Life changes ahead!

I am terrible at blogging. But, hey, it's on my to do list! Ever since having Eliza, I'm terrible at completing my to do lists. At least I am still making them though! I still also manage to get most things accomplished in a timely fashion also. I must not be doing too bad, most days.

Life sure is funny. It seems that it is moving a million times faster than ever before, yet the days seem to drag sometimes. I guess that's the life of a mother. I've been wanting to start blogging again about thoughts and feelings and just about our adventures in life. Kinda like I used to, before I had my sweet faced child. So here I sit, almost 1am, starting a blog post.

Isaac graduates in May in Civil Engineering. He is working his tail off right now, and is always so busy. He was working up until about a month ago, when we decided it would be best for him to just focus on school. Now here we are, mostly unemployed, for the first time in our married life. As long as I have known Isaac, he's had a job. It's kind of strange to think about, but I think he has enjoyed a little bit of a break before real life starts. Also, it's a good thing he isn't still working, because I'm not sure when he would fit in any hours! It's his second to last semester, so classes are keeping him busy. Mostly his senior design class. And then there is the Civil Engineering club on campus. He's the president of that, and there are always so many things for him to do for it. Fit in homework, hours of research for his group senior project, and time spent with his two girls and he's a busy guy. He's doing awesome in all of his classes though. He really does love what he's learning, and never gives up on it!

In January, he will take his Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. Which is a 6 hour test to become an Engineer in Training. EiT's have to work under a licensed Engineer or a Professional Engineer for 4 years, after which they can take the PE Exam (another 6 hours) and become a Professional Engineer. Which means they get their own stamp, and can be in charge (basically). This whole process isn't mandatory, or even part of his schooling, but some companies prefer it for jobs!

Jobs. The scary/exciting future. Isaac has applied at just over 50 companies so far. They are all over the country. From Seattle to Maine. There aren't many opportunities in the West since he doesn't have any experience yet. He has had several denials, and one interview so far. We are very excited for our next adventure, to see where life is going to take us. I'm a little bit nervous, mostly because we could be ANYWHERE a year from now. Seattle, New York, in the South, Texas, the Midwest, or on the East Coast. We have some big changes coming soon, and hopefully I'm prepared!

I'm so proud of Isaac and everything he has accomplished so far. He's so smart and such a wonderful husband and father to Eliza and I. I can't imagine what life would be like if we didn't end up together. A different set of challenges and blessings I'm sure. I'm glad I get to take on these life changes with such a hardworking partner in crime.

Eliza month 2 (Jan 6- Feb 5)

I'm slowly getting caught up. I never realized how difficult going to school with a baby is.

Eliza started rolling from front to back on January 13, at 6 weeks. She loves standing with balancing help also. She started sleeping through the night for 6-9 hours at 6 weeks as well. She can roll from her back to her side towards the beginning of February. She loves standing up, and only needs help to balance.  She hates being naked. She had her first ER visit January 24th, which turned out to be a waste of time. Our pediatrician was a little overzealous (or just plain crazy). We are now very careful about calling the after hours line. We also made the decision to switch pediatricians shortly after this. She started loving bath time this month, as long as her dad puts her in the tub and as long as it's toasty warm! At her 2 month checkup, she weighed exactly 8 lbs. Which just so happens to not even be on the charts for weight. She is 20 3/4inches tall (2nd percentile) and 37.4 cm head circumference (24th percentile). She is our tiny girl with a big noggin. She received her first round of shots, and boy did she get red in the face for about 5 minutes! Once we got her dressed and in her car seat, she was just fine and took a nap. She is the snuggliest girl ever, especially with her mamma!
Now enjoy plenty of pictures of her second month!

Motherhood

My thoughts on motherhood.

I was always worried that I was going to absolutely hate being a mom. I was convinced that I would have children because it was just what was expected of me. I was never baby hungry, but toddler hungry. I have always loved children, and knew I would have some someday. I did want to skip the newborn phase, though! I wanted to skip straight to a two or three year old. I was worried, especially towards the end of my pregnancy that I was going to not like it that much.

