The many faces of Ivy

Ivy might be the only thing we post about for the next little while...hope that's okay! Nothing else going on in our life seems to be important enough to post anymore!

1+1=3; the story of Ivy Dawne

Hello Blog World. This is my debut as a blog-author, or as I call it, a Blauthor. Kara usually keeps everyone up to date, but I decided to take a stab at this. Be warned: it's long!

We heard a lot of commotion from our friends and family when they heard that we were bringing our little Ivy into the world going completely natural (that's right, no epideral, no Tylenol, 100 percent natural)... We thought you might like to hear the story!

Friday morning the 16th we went to see our midwife to find out where we were in the process of delivery. Kara's due date was on the 8th, and being over a week late was a little discouraging. She (the midwife) told us that it could be up to another week. Kara wasn't dialated or effaced at all, and had only had a couple of minor contractions. Our nationals competition for clogging was at Lagoon, and I toyed around with the idea of traveling up for the day, and coming home the same evening. I couldn't bring myself to do it, however, so we planned for a very uneventful last weekend together. We tried to book Kara's dads boat for Saturday, but it was already spoken for. We spent Friday cleaning house, and spending time together, and going to visit our good friends, Greg and Stephanie. We decided to take the advice of some of our family and friends to watch a movie together, and soak in the moments before we were to give birth. We planned to go for a drive Saturday, and made a reservation at a fancy, shmancy restaurant for one more expensive dinner before parenthood set in!

Saturday morning about 7:00am, Kara woke up and had her first real contraction. She started timing them about 9:00am and found them to be 8 minutes apart, and only 20 seconds long. She made a couple of phone calls to her mom and sister to ask if what she was feeling was what she thought it was. When it was confirmed that we were in the early stages of labor, we finished packing our bags to go to The Baby Place in Meridian, a natural birthing center, and began preparing for birth. A lot of the day was spent trying to provide distractions in between contractions, and using the methods brilliantly taught by our various natural birthing instructors. Kara's mom also came over and helped time contractions while we worked through them.

We feel like Kara went into active labor about 6:00pm, according to textbook labors. We made a phone call to our midwife, and then at 9:00pm made the trip to Meridian. I was begging for the excuse to run stop signs, red lights, and pass other vehicles but imagine my surprise when Kara didn't give me the go ahead! We arrived and found that Kara was then dialated to a 4, and 100 percent effaced, which the midwife said was an excellent sign that she was working WITH her contractions, and not against them. Later, our midwives said that if they would have not known our situation, they would have thought this was Kara's 2nd or 3rd baby by how well she did it all. MY WIFE ROCKS!!!

Instead of the traditional hospital birth where women are encouraged to lie down on their back, Kara was on the bed for about 2 minutes the entire labor. She found it more comfortable to be on the birthing ball, AKA the yoga ball, in the garden tub, walking out back, or my favorite, slow-dancing with me. As long as she could sway her hips, she dealt with the contractions a lot better. The lights were dim, and the atmosphere was peaceful the entire time. During contractions we found the most relief and ability to cope by hugging one another and swaying her hips side to side while doing some deep breathing and moaning exercises. At about 11:00pm Kara had dialated to a 7, with Ivy dropping significantly closer to the real world! 1 hour and 45 minutes later, Kara was ready to push. She had to hold off for about 10 minutes, which was the hardest part for her. Patience is usually a strong characteristic of Kara's (look who she's married to), but she was having a hard time waiting!

At last, our midwife told Kara to go to the birthing stool, and start to push. 5 contractions later, at 1:04am, Ivy Dawne Walker was born into the world! She weighed 8lbs 6oz, was 21 inches long, and had a head full of thick black hair. She was immediately placed on Kara's chest for some mother/daughter bonding time. I got to cut the cord (guys like to cut stuff), and then we held our precious jewel for a couple of hours. After that the wonderful midwives came in and cleaned up Ivy in the room with us, and then left us with her to love and bond with. From a first- time dad's perspective, I completely underestimated the overwhelming array of emotions sweeping over me as I got to hold my new child in my arms for the first time. Tears flowed more freely then than at any other time I can remember (yep. Mr. Sensitive; I feel totally comfortable writing this, because I'm assuming that NO guys will be reading this. They stopped at "here's the story of my wife's labor!")

We came home Sunday afternoon at about 4:30pm, and have been trying to sleep ever since! :)

Many people have been interested to know about the experience at a natural birthing center as compared to a hospital. We have nothing to compare it to, but we found a lot of things that we really appreciated in the birthing center. It was a peaceful room. The lights were dim, and the only people in the room were those that Kara and I knew and loved. There were only 3 nurses/midwives in the room for the delivery, and were very respectful to allow us to hold and be with Ivy before they cleaned her. It was an amazing experience, that we wouldn't do any different if we could go back.

Being a dad is the best job in the world. Every day seems like another miracle. I feel so blessed that I have the 2 most beautiful girls in the whole world with me every day. (Don't worry mom, you still rank pretty high up there!:)

Finally!

Ivy Dawne Walker has finally arrived! She's perfect!

8 lbs. 6 oz. 21 inches long Born Sunday, May 18th 1:04am

We'll post more pictures and details about the amazing event soon!

