Birth #4 (the plan)

I figured I should blog about how I envision the birth of baby #4 since it supposedly will happen a little differently than in the past and even though I never know for sure how it will turn out, this one seems even more different.  All three previous births have been within 2 days of the due date, all natural labors, and all vaginal deliveries.  Hooray!!!  The problem is that the time it takes has been halving each time.  12 hours, 6 hours, 3 hours...and 1.5 hours just won't cut it especially since we are 45 min. away from the hospital and barely made it with Mikey as it was.  Therefore enter new plan.  My doctor mentioned this plan right after Michael's birth and I have been holding on to it ever since.  I discussed it with her again last week.  The plan is to induce labor sometime in week 39 as to avoid not making it to the hospital.  I am in favor of this plan for several reasons.  The first is that I will not have to worry about not making it to the hospital!  I was a panicking mess with Michael.  Think TV drama births!  It hurt and was scary.  It all turned out okay in the end however:)  My second reason is that I am a planner and if I can know ahead of time when this will all take place I would love that.  I will have my bags packed, the baby things ready, my hair washed, etc.  I will be prepared.  The third reason is that I plan to have an epidural.  I had one with my first and it was lovely.  I had one with my second, but I think it ended up not mattering much because it wasn't quite enough time to really take effect.  I did NOT have one with my third (hence the TV drama screaming!).  This time even if the labor is longer or harder I will not feel it!  OK, so three good reasons for this plan:  the baby will be born at the hospital, I will be able to plan this event, and I will get an epidural.  What could go wrong?!  Well, I have two basic fears when it comes to this plan.  Even though my doctor assured me that I would not be induced unless "conditions are favorable" I worry number one that I might end up having to have a c-section which would just really be disappointing.  And I worry that the baby will be ready and as healthy as he should be.  So I have high hopes for this birthing process...but a few reservations as well.  Stay tuned to see how it all turns out.

P.S.  I thought I was going into labor this morning...so who knows what will really happen!

Mikey Turns 2!

So our little Mikey turned 2 last Thursday.  I can't believe it has been two years since that mad rush to the hospital and...I'll spare you the rest of the details!  I had an ob appointment that day for baby #4 and just am hoping this next one goes much smoother.  Not that I can complain too much.  I quickly had a healthy happy baby boy who has been on the go ever since.  

Mikey LOVES him some Elmo, hence the cake!  He also loves him some frosting.  Really he is a great eater, the best we have right now, don't know how long that will last.  He is still in the highchair at 2 even though big brother and big sister were not.  I don't know if it's cause he's the baby or if he really is that much messier.  

Mikey is really starting to talk more and more each day and it is fun to see what he comes up with and to finally understand some of the babble.  Last night he was saying, "Mom, whe ar oooo?"  He is still quite a pest to Jude and Cora, but starting to play a little "nicer" and starting to be able to use his little imagination which is fun.  He still has some bleach blond hair and very blue eyes and pale skin.  Just about like sister.  We are wondering what this next baby will bring into the mix!  Mikey has no clue what is coming so it will be fun to watch him become a big brother.  Although he has gotten used to having two other littler ones around during the day and doesn't hesitate to remind them that he is bigger than they are.  He still likes baby dolls, although recently he has started to like cars and trucks just a little more.  I would still say right now wandering around the house and making messes wherever he can still tops his list of things to do.  He likes to play outside with Cora and Jude and it is nice to have those two to play with him and take care of him outside.  Jude can even get him out of his crib in the mornings on the weekend which is nice.  They will all troop down the stairs and either turn on the TV or find the ipads while Gil and I get a few extra minutes of shut eye (that is all about to change in a few weeks however...so don't get too jealous!).  He is quite the boy and doesn't let himself get left out or left behind too much, but I will say he really enjoys Wednesday nights when Jude and Cora are at Awana and he gets all the toys and all of mom and dad's attention to himself!

We love you sweet Michael Johnnie!