Introducing Brennan Michael...

Thanksgiving bump.

Today our fourth child is one-month-old!  Hard to believe, but true.  I suppose that means I should introduce him on here and post a birth recap, for posterity's sake at least!  Poor #4, barely mentioned on the blog. 

I had a feeling that baby would come early, and not a week or more late like his previous two siblings, but I really had no idea what to expect from this one.  After all, his very existence was a surprise, and then I was pretty sure he was going to be a girl, so his gender was a surprise, too.  Why wouldn't his entrance into the world be a surprise as well?  It was.

Thursday, December 7th... I noticed that getting in and out of the car and moving around in general was more trouble than usual, but I just shrugged it off as "getting close."  I had a midwife appointment that day, but didn't see my usual midwife (Lisa) because she had been sick with stomach flu.  I went to the ECCHO monthly board meeting and got back home around 945pm.  We got everyone ready for bed, and I chatted online with Amazon customer service because they had sent me the wrong Alexa cord replacement.  I stood at Michael's computer and got really frustrated with them because they weren't understanding what I needed and tried to send me the wrong cord again.  Once it was finally worked out, I laid down in bed next to Michael and felt something... odd.  My water never broke on it's own with my first two babies, and with Josie it broke RIGHT before she was born, after I had been pushing for a long time... so my water breaking was new to me.  But that's what it was I discovered - it happened at 1125pm.  I was excited and nervous as I texted my birth team (midwife and two students) to let them know that my water broke but I wasn't even having contractions or any other sign of labor.  I texted my mom so she would know what was going on, and Michael called his boss so he could be off work.  When I didn't hear back from Lisa very quickly, I called her to see if she was still sick or what the plan would be regarding who would come for the birth.  She said she was well and would be coming.  She said it sounded like it would still be a while before delivery because I wasn't having contractions yet.  She wanted everyone to try to get some rest before things heated up, so we all laid down and tried.

I could not get comfortable because almost instantly the contractions started up, and they were strong and intensified every few minutes.  She had said to call her back when contractions were about 12 minutes apart, but they STARTED at 4 minutes apart.  Michael fell asleep but I just laid there feeling the waves getting closer and stronger until I just wanted to get things ready.  I called Lisa again around 1am and told her I would like her to come now because the contractions were strong and close.  Also texted my mom and dad to head this way.  Michael and I tried to start prepping labor stuff... gathering trashcans, towels, etc.  I had most things gathered in the corner of my room.  But pretty soon I couldn't take it and laid back down and tried not to cry.  The contractions were so intense and close, I was already telling Michael that I couldn't do it, and that I was stupid for not wanting to pain medication because it HURT.  I was so scared that it would be like Josie's birth and I would have to endure this pain for hours. 

My contractions were right on top of each other when the senior student, Rachel, showed up at our house a little after 2am.  She was like "oh!" when she saw me go right into another contractions after breathing through one.  I said I would get up so they could prep the bed for delivery, and I made my way to the bathroom because I felt like I needed to go.  I sat on the toilet and immediately felt like baby was coming, and I started screaming "HELP!"  Rachel and Michael came running down the hall and I was like "I feel pushy!"  Rachel started getting ready to deliver him right there... she called Lisa on speaker phone and we found out she was just minutes away, her GPS had gotten her turned around a bit!  About then the other student, Emily, came running in and threw on some gloves.  They asked if I wanted to deliver him there in the bathroom or try to make it to the bed.  I decided to head for the bed between contractions.  I made it into my bedroom and beside the bed and I was like "No, he's coming now!"  Rachel said if I felt like pushing on the next contraction to go ahead, so I did - standing there beside my bed!  As I started pushing, Lisa ran in the door and his head was born.  I pushed again and he was out - Rachel caught him with a little assistance from Lisa who had just enough time to slip on some gloves!  It all happened so fast, it was insane. After he was out, I turned around and laid on the bed and they tried to bring him up to my chest, but the umbilical cord was so short they just got him kind of on my lap.  His head was really coned the first glimpse I got of him, but it returned to shape really quickly and he was just beautiful and perfect.  From the moment my water broke (no contractions!) to him being born was a total of 3 hours!  It was the absolute perfect birth I had been praying about (except the part where the midwife almost wasn't there!). 

