Ezra's Birth Story

*Details may seem somewhat vague due to the privacy of those involved :)

At my routine 41 week prenatal visit, baby's heart tones were low. I had them re-checked later in the day, and they were still low and his movements were very sporadic. We decided it would be best to go to the hospital for monitoring and an ultrasound. The ride to the hospital was scary for me. It was a 40 minute drive and I felt no fetal movement the whole ride. I was afraid we would not make it to the hospital in time...and if we did, I was sure the doctor would do a c-section to get the baby out ASAP.

What a HUGE relief it was when the monitors picked up the heartbeat!! There was a collective sigh of relief to all in the room. His heart rate was flat and low when the monitoring started and then it picked up and accelerated and decelerated great throughout the 3 hours I was monitored. The doctor I had seen earlier in my pregnancy was at the hospital and he ordered an ultrasound to check fluid levels and cord blood flow as well as Ezra's heart. Everything was completely normal! The doctor, nurse, and my care providers could not explain why he had low heart tones and fetal movement all day and then he was fine. They think that possibly Ezra was lying on the cord or had it in his hand and was squeezing it. The doctor felt there was no reason to keep me or to induce labor, so we were sent home.

On Monday (9 days post due) night I felt like I was starting labor, but one of my kids needed me to be "all there" for them during the night and I think I subconsciously turned off labor...if it was really starting up.

Tuesday morning (10 days post due) I woke up and felt like "today is the day!" Jacob decided to take the kids to his parents to spend the day so that I could have some quiet. While he was gone I took a nice long hot shower - it was wonderful! I started getting myself ready for the day and had a contraction at 9:04. It was a strong one and I thought, "hmm, I think it may be time." Since I thought labor was starting the night before, I wanted to have a few contractions to see if a pattern was forming before I said it was the real deal. By 9:30 I had had 4 contractions and I knew for sure this baby was coming NOW. I asked Jacob to call my mom and sister and tell them to please come fast. The contractions were so intense that I knew we didn't have time to make it anywhere.

I got in my zone and stood at the end of the bed swaying back and forth, focusing through each contraction. Jacob gave me a lot of pressure on my low back as the baby moved down so fast. At 10:00 I started pushing and at 10:13 Ezra was born into his Daddy's hands! It was an incredible experience for me and him! Our care providers were on hand to help with post-natal care which was great!

I have never experienced a birth quite like this one. It was extremely intense, but I would not describe it as painful. I know that sounds super weird, but I'm being honest. The afterpains were worse than labor and delivery - those made me feel like I was dying.

Because of our state laws, I have traveled over the state line to birth my 4 previous babies. I am very thankful we didn't try to go to the hospital or the birth house because Ezra would've been born in the car. I loved being in the comfort of my own home and the birth stayed in line with the laws since Jacob delivered Ezra. 

I tried everything to help my body produce milk, but again, I just didn't have more than a tiny bit. Ezra was on donated breastmilk for awhile and now he is doing great on goat's milk.

Now for some pictures :)

Once I needed to push, I got on the bed on my knees and leaned on the ball. I had Great is Thy Faithfulness playing on repeat all through pushing - that song has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but throughout Ezra's pregnancy I had it playing often. Valor and Gentle Baby essential oil blends were perfect for supporting my body through such a fast and furious birth!

Brand new baby boy.

I'm so thankful that my mom and sister could be with me! Nothing compares to the support they were able to give me while Jacob delivered Ezra!

Ezra's first selfie with Daddy.

I was so tired but overflowing with joy, thankfulness and relief that he was finally here safe and sound!

Here are the links to the rest of the kiddos birth stories: 

Lily's birth story, 

Levi's birth story, 

Asher's birth story, 

Ava's birth story.  

10 on 10

A week late I'm finally posting these pictures. I am so behind on life right now. Hoping and praying I'll get caught up soon.

The 10th was Ava's birthday, so these pictures focus around her. :)

What my early morning quiet time looks like these days.

Special birthday breakfast.

This is what she did when I asked her how she felt about being 2! LOL

She is such a challenge and a joy!

Opening gifts.

There are always lots of helpers when it's time to open gifts.

Who knew a tutu could double as a headdress. :)

Love my sweet baby boy.

Big boys.

This is from a few days before Ava's birthday when we celebrated with family. I love her smile.

10 on 10

10 pictures from our day - October 10, 2015.

Ava is in love with Ezra.

Crafting...a favorite activity in our home.

Reading time.

Playing legos with cousins.

Aunt Sara visiting to meet Ezra.

Sometimes you just have to turn on some Clifford.

xoxo

Love my sweet babe.

Caught in the act of stealing pumpkin cookie dough. 

This little guy has my heart.

