Brycen Is Here!

This is the story of the birth of our third son. His due date was June 19th, 2012 but we chose to have a repeat cesarian on June 12th, 2012.
After not being able to sleep all night because of random thoughts going through my head, Dennis and I got out of bed at about 5:30 Tuesday morning to finish preparing for the big day.


We got bags packed and the two boys ready to go to Grandma Kim's for the day. We dropped them off around 7:00 and hit the road to the hospital. We got stuck in traffic a little bit but made it to the hospital close to our check in time of 7:30am. After getting settled into our labor & delivery room, I got blood drawn and an IV hooked up - oh yeah, and those really sexy compression stockings too! I was hooked up to the fetal monitor for about 20 minutes to see how Brycen was doing in there and I actually had 4-5 contractions before surgery! Guess he wanted to come out not matter how it happened.

Dennis got his scrubs on and I got wheeled into surgery at 9:00am. After receiving the spinal block he tested for sensation and I could still feel my belly so he tilted the table toward my head to move the block up. It started to numb my belly but then my blood pressure tanked and I passed out for a brief moment. I came to when I got a shot of epi. They started the surgery after I was stable again and Brycen Keith was born at 9:33am. He starting crying before he was completely out of my belly so he ended up swallowing some amniotic fluid, but recovered quickly and was crying like a big boy. He weighed in at 7lbs 5oz and 20.25 inches long. He has reddish light brown hair and dark blue eyes. I am thinking his eyes will turn brown shortly.

After Brycen was out, my blood pressure was all over the place going extremely high back to really low. I kept feeling the sensation of my heart beating out of my chest alternating with being light headed and the inability to catch my breath. They finally had me stitched up and my blood pressures were stable and I was wheeled into the recovery unit to meet my new little boy!

I briefly met Brycen and kissed and hugged him and then allowed Dennis and Lona (who now joined us in the recovery unit) to hold Brycen because I was not feeling so great just yet. I was kept in the recovery unit for almost two hours before I was safe to go to my room. Once we got to the room I was able to hold Brycen more and enjoy some of the company that came to see the addition.Lots of people came to see Brycen the first day: Grandma Kim, Logan, Cole, Julissa, Lona, Papa Keith and Julie from his work, Grandma Dee and Papa John and Jessie from school.I was kind of in and out of it for most of the day. My pressures were back down in the 80s and I was feeling flushed, jittery and dizzy with the inability to focus on objects. My doctor and the anesthetist both came in to see what was going on and they couldn't figure it out. They chalked it up to being dehydrated before surgery because I hadn't had anything to eat or drink for about 8 hours. I was kept on full fluids for most of the day and hooked up to IV fluids. I lost a lot of blood during surgery because they had to cut through the placenta to get Brycen out which caused extra blood loss. My hemoglobin started around 11 that morning and after surgery it was a 9. They kept pumping me with fluids and drinking water.

After everyone left Dennis had to leave too to get the boys from Lona's house. I was left alone with Brycen to try and rest and get some sleep. Easier said than done! Brycen was a pretty good boy he ate good and slept off and on throughout the night. I had a harder time adjusting to the resting part. I couldn't fall asleep because I still felt hot and dizzy. All I could do was keep drinking water and hope that I would feel better in the morning like the doctor said.
I woke up feeling refreshed because I no longer felt light headed!!! Yay! I was feeling well enough to eat some breakfast and Brycen ate too. After breakfast Dennis joined me for the afternoon and we watched TV together and I took a nap after getting that darn catheter out! (YES!) After our nap Dennis had to leave again to go get the boys from daycare. I wish they could spend time at the hospital, but it's too much of a change for them and they would get crabby and antsy. Can't wait to get home to them!
After my nap I took a shower (heaven) and was detached from my IV bag. I still have to have IV access i case my blood work comes back bad in the morning. They are doing another blood draw to test my hemoglobin since it dropped again since after surgery. If it drops another point I may have to get a transfusion.
Brycen is resting comfortably in his beside crib and I am finishing this blog! Tomorrow is our celebration dinner/lunch. More pictures to come! Hopefully we will be going home tomorrow but if not tomorrow then Friday we will go home.
Thanks for reading Brycen's Birth story and stay tuned for more Boyd news!

Almost There!

Well here we are folks! 36 weeks today....only 3 weeks left until D-day! I can't believe it's just about baby time. There is still so much to get done before Brycen arrives. I don't think anyone is ever really prepared for a baby!

I'm finding that these last few weeks of being pregnant are somewhat bittersweet. I dream of the day when I can lay in bed in any position I want and be comfortable, but at the same time I will miss all the little kicks and jabs I get all day. I give a ton of credit to Dennis for sticking by me while I whine and complain non-stop about my back hurting, my feet throbbing, being incredibly uncomfortable and for allowing me to cuddle while Brycen kicks him in the back. Haha. Love that one. I am especially greatful for everything he does for me and our unborn child: giving me glasses of water when I have contractions because he knows that I don't drink enough during the day; reminding me to take my meds because for some reason I can't remember myself; for having the majority (if not all) of the hosue work done when I get home from a long day at work; for loving me more and more the bigger I get- I am truly blessed and I couldn't ask for anything more!!!