My mom and dad called as they were coming into town to see how I was, and that was when I was on the bed and Rachel had just got there.  They asked if they had time to go to the store to get snacks in case we were all there a long time (because that's how the last one was, who knew!), and we had no idea at that point...so they went ahead and ran into Walmart for a few minutes.  Because of that, they arrived at our house just a few minutes after he was born!  When my mom walked in I said "I'm sorry, I couldn't wait!"  Lol.

Hello World!

Brennan Michael arrived at 229am on Friday, December 8th, 2017.  He was 9 pounds, 1 ounce and roughly 22 inches (the team measured him at 23 inches, and then a few days later at the doctor's office, they measured him at 21... so I'm going with 22, haha!). His due date was December 11th, so just a few days early.  He is a great baby... sleeps pretty well, nurses well (still a bit sore, but working on latch adjustment), and now that he is a month old, he's starting to be more awake and alert for parts of the day.  His siblings adore him, especially Josie.  She is constantly hugging and kissing on him.  On occasion, she gets jealous and tells me to put him down so I can hold her, but for the most part, she's been a great big sister so far.

Here are a few pictures we took for Christmas cards and such...

My 4 kids!!!

This was MY Christmas outfit, 1980

Family of SIX on Christmas!

A comparison of my babies...

Summer 2017 Recap with an Announcement...

Our official summer vacation was pretty short.  The boys finished school mid-May and started back up on July 10th.  In that little window we managed to squeeze in quite a few fun summer activities...

The boys participated in two different Vacation Bible Schools, they went to MRBC's Sports Camp again this year, and had Swim Lessons.  We took part in free Slurpee Day and Cow Appreciation Day.  They played tons of video games and watched way too much Netflix.

Who can say no to a free slurpee?

Entirely FREE meals for looking silly, we're in!

We also were able to sell our Saturn Vue, which lacked A/C, and buy a new-to-us Dodge Grand Caravan!  Which is good, because... turns out, we also need the extra room.  Read on...

Our first ride to church in our van!

It's so pretty!!!

Yep...we are expecting Baby Clark #4 due early December!  Back in April I had been feeling crummy from a cold, but on Easter I realized that I was feeling strange and all of my clothes fit a little funny.  I took a test, and WOW - can you say shocked?!  It took quite a while to get over that feeling (and honestly, we're still a little blown away by it!).  We told our parents that evening.  And announced to the "world" when I was about 9 weeks along - we kept letting it slip, so figured we might as well just tell everyone.  We're not good at secrets.  The exciting thing is several friends are due around the same time as us!  And most of those are complete surprises, too!  Haha.  I had morning (all-day) sickness up until about 16 weeks, and will find out if we're having a boy/girl in just a few days!  So exciting!

Silly Easter Bunny left us a surprise!

Facebook announcement photo.

Her shirt says Little Sis, haha!

Introducing Josephine Lilly Clark...

I have done a poor job of blogging about anything in a long, long time, but especially about the new kid on the block!  I'd hate to look back at this blog with her years down the road and there be such little about my pregnancy.  Especially since I was such a detailed blogger for Preston and Callen's pregnancies and early years.  :( 

So, a super quick catch up...
We found out she was a girl, and could barely believe it!  Over the months leading up to her birth, we stocked up on all things purple (ok, and some pink), kicked Uncle Daniel out of her room and turned it into the sweetest little nursery for her, and eagerly awaited her arrival.  I had severe morning sickness until about half way into the second trimester.  Lost at least 20 pounds and had many days were I could barely function.  I had what seemed like a gallbladder attack a couple of times, and my iron count was very low - causing the midwives to ramp up my iron intake in hopes that it would allow me to have my planned home birth.  I took all kinds of supplements by the handful, drank chlorophyll and black strap molasses by the buckets.  Ugh.  Finally, right towards the end my level reached "fine, good enough!"  Woo hoo!  Now, if we could just settle on a name!  We went through every list possible, and just could not pick one together.  I came up with Josephine and instantly felt like that was it... Michael, not so much.  He still isn't completely thrilled with it, lol, but Josie it is!

