see how it goes. He liked to argue with Dillon about his spot and staying put and what color of helmet to wear.. just about everything ha. But he enjoyed it and looked forward to the games so we'll call it a win overall. 

Dawson

Dawson still really, really wanted to play t-ball with Sawyer's team but after the first couple of games, there were no more tears and he was content enough to wait to have his turn to bat after the game was over. He was such a little parrot and would repeat everything people yelled from the sidelines. "Run to first! Stay on your spot! Get the ball! Good swing!" It was so funny. 

Lately he's been running around using a pencil as a wand and casting Harry Potter spells. Hearing him try to say, "Leviosa!" is pretty much the best. We bought the latest collection of Pixar shorts and when we watched them the first time, Dawson was completely horrified by the one where the lady eats her "dumpling baby" to keep it safe. He cried out, "She ate her baby!" and had giant tears in his eyes and didn't want to watch it anymore. At first I was like, yeah... that is pretty morbid but after watching some more, I was able to explain that she was just dreaming and that wasn't really her baby. And then I pointed out her real son. It took a little convincing but now we're safe to watch that particular short again.  

Dillon

Poor Dillon's update is small. He wrapped up softball. The weather and game time finally aligned so that the boys and I could attend his last game. And I was quickly reminded why I don't try harder to take the boys to the games, it is straight up exhausting. Father's Day for Dillon was pretty low-key. His family was in town for most of that week and weekend so we played hard with them. I ordered some jeans for Dillon and gave them to him early so he didn't have anything too exciting for the day of but I did let the boys help me pick out some treats to give Dillon and I had them fill out an "all-about-Dad sheet". Their answers were the best. 

Dillon has been rocking picking up all of my slack. My functionality as a person is really starting to diminish and he's been so great at filling in the gaps. 

DaNae

June was basically the month of me trying to survive and still make sure that the boys got to experience some summer fun. The weather has been mercifully on the cool side which I know not everyone appreciates, but it's been really working in my favor. I officially hit 36 weeks which I know means we're really close to the end but, honestly, 4 weeks sounds like the longest amount of time ever. Literally everything about my body is puffy and swelling. I can especially feel it in my nose.. I've become an obnoxious mouth breather and the snoring/drooling that is taking place at night is seriously (and disgustingly) next level. I'm definitely at the point where I'm ready to be slowly healing instead of slowly getting more uncomfortable and miserable. I can tell that I look ready to deliver because I get people asking me when I'm due on a consistent basis and then they are generally surprised when I tell them next month, not this one. So that feels great ha. I keep trying to capture a video of her moving in my belly but my timing is always off. She'll wiggle and I'll whip out my phone and I'll wait and wait and video long minutes of nothingness then, as soon as I put my phone away, she wiggles like crazy again.  

Doing some Harry Potter Spells

Some of  my favorite moments with this kid are when he falls back asleep after he cuddles up next to me in the early morning when Dawson hasn't woken up yet. 

D: Hey brother, you want to hold my hand? S: Sure!

Just more snuggling with this boy. 

Sawyer at bat. He would always make sure people were watching him. Quite the showman. 

Sawyer busy making shadows in the outfield. 

Sawyer upping his shadow game and shoving his mitt up his shirt. 

Ready for his turn.

Celebrating National Donut Day

Getting along in close vicinity for 0.2 seconds

Checking playing in the creek off our summer list. 

Following up with S'mores!

Dillon trying to coach his team and carry little Daws who just really wanted to be part of it all. 

We had fun company during Summer Games opening week!

Staying hydrated at Mason's soccer game.

Also he's obsessed with this shark shirt and wears it just about every other day. He would wear it every day but it gets dirty and I tell him we have to wash it. 

Rocking aviators. 

Pretending to be Owen hiding from the Indominus Rex. 

Doing some breathing with Aunt Kristin

Sharing oranges with Allie.

Playing at the Summer Games Block Party. 

Face paint! He wanted lightning like Flash. 

And my angel faced little one requested a skeleton face ha. 

Checking out the poncho we got at one of the booths. 

Kristin, Dillon, Steve, and Andee

Sawyer and Papa Steve

Dawson's turn!

Lake time with Dillon's family.

Dawson was so happy to have someone else who preferred digging in the sand over playing in the water.

Both the boys love rides on the paddle board.

Early morning snuggles for Father's Day. 

Ready to give Dillon his treats and questionnaires. 

Dawson's answers.

Sawyer's answers.

Giving Dillon a pink belly. 

Dillon giving Sawyer a horsey ride.

Sawyer trying to give Dillon a ride. 

After watching Mason's soccer games and noticing the players had their hair in one or more pony tails on top of their head, he started requesting to have a "tiny pokey" in his hair too. 

Sidenote: scar is healing quite well. 

36 weeks. So big, so puffy. So ready for this baby to join us. 

Celebrated our ninth anniversary by going to dinner at the same place we had our first date. Good old Pizza Factory. 

Watching Austin and Braden in their baseball tournaments. Surprisingly chilly for June. 

Mini golf!

Every time he hit it, "I win! I win!"

Each time he got the ball into the hole he'd jump up and down in excitement and yell, "I got a spare!"

St. George splash pad.

Taking a break. Impending nap time written all over his face.

He was ready to give another kid who had a squirt gun the what for. "Hey! Don't squirt my brother!" The poor kid wasn't even shooting Sawyer, just refilling his gun. But I'm glad Dawson's got some sibling loyalty and has Sawyer's back. 

Playing with Orbeez and sidewalk chalk. 

Thor came to their last t-ball game!

Dawson wasn't loving it but then decided maybe Thor wasn't so bad after Grandpa Dale persuaded Dawson to take a picture with him. 

Dawson had a real thing for little Bronx and always wanted to sit by him in the batting lineup. Bronx was always really sweet with him and I just love kids like that. 

Play date at the play ground. Making giant bubbles. 

Sawyer was there too but was too cool for pictures. 

We hit up the annual water festival and the boys had a great time. 

Bounce house