I am so very glad that I decided to become a mom. It has been the best thing I have in my life. I have LOVED having a newborn. She has been a dream for the most part. There is absolutely nothing better than snuggling a newborn baby that is your own. I had no idea how much love can exist in the human body until I had Eliza. I mean, I love my husband, and my love for him always grows. But the love a mother has for her child is one of a kind, and is indescribable. Having the love for my husband, which has grown since having a baby together, and the love for my sweet baby in my body all at the same time is quite the feeling.

My appreciation for my own mother has grown tremendously as well. She came and stayed with us for a week when we first got home from the hospital, and she continues to give me great advice when I have no idea what to do. I have always been grateful for her, but now I understand a lot of the things that she did for me growing up.

I never realized how much worrying happens when you have to care for someone so much. For this reason, I am so very grateful for priesthood blessings. They are so very powerful, and they work perfectly with mothers intuiton. God created men and women with such powerful gifts.

There are so many things that get put by the wayside everyday, and I have come to terms with it. I am such a type A personality, and it is hard for me to not do everything exactly when I want to do it. Especially when it comes to having a clean house. But when my baby wants to be held, I love holding her. Even if it means that I don't get all the laundry folded right then. I love that she loves me and wants me to hold her. It isn't always going to be that way, and I'm taking advantage of it right now.

One of the most surprising things to me is that when I'm exhausted because I haven't gotten anything done, and Eliza has been a little high maintenance, I love seeing her smiling face. She makes everything worth it.

I was worried I wasn't going to love being a mom. But I absolutely love it. I always wanted to be a working mom, and didn't want anything else. Until a year ago, that was the plan. I'm really glad that my plan changed, I think Heavenly Father knew exactly what was best for me. I just didn't know at the time, that I am meant to have many babies and take care of them. That is my main priority in life, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

Yes, there are hard nights. Yes, sometimes she wont stop screaming. But this job is the most worthwhile one I have ever had. I am so excited to have lots more babies and to raise them.

Eliza Ruth Wood

This is just for my records, and so that I can remember it later. It is a little long, but here it is, only two and a half months later..

Eliza's due date was December 15th.
I felt my first braxton hicks contractions at 35 weeks. I had 3 really strong contractions that happened while I was driving. I had to pull over, and Isaac had to take over. We were on the way to pick up her car seat from Fedex. It had to be shipped, because we were given the wrong one as we checked out at the baby store.
Real contractions started on November 20th at 36 weeks and 3 days. Isaac and I were out Christmas shopping, walking around the mall. We kept having to stop because it was hard for me to breathe and walk at the same time. As soon as we left the mall, the contractions stopped. I had contractions for the next couple of days on and off. At my 37 week checkup, I was dilated to 1-2. After the checkup, Isaac and I went to a movie, The Martian, for Isaac's birthday. I had contractions the entire movie, about every 3 minutes. Of course, as soon as we left after the movie was over, the contractions stopped. The next day, Nov 25, was a rough day full of lots of contractions. It is also Isaac's birthday. We went out to eat at The Bridge for his birthday, and enjoyed our last date night without a baby. The next day was Thanksgiving, and I didn't have any contractions for the next few days. My guess for the baby to arrive was November 29, and the day came and went without a baby. By this point, Isaac and I were ready for baby to arrive. I was mostly just ready to be done having sporadic and ridiculous contractions. They were never super painful, just made it really hard to breathe, and I couldn't do anything else at the time. At my 38 week checkup on December 1, I was dilated to a strong 2 and 50% effaced. We left the doctors office, and I was upset and thinking the baby was never going to come. Isaac kept having to reassure me that all babies come into the world. No woman has ever stayed pregnant. All week I was hurrying to finish up all of my papers, projects, and assignments for my classes in case baby decided to arrive at any minute.
Labor started Friday night, Dec 4th. I didn't know I was in labor, I was convinced it was just like any other time. Contractions were 3-4 minutes apart at around 10 or 11pm. Isaac and I went to bed, he assured me that if they continued I needed to wake him up. They continued for an hour, very consistently. I finally got so uncomfortable that I had to move to the couch so I didn't wake up Isaac. I didn't want to wake him up, go to the hospital and then be sent home. Especially since he had to work at 3am. My lower back was killing me, so I grabbed a rice bag and warmed it up. I eventually got to sleep on the couch after my back was warm enough to not be so painful. When I woke up, my back was still very painful. I warmed up the rice bag again, and tried to relax. I called my mom about 10:30 or 11am. After telling her how I was feeling, she informed me that back pain was her only sign that she was in labor. Isaac had gone back to bed when he got home from work, and after talking to my mom I decided to wake him up and see what he thought. After talking about it, we decided that we would at least go into the hospital. Just to give me peace of mind. If they sent us home, it would be fine. I could at least know where I was at.
We got everything ready to go, and got dressed. We left for the hospital about 12:45pm.