Josie's ultra-abbreviated birth story...
She was due August 25th, but that date came and went with no hint of her arrival.  Finally, on Sunday, August 30th, I started having contractions that were about 30 minutes apart.  We decided to go to church anyway, because maybe staying active would get things going.  They stayed at 30  minutes apart until that evening, then moved closer and closer.  My parents came over and stayed for a while, then my dad took the boys home with him.  Things progressed slowly, and around 1am, I finally asked the midwives to come.  They showed up at our house around 2am, and by then contractions were 3-5 minutes and strong, getting stronger.  Apparently, her head was a little crooked and wasn't descending as it should, and that's what caused the hold up at the end.  It felt like she was ready to come, but she just wouldn't.  I know that if I was at a hospital I would have caved in easily to whatever they offered me, I was so tired and in so much pain.  But the midwives, Michael and my mom kept encouraging me and cheering for me, and after what seemed like forever of pushing and laboring, Josephine Lilly Clark arrived with a burst (lol, my water didn't break until right as she was coming out) at 7:17am on Monday, August 31st, 2015.  The cord was wrapped tightly around her neck, though I wouldn't know that till later, but she was great.  She was placed on me, let out a tiny cry, and was perfect.  I couldn't believe how beautiful and tiny she was, but turns out she was nearly 8 pounds (just as Amy, the midwife, had estimated she would be the week before).  7 lbs, 14 oz, 21.5 inches long. 

She is now 5 days old and doing wonderfully.  She wakes up a lot at night and sleeps most of the day, as most babies do.  She is nursing like a champ, which is good!  My tail bone is badly bruised from labor and changing positions is still excruciating at times.  The boys are adjusting to life with a baby in the house... trying to be quiet and calm (though I'm sure you know well that works).  They both enjoy gazing at her.  Unfortunately, they both came down with colds or something the day after she was born, including fever, cough, snot and all that fun stuff.  Michael was able to take Monday-Thursday off of his daytime job, but had to work Monday and Wednesday evening at his teaching job (yes, the night she was born!).  My mom and dad have been over several times, and Aunt Leah came to visit yesterday.  Jill will be coming on Wednesday and spending a week in town to see her grandkids.  We are settling into our new life as a family of FIVE!

I Kind of Forgot to Announce This Here...

I was pretty sure I had already posted about this specific topic, and yet... when I looked, I couldn't find it.  Um, oops.  That's rather embarrassing.  So, the news is...

We're expecting Baby #3 towards the end of August!  Yep, another Clark on the way!

We found out on the morning of Christmas Eve.  I had been sick the week before (like allergies, cold, not morning sickness) and was just feeling "off" and hadn't had my cycle in a bit.  That's normal for me though, being irregular and all.  But for some reason, I felt like I should take a test.  I had taken tests the previous months fully expecting a POSITIVE and not getting one.  This time I fully expected a NEGATIVE and yet... it was POSITIVE!  I was so shocked!  I ran in and woke Michael up, telling him "Christmas Eve Gift!"  He didn't know what to think and ended up trying to go back to sleep, lol.  I wanted to tell everyone right away, but we agreed to wait and confirm more and give it a while.  It's funny, because about half a dozen of my friends made Big Announcements on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day... and then New Years, too... and I was just over here, like, ME TOO!  Lol.

I started feeling bad pretty quickly after finding out we were expecting.  We announced to my parents and Michael's.  We told Jill and Steve in person because they were in town staying at the Ranch in Ennis for the Winter.  We told my parents by meeting them at Jason's Deli.  We didn't tell the kids right away, though.  When I went on my Leadership Retreat to Branson, MO, I had to tell the gals I was riding with in case I ended up being sick (I was nauseous a lot, but hadn't hurled at that point).  I also told Candi and Regina around that time, I was just too excited to keep it to myself.  Haha. 