In spite of the love/hate relationship I have with my growing belly, here is a picture for your viewing pleasure :) Here I am at 36 weeks and 5 days.



Watching the doggies outside.



The boys are all growing beautifully! Logan and Cole officially wear the same size of clothing. It sure makes dressing them MUCH easier! Haha, not to mention there is no thinking involved when putting clothes away now. Cole is just as smart as Logan was at his age, asking what things are all day long and talking non-stop, babbling away at most everything. He's such a big kid. So big in fact, that we have had to take the bunk beds apart and put them side by side because Cole climbs the ladder and doesn't know how to get down so he cries. I hate to say it, but it's cute going in there watching him hold on for dear life while he is crying and his legs just a shakin'. If he only knew that the ground was a foot away from him, he would probably just climb down. Oh well, they enjoyed having thier beds next to each other last night and for once Cole did not wake up on the floor in front of the door. :)



Mom and the boys during a visit up north!



In other news, I recently accepted two, that's right, TWO nursing jobs!!!! After a year of hunting and searching for the right opportunity it finally came through for me. My first job after the baby will be working at the local camp for the summer (July -August) as a camp nurse. My second job will be working at local Walmarts giving people their flu shots from August to December. I am really excited for both jobs, the camp job especially because of all the kids I will get to see and be around and I'm excited for the flu clinic job because of the independance and money making opportunity if offers.

Dennis has been enjoying (I think) being a stay at home daddy while working a little bit for his step-dad's business of seal-coating parking lots. He's done a couple jobs already and is eager to start working more once the weather cooperates and things get lined up. Lately he's been able to get a bit of fishing in; even took Logan out once and we went as a family this last weekend. It was so cute seeing him get so excited over a stilly fishing pole.

Thursday evening I will find out in a beautifully written email from my college if I got accepted into the RN program for the fall. I can't wait- I want to know NOW!!!! Haha. All in due time. If for some reason I do not get in this year (really competitive candidates this year), I will continue working as an LPN and try again next fall. It stinks I will have to wait a whole year, but then maybe I can take the classes with my LONA! We shall see.

Well, thanks for reading the Boyd update! Next update will probably be the birth of Boyd Baby 3# - Brycen Keith - scheduled for June 12th. Stay tuned!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

So its Mother's Day 2012 and I'm sitting on the computer relaxing after a very long and stressful day. My day began at 6:30 this morning when I had to peel myself out of bed after being interrupted in the middle of the night by the biggest, most painful charlie horse I've ever had- my leg still hurts right now. I got ready for work and hit the road. I was surprised by Lona and CJ with Mom and Nick & boys stopping in to get some pictures before the Holwerda's had to hit the road back to Nebraska after spending the weekend up here. I was so sad to see them go but had no time for emotions since it was a busy day. After serving ham and eggs all day I went over to the in-laws place and celebrated with the family for Tony's (Dennis' step brother) graduation from law enforcement academy.

This momma is exhausted!!! Can't wait to curl up on the couch with my feet up and relax with my family. Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!

Halfway There!

Well, here we are...middle of February and I am now 22 weeks along.  Only 18 more weeks before due date and 17 weeks until D-day! June 12th is coming up fast and we have hardly begun to get ready.

It's a BOY!

22 weeks with Baby Boyd #3

Today in class while doing a lab experiment, I leaned up against the table and my classmate said "Baby sure poked out there the last couple weeks huh?". Great, just what I wanted to hear!

We have been busy bees around here. The last few weeks we have:

• Cleaned the boys dressers out and purged a 60gal garbage bag of clothes to the local thrift store
• Started installing the boy's closet shelving (only two years in the making!)
• Rearranged the boy's bedroom
• Stockpiled 8 gallon bags of fish fillets in the freezer

Phew!

Thank goodness for the Vexilar! Poor Dennis had to clean them all by himself.

School is still going strong....I was struggling a bit to get caught up on studying times, but I think we've worked out a plan. Since my school week ends on Wednesday and my work week begins on Thursday, it's difficult to get homework done before/after work when I'm pooped or when the kids are bouncing off the walls. My goal is to get started on Monday when some of the assignments come out and continue until Wednesday after school. Whatever I can't get done I finish up Sunday night before I go back to school. It worked out pretty good this week, so all I can do is keep it going and I will be on the President's list again this semester....fingers crossed!

Brotherly love. *Sigh*

Coley being his usual self! Cheese!!!!

The boys are doing great! We all had checkups and here are the results!


Cole: 15 months 28lbs 30.5 inches. Husky boy with average height. 
Logan: 36 months 31.5lbs 35.5 inches. Average build with very short stature!!
Baby Boyd: 22weeks ultrasound measured baby at 12inches long. Mommy is measuring at 24cm...slightly over, but not a big deal at this point. Next checkup in 4 weeks.

Say cheese!

