Everett Clyde O'Connor

On Saturday morning about 1am, I started having regular, strong contractions, so we loaded up the pickup and headed into Miles City. We checked into the hospital and began the journey toward childbirth... I had terrible back labor and opted for the epidural late in the morning, around 10:30 or 11, then they broke my water. Hours passed, 15 or so in total, and Everett was born at 5:28p.m. weighing in at 8 pounds 12 ounces, 21 3/4 inches long. We were released from the hospital about 11:30 Tuesday morning, and after running some errands, arrived home about 2:30. Last night was a little hairy, as the young man decided he was starving every hour and a half, but we grabbed a few hours sleep in hour intervals, and I went back to sleep at 4:30 and caught a few more. Of course, I wish I could sleep now, but just can't seem to, so hopefully I'll catch a nap or two later today. Here are some pictures!

Pregnancy Memories

So I was thinking back through the last nine months (I'll save you from the first month), and thought I would share some highlights, or did you knows, things I've heard, and maybe some trials.

First of all, I am so blessed to be pregnant, and we are really looking forward to holding this little one in our arms.

Did you know I woke up somewhere around 4am and took a pregnancy test, and went back to bed without looking at it? John was the first to see the results.

We kept the pregnancy a secret, to the extent that I even fooled those who got me wine for my birthday! "What a perfect gift!" (never mind that I won't be able to enjoy it for a year) "Thank you so much, I love this wine!" I stink at keeping secrets, usually, but was pretty good that time.


John wanted to learn the gender of the baby, but when it came to the ultrasound, we told the tech we didn't want to know. That didn't keep him from watching very closely, though! I was thoroughly mesmerized by the detail of the ultrasound, watching the little heart beat so regularly and gazing at that tiny little face, hands, feet, everything! Not learning the gender has driven many others crazy, and sometimes I think I would like to know, but I will know just as soon as this little monster decides to join the outside world. Then, all those who are dying to buy little pink frillies or adorable blue outfits can do so.

It was a pleasantly cool summer, so I was pretty lucky there, with a few exceptions, like this fall the away football games got a little toasty. The Lewistown Fair was one of those warmer days too, but one of my favorite stories happened there. A woman with Down's Syndrome came up to me in the restroom, put her hands on my belly, and breathlessly said, "is there a baby in there?" "Yes, there is!" came my reply. "Are you the mommy?" Yes, yes I am!

A wonderful shower was put on for this baby, with lots of friends helping and a lot of local women in attendance, and we have been blessed with so many baby gifts it's overwhelming! We really appreciate everything everyone has given us; gifts, handed down baby gear, support, advice, and prayer.

And now, in the last week, I get about half a dozen calls a day, checking to make sure we're doing okay, making sure we haven't hurried off to Miles in labor. As I wish this baby would make it's grand entrance, I see how many others are waiting with bated breath and feel so loved. So thank you all, again.

And, my favorite piece of advice from a friend who delivered alongside the road a month ago: "wear pants when you go into labor, not a dress"

If this baby is still tucked cozily inside on Tuesday, we will head in for another doctor's appointment and consider induction at that time.

Baby's Room

So, over a month ago, Heather, Faith, and Laney came over and helped me paint in the baby's room. It's about time I post those pics, and some (mostly) finished pics of the room. Here you go:

Faith, delicately cleaning up the edges of a circle she painted.

Laney, drying a circle so it's ready for a second coat. She's a pro with a blowdryer, and so excited to be able to help!

And let me tell you, I was so excited to get help! Here's the room now:

The cradle my dad built; my picture is crooked, not the cradle!

The crib in place, although it's used to store blankets for now. The colorful mobile goes so well in this room!

The changing table my dad built; I need to paint the drawer pulls. I'm thinking the green color of the walls.

Thank you for all the help getting this room ready, I really appreciated it! Now all this colorful room needs is a baby! Stay tuned!

Here it is

So, I've been meaning to blog about the painting/decorating of the nursery, and a blog to thank those that helped with my baby shower and a few pics, but I've been running ragged lately, it is now 9:23, school is crazy, and I frequently have 20 unread messages in my email inbox, so another quick update is what I will post, and if I don't blog about the nursery or baby shower before the baby comes, maybe those of you who actually read this will forgive me once I post pics of the new baby?

So, here it is, 38 1/2 week appt:

my b/p: 124/78
baby's heart rate: 133
1 cm dilated
70% effaced
baby still hasn't dropped, even though I've had a lot of pressure and naively thought it had
According to the doctor, "the baby could come tonight, or it could come in 2 weeks."
Narrows it right down, now, doesn't it?
Good night.

36 Week Appt.

Today we had our 36 week appointment. So, short blog as Anne cooks supper for us! Thanks Eric and Anne!
BP 118/74
Baby's heart rate 144
Maybe 1cm dilated, starting to thin, and -2 station
When I say "maybe 1cm dilated, I mean at most.
So everything looks fine, another appointment in a week, next Friday.

34 Week Appt.

Last night I visited with Anne, and she wanted stats from our appointment up, which of course I intended to do the other day, but somehow forgot. So, finally, here it is.

3:45 appointment: doctor 1 hour late
Heart rate: 138
My blood pressure: 122/72, I think (slightly higher than normal for me, but for cryingoutloud, we had to wait a full hour to get in!)
Our next appointment is in two weeks, on the 27th, and after that we go every week.
6 more weeks until our due date of September 24th!

Thanks for kicking me in the butt, Anne!

Life is like a Bowl of Cherries

Flathead cherries, to be specific.

Okay, I was going to get all philosophical about how cherries are like life, but why don't you tell me how you think cherries are like life, and I'll tell you how these ended up on my kitchen counter.

As you may have noticed in an earlier post, we went to Polson for several days on vacation and visited my great-aunt Jean. Jean is the ultimate hostess; she planned meals, bought food, took us out in the boat, had accomodations for several nights, several people, and made sure we were never bored, and when we asked to just relax and do nothing, she obliged, once she was certain that was what we REALLY wanted to do. It is one of the most relaxing and beautiful places I've ever been, and Aunt (ant) Jean makes it soooo comfortable. As we left, thanking her for all her hospitality, she profusely thanked us for staying with her, for helping out with meals, and for fixing a few things around the house.

So yesterday I had a phone message from Aunt Jean saying that there were cherries coming in the mail for us, and to be sure to pick them up so they didn't go bad in the post office! Along with around 10 pounds of cherries that she sent was a thank-you note for coming to visit her, and for helping around the house and with meals. Can you believe it? I love that woman. Plain and simple. How can you not, unless you really don't know her, that is. I aspire to be like her when I grow up, and need to start practicing now, I'm sure it will take a lot of practice.