New Ways to Spell London

i.n.d.e.p.e.n.d.e.n.t  or

s.t.u.b.b.o.r.n

Let me back up for just a moment and say that I have been spoiled rotten by family, friends, and neighbors.  We have thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food and treats, the darling gifts, and the abundance of help with my girls. 

Today was the first day that I needed to take Addy to preschool by 9 am.  Luckily all the stars aligned.  Girls woke up with enough time to eat, get dressed, and have hair done.  (Who am I kidding?  London refuses to get dressed or have her hair done, so we got Addy squared away) and Ethan woke up with enough time to be fed.  What I didn't plan for was London.  It took us an extra 10 minutes to get in the car, not because I have a new baby, but because I have the most independent stubborn two-year-old around.  She has to do everything, "mah sef."  From putting on her boots, which go lovely with her nightgown, to walking down the garage steps, climbing in the car, fighting with Mom to sit in her carseat, and then finally letting me "help" her buckle.  Mercy.  We were only 10 minutes late.

I decided that we would venture out and run a couple of errands when we went back to pick up Addy from school.  (Yes, because I like to bang my head against walls for fun.)  So, I showered, actually did my hair, put on something other than sweat pants, packed a snack for the girls and we were on our way (after repeating London's morning ritual of getting in the car). 

First stop:  Post Office

I have a thing for stamps.  I like them.  It started on my mission in Japan.  They have the coolest stamps.  I'm always a bit bummed when I have to mail a card or letter and I only have the flag stamps...boring.  So, with all the amazing help I've received, I've got a pile of thank you notes that need to be sent. 

I arrived at the post office and unloaded everyone.  We made it through the automatic doors only to have London start to totally freak out.  She was laying on the entry carpet writhing around like she was possessed by some demon and screaming/fake crying.  It took me a minute to figure out what on earth she was freaking out about.  She wanted to be the first one in our Eberhardt conga line into the post office so she would be the one to open the automatic doors. 

I tried to remain calm.  Got her up and had her go out the door and then come back in.  This took about five minutes because other patrons kept going out and coming back in and we would have to start the process over and over again so that London was doing it all by "mah sef!" Then we got in line, not a long line, but a line nonetheless.  London was still wimpering over such a tramatic entry and wanted me to hold her.  Because I still have a tender belly, this is a bit tricky.  I picked her up and had her on the counter in line and was holding her with the counter's help.  This was not what she wanted, so the whining began.  By the time we made it to the front of the line and I was buying my stamps, London was on the floor throwing another tantrum, Ethan was crying in his carseat, and Addy wanted me to buy a Green Eggs and Ham greeting card. 

After picking up London with one arm (thank you CrossFit) and holding her on one hip, lugging Ethan out with the other arm, we safely made it to the exit doors only to have Addy purposely run in front of London to start tantrum #3.  Mercy.

Needless to say, we won't be venturing out again anytime soon.  I will be shopping at night or on weekends or only going to places with a drive through.  God bless the libraray.  I hope all of you who receive a "thank you" note from me take a minute and notice the cute Pixar stamps that are on that note because from here on out it's flag ones from the ATM. 

Ethan Louis Eberhardt

This darling baby boy joined our family on January 12, 2012 at 8:01 a.m. weighing in at 7 lb. 13 oz. and measuring 20 inches long.  He has a permanent scowl on his face with a very furrowed brow.  Hopefully we can help him not take life quite so seriously the older he gets, but for now, we are so excited to have him here safe and sound and making us an official "Party of Five."

And now for the story...

I have had 2 C-sections with my two girls, both being breech babies.  I had read an article after London was born saying that for certain women, they may be eligible to have a VBAC even after 2 C-sections.  I fit into that category because I never even labored, didn't have complications with labor, just had babies that couldn't find the right way out.  When my OB retired, I was on the hunt for a new OB who would be willing to fulfill my request...to at least try a VBAC.  The first one I approached answered with a quick "no," and I realized I was going to have a tough time from his explanation to me.  I had just found out I was pregnant when my in-laws had just returned from traveling with a friend who was an OB, practiced near my home, and said he would be willing to do the VBAC. 

He explained to me the risks associated with the VBAC, but in my mind, they weren't that great, so as long as this baby boy could find the right way out, I wanted to try.  At 38 weeks, they did an ultrasound and sure enough, our baby boy was the smartest of the bunch and was head down.  It was at the same doctor appointment when I found out that yes, my doctor was still willing to do the VBAC, but there was a slight hiccup in the plan.  He was leaving out of town on January 13th and returning on January 21st.  (Due date:  January 19th)  I was crushed.  He explained that the trip was already planned for January 24th but then the airline cancelled that flight, so they had to move it earlier in order to get the same accommodations, etc.  I mostly just heard, "Blah, blah, blah, blah." 

I outlined what I thought would be the scenario. 

Me:  So, if I do go into labor while you are out of town, then whoever is on-call from your practice would deliver my baby?

Doc:  Yes, that's right.

