Sawyer Michael

Saturday, December 11th 2010 was a big day here in Twin Cities. A snownami hit the Midwest! There was a lot of snow and to make matters worse, the wind was blowing it EVERYWHERE. Even snowplows were pulled from the highways. They just couldn't keep up. Somehow, Arthur managed to keep our driveway clear. He had to go shovel about every 60-90 minutes though. Many roads weren't even plowed. Thankfully, ours was.

I believe that a few friends posted to my Facebook page that they were praying I didn't go into labor that day. I actually triedto be pretty low key....trying not to encourage contractions that day. Well, God (and the baby) had other plans.

Around 7:00pm the girls were watching a movie and I decided to get down on the floor between them. What do ya know? My water broke. There was no doubt in my mind! I calmly went down and said, "Arthur?" Instantly, he knew. "Is it time?" He asked. Yes. He quickly gathered himself together and got a few things. I called a few of the people lined up to watch the girls and NONE of them could get out of their driveways much less come to our house. So, the girls got to come with us to the hospital! Wahoo! That's just how I wanted it (dripping with sarcasm!).

So, once we were settled in our room, the girls put in  a movie. Arthur unloaded his things. The nurses hooked me up to all of the monitors and IV's required. I'll skip on the medical details of dilation and the lack of pain meds combined with Sawyers shoulder getting stuck. I'll skip the parts where I screamed things and Arthur had to leave the room. I'll skip the part where I yelled at the random OB doctor who was retained on the floor due to weather. I'll not mention the part where I hyperventilated and lost all feeling in my hands and arms. I won't mention that they had to give me oxygen. I won't mention how I wouldn't lay down and insisted on sitting all the way up regardless of what the doctors said.  I'll skip the part where my regular OB doctor had to tag team in after the head was delivered. Thankfully the girls were walking the halls with a nurse and were not a part of any of this.

Happy ending...Sawyer Michael was born at 11:27pm that night. He weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Here he is! Sawyer Michael @ 5 days old!

Thanks to Michelle @ Michellle Lockwood Photography

Mom, a dishwasher and a shower!

Crazy title, I know. But, let me tell you the story of the week that my mom didn't rest! It was certainly no vacation for her. My mom visited for a week and a half and pretty much worked every day she was here.

Projects we accomplished ( I say "we" loosely!):

1. Sanded/stripped dresser and drawers
2. Fixed drain stop in bathroom
3. Took apart dishwasher, discovered potential leak problem, cleaned hard water deposits, repaired leak problem, put door back together, FIXED DISHWASHER!!!
4. Primed dresser
5. Cooked a few meals
6. Watch girls on more than one occasion
7. Ironed a TON of shirts
8. Painted dresser, several coats
9. Cleaned out kitchen trash can and cabinet
10. Attempted to be affectionate with the cat (a real feat if you know my cat).
11. Using steel wool, antiqued the dresser
12. Helped to arrange baby's room
13. Assisted Rachel with baby shower
14. Moved dresser upstairs with Arthur
15. Removed a panel of sheet rock that I managed to dislodge from the attic. Yep, it fell through to the garage.
16. Enjoy time with the girls.

I am SURE that I am forgetting something. But, I am SO grateful for the help that she was while she was here. It was needed and definitely appreciated!

So, Mom. Thank you! Words cannot express!

Alright, now for the shower. My friend Rachel put together a baby shower for me (with the help of my mom and my sister). Rachel has been a part of most of the showers that have been given for me. There was lots of yummy food. For those of you interested in the recipes, I have put them at the end of this posting.

We played a Baby shower memory game that was associated with candy. It was funny. See the squares on the poster board? When someone selected a match, they won a piece of candy. Some of the words to match were: Jessica, Arthur, Babysitter, Hospital Bills, Baby Bump, Breast Feeding, Contractions...

If you matched the word "Arthur" you won a candy bar called Big Hunk!
If you matched the word "Jessica" you won a box of Hot Tamales!
If you matched the word  "Hospital Bills" you won a 100Grand bar!
If you matched the word "Babysitter" you won a pack of Lifesavers!
If you matched the word "Baby Bump" you won a pack of Jelly Belly jelly beans!
If you matched the word "Breast Feeding" you won a  Milkyway bar!

You get the point...it was fun to anticipate what candy Rachel associated with each term.

Another game involved candy as well. Rachel gave everyone a list of candy terms. The group was put into teams. Using as many candy terms as possible, they had to give me tips and advice for being a mom/wife.

Here's what my wonderful friends came up with:

1. Don't be short with Daddy; he's working hard for a PayDay to provide Good and Plenty.
2. Tell your Big Hunk not Snicker at your Chunky GoodnPlenty or your Whatchamacalit!
3. Don't forget to give Red Hot Kisses to your Sugar Daddy.
4. Your Mounds will feel Big Red (they'll be Whoppers) and will make your Sugar Baby big and Chunky.
5. To keep your Big Hunk from the Hot Tamales, use plenty of Kisses and a Bit O Honey. Be sure to use a Whatchamacalit or you will have more Sugar Babies and a Tootsie Roll. You might get a few Snickers, too.