We finally made our big announcement by posting on Facebook, and received a ton of likes and comments from friends and family.  I was so glad it was out.  We also told the boys... Preston seemed kind of excited and Callen pretended to be a cat, so we weren't really sure what his opinion was.  I commenced being really, really sick around that time.  There were days I couldn't keep anything down and could barely get out of bed.  This was different for me because as much as I felt bad and hurled with the previous two pregnancies, I would hurl and then feel better... it didn't last all day long like this.  Finally, around 17 weeks, the nausea faded and I haven't been physically sick since (knock of wood!).  I am still tired a lot and feel funky quite often, but so much better than the first trimester.

In about 3 weeks, we get to do the sonogram and find out what we're having.  I am so excited.  I feel like it's going to be a girl, but who knows... I am a "boymom," after all.  The other thing is that we are using midwives this time and will either use the birthing center or have a home birth.  We are still undecided at this point, but leaning towards home.  I'm nervous about that, but also extremely excited.  My previous births weren't horrible experiences, but they weren't what I wanted.  I ended up being induced both times, and I would prefer not to go that route.  So... hoping for as natural as possible, and what's more natural than at home?!

Ok, so there.  It's officially on the blog.  I can't believe I hadn't posted before.  Sorry Baby#3, there just aren't enough hours in the day, apparently.  But I promise you'll receive a lot more attention when you're here!

1 Year Ago...

A year ago, at this time of nite... I was waiting for a certain someone's arrival:

Tonite, this is what I'm looking at:

Callen reallllly wanted to get away, haha!

Oh, brothers!

  I wanted to get a cute picture of the boy who turns ONE in the morning, and this is what happened:

WAAAA!  Hey, look at those teeth!

Good thing he cutened up:

Smiley face!

Playing peek-a-boo!

I see you.

A little comparison:

Menacing giraffe!

Did the giraffe shrink?

Callen's Birth Story...

Men and/or squeamish ladies beware - this is a birth story (though it most likely won't be too graphic).

"Little Brother" showed no signs of wanting to come any time soon when I went to my 40-week appointment on Thursday (3/04 - my due date!).  Dr. Kollar wanted to schedule an induction so that I wouldn't go over 40-weeks.  I wasn't exactly happy about that, but agreed to schedule it for the following Tuesday, truly hoping/praying/believing that the baby would start coming on his own before that and I wouldn't have to be induced.  Well, despite our best efforts... he did not come and Monday afternoon I started kinda freaking out.  I called and tried to cancel the induction appointment, but they didn't get my message.  The doctor's office called the next morning (the morning of the induction) and asked me to go get a sonogram so they could see how big the baby was and that everything was ok.  If everything was ok, I might get permission to push back the induction, so off I went.  The sonogram showed that baby was healthy.... VERY HEALTHY, his weight was estimated at around 9lbs, 6oz (and this was "plus or minus a pound"... meaning he could weight up to 10.5 lbs!!!).  Also, my amniotic fluid was lower than they liked.  So... of course those two things meant induction was imminent for that evening.  I was ok with it at that point, 'cause the idea of a 10.5 lb baby was down right scary!  My doctor explained that he most likely hadn't come on his own yet because he just might not "fit" due to his size.  Oh.My.Gosh!  This put "c-section" into my mind and I was pretty much completely freaked out by that.  I wanted this birth to be as natural as possible, and I was already starting off by being induced and now... a c-section was on the table as a probable option?  Not cool.  Oh, forgot to say that off and on during the day I was having tiny braxton-hicks contractions... nice try, baby.