We drove to the hospital, and I was convinced that we were going to get sent home. I wasn't in pain that much. Mostly just uncomfortable, and I could hardly breathe.
Walking into the hospital was the worst. I didn't want Isaac to drop me off, so we parked and walked in together. I pushed the button to be let into the Labor & Delivery hall, and they immediately opened the doors. We walked down the hall and the nurse helped me into a room. She gave me a gown and had me change. She checked me, and then went to get the resident on call. He checked me again, and said I was dilated to 3cm, 80% effaced, and at a 0 station. They decided to admit me. The resident joked that he didn't think I was actually in labor because I was so calm. The nurse, who was my absolute favorite, did all the check-in stuff and then had me walk up and down the hall to progress labor a little. At this point, I hadn't decided if I was going to have an epidural or not. I wanted to wait until I actually felt pain to decide. That happened when I was right in the middle of the hall. I literally didn't want to walk down the rest of the hall. The resident came down and asked if I wanted a wheelchair, and of course I said no. I wasn't about to be a whimp. He asked if I was going to want an epidural, and I said that I for sure was. I got back to the room, and they said the anesthesiologist was in surgery and was going to be another hour. It was 3pm and they checked me again. I was at a 5 and 90% effaced. I was, at this point, actually in pain. It was so much that I was indeed screaming, and the whole floor probably could have heard me. The nurse gave me some sort of pain killer in my IV to take off some of the pain. It didn't seem to help too much, but it did make me very nauseous. It did, however, make the pain bearable. At 4 the anesthesiologist came in and started to get me ready for the epidural. It took what felt like forever for it to happen. But once I had the epidural, I felt great. The only downside to the epidural was that it slowed the whole process down. Had I not decided on the epidural, Eliza would have made her entrance two hours earlier. I was able to get some sleep after the epidural, and just relax. They checked me at 6 and I hadn't progressed at all. They asked if I wanted Pitocin, or if I just wanted it to take its course. I decided to take Pit, and the contractions picked up like crazy. I was checked at 6:40, and was dilated to a 7. Then again at 7:30, I was at an 8. At that point, my water still had not broken. They said that I could have them break my water, and that would probably make me progress really quickly. My family was at Red Lobster eating dinner, and waiting for me to progress more. I wanted to wait for them to be back before the baby came, so I told them I wanted to wait a little while. At about 8pm, they broke my water. I progressed to a 10 by about 8:15. Right at that time, Isaac called my mom to see how close they were. They were pulling into the parking lot, and everyone was running to the elevator. Jared, my sister's boyfriend, and my dad were running the fastest. Which is funny because neither one of them were going to be in the room. Jared waited in the waiting room(because he was sick). My dad and sister waited out in the hall. My mom and Isaac both stood by me. Since nobody knew if the baby was a girl or boy, everyone that walked in the room the entire day made a guess, and there was a tally on the board. I pushed only a few times, and only for 19 minutes before Eliza came. It also helped that I threw up a few times while I was pushing. I was shocked that a little girl came out at 8:43pm, since I was convinced that I was carrying a little boy! Isaac cut the cord, meanwhile I was in total awe of the fact that sweet baby was mine. I kept saying to