And then this happened...

All of the sudden I had a brand spankin' new baby in my arms!  

No, that's not exactly how it went down.

I WISH that's how it happened.  I might be THE worst pregnant person EVER.  Its pure psychological and physical torture.  

Have you ever had a 24 stomach bug where you're exhausted and throw up at even the slightest mention of food - all day every day?  Do that for FOUR MONTHS.  Then come tell me how happy you are.  

I also carry a lot of my baby inward.  I don't have small babies, so that means my organs have to rearrange to accommodate their occupancy.  My lungs usually get the shaft in the agreement.  I live at about 14% lung capacity from about 2 months until 9 months.  However, I will say, I don't gain a ton of weight, have relatively easy and uncomplicated labors, and bounce back fairly quickly.  Its just the 9 months that really suck.  

So... How did this happen, you're wondering.  Well... see the birds and the bees... 

No, seriously.  I have had thyroid issues for the last 3 years.  I could not get them under control.  I had an amazing doctor in Houston.  THE best.  But, he retired.  I found a lady in Addison that is okay.  But, she didn't quite fix me up.  In Port Aransas of all places, I found another SUPERB doctor that just happened to specialize in women's hormones!!!  He did an across the board blood analysis and told me my progesterone was gone.  None.  He asked if I wanted something to bring it back up.  I declined, since this was a sure birth control method. No progesterone = no ovulation = no pregnant Mer.  He also changed my thyroid medication that day to something waaay legit.  

Boom.  Two weeks later is when we predict I conceived.  I don't know if my body lied to the doctor, or if that thyroid medicine fixed me up PRONTO... All I know is, it was totally not expected!!! 

To add bees to the hive, we also had just purchased a flip house out in the middle of nowhere.  I had to work AND be pathetic!  

We had already moved the RV back up north and were staying at the lake, as we slowly moved into the flip house.  I was at our little cabin that we had (where we intended on building a house on land with my cousin), grabbing furniture and boxes, and totally exhausted.  That's just not like me.  I am usually the Energizer bunny.  And I wanted pickles.  Lots of pickles.  Ding ding ding.  I knew it.  I took the test to confirm.  Yep, I was about to get fat and moody.

I told Ryan.  I don't remember exactly what he said.  I think I just told him and carried on with my day.  Round four isn't nearly as scary or overwhelming.  It just is.  

I hovered over the toilet for the first four months in our flip house.  But, I felt like I was living in isolation out in the tiny little retirement community we called home.  I was about to go crazy!

So, we stayed in our RV on my aunt's ranch in Comfort that whole winter. Once late February came around, she was ready for me to go.  She wasn't going to birth no baby... and I surely wasn't going to let my brother do it!  That's a site that can not be unseen... no matter how many bottles of whiskey go down the shoot.  I left Comfort on the 24th and had a photo shoot in Houston on the 24th.  I was clocking my contractions the WHOLE drive home.  (see the first pic)  I even pulled into the hospital and walked around a bit.  But, they subsided and I went home.

Skip a day.  It was the day before my birthday.  I was due in early March, around the 12th or something.  (The date wasn't clear since my ovulation was so off.)  The kids and I went out to eat with Bonnie, my cousin, and her family.  Mexican food, of course.  I had been throwing up for 2 days and my stomach just hurt.  I told Bonnie that I felt like I could go into labor any day.  I came home and kept feeling crappy.  I had Taylor Rose in 20 min.  I mean, from suspecting I *miiiight poooossibly be in labor* to holding her in my arms.  The hospital is 45 min from our house.  I couldn't be stubborn or embarrassed of false labor.  After Ryan came home, I told him I was going to head out.  This was at about 9:45.  I put the kids to bed first and then left.  When I got there, they checked me out and said I was at a 2.  They didn't consider it actual labor until you're at a 3.  I told her my situation, and she let me stay.  I laid on the bed hooked up to a monitor for an hour.  No progression.  Just contractions.  She said if nothing happened in an hour, they couldn't admit me.  But, she recommended I walk the halls.  Holy moly, that worked.  I walked for an hour.  When she checked me again, I was at a 4.  

I called Ryan (it was now 1:00 in the morning) and told him what was up.  

They moved me upstairs.  I told them that I was using a midwife and wanted the super cool midwife room with the big bed and massive hot tub looking thing.  She said my midwife, THE ONLY MIDWIFE IN THE WACO AREA, wasn't on call that night.  I couldn't use that room without her.  I asked if there was anyone there that could assist me in having the baby without an epidural.  She said "technically they CAN, however they're not experienced with techniques and will have you lay on your back and follow procedure."  Fail.  