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?!

Isn't my dad amazing?!?!? My father dropped off his gift to Ivy last night. He made her a cradle. *MADE* her a cradle from scratch. It's not like this was a little cradle kit that he just put together. He is truly a remarkable carpenter and craftsman. It turned out absolutely beautiful. It swings like a dream, and it's big enough for her to be in it for a while. So Cute! And pictures really don't do it justice...you will all just have to come see it! Ivy: you have no more excuses now...everything's ready for you to come! :)

Thank you daddy! I absolutlely adore the cradle and can't imagine how much time and sweat and blood and cuss words (just kidding) you put into making it. I know it is something both me and Ivy will treasure forever! Thank you for thinking of it and wanting to do this for us, it really has made this experience more special! Love you! XOXOXO

Mother's Day

For my very first Mother's Day, I didn't get any candy, any flowers, any jewelry...

Because I got something WAY better!!!!
Robbie deep cleaned the bathroom for me! There is nothing like taking a nice long bath in a nice clean tub. **sigh** Our bathroom - especially our tub - is a little high maintainance, so you can understand my joy! I love you honey! Thank you for your sweet service. Your gift truly came from the heart, and I know it was a sacrifice! :) In case you can't tell, this is me saying "YES!" :)

Some things I've been meaning to post...

The following posts are a little out of order as far as time line, and thick with randomness, but I needed to get them in here, so please forgive me while I "catch up"! :)

Baby Shower(s)!

How lucky am I to have gotten two baby showers? The first one was thrown by my mom and sister and was a great success! We had a yummy brunch, chatted, and then opened gifts. We had a wonderful time! Thank you to everyone who came and for your wonderful gifts! My second baby shower was more of a "pamper mom" shower thrown by the Walker family. I was very spoiled with more yummy food and sweet company. I had a mani/pedi plus massage. Thanks girls! It was a lot of fun!

Happy Birthday Lauryl!!!!

Lauryl was born April 30th 24 years ago!!!! You're so old! :) "Happy Birthday to you(on the 30th)! Happy Birthday to you(on the 30th)! Happy Birthday to Lolo(on the 30th)! Happy Birthday to you(on the 30th)!" (Feel free to imagine that with harmony) Sorry so late, but I wanted to wish you a very special birthday! I made this cake for you, but since you won't come see me, I ate it! :) Love you! Here's to many more years of best friend-dome. Much Love! Te Amo!

Welcome Home Lauryl!!!!

For she's a jolly good fellow that nobody can deny!!!!! Lauryl finally come home from her mission!!! She served a very successful and memorable mission in Washington. She officially flew into her home in Georgia on the 21st of April, and I was able to talk to her on the phone that night! Yeah!! She is living in Georgia now with her family but has started a blog to keep us Idahoans updated on her life! :) To celebrate her arrival I have dedicated this song to her! **Good Times**

Ode to cute nieces and nephews

Just had to show off my cute neices and nephews! Unfortunately I don't have pictures of ALL of them...but I had some pictures that I just had to share. We love you! Love, Uncle Robbie and Aunt Pancake :)

Just for clarification...

After some people's comments, I realize that I made it sound like I was for sure having the baby the next day on my last post. But alas, it was just a wish. My due date was last Thursday but she's still not here. So...sorry to tease everyone! :)

To pass the time...

Today...

4 loads of laundry washed and folded.

1 load of dishes loaded, washed and put away.

8 Library items returned and 2 new ones checked out.

4 floors swept and mopped.

1 diaper bag packed.

1 miscellaneous list of items purchsed at the store.

1 lunch made and eaten with my husband while watching "Friends".

1 shower taken with hair blow-dryed AND curled. (huge feat these days)

10 toes painted and ready for labor (Thanks sis)

35 Thank You cards finished and mailed (finally!)

2 plants re-potted in bigger pots

Goal for tommorow... 1 baby born :)

1 week left and still no news....

Just for an update...we have 1 week left until our official due date and Ivy seems to think she's still not ready to come. :) Maybe Heavenly Father is busy giving her last minute instructions. At my last appointment, she had dropped a bit but still was not engaged. My Braxton Hicks contractions have been few and nothing big. I'm trying to be patient. I feel pretty miserable sometimes, but overall I'm okay. Nothing I can't handle. The doctor told me to expect to go a week over, and because I'm choosing not to get induced I'm sure she's right. So, for every one's sake I'm making an executive decision and moving my due date back to the 15th. There. Now maybe she'll come early! :) As soon as something happens, we'll let you know! But keep sending those good vibes our way! And thank you to everyone who has been wondering how I've been doing and for all your support! We appreciate it so much!

Last minute projects

This is me blitzing to finish projects before baby arrives! Stephanie and I were sewing away during Conference, both of us ready to pop. (Fortunately for Stephanie she already popped. :) Congratulations Stephanie!)

Surprisingly yummy!!

Robbie made some cookies for his hometeaching families this week...ALL BY HIMSELF! First time he's made cookies in pretty much forever. And they really were surprisingly yummy! :)

Hmmm....

Any bets on how long it will take us to go through these? :)