the doctor that that baby was mine, almost asking if I was dreaming or if everything had just happened. They let me hold my sweet girl for a few minutes before they took her to get measured. The nursery nurse then took her to measure and clean her up. She was COVERED in white vernix. So much so that you couldn't see any color! My mom and Isaac went over with her to get cleaned up and measured, she was 6lbs 1oz and 19 inches long. My dad was anxious and telling everyone that he was ready to come in and see her! The resident and doctor stitched me up, I only had 2 first degree tears. The nurse and resident both told me that I needed to have lots of babies because of how quick the whole process was.
We still hadn't decided on a name. We knew what we were going to name the baby if it was going to be a boy, but we had a couple different options if it was going to be a girl. Isaac came over after a little while and said she looked like an Eliza. I definitely agreed. Our little Eliza Ruth was screaming, and oh so wonderful. She was given the middle name Ruth after Isaac's maternal grandmother. Once we were both cleaned up, they brought her over and I attempting nursing. I quickly learned how ferocious of a little human she is. She nursed very well, and liked to bite! It was almost as if she was born with teeth! After I nursed her, my dad and sister were able to come in and hold sweet little girl.
Once everyone got a chance to hold her, they left for home. Eliza had to go to the nursery, to get all checked out, and I hung out for a little while and waited for my epidural to wear off while I ate applesauce and drank juice.
At about 11:45pm or so, the nurse came in and helped me use the bathroom and then wheeled me down to my postpartum room. Isaac then went with Eliza to get her first bath. After what seemed like forever, they came back and I got to hold my little girl again. The time I waited while they were both gone felt like 5 hours, although I think it was maybe an hour and a half. The entire first night, I think I slept maybe an hour. I didn't want to sleep, and I couldn't sleep. I just wanted to hold her and watch her sleep the entire time.
We had our friend Breanna stop by Sunday morning, and my sister Lindsey and Jared stopped by as well. Isaac's two older sisters, Anika and Karlee, and their families come and visit on Sunday afternoon, as well as my parents. We could have been discharged Sunday evening, but we decided to stay an extra night. There was a postpartum nurse and a nursery nurse that we had at all times. The only nurses that I didn't like the entire time I was there, were the ones that just so happened to be the two the discharged us. The nursery nurse that we had the second night, was AMAZING! She held Eliza all night in the nursery, so that she wouldn't be fussy, and so that I could get some sleep. She brought her in to me every 2.5-3 hours so that she could eat, and then would take her back to the nursery and hold her. She was the sweetest lady! However, the nurse right after her was the worst. She brought Eliza in every 25 minutes telling me that she was hungry because she kept chewing on her hands. When in all reality, Eliza is just really fond of her hands. She was born with two round marks on each wrist where the skin was rubbed raw from her chewing on them in the womb. Anyways, so I would try and feed her, and she wouldn't eat, because she wasn't hungry. At the same time I had that nursery nurse, the postpartum nurse that I had kept wanting to chat with me all the time. She would come in to take vitals, and would stay and chat for a half an hour! I was trying to sleep for peetsake! The two of them were bound and determined to not let me sleep! I did LOVE the rest of the nurses that we had. Eliza's going home weight was 5lbs 10oz.

