Blake Douglas : Birth Story

A sweet little boy was born and made us a family of four. This is the birth story of Blake Douglas!

39 weeks 3 days - Wednesday, March 13, 2019

I had a midwife appointment Wednesday and decided to get checked to see if I was progressing any. I was at "a good stretchy 3", the baby was tucked into my right hip, my belly was measuring 40 weeks and the midwife said with some good contractions I would open right up.

We were forecasted to get the storm of the century and since we are 70 miles from the hospital, as a precaution Steve and I were staying with his sister, Jess.

Wednesday night around 11pm I started to have my bloody show and possible loss of mucus plug along with some noticeable contractions. I went to bed but that was the end of those labor symptoms and I slept through the night with no issues.

39 weeks 4 days - Thursday, March 14, 2019

We stayed warm and cozy at Jess's and that included the baby. We binge watched Game of Thrones and I really didn't have any more signs of labor.

39 weeks 5 days - Friday, March 15, 2019

I woke up at 7:30am to a little jolt and what I thought could have been my water breaking but it was very little fluid so I thought I probably just peed.

Steve and I ran some errands around Fargo as the roads hadn't been opened up yet for us to go back home. Around 2pm we decided to go to the hospital just to make certain my water didn't break.

Swab test came back positive for amniotic fluid so we were admitted and I couldn't even go get my bag from the car. I was feeling great, was dilated to a 4 and contractions (that I hardly noticed) were 3 minutes apart.

Around 3:45pm we were all cozy in our room but not much was happening on the baby front, I was still super content and hadn't had much more come out for amniotic fluid. The midwife checked me at 5:30pm and could still feel some of the bag so she was scratching the baby's head trying to get it to break the rest of the way and ... break. it. did. Now it was go time!! I seriously wish I would have had a video of the water coming out because I felt like a fire hydrant haha it is a feeling that is unexplainable.

This time around I tested negative for Group B Strep so I didn't have to be hooked up to anything. They did give me an IV just incase something were to go wrong and they needed to give me meds, it was there. I labored naturally sitting on the bed and then laying on my stomach over the peanut ball. I did all this without pain and just kept talking with God and praying over my body singing along to Fear is a Liar. I let my contractions do their job!

At 7:45pm I was at 8cm. At some point I remember being on the peanut ball and I asked if there was a head there because I felt a lot of pressure - the midwife hopped up to come check and sure enough it was time. That is one of the main reasons I love the midwife team is they let you do your thing, and also a reason I'd like to try home birth if we have another! I turned around to use the birthing bar because that worked so well with Quinn but we couldn't get the bed to drop down far enough for me to get into a squatting position. So around 8:30pm one nurse grabbed one leg and Steve grabbed the other - 3 good pushes and we welcomed our son at 8:46pm.

This was another wonderful pregnancy, labor & delivery and I thank God for this experience (recommend the book Supernatural Childbirth to anyone trying to get pregnant).
I'm still a little shocked we have a son - what a wonderful addition to our family he has been!!

8 lbs 10 oz 20.25 in

Family of Four

Photography by our wonderful friend and photographer Dalayna

Quinn : Month 2

t w o m o n t h s: 
Quinn you are already growing up waaaaay too fast. You weigh a little over 10 lbs and are starting to get the best little personality. At 7.5 weeks we started on a different schedule adding in a little sleep training - you're a rockstar with it and have been napping and sleeping at night (only getting up once) like a champ. We went to the lake for the first time, celebrated our first Mother's Day, you got baptized and Mom had her first night out this month - you were a perfect little angel for Dad! You are growing out of your clothes even though I'm still trying to cram you in some newborn stuff because I'm in denial. The last couple weeks you've been spitting up pretty good, getting that gas out (plus you may like to overeat) you especially like to get the grandpas all dirty 😆 and maaaaan can you destroy a diaper!! We couldn't be more in love with you and are in a constant struggle of wanting you to stay little and yet love watching you grow!! 

Loves: stroller walks, car rides, making faces with mom & dad, her swing, reading Old McDonald, baths, her hands, being swaddled
Hates: being gassy, waiting to eat, being overtired, getting her nose cleaned out
Nicknames: baby girl, little gremlin, Quinnie, sweet pea, miss Q, 
Skills: kicking, smiling, lifting her head and look around, taking a bottle for dad, making poop soup 😂

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Quinn James : Birth Story

I always want to remember how our first born came into this world. Here is the story of meeting our sweet girl for the first time.