Side note: I might be allergic to epidurals.  They make me itch horribly, one made me completely paralyzed (not even toe wiggle-age), I vomit, and I am sore FOREVER at my entrance site.  

So, I waited it out.  For 5 hours.  I started to think I'd never have this baby.  They assumed the baby's head was slightly turned, so it was delaying progression.  She couldn't drop all the way - like fitting an oval in a round hole.  They asked if I wanted pitocin.  I said sure.  It helped.  But, then I wanted an epidural since everything I thought was going to happen just wasn't happening.  I got that and my heart rate sank.  A lot.  I threw up.  After waiting too long for help, she came back and adjusted my drip.  I looked like a marshmallow from all of the fluids.  Again, my heart rate dropped.  Again, I threw up.  I think my heart rate was at a 74.  Something scary.  Things were beeping, I was loopy and pale, and totally about to pass out.  So, they took me off the epidural.  I think I tried it out for 2 hours. 

It was now around 7:00 am.  Finally, my midwife showed up.  She walked in, never acknowledged Ryan, and was quite cold.  I told her I was very disappointed in the situation.  She didn't say much and left the room.  (I already didn't care much for her.  She got onto me around my 7th month for gaining 14 pounds.  I felt like crap, even started limiting my food intake. And she was never very friendly.)  Ryan was livid.  I had to talk him out of confronting her.  No one wants to piss of the person handling your nether regions.  

10:00 came around and I felt like I was ready to have her.  I was having full blown contractions and had the pressure.  My body was about to have her whether I was ready or not.  I paged the nurse.  She said she'd get the doctor.  I kid you not, I laid there trying to control my contractions and not push for 15 min before she came in.  If you've ever had a natural birth, you know how impossible that is!!!  Its going against God and all things rational.  She came in and confirmed I was ready.  Duh!  

After a few pushes and some manipulation to turn her head, she was born at 10:32 on February 27 (which also happens to be MY birthday!).  

All I remember saying is "Woah!  That hurts!"  and she said "Well, yeah!".  No profanities.  I was much less ferocious this time that with Tay.  (Give me some credit, she got stuck!!)

If men are reading, skip this gray part...  

I needed stitches.  She started and then was paged.  She left me all exposed on the table while she answered her page!!!!  I laid there for about 20 min super embarrassed until she came back.  She finished up and never came back to check on me.  Not once.  Ever.

She came out looking like an Isla Kye - the name first on the list and after my brother, Kyle.  So, after a day, I decided that was her name.  

She was the sweetest little cuddly bunny ever.  And still is.  And THE happiest baby EVER!

Since I had her natural, I was up and about pretty quickly.  I took a shower and walked around for a bit.  My mom brought the kids up to visit their new sister.  Tay made my bed practically shoot me through the ceiling, Maven paged the nurses 76 times, they played with the feminine pads in the bathroom... the usual.  Other than that, it was good.  

And Christian.  Oh, he was 100% smitten from the first moment he saw that baby girl.  They still have an intense eye-gazing face-petting bond.  

The weather outside was horrible.  It was icy and cold.  Just like when I had Tay.  Worst weather EVER to drive home with a newborn.  So, as any logical person would do, I drove myself home.  

We made it just fine.  The kids immediately bombarded Isla with welcoming gifts - the kind that smother a newborn.  And its been awesome ever since.

Mamen Shave

Things around here have been restless.  Not much sleep going on... lots of commotion... lots of stress... lots of soreness... ugh.  Therefore, I have had zero time for other things.

BUT!  There is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

A diagnosis has been made.  A solution is in the works!

Maven has a pretty severe lip and tongue tie, meaning her lip and tongue are too tight to suck properly.  She has a hard time nursing and with her bottle, though her bottle is the most difficult.  She constantly clicks her tongue trying to maintain a suction.  She gets frustrated.  She chokes.  She is hungry A LOT.  She doesn't sleep well.  She gulps air, which causes stomach pain and gas. 

Poor baby girl.

We are getting it fixed with a quick 15 minute surgery.  I know it will be a rough few days, but it will get better.  Yay!

On a much happier note, she SMILES!!  And she is full of smiles!!  I love her sweet little face.  She has the cutest little dimple on her right cheek.

Another cute mentionable... Taylor Rose calls Maven "Mamen Shave", therefore I catch myself calling her that all the time.  It even makes her smile!

 She's been so hungry that even Taylor Rose looked appetizing!

 I see both kids in Maven. ( Taylor Rose is on the left and Christian is on the right.)

And then there were three (UPDATED)...

**I left out quite a bit of details, so I added them in bold print.

Ryan and I are now the proud parents of three sweet babies. 