I'm very glad that my doctor, Dr. Kim Cox, was able to be there to deliver Eliza. Since it was a Saturday, it was whoever was on call that was supposed to deliver her. He just so happened to be there when I was walking the hall and said for the nurse to call him when I was getting closer, and he would come back and deliver the baby. I loved the atmosphere of the hospital, and most of the staff, they were wonderful. I really hope that the rest of my babies delivery experiences are somewhat similar to Eliza's!
I loved not finding out the gender for my first baby. I think it made the whole delivery experience such a fun one! I was worried about having an epidural, because I don't do well with any kind of pain medication. It was a great experience though, and I wouldn't change getting one. My legs were tingly the entire time, and I didn't have any feeling, but I still had enough movement. There really aren't too many things I would change about the whole of it.
These are pictures that were taken the day we went home by someone who goes around to all the rooms at the hospital.

 

One month

The countdown is on until baby makes the appearance we have been so anxiously waiting for. One month or less and this baby will be here. I just wanted to make a quick post about the feelings I've been having and everything, so that I don't forget.
Things are really starting to get busy. School only has a few weeks left, so things are getting slightly stressful. We are trying to make sure everything is ready for the baby, so that we don't have to worry about that much once baby arrives. Especially since it could be any time now and with the holidays and finals coming up, it might get a little bit interesting.
Isaac seems to be moving along. He is very excited and doesn't seem to be nervous. I, on the other hand, am getting more and more nervous. I'm not really nervous that anything will go wrong, or that it won't all work out the best way possible. I'm not scared of what will happen, or the labor process. I think the main thing I am the most worried about is the unknown factor of it all. I don't know when it's going to happen, and that is what terrifies me most. I know that everything else will be just fine, and I know that baby will be healthy and strong. I have had a feeling the entire pregnancy that this baby is going to make an early entrance into this world. I never thought it would be overly early, but I've felt that it definitely won't be a 40 week baby. The closer it gets, the more I feel like that is correct. Which makes me feel nervous because I don't feel ready yet. Do you ever feel ready? Probably not. I wasn't very worried about it, until at my last doctor appointment, my doc said baby was probably about 3 1/2 pounds (34 week appointment). Now that was two weeks ago, and since I've had the feeling that baby will be early it makes me nervous that baby won't be big enough. I know that it will all be fine, but it doesn't stop me from worrying. I've really felt my nesting kicking in these last couple of days, and I really haven't been able to sleep very much. Everyone says that I look so small, and yes I would agree. I just don't feel like my body is going to be able to stretch much more, and I think maybe that will be the reason baby will come sooner rather than later. I guess we will see.
I've also been very concerned because the baby is always in the wrong position. Last week, the baby's feet were in my pelvis, and head was in my ribs. With around 5 weeks to go, this isn't exactly what I was hoping for. There have been several different major movements, but none of them have resulted in baby being head down, or anything close. Any time the baby has done major flips, I've definitely felt it, so I know there is limited room in there. It makes me nervous that baby is going to be breech, or transverse (which has been the absolute favorite position for the last ten or so weeks). I definitely am carrying a very stubborn baby, which is no surprise.
I came across this video again today, and it makes me feel better. No matter what happens, or when it happens, I will be getting a sweet little baby to love and take care of. Of that I know for sure. It doesn't necessarily matter how this baby comes, or when at this point. Officially at 36 weeks, baby can function most likely very well.
I can't wait to see where the next month's adventure will take us.

Weeks 14-22

June, July, and half of August have gone by way too quickly. Which also means that this pregnancy has flown by. Exactly 4 months from today is baby's due date. It sounds longer when it's put like that, rather than in weeks.
The first few weeks of the second trimester were the worst part of the entire pregnancy so far. I was very sick and miserable. I couldn't keep much food down, and absolutely nothing sounded good. In so many ways, weeks 14-20ish were the worst weeks of the entire pregnancy (thus far). Although, I did start to have more energy which was nice.

How far along: 14-22 weeks

Size of the baby: Papaya/spaghetti squash (22 weeks)

Weight gain: I lost about 10ish lbs during these weeks, and luckily by my appointment at 17 weeks, I had gained a total of 4-5 lbs from starting weight. So I balanced all my loss, and gained it back.

Maternity clothes? I held off for as long as possible. I had myself convinced that if I just didn't buy any, that I would never have to wear them. Not so. Up until week 22, I'd been trying real hard to wear a few pairs of non-maternity pants. Which of course led to being extremely uncomfortable. I've only purchased a few things, and have been making most of the shirts I already have work.

Sleep: Sleep is starting to get slightly better, as long as I can devote 9-10 hours to sleep. Falling asleep is still the hardest part. But it's been much easier since my pregnancy pillow came in the mail! It's probably one of the only things that I would say I can't live without. Getting comfortable enough to sleep without it is out of the question.

Cravings:We are just lucky if we can find something I will eat these days. Nothing usually sounds good, so I just have to try a few different things at each meal until I find something I can at least stand to eat. I have been WAY into sweets again though. Which is opposite  the beginning. Smartie's have been one of my absolute favorites. Oh.. I can't forget. MILK. Milk has been a huge staple. So much that we have been going through 3 or more gallons of milk a week. When we are out of milk, I have some ice cream. I'm usually not satisfied with any meal until I have some sort of milk or dairy in it. There have been a few smaller things here and there, but nothing else major.