Baby #5 is HERE!!!

It's a BOY!!!
Ezra Mooney, born September 29 at 10:13 am.
7lbs 9oz and 20.5 inches long.

We are rejoicing in God's kindness to us!

40 weeks {Baby #5}

On Friday we celebrated Baby #5's due date! I'm so thankful that we made it to 40 weeks and are healthy and growing well! 

40 weeks

All of my babes have been "late" - 4-7 days past their due dates, so I will be surprised if this baby is any different. All that is left on my to do list is "make granola" and "bake lactation cookies." I plan to keep up with the laundry and have the house neat each night before I go to bed. The next few days I also hope to do special things with the kids until our new baby arrives. 

I'm very thankful to be feeling well! Lily and I went out together this past week to get her a hair cut and a few fall clothes. It was fun to spend some special time together!

40 week comparison - Ava on the left and Baby #5 on the right.

I would definitely appreciate your prayers for the labor and delivery of our sweet baby!

10 on 10

10 pictures from my day - September 10, 2015.

Morning coffee with my husband while we have our quiet time.

The second morning in a row Lily has cooked eggs and bacon for breakfast (with supervision)!

Bible time with the kiddos.

Almost 39 weeks.

Tumbling class.

What rest time looked like today.

Snack time!

I have a list problem....it always happens before a new baby's arrival.

Double batch of pancakes for the freezer.

Beef and broccoli for supper. SO yummy!!

Pregnancy update {Baby #5}

Ahhhh, pregnancy is winding down and Baby #5 will be here before we know it! I'm so excited for the sweet newborn snuggles!

Recently Lily and I went shopping to pick out a new outfit for each gender. It was so hard to just pick one of each! A few days later I was at Walmart and couldn't resist the "little sister" and "lil bro" outfits, so the new baby will have a couple new outfits all their own - the rest will be hand-me-downs from big sisters or big brothers. Jacob still needs to get the tubs of newborn clothes and the infant carseat down from the attic. Haha, you can tell this is our 5th child. :)

36 weeks - with Ava on the left and Baby #5 on the right.

We made a paper chain to count down the last month of pregnancy. I'm hoping the kids aren't too disappointed if we reach the last ring and the baby isn't here yet. :)

37 weeks

I'm feeling well and energetic as long as I remember to take my iron and b vitamins and don't stay out in the heat too long. Even if I stay hydrated while outside, if I'm out for long periods, I'm zapped. A couple of weeks ago we had a nice week of cooler temperatures. It was amazing! We are all looking forward to fall!

I haven't had much of an appetite the last week or so. I'll fix something that sounds super yummy, but then it's all I can do to get down a few bites. Blah.

I'm sleeping great at night except for the occasional interruptions from pregnancy nightmares or children needing something...thankfully that's rare! I definitely feel best when I'm able to get in bed around 9:30 and be asleep by 10, but that's not always doable if I want to see Jacob when he gets home from rehearsals. 

I have done lots of freezer cooking! I love knowing that we have easy breakfasts and suppers on hand so I don't have to worry about meal planning and cooking much in the first few months. I'm also buying up extra groceries so we hopefully won't need to worry about getting out to shop for awhile. Ever since Levi got RSV and Pneumonia as a 7 week old and was in the hospital for a week, I have kept my newborns in for an extra long time. 

Jacob's schedule this school year means he needs to eat breakfast right when I'm having my quiet time each morning. So, in order to get him breakfast and still have my quiet time before the kids all get up, he eats cold cereal a couple mornings each week (he loves cereal, btw :)) and then has breakfast burritos the other mornings. I made up a bunch of burritos and stuck them in the freezer for him. They were so easy - hash browns, scrambled eggs, crumbled sausage, sautéed peppers and onions, cheese and a few shakes of hot sauce. I wrapped them individually in foil and can easily stick one in the toaster oven for him when I get home from the gym and it's ready when he needs to eat. You can also microwave them - take off foil and wrap burrito in a damp paper towel and microwave for 2-3 minutes.

38 weeks

It's been fun being pregnant with my sister and sister in law! Myra is 35 weeks, I'm 38 weeks, and Hannah is 41 weeks!

My sweet Ava. I am cherishing these last few weeks with her as my littlest one. I love the age/stage she's in right now (she'll be 2 in November). I kind of feel like I missed this stage with all my other babes because there was always a new baby in the picture when they were this age. I love that she is talking more and more each day, she loves to read books and do puzzles, she's Miss Get-Into-Everything, she loves to snuggle and she always asks for another "tiss" when I put her to sleep. 

My heart is beyond grateful each day I get to spend with my dear children. They may drive me crazy sometimes, but they are such sweet gifts from the Lord!