Me:  Well, how comfortable are your colleagues doing a VBAC after 2 C-sections?

Doc:  Uh...some more than others.

I was crushed.  I told him I'd think about it and let him know the following week.  I walked out his office, called Jonathan, and started to cry.  I didn't realize how emotional I would be (why not Miki?  9 months pregnant, remember?).  While the idea of having a baby vaginally totally freaked me out because it was the unknown, it was also something I have never experienced and I liked the idea of recovering faster than a C-section. 

Well, after some great advice from family, friends, and fellow VBAC peeps and much thought and prayer, we decided to schedule the C-section.  I simply felt much to uneasy about all the unknowns and uncertainties...throw in the mix a doctor who may or may not be confident in his or her abilities to deliver the baby and that pretty much did me in.  I wasn't upset with my decision, I actually felt quite calm and at peace after the decision had been made.  So, Thursday, January 12th at 7:30 am was when this baby was scheduled to join our family.

39 weeks and 1 day

January 12th at 5:30 am leaving to go to the hospital

The night before, Jenni, my SIL, graciously allowed my girls to sleep at her house, so we had a quiet house.  Jonathan and I laid in bed and thought about our little spirit up in heaven just waiting to come down and join our family.  I thought that he was likely up there hanging out with our grandparents trying to soak up as much wisdom and advice as he could...or at least a few tips on how to deal with two older sisters.

We had a great nurse, Codi, who also had 3 C-sections and 2 girls and a boy.  We bonded instantly.  After signing my life away and getting some instructions from my loud gum-chewing anesthesiologist, we were ready to go!

Three C-sections = 3 Michelin Man Costumes

Welcome to the world!

3.540 kg = 7 lb. 13 oz.

It's always an awkward first hold laying on an operating table.  The anesthesia this time made me so sleepy.  I don't remember being that way with my girls, but I seriously wanted to just close my eyes and fall asleep while they were getting ready to pull Ethan out. 

Under the heading of "no such thing as coincidences," as my doctor opened my scar but before he cut my uterus, he said that my uterine wall was so thin he could see Ethan's hair.  Both he and the nurse mentioned that fact that I never would have made it through labor if I tried for a VBAC.  Either the baby would have been in distress or my uterus would have ruptured and either scenario would have landed me right where I was but in much different circumstances.  I am grateful for the answer to prayer we received to go ahead and schedule the C-section rather than wait it out and try for the VBAC.

In the recovery room, finally getting to hold Ethan.  Another crazy side effect I had was "the shakes."  I could not stop shaking for almost two hours.  I typically itch from the spinal, but this time I was itching and shaking.  I couldn't talk on the phone or text so it took me awhile to get word to my family.

Aunt Jenni brought our girls to see Ethan first.  Addy was rather timid and didn't want to hold Ethan, but just wanted to "watch." I think she was a little nervous seeing me in the hospital bed with various tubes coming out of me.

London jumped right up on the bed and took us for multiple rides.

She held Ethan for about 20 seconds, then handed him back to me and said, "Thank you."

The nurse waited for the girls to come before she gave Ethan his first bath.  Addy didn't want to help, she just wanted to "watch" but quickly took to this position with her hands in her ears when Ethan started to cry.

The Visitors:

My Grandma Ber...she came twice to snuggle Ethan.  She kept asking him how Grandpa was doing up there, made my heart sad and happy.  She made this darling quilt and...

brought this amazing fruit basket (as she's done with each of my children's births)

Sans and Pops

Aunt Dani

Gma Cozy

Aunt Becky

and also thanks to my friends Summer, Kami, Buffy and the Terry's for your visits and delicious food.  Ethan and I felt so loved and cared for by all of our visitors. 

After I had been at the hospital for a couple of days, Addy decided not to "watch" anymore and wanted to hold her new baby brother.

Jonny caught me in a moment of bliss

When I had London, I was itching to get home.  I think I felt bad for Addy and didn't want to be away from her that long.  With Ethan, I enjoyed every moment of peace and quiet, helpful nurses, good reading material, good football games, helpful family members, beautiful mountain views, yummy treats and never once asked to go home early.  Guess that's another perk to a C-section...4 days in the hospital.

If he lifts those eyebrows high enough, the scowl actually disappears

The sun was just too bright

Ready to go home

And here we go...onto more fun and crazy adventures as we shift from man-to-man to zone defense in our home.

Proof

So, I've been doing CrossFit since March. If you know me, you know I love it.  Once I found out I was pregnant, I set the goal to still be able to do pull-ups when I was 9 months pregnant.  While I'm using significantly more momentum to get that chin and extra 30 lb. "weight vest" over the bar, here is the proof that I accomplished my goal!

*Disclaimer:  Numbering may be slightly exaggerated.*

Happy New Year!

We rang in 2012 in style with friends, food, and fun!  Thank you to the Gunns for hosting such a great party.  It's always a good sign when I leave with my cheeks and abs hurting from smiling and laughing so hard.