40 weeks + 1 day. Friday April 7, 2017.
My water broke around 9pm. Steve and I were sitting in our living room watching TV and I felt a small contraction then thought I peed my pants a little (oh the joys of pregnancy). So I went to the bathroom and thought my water broke instead but I wasn't totally convinced. I went back to watching TV and got up a little while later and as soon as I stood up I had the gush, in true movie-like water breaking fashion that I was told didn't happen very often. I was so excited and Steve was in the kitchen at the time so I had to show him that it was indeed time, he told me to stop leaking all over the house and get in the bathroom 😆

I knew I wanted to labor at home for as long as possible and since we live an hour from the hospital the plan was to leave when contractions were about 5 minutes apart.

We knew it was going to be a long night so we both wanted to try and get a little sleep, I really wasn't having contractions yet so Steve and I both went to bed.

40 weeks + 2 days. Saturday April 8, 2017.
I woke up around 12am to more gushing and noticeable contractions. At 12:30 I woke Steve up and said we better get ready to go as the contractions were getting closer together.

We were on the road at 1am. It was a nice drive to Fargo, I had my eyes closed most of the trip just breathing through contractions and listening to the book Supernatural Childbirth.

Got to the hospital a little after 2. We were taken to the birthing floor and I got checked for the first time in the whole pregnancy and was 3.5-4 cm  dilated. We got moved into our room and I changed out of that hospital gown pretty fast, seriously those things are annoying. I was way more comfortable in a sports bra and granny panties!

I spent the next few hours walking around the room, breathing through contractions and using Steve or the sink counter to support me during them. Sometime during these few hours between 2 and 4 I was laying on the bed and yelled for Steve to get me the garbage - I threw up twice and then felt fine, it totally came out of nowhere. I was checked again at 4am and was only at a 4; I felt like it would be a long day at that rate.

I had tested positive for Group B Strep so the nurses started my IV of antibiotics, and of course they had to stick me 4 or 5 times before they switched arms and then got it right away. I don't remember getting out of bed again, I labored on my side and then had them bring the birthing ball and I laid on that in the bed. Steve was great, making sure I was drinking water, and keeping the back of my neck cool with a washcloth. They checked me again at 6am and I was at a 6.

Everything you read and hear about labor, say that transition is the most difficult part and I honestly don't remember it being any more difficult other than the contractions were just closer together. By 8am I was at 10cm and our midwife said it was time to push.

Our birth photographer got there just in time for me to start pushing. I started pushing while I still had the birthing ball under me and then ended up in a squatting position. I was using Steve and a nurse on the sides of me to grab onto when it was time to push, eventually they brought in the bar that attached to the bed and that seemed easier for me.

Between contractions and pushing there was a point where I needed oxygen to help the baby, it wasn't something the medical professionals made a big deal about so if there was something really wrong they didn't let on and that kept me super calm to be able to just focus on deep breathing. I was thankful to not be in any pain and just kept praying and trusting God.

I couldn't tell you how many times I pushed but before I knew it one of the nurses was asking if I'd like a mirror to see our baby crowning. This was a relief because at one point I asked if the baby was going back up after each time I relaxed and wasn't actively pushing - haha they said that wasn't how it worked, phew, good to know!!
So I felt the baby crowning and could see all the beautiful dark hair in the mirror, our midwife said she hoped it was a girl with all that hair because it would be a waste on a boy!!

Two more good pushes, one for the head, one for the shoulders and our baby arrived at 9:04am. Steve announced it was a girl, they put her on my chest and the rest of the day is a blur - she was here and that was all that seemed to matter!!

Now I have to talk a little about our birth plan. I wanted a natural birth and not to be all macho I just had a big fear of not feeling my legs if something didn't work with the epidural. A few weeks before my due date I had a dear friend recommend Supernatural Childbirth and I couldn't be more grateful. This book and ideology was just what I needed. I had been praying to God regularly for the health of this baby but never did I think to pray for a painless birth. So I started to talk to God about how this birth would look and I had such a peace about it. I am so proud of myself and my body and beyond grateful that He gave us this wonderful experience that resulted in our beautiful Quinn James!

Above Photos by Lindsay Kaye Photography

7 lbs 12 oz 20 in

Tea with Mrs. Laura B

It has been too many weeks since we've had tea, so hurry up, sit down we have a lot of catching up to do!!

// If We Were Having Tea I would be drinking my tea with Young Living Thieves and Lemon essential oil. These oils are a staple in our farm house and I'm very passionate about this oil brand that cares about the farming production as well as the oil quality

// If We Were Having Tea we would talk about you - how is your heart?

// If We Were Having Tea you would hear about Ember - she will be 6mo old on the 25th and has been at training for the past week and I miss her tons!!