This month was also Logan's 3rd Birthday! Such a big boy. We love him so much. Not a day goes by that we don't laugh or smile because of this kid. Our lives are so busy these days and it's hard to schedule around Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunties and Cousins that we ended up not having a party for Logan. He still got presents from Mom and Dad and Grandma and Auntie - he didn't even miss a party! Haha.

Logan showing off his present.

I think they like it!

Logan is enjoying his birthday present from Grandma Dee.

18 Weeks, But Who's Counting?

Today was a mostly uneventful day. It began with Logan talking quietly this morning in the entryway while Dennis and I laid in bed listening to him. The one thing he said that made us jump out of bed was "Come on out of there fishy". YIKES! Dennis had crappie minnows in a bucket on top of the chest freezer. Apparently Logan wanted to play with the fishes. Dennis said he went out there and on top of the freezer was Logan crouched over the bucket with two minnows flopping beside him "like fish out of water" (his words, not mine).

Coley was having a rough morning running into things and tripping all over the place. He had an early nap today. Logan, however, stayed up until 2:00 playing with Daddy and a bouncy ball. He crashed on the couch when I went to my baby appointment.

17 weeks 6 days

Today I am 18 weeks (actually 17 and 6 days, but who's counting?). Baby sounds good around the 140s and I'm measuring 21cm - not bad for the third pregnancy! We find out on the 31st what name this baby will have! I am beyond excited to find out on this one. At first I really wasn't looking forward to finding out the gender, but as the day gets closer I'm getting more and more antsy.

Also, while at the appointment I set the date (tentatively) for Boyd Baby #3's birthday! June 12th. I will be exactly 39 weeks. I went late with the other two, so that will be the date unless this baby decides to come earlier than that.

Stay tuned!

Blog Update

After getting myself familiarized with Blogger and somewhat of an idea how to use it, I've updated some functions and different pages.
I've added a "Kids' Quotes" page where I will post various quotes heard from the mouths of our babes. There is also a "Recipes" page where I will post some of my favorite treats and ole' standbys. Lastly there is a page called "Project 365". Here is where I will ATTEMPT to complete a year long project of posting a picture for everyday of the year. I'm a bit behind, but pictures will be pouring in before you know it.
Stay tuned!

A New Year

Hello all!


So, a new year means new beginnings right? I sure hope so because last year was full of drama drama drama. I graduated from Pine Tech's LPN program in May, got a new job at the end of June at Voyager Village, took my LPN boards in July -passed!, and found out in October that we are welcoming a new member of the family in June 2012!


We lost great people in 2011 including a close member of Dennis' family very unexpectedly. We love you Matt. We also gained family members too! TC and Mel got married in September, and Ashley and Harley welcomed Harley Junior to the family in July and everyone found out Korey and Suzy will be expecting their second Boyd Baby in February!

Our life these last few weeks of 2012 has been up and down. Work is stressful but I love the people I work with and can't wait for the changes coming in a few months there, although I would've liked to have kept my 40 hours/week instead of having them cut until Spring. I can say it's been a blessing in disguise though. I get to spend more time with my two boys and with the hubby.

Monday meant the start of a new semester at PTC. Yay! One semester closer to being finished with my RN. Only three more to go... I am really glad I am over the queasiness of being pregnant but I would love that "second wind" anytime now.

Baby is growing wonderfully and I am now 17 weeks along. Only a few more weeks to go before we know the sex of Boyd Baby #3.....#3-holy cow. Never thought I'd have three kids but it's going to be great.

Dennis seems to be happier lately, he's been fishing non-stop since I got off work on Sunday night. Having three days off in a row will be interesting, but I get to fill some of that time with class.

Logan is showing signs of being close to three. Haha. He's throwing daily tantrums and yelling back, ya know normal things kids his age do. He also amazes us everyday with how smart he is. He repeats everything you say....I will say this again for fun - he repeats EVERYTHING you say, including swear words. Great. We will have to watch ourselves and our own potty mouths. He also loves his Coley-man very much and showers him with kisses in between stepping on and crushing him. Logan will definitely be a fisherman when he's a bit older. If Dennis wasn't so afraid of him falling through the ice hole he would take him with on his adventures. Logan loves to watch us clean fish although he's got fish empathy and gets sad for the fish when they get "owies", which is quickly replaced with joy when he sees them on his dinner plate.

We have decided that Cole is going to be our linebacker in the NFL. This kid eats constantly and is growing like a weed. He just turned one in November and already outweighs his older brother. Yikes. Cole just learned a few new things this past month, he learned how to give kisses and how to say and wave "bye bye'. He's so cute! He is still holding on to that blonde hair of his and those baby blues that makes everyone's heart melt. Gotta love that kid! He cruises around the house like nobody's business and has a strange fascination with outlets. Whoever invented those baby proof outlet thingies, they are fired because no matter what kind/brand we get he quickly figures them out.

Now that both of the children are napping and the husband is with his dad fishing, I think the house needs a bit of my attention before the couch does. Stay tuned for some exciting baby news!