So, Preston went to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Clark for the nite, and we headed to the hospital (stopping for Chick-Fil-A on the way... mmm, nuggets).  We got settled in around 6:15 and Dr. Kollar showed up to check me... still at a 1, 50% effaced... baby still wasn't interested in coming on his own.  I was given the med (cytotec or something to that effect) around 8pm and within 10 minutes I was having obvious contractions.  They continued getting stronger as the evening progressed.  My parents showed up just to sit around and watch tv with us as I contracted.  At 12:30am I was still only dilated to a 2 and received more med.  The contractions came stronger and faster.  I tried all the various positions, nothing really worked throughout the nite.  I got in the shower and after about 20 minutes, the contractions were super strong and close together, and I was seriously tired.  Michael was doing a really great job as a coach, getting me through each contraction, assuring me I could do it when I said I couldn't and/or didn't want to anymore.  The nurse that was with me was also really awesome, a big help. But after powering through that for a while, I couldn't take it any more and called for pain medication.  I got the pain medication "to take the edge off" around 5am and I was instantly dopey, but also able to get through the contractions.  I really didn't want to take the meds, 'cause I said, I wanted to go as naturally as possible and I had already been induced, now I was "cheating" with the pain medication, but honestly... now I'm glad I did it when I did.  It gave me the brief rest (and enough delirium - man, it felt so weird - I guess that's what being drunk is like?) I needed to get through the pushing that was only minutes away.  It was like time lapsed... I know Dr. Kollar broke my water and within minutes I felt the baby engage and I needed to push.  Actually the first time I pushed, Dr. Kollar was out of the room and the nurse was like "go ahead" so I did.  Then Dr. Kollar came running in and was like "wait, that sounded like a push scream, not just a contraction scream... are you pushing without me?  WAIT!" and she rushed to get her stuff on and together...it was slightly funny at the moment.  The pushing didn't take long at all, I think I might have pushed maybe 8 times and he was out.  I couldn't believe it, after the contractions going allll nite long, the pushing part was fast and "easy."  My mom and dad has been out in the waiting area since I took the shower and had the worsening contractions - they didn't know it was "time" or anything, but apparently I was screaming so loud they heard me out there.  Haha.  I didn't scream at all having Preston, but this time around it felt like the only thing that would help... and I guess it did.  He was born at 5:54am.He came out and they put him on my chest and all I could think/say was "it's over, he's here!"  Then I was completely clear headed (from the fog of the med) and felt no pain/tiredness/anything at all.  It was amazing. 



Callen Levi was NOT 10.5 lbs, thank God!  He was 8 lbz, 4.6 oz and 20.5 inches long... just perfect (Preston was 7lbs, 4oz, 20 1/4 inches long).  He was perfectly healthy, no breathing problems like Preston (thank you, Jesus!) and because I had been there so long he didn't have to have any meds (I tested postive for Group B Strep, so while I was there all nite, I had two rounds of antibiotics for that - he didn't need any).  They cleaned him up a little, did their thing while my doctor did her thing to me...and gave him right back... he latched on after just a few tries and fed well right away.

Warning! Gross part!: Michael ran across the street and brought back donuts and I scarfed down a piggy, which ended up being a big mistake.  When I finally got up from the bed to head for the bathroom, there was so much blood and that donut didn't sit well, I yakked.  The nurse was impressed at my reflexes, 'cause I felt it coming, snatched up the trashcan across the room and made no mess for her.  What can I say?  I'm an expert ralpher.  I felt much better after that, though.  Haha.



Got moved to the regular room by 8am and settled in.  Unfortunately we were to be there for longer than I wanted.  I had discussed with my doctor about being let out after 24 hours, and she said that would be fine since everything was smooth... but it was ultimately up to the pedi who looked over Callen.  He said that since I had tested positive for Group B, the baby had to stay 48 hours.  BOOOOO!  So, we were in for another nite.  I have to say that this hospital was a million times better than the one I had Preston at.  However, I didn't want to spend more time there than necessary.  All three days there was construction going on consistantly... with two of the days having guys on scaffolding right at my window off and on ALL day.  It was rather ridiculous.  The food was good, though... and I watched a lot of cable TV... haha. 

