Birth Story and Pictures

In all my pregnant glory outside the Redlands Community Hospital

Yes, I am still alive! I have been taking it easy while a whirlwind has been going on around me. Because Brooklyn was measuring so big on the 17th, the Dr. scheduled a c-section for the next day. I called my mom and she literally turned the car around from work to pack and drive over. She was and is a life-saver! Thank you, mom! She arrived that night.

Proof that I wore make up this time

We went in June 18th to get admitted for the c-section at 1 pm. I was nervous up until that day, but Scott gave me a beautiful priesthood blessing and I felt calm and peaceful. I went in to the operating room around 1:30 pm. The anesthesiologist found the spot on my back (which was painful--hard pushing), numbed the skin (which was a stinging, burning sensation--not pleasant) and then gave me a spinal block. That part wasn't so bad. It worked pretty quickly, too. I'd say it was much more pleasant than getting an epidural. They got me all prepped and between 5 and 10 minutes from starting, I heard a sweet little cry. Brooklyn was a whopping 8 lbs. 15 oz. Healthy girl! Probably less than 2 minutes later, Scott came back from baby to check on my placenta. By that time, it had been removed with no acreta or anything. We were both so, so relieved. I said a silent prayer of gratitude to God. I feel it was an absolute miracle that everything turned out just fine. Our prayers had been answered.

I am not going to lie. It was a little freaky being so conscious and hearing scissors, knives, and smelling cauterizing flesh--my own! Scott just kept talking to me and I tried really hard to be distracted. It is definitely a different experience having a c-section without laboring 32 (Jake) or 36 (Alisa) hours. I was much more aware of what was going on! Still, the recovery has been SO MUCH BETTER without labor. I am relieved at that. Not that I am functioning at 100%, but I am a lot closer to it than the last two times. I am so grateful for modern medicine.

Like I said, now I am taking it easy recovering. My mom did a great job playing with and distracting the kids while we were in the hospital and when we got home. Scott has been full-time daddy, which is such a blessing. He and my mom also did a number on our house, which is now fairly scrubbed clean and getting close to being all packed. Thank you! Scott's mom came over to help on Thursday and was great at just whisking the kids away and providing meal and Grandma time. I am so grateful to have such loving, supportive family members (not to exclude both Grandpa's--I know it's a sacrifice to let the Grandma's come).

My brother and sister-in-law came to visit (with cutie-pie nephew, too), which was fun. I will miss being so close to them.

Now it's just the five of us. I am so glad that Scott is done with school and is free to be full-time da-duh (as Jake calls him). He's great. And some more good news...

SCOTT PASSED BOARDS! YEA!!

I am so proud of him. We've learned so much over the last few months with all these trials and set-backs we've had. It's been a blessing to re-learn how helpless we are and how much we need the Lord. It's hard to let go and give him control, but it has been wonderful to see what he does to shape us and mold us.

Swimming at the YMCA--my bro, Jared and Corban

Frog slide

Jare, Manda, Corban

Daddy-daughter time

Grandma Crane and Jakey

She is a little [very independent] fish

Here's where little Corban slept--in the kitchen corner. Gotta love a small, full house. Lots of love here.

Princess #1 in her "aunge" (orange) wrap.

Daddy loves his little princess #2

Alisa covered her up with a blanket. She's changed so much already!

Our three little munchkins!

Look how tall Alisa is! All of a sudden she seems huge!

She loves the baby and constantly mauls her.

Beautiful flowers from Grandma and Grandpa Seaman--Thanks!

Both Grandmas and Scott took kids to market night. They loved the snow cone!

Grandma Seaman to the rescue!

What a sweetie! There's something about a baby with hair. I am so in love.

Jake loves her, too.