Baby movement? SO MUCH! We first felt baby move at about 17 weeks. I felt baby move on July 10th for the first time, and Isaac felt baby move on July 11th. Typically baby is most active at night time, but the past 2 weeks, it is most active during the day time when I am sitting at my desk at work. I definitely can tell when baby is sleeping, and as soon as baby wakes up from a nap.

 

Gender Prediction: BOY. I am convinced we are having a baby boy. Since we aren't finding out, and there were no indications either way at the ultrasound, it's fun to guess! Isaac used to be convinced we are having a boy, but the more as time goes on, he won't say what he thinks. I secretly think he thinks we are having a girl.

Challenges this week: When I don't feel the baby move, and want to. Sometimes the baby is shy, and it makes me slightly frustrated. I want to feel the baby on command, and that's not always possible. I do feel the baby several times throughout each day though, which is wonderful.

Best moment this week: Best moments of the past few weeks were seeing the look on Isaac's face when he felt the baby move. We were at TJ MAX looking at random things, and just so happened to be in the baby clothes section. The ultrasound was incredible. We have the CUTEST baby I've ever seen. Everything looked so strong and healthy, and of course we have one of the wiggliest babies so it took a little while for the ultrasound tech to see everything. Baby was measuring at exactly 20 weeks on the ultrasound day, which marked exactly 20 weeks for the pregnancy. So right on time! They recorded a small portion for us to download, and I watch it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I am obsessed with this child, and love feeling my baby move.

Nursery: We have purchased a few things here and there. We bought a cute bassinet this week, to go in our room. I think it will feel more real for Isaac once we start setting the crib up in a month or so.

Baby Baby

We are so excited about the baby we are expecting in December.

The estimated due date up to this point is December 15, but we will see how close that is after the ultrasound in a few weeks. Last week, on June 2, we got to hear the babies heartbeat for the first time. It was a strong 165. We are both so excited, and nervous for the upcoming months. December will be a busy, crazy, exciting time with finals, peak(busy season) for Isaac's job, Christmas and baby will be coming! We aren't finding out the gender until birth, which we are very excited about waiting. It will be an adventure, but one of the best ones yet!

Memphis Day 3

For the other Memphis posts see the links below:
Day 2 and Day 1
Saturday, October 11. Day 3.
Saturday morning we were able to go through a session at the Memphis Tennessee temple with Josh and Alicia while the grandparents watched Emmett, Melynn and Tucker. It really was a great experience. Isaac said the temple reminded him a lot of the one in his mission, the Canada Edmonton temple.
After the temple, we went back to Josh & Alicia's and headed out to the Civil Rights Museum. This is the site of Martin Luther King Jr's Assassination. The Lorraine Motel. It was very cool to walk through and see a lot of the civil rights artifacts and to hear a lot of stories. I probably could've spent a few days there, but unfortunately didn't have a few days to do so.

They had this station in the beginning that had telephones you could pick up that were connected so you could listen to the stories of several different people.

Tucker was very into listening to the stories of these people

They had some news videos going on in this room.

They had a lot of great exhibits to portray the real life things that happened.

They even had a replica jail cell that MLK was in.

There was a huge thing that happened right in Memphis.

We were able to look into the room he stayed at, room 306, the night before he died. I don't have any pictures of that for some reason. There was a piece of glass up but everything was original inside.

Up until 1988, it was a working motel. The square was cut out, because it had MLK's blood on it.

 

This is across the street from the Lorraine Motel, where they suspect the shooter was. There was also an exhibit of the events and suspects of the shooting in this same building.

After we left the museum we went and had some Tennessee BBQ! We ate at Central BBQ. It was delicious and had such a good price. The meal fed 8 adults and 3 children very well for around $50.

After dinner we went back to Josh and Alicia's house for games. The kids were allowed to stay up a little bit later and play games since it was our last night there.
We had such a fun time, and we were both really sad to leave. We can't wait to visit the other Wood family again in a few years.

On Sunday morning Wes drove us to the airport way before the sun came up.

We were in Idaho Falls around noon, and were able to see our best friend Titus off before he left for his deployment in the Navy.