// If We Were Having Tea I would tell you how happy I am that I went through with hosting IF : Ransom County. The IF company is so inspiring and the God fearing women who are a part of it just warm my soul. IF:Gathering has a new app so be sure to check it out and jump in with the study of the Nicene Creed

// If We Were Having Tea you would know I'm excited to add another year to my name on Thursday. I've learned SO MUCH in year 27 and know that going into 28 God has a better future for me than what I can try and meticulously plan out

// If We Were Having Tea I would tell you all about the story behind my newest tattoo - but only if you asked and wanted to know because I understand how tattoos aren't for everyone!

// If We Were Having Tea we would talk about Lake Season!!!! It is almost here and I CAN NOT WAIT!!!

// If We Were Having Tea I would share about a new group of women I'm a part of called CommonGround - they are trying to break the barrier between consumer and farmer but going at it from a perspective that often gets forgotten - the Female one!!

// If We Were Having Tea I would humbly brag that I was a finalist in a nation wide photography contest and that means I was in the top 3.5% of all that entered!!

// If We Were Having Tea …
I could talk your ear off all day and need to just write it down and blog about it but I'm in toooooo much stuff so blogging has fallen by the wayside. Thank you to those who stick by me and know they can find me all over the internet for more up to date interaction : Instagram : Facebook : Twitter : Snapchat/mrslaurabeth

Thank you so much for joining me - I hope we can have tea on more of a regular basis in the coming months because I love catching up with you!!

xo

Inspiration!

I don't often participate in those email chains that go around "replace my name with yours and Bcc to 500 friends ..." you get the point. But this time I did because it is the start of a new year and I always love inspirational quotes!!

The following are the lovely bits I got from people who chose to participate

// The secret of being happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most of every day ::from Shirley

// TELL ME and i forget TEACH ME and i remember INVOLVE ME and i learn ::from SG
// Choose a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life - Confucius ::from SG
// Faith it does not make things easy, it makes them Possible - Luke 1:37 ::from SG
// Every scar I have makes me who I am ::from SG

// Be Strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go - Joshua 1:9 ::from Chanelle

// Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need & thank Him for all He has done - Philippians 4:6 ::from Sable

// Bloom where God plants you ::from Crystal

I want to thank these ladies for their inspiration and hope it has brightened your day!!

Now get out there and inspire someone else - inspire them by your words or even better by your actions.

What I learned in 2015

When 2015 started I thought it was going to be the best year ever - the hopes I had for this year made last Christmas and New Years such a joyous time.
Here we are on the last day of 2015 and I realize that {for me} it wasn't as joyous this Christmas and I have decided to not get my hopes up for 2016 since I feel so let down by 2015 ...so to agree with Casey I've lost my Fa La La La La

I won't be making any resolutions this year or trying to plan around things that are totally out of my control. Okay wait I take that back, I guess a resolution of sorts I want to make is to live in the moment - let God lead and I will do my best at following the plan he has laid out for me instead of getting mad when things don't go my way!

So if I learned anything in 2015 it is that He has something better in store for me than I could ever dream up, so I'm not dreaming up much for 2016, just praying for good health, love and laughter!!

Thanks for reading this little slice of internet - I hope you have a great end to 2015 and I will see you in the new year with a full month by month photo recap of 2015.

 

Grateful Heart : Christmas Edition

I am not sure how it is the week of Christmas - I feel like advent was just upon us and now the most joyous time of the year is knocking at the back door.

This past weekend we finally got our home all decorated, we are ready for it to be filled with laughter and love. We also had a test run with our Christmas meal and our family is in for a treat and full bellies.

This year for Advent I had full intentions of keeping up with a devotional every day and I failed miserably!! I got to about day four and then it just wasn't something I made time for - sad, because that is the reason for this amazing season and I can't even make time for it! {Yes, I understand I can catch up now but it isn't the same as actually making time for it every day leading up to the celebration of The Birth}
Does that happen to anyone else? You have every good intention of reading the Bible every day or doing a devotional and in the beginning you start out strong and determined but then, you lose steam halfway through {however you probably make it past day 4} and you just stop all together. It makes me realize how Human we are and how we needed someone like Jesus to be born to save us, to keep us on track, to follow… someone who didn't lose steam and always stayed on the destined path.

I hope this Christmas Season you remember why we celebrate, remember what the hustle and bustle is REALLY for and even if you stray remember that Jesus is there for you, waiting to help you get back on that destined path.

He was sent here to save us, so this Christmas: 

:remember Him

:thank Him

:praise Him

:REJOICE in Him!!

Follow along on Instagram with all the Christmas Cheer >> @mrslaurabeth