More of Baby Evelyn

After one week with a newborn we're all still alive and doing well. Evelyn is doing what she should--eating, sleeping, and pooping. She regained the 3 ounces she lost in the hospital and so hopefully she'll continue growing so she can actually fit in her clothes. I still can't get over how tiny yet perfect she is. Here are some more pictures so you can see for yourself.

Eric was able to take the week off to help with the girls and now Grandma is here to take over that duty. I think they'll have fun with all of the attention and presents they're getting!

Just for comparison, here are pictures of the other girls as babies.

Elizabeth

Rachel

Home from the Hospital

Evelyn and I are home from the hospital so now we can sleep in peace. This hospital experience was actually pretty good as we weren't bothered that much, just the usual checking vitals. Let me fill you in on the actual labor story (don't worry, it's not gruesome :). Around 3 pm Sunday afternoon I was taking my nap like normal when I woke up feeling like my water just broke. It was slow at first but a few more trips to the bathroom and I definitely knew it had broken. I told Eric, called the doctor, took my time getting my bag together, Eric called Lisa to watch the kids, and we were on our way. It always makes me laugh how raced things are in movies with crazy driving and such when a woman's water breaks, I knew we'd have a few hours.

We got to the hospital around 5pm, they checked me to confirm that my water had broken and then admitted me. I made calls to the family letting them know yes we were in labor and it was time for mom to book her flight out. I got the IV and a little pitocin to get things going even more and sat around as the contractions started to get harder working on my sampler baby cross-stitch--it's almost done. Around 8pm I'd had enough of the pain with contractions and was at a 6 so I asked for an epidural--modern medicine is wonderful. The anesthesiologist did his job and the pain was gone but I started feeling lots of pressure. Right after the epidural I was at an 8 and then no more than 20 minutes later I was fully dilated and effaced ready to push. Once again like with Rachel I had to wait for the doctor but she lived close and was there within 15 minutes. We had the crowd of nurses in the room ready for baby and me so it was party time. As soon as the doctor gowned up she said push and two pushes later, baby Evelyn was born. Such an easy delivery, although the pushing did hurt a little but was over so quick.

So that's the story and now we're home much to the delight of big sisters Elizabeth & Rachel. They love their little sister and I hope they will be my good helpers. Let me say who has been a great helper, my wonderful husband. I came home and was welcomed by a totally clean house! Maybe I should mope around cleaning nothing for 9 months and go to the hospital more often :) Really, thanks Eric for being a loving dad to our three little girls and a great husband!

First picture at home

Evelyn Rose Carlsen

Born: 9:34 p.m. on 21 September 2008
Weight: 5 pounds 9 ounces
Height: 18.25 inches

Mother and baby are doing well. Evelyn had a minor heart murmur and some fast breathing (she pooped before coming out) but that's all gone now.

 

 

 

 

Pregnancy Update

Just to let everyone know where I'm at with my pregnancy, I'm done with doctors! Yesterday I thought I'd be fine taking both girls to my appointment but I was wrong. I'm 37 1/2 weeks along (October 4th is the official date) and down to one appointment a week plus the doctor thinks I need another appointment to do a non-stress test (NST) and ultrasound since my fluid level is low and the baby is small. So I have small babies (6-pounders) and I've never had so many tests before. Are they really necessary or just another way to milk insurance I ask. Anyway, I was stuck in a tiny room with both girls for over an hour for the NST and by the end I was so done with tests, doctors, and being pregnant (I don't know if I'm quite ready for a newborn though).

The results of the NST and ultrasound were fine. I could have told them the baby's moving just fine and growing without spending 2 hours at the doctors! She's now measuring over 5 pounds so I'm starting my evening primrose oil pill taking and will probably go out walking more to try and get this baby out before too many more tests.

Sorry for anyone out there that's a doctor. I respect the profession but I just don't like doctors and hospitals as I want to be left alone. Maybe it's the same with mechanics, a necessary evil as I don't have their training but need the services. I just hate feeling like I don't know exactly what's going on and if they're just cheating me. Now that I'm done venting for one day, don't mind me, I'm just a hormonal pregnant woman :)

On a brighter note, here's a cute picture of our princesses.

A couple of weeks ago I went on a hike with a friend from work and some of his buddies. We hiked the Oxford and Bellford mountains in the Collegiate Peaks range. They are both over 14,000 feet in elevation. Colorado has over 50 "fourteeners," and it's been a goal of mine to hike one ever since I moved here.

I showed up in camp with another guy on Friday afternoon. I was worried about altitude sickness, so I drank lots the night before and on the trail. I also took an aspirin, but from what I read it seems mostly like a myth that that prevents altitude sickness.

After a night of fitful sleeping we hit the trail just after 6:00 a.m. The hike was about 4 miles to the first peak. We started around 9,800 feet in elevation and Mt. Bellford was almost 14,200 feet high. My friend and I arrived at the peak at about 10:30 a.m. The weather was nice, it started off hazy but warmed up.

It was another mile to Mt. Oxford, with a 700 foot drop. That was actually probably the steepest part of the hike. It took us about an hour to get over there. The only way back was to re-trace our steps. We hit Bellford again at about noon. On the way down it started to cloud up and we heard lightning. That's a little disconcerting. It started to sleet on us right on the rocky part of the trail, which made it very slippery. But within a few minutes the sun was out again and it was warm.

I brought a lot of water, but I was drinking a lot too. I'd never been to that altitude and I didn't want to ruin the trip with altitude sickness. I thought of bringing a filter and/or chlorine dioxide tablets, but I didn't. I wish that I had because I ran out of water on the way down and we crossed some good streams. Even so, the way down isn't quite so tiring.

I was sore the next day, but not too bad. The worst part was the sunburn I got from not applying sunscreen as liberally as I should have. Right above the collar and below the ears I got a nice burn. I was taking a good amount of ibuprofen on the trail and I think it helped a lot (although there's no way to be sure). I felt a mild headache but after taking my Vitamin I it went away.

Bellford and Oxford

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Rachel Up Close & Personal

Lest anyone think the second child (and soon to be middle child) doesn't get pictures taken of her, here's a few.

Bling Bling! Thanks Aunt Lynne for the accessories!

A few things about Rachel:

• She loves playing outside chasing bunny rabbits (there are a billion here), bees, and birds
• She loves dressing up as a princess
• She loves to follow her older sister around
• She loves pointing out the "baby in mommy's tummy"
• She loves watching The Magic School Bus
• She loves riding bikes, climbing, and swinging

And here's a quotable from Elizabeth since we can't forget the oldest now either. "I wish only pregnant mommies got sick."

And for what we've been up to, basically chilling. I haven't had much energy and really not much has gone on. We did go to the Aurora Reservoir with our neighbors from Ohio that now live in Colorado Springs. Thanks for visiting Justina, Meghan, and Zachary! I can't find my pictures but will post them if I do. Friday we had a ward party at a local pool, can I just say our ward is huge! Saturday we went swimming with Aunt Lisa & family--we have to get swimming pools in while they're still open and it's warm enough. Labor Day we seriously chilled out until a BBQ in the afternoon with some families in our ward--thanks Devony & Aaron for inviting us.