Seriously... crazy!

The first day Callen's blood sugar levels were low, and they watched them (and poked him, poor baby) very closely... but eventually it rose enough that they left us alone.  He had to have one small syringe full of formula at one point to help supplement the breast milk (which wasn't in yet, obviously), but he was great after that.  Then, the whole having to stay 'cuz of the Group B thing.  And on the third morning (Fri) there was some concern about his jaundice level.  Sigh.  Thankfully, the pedi agreed to let us go that morning... however it took the nurse in charge of me like 4 more hours to get her stuff together and get us out the door.  Super frustrating, but finally free... we got home around 11am on Friday. 



Like most newborns, Callen sleeps most of the time, is hungry most of the time and is pooping and peeing like a pro.  Haha.  Preston is very sweet with him, talks in a small voice to him and sings to him.  He is at the age where is very fond of Daddy, so he's enjoying all the extra Daddy attention for sure.  I think Preston and Callen are gonna be good friends.

In comparison, this is Preston.

This is Callen.  They are brothers!

Playing together:

When will "Little Brother" make his appearance?

[Originally posted Monday, February 22nd at 11:48AM]
This was a lot of fun four years ago when I did it with Preston, so let's try it again....

For the record: My due date is Thursday, March 4th. 

History: Preston's first due date was December 3rd, then moved to the 5th, he came on the 4th.

FYI: I don't plan on being induced or anything like that if I can help it (unless he stays in there tooooo long), I want to go as naturally as possible so I don't have a set date... completely open to whenever he decides to come.

When do you think Baby Boy Clark #2 will be born?
Monday, February 22nd -
Tuesday, February 23rd -
Wednesday, February 24th -
Thursday, February 25th - Mary
Friday, February 26th -
Saturday, February 27th - Darlene, Kenzi
Sunday, February 28th - Jill
Monday, March 1st - Rosie, Val, Lindsay, Abbie
Tuesday, March 2nd - Kristen, Trish
Wednesday, March 3rd - David L., Payge, Candi
Thursday, March 4th - Jade, Leah, Jen, Alison, Kathy
Friday, March 5th - David D., Joel
Saturday, March 6th - Mel, Becca
Sunday, March 7th - David T.
Monday, March 8th -
Tuesday, March 9th - Sarah, Jordan
Wednesday, March 10th - CALLEN WAS BORN (and no one picked this date, haha!)
Beyond? -  Brenda (Mar 12th), Melissa (Mar 15th)


[EDIT: Added Fri., March 5th at 11:54am]
Due date came and went.  Doctor let me know yesterday that there is still no progression... but I am hopeful he comes this weekend.  If he doesn't, I have a scheduled induction on the evening of Tuesday, March 9th... so at least there's an end in sight.  But HOPEFULLY he comes on his own this weekend! [/EDIT]

[EDIT: Added Mon., March 8th at 9:55pm]
Still no baby yet.  I've had some tightness and what could be contractions, but nothing consistent enough to be real labor.  As the scheduled induction rapidly approaches, I have changed my mind... I do not want to be induced.  I called and left a message for my doctor this afternoon asking her to cancel the appointment, but didn't get a returned call.  I'll try again tomorrow.  I hope that she agrees with me and lets me hold off at least a few more days.  I really want to go naturally, and starting off the labor by chemically inducing contractions does not sound good to me at all.  I thought scheduling the induction for Tuesday evening would surely give this little guy enough time to come on his own, but apparently he's just not ready yet.  I don't want to rush him, would like to at least give him a few more days to work up the courage to venture out.  So, we'll see what happens when I talk to the doctor tomorrow about it.  Once again, everything is up in the air, but I'm much more confident in NOT getting induced than I am in going through with it at this point. [/EDIT]

[EDIT: Added Fri., March 12th at 9:35pm]
Well, I WAS induced after all, and Callen Levi Clark was born on 03/10/10 - story to come! [/EDIT]