Kona | 9 months and a birth story

You must all be thinking "FINALLY!"...or "that's a little  really late..."
I started writing his birth story MONTHS ago, but I just never had the chance to finish it. Since this little chunker turns 9 months today, what better time to post about the day he came into this world (after being in the womb for 9 months)? -- nine in, nine out...get it? --

I seriously couldn't hold back tears as I was looking through these pictures. Such precious moments and such priceless memories...(hint: skip to the pictures, they are the best part)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

At one of my last prenatal appointments, my doctor suggested that I schedule an induction, "just in case" my baby didn't come early. My babies never come early, so I wasn't expecting this one to either. Sure enough the day before my induction day came, and nothing...no baby, no contractions, not even dilated....I was a bit frustrated and disappointed, as I wanted this one to "come on his own." With my previous pregnancies/deliveries going the way they did, I was okay with another induction though. I packed my things, got ready for the birthing center, and off I went - by myself -- which we also planned out because of our two other ones that needed looking after. The agreement was, hubby will come when things started to progress. Roughly 11:30 PM, they place the cervidil and the waiting began. Next day rolls around, still no baby and still not much progression. I told Chad to take his time getting the kids ready and don't rush, while in my impatient head I'm thinking, "isn't the 3rd supposed to just come right out?" ...but this one was stubborn too.

Finally noon comes and goes. By this time, I'm thinking to myself, this baby is coming out today! whether he likes it or not...(I know, I was a little selfish by that point, but can you blame me after 3 inductions??) I was hoping that he would come without pitocin, just as my second did but the clock was ticking and I didn't want to be "in labor" for over 30 hours like my first...so I called the doctor in and asked her what was next. She knew how I felt about pitocin so she was patient in waiting with me until that point, but since labor wasn't progressing on its own fast enough, she advised me that that would be next best option. She started a low dosage of pitocin and shortly after, my water broke! Things didn't go as quick as I had hoped even after that, but it was progressing. At this point pretty much everyone was at the birthing center in anticipation of this baby coming. By late afternoon, I was dilated to about a 9-10 and Dr. Moore determined that I could start pushing around 7 PM. My baby didn't come until 8:22 PM...so as you can imagine, it was a long and tiring process from the time I started to push until he decided that he was ready. But wow was he worth it! My baby angel came into the world at a whopping 9 pounds 3.8 ounces and was welcomed by his loving brothers, dad, uncle, aunts, and cousin. He was and continues to be a huge blessing in our little family. Not a day goes by that I don't thank Heavenly Father for sending this precious spirit to us. His smile alone melts my soul completely. We love our Kona Liam.

I want to give a special thanks - to my little sister who came all the way from Vancouver to be there for me through this process. She took care of my boys, along with her own, being 2 months pregnant herself, AND she even documented this momentous day by taking these photos. Yoko, you are amazing.
ALSO to my kind and loving husband, who supported me through the pregnancy and was there as much as he could through labor. Just having him there gave me the courage and strength when I didn't think I could go on. Love you, babe, you are my rock.

AND to my Kona baby, even if you made us wait and wait and wait, we love you more than words can express. You make our family more complete and filled a void in it we didn't even know existed....

  

♡YOU ARE LOVED♡

Pumpkins and Munchkins.

This was such a perfect family outing. the one "fall"-ish thing we have done as a family this season. Temperature-wise, it didn't feel quite like the fall I'm used to but it was still nice. The petting zoo was the kids' favorite part, even the scared-of-all-moving-creatures Kai went up to the baby goats and fed them food. Fall is definitely my favorite season. 

Helllooo (and welcome) November!

Want to see more of our family's fall activities? pumpkin carving - HERE.

Halloween 2013

Easy DIY Toy Story costumes for my kiddos this year! Since Kai learned how to talk, it's always been "Kaikai Woody, Noa Buzz!" I couldn't think of more perfect characters for them to be. 

Happy Halloween!! 

French Toast with something extra.

We've had a slow start to the day this morning, but sometimes that's just what I need. A couple extra minutes spent rolling around in the bed, kids waking up one by one...some happier than others...Skype appointment with our besties that live across the country, and breakfast eaten with the whole fam. Love these kinds of mornings :)

Our latest breakfast obsession has been French toast. I love it, it's the hub's favorite and the kids are slowly taking a liking to it too. So why not, right? I also put a secret ingredient in it this time and it was quite a hit. 

Eggnog French Toast

3 lg eggs, slightly beaten

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup eggnog

1-2 tsp sugar

Mix together all ingredients in a shallow dish. Soak bread slice in mixture, a few seconds on each side. Pour a tablespoon of oil (or butter) into flat skillet or griddle set on medium heat. Wait to flip until the one side is golden brown. Finished when both sides are golden and crispy around the edges. Serve with whipped cream and maple syrup :)

(Makes about 8-10 slices of regular bread French toast, this time we went with a healthy 100% whole wheat bread)

play dough, please.

 Noa's "Alligator"

One of my goals while the Hubs has been away has been to have a "fun activity" with the kids every day.  It is a challenge to constantly have the kids be entertained especially with their varying interests and their differing mental and physical capabilities (even though they are so close in age). We normally read books, go to the park, do puzzles together, sing songs, go swimming, go on walks, and watch movies, but sometimes it's nice to do something a little different and change things up for them. Yeah, play dough - creative, I know...It's something that they've certainly played with before and are familiar with, but they hadn't done it in a while AND I've been wanting to make it myself for a while now. Well, it was a hit with the littles and so easy to make! Not to mention how it's practically edible, made of things found only in your kitchen, so no worry of accidental ingestion (especially when it's vanilla scented!) or having it around the baby.

Play dough recipe:

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups water

3/4 cups salt

1 Tbsp cream of tartar

1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Food coloring (optional*)

Vanilla extract (optional)

Whisk dry ingredients together in a pan. Pour water and oil into dry ingredients and combine well. *vanilla and food coloring may be added here* Cook over LOW heat, stirring constantly using a wooden spoon or spatula. Once the dough starts to pull off the sides of the pan, take off heat and place dough on a well floured surface. Knead in extra flour if the dough feels sticky, add oil if it's too dry. 

*You can add the food coloring before you start cooking, or I added a few drops after I split the dough to make two different colors. Knead it really well until the color is well incorporated.

Next project? I'm thinking watercolor paint ;)


What are some of the activities you like to do with your kids?
How do you keep them entertained???

Cookies for Conference.

This is a special weekend for us in the LDS faith. It is our General Conference where we hear from our Prophet and leaders of our Church. Special occasions call for special cookies, and baking time with my little buddy. [Best cookie recipe ever from this post.]
I invite those who want to know more about what the mormons believe, please watch with us!
Happy conference weekend!

Our not so little family.

If you care to see, our family pictures taken by my amazing sister is up on the photography blog <HERE>