That's just a few...

A beautiful and yummy cake.

Recipes from my mom:
Tater Tot Casserole
(can be assembled night before. Tater tots won't be quite as crispy but still tastes good.)

2 lbs tater tots (crispy crowns)

1 lb ground sausage (I used turkey)

3c shredded cheddar

2c. milk

4 eggs

Salt & pepper to taste.

Precook crispy crowns in oven for about 10 mins. Set aside.

Brown meat and spread in bottom of 9x13" casserole.

Layer cheese on top of sausage.

Spread tater tots over cheese.

In lg bowl mix together eggs, milk, salt & pepper.

Pour over everything. (Can be stored in fridge at this point or baked.)

Bake for appx 35-40 mins @ 375

Cool and let set for 5-10mins before serving.



FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
1lb loaf of French Bread

8oz Cream Cheese

1/2 c. sugar (divided)

3/4 tsp vanilla

1/2 c. chopped pecans (optional)

5 eggs

2 c. milk

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp melted butter.

Maple syrup

Cut bread into small cubes. Spread 1/2 the bread in bottom of 9x13" casserole (it will look like it's not going to be big enough, but it is)

Melt cream cheese with 1/2 c. milk and half of the sugar and pour over the bread (it won't completely cover the bread).

Sprinkle chopped nuts over that.

Spread rest of bread crumbs over that and lightly press down.

Beat remaining sugar, eggs, milk, cinnamon, butter and vanilla together in bowl and pour over bread cubes. Drizzle about 1/2 cup of syrup over that. Cover and place in fridge overnight.

Bake at 350 for appx 30 mins. Drizzle more syrup over and serve.
 
Here are some other pictures from the shower:
 

 Here's Rachel!

You know, I'm not sure why I took a picture with each guest. I had originally wanted a group shot but my friend Chris left before we could get one. So, what do a bunch of mommies do instead....a picture with each guest before they leave. It reminded me of all of the little birthday parties I have been to lately. Funny!

A True Update

Most of you know the news, but in case you didn't know...

Back in April I picked up a First Response pregnancy test. Yep, I thought it might come out positive. It didn't. It was negative. Two days later, I still had my doubts about the test; I was late after all. So, I took another First Response test. Negative.

Hmm. I went to the store and picked up an EPT and tried it the same day. Negative. Waited 2 days and took a generic brand. Five days late and still a negative test. So, I called the Dr.

It was a Monday morning and I went in. I explained that I keep a decent calendar and was over 5 days late but had 4 negative tests. They were as intrigued as I was. So, for fun I took their urine test; for accuracy they drew blood.

Both the blood test and urine test came out POSITIVE!!

Yep, Kjelshus Baby # 3 was well on his/her way and wanted to make a fuss, I guess.

The next morning I woke up with obvious UTI symptoms and went in, again, to see the Dr. That test was also positive. And, there's the explanation to the 4 false negatives.

So, with a due date of December 16th plans were set in motion.

The girls have been enjoying seeing pictures of fetal development on various websites and discussing how I feel or observing the changes in my belly. Here's a little snip it of some fun we had with my growing belly.

McKenna decided to write all sorts of mean words to describe my belly, "tubby, giant, etc."

The stinker....

Ella on the other hand, showed much more compassion!

Today was our first opportunity to see our active baby on the big screen. That's right-ultra sound day. This is one of the most fun tests a pregnant gal can take. So exciting. And yes, I couldn't wait to find out if Kjelshus Baby #3 is a boy or a girl!

Before I go on, I should tell you the important things. Baby looks good. Measurements are good, weight is good. They checked all sorts of stuff, brain (no water, proper size), kidneys (not enlarged, functioning properly), spine/ribs (all accounted for and properly positioned), stomach (there and working), heart (all 4 chambers and working), femur (there and proper size), no cleft lip, definite movement,etc.. I am sure that I am missing something but everything came out just fine. Placenta was slightly low so they want to check that again via ultra sound.

Keep in mind that this is a picture of a picture, taken with a cell phone. But, look at the little face.

So, is Kjelshus Baby #3 a boy or a girl??

Well, the sonographer seemed QUITE confident. She explained that baby's mild activity (Thanks Kendra for telling me to drink a Coke before hand for some sugar induced energy!) meant that baby's legs were wide open.





Are you tired of me putting it off?






Scroll down a bit more....

Okay, okay.... Ella picked out this outfit for the baby!

That's right. We are having a baby boy!

Please leave a comment with your tips/advice for mothering a boy!