Introducing Maven Shaye Matthews, 7 lbs 6 oz and 18 1/4 in

Each of the kids' middle names are after a family member. 

Maven Shaye - after Shane, my brother. 

Christian Kelley - after my sister, Kelli. 

Taylor Rose - after Ryan's grandma Rose and my great grandma Rose. 

 Born March 31 at 10:52 am

I was scheduled to be induced that morning to possibly avoid shoulder dystosia, which I had with Taylor Rose.  We arrived at the hospital at 5:00 am.  After checking in and getting situated, and still not induced by 7:00, I discovered that I was actually in labor with contractions about five minutes apart.  I didn't feel uncomfortable at all, so I wasn't aware that I was in real labor.  (sounds like my last labor, huh?)  I went ahead and had the epidural, even though just the thought of it scares the bleep out of me.  She arrived not long afterwards.  Everything went very smooth and was eerily calm.  It felt like time was in slow motion up until the doctor saw her head.  He noticed the cord was wrapped around her neck TWICE.  It was VERY TIGHT!... so tight that it couldn't be cut to free her. (I think the doctor snipped her head a little when he attempted to cut the cord because she had a mysterious scab for an entire week.)He told me that we'd just have to hurry up and get her out.  Um, no pressure there!  So, I pushed with aaaaall my might.  The nurses rushed in to get her to cry, which gets the blood flowing and shows lung function.  It took her a bit, but she let out the sweetest little gargle I have ever heard.  Her lungs were full of fluid.  She had swallowed a lot of amniotic fluid.  A LOT.  She threw it up for 2 days afterwards.

The second day, Ryan and I were talking and Maven started to make some odd sounds.  I looked at her and she was gasping.  I said "She is choking!  Go get a nurse!!".  He barely had the door open when our nurse had Maven in her arms, banging on her back, and running down the hall with her.  Ryan followed with the baby cart, with a look on his face that said "what the heck just happened?!".  After a few minutes, Maven was back in our room and doing fine.  The nurse explained that the fluid was mixed with mucous, which made it very thick. Her lungs were still clearing out and couldn't quit push out that sticky mess.  Nonetheless, it was scary.

Since the labor, my epidural site has been very sore.  It is much better now, but I kind of regret having it. 

Things at home have gone really well.  The kids can't keep their hands off of Maven.  They love her so much!  She only wakes up once or twice a night and sleeps until about 9 am.  So far, she is a very mellow and content baby.  Christian and Taylor Rose are adjusting very well.  Actually, I don't know if any adjustment even occurred... I think she has just meshed into our lives like a brand new toy. 

To me, she looks like a perfect combination of Christian and Taylor Rose. (click on their names to see)

Maven Shaye Matthews

Baby Party

My cuz, my lil' sis, and my I'm-sure-she's-gonna-be sister-in-law all got together and threw us a diaper party at my house.  Kelli walked in with a pink diaper cake and a bunch of super awesome decorations - they looked professional, but she promised that she actually MADE them.  She did a great job!  Nikki made a ton of way yummo cupcakes and an orange diaper cake.  Sami made the heavily addicting hot sauce, dip, and a green diaper cake (which she decorated with TONS of hairbows that she made).  They had planned on making my fave punch, but forgot.  It was kind of a hectic day.

The party was so much fun!  The boys, plus a few girls, all hung out in the garage and played beer games.  The rest of us migrated around to talk and eat. 

I didn't remember take any pictures of the actual party, just the decorations.  I was too busy working my jaw muscles the entire time, anyway.  I had a lot to catch up on with some friends I hadn't seen in, like, foooorevs.

A family of five.

Apparently, Christian found my phone and took some candid photos.  I wasn't aware of this incriminating evidence until just the other day as I flipped through my pics. 

This has been me lately:

And while I am being me lately, this is Taylor Rose lately:

Yes, she gets into EVERYTHING!  It helps to just lay on her floor, close her door, and let her do her thing while I catch a few Z's.

Why have I been sleeping so much?

Because of this:

(How can anyone say that this isn't a baby at 11 1/2 weeks?  It is definitely a LIFE... a sweet baby.)

Yes. 

Its true.

Yes, it was a HUGE surprise.

I was always one of those people that didn't believe in accidental pregnancies. I was that annoying person that would cleverly say "It takes two to tango."  I never took into consideration that it only takes one to do the Roger Rabbit (or in Ryan's case its the Lawnmower, his signature dance move... his only dance move).  I thought we all know how it happens, if you are taking the right precautions then there should be no surprises.  Right?  Well, I now disagree with myself.  I don't take any oral contraceptives because I fully believe they do more harm than good.  It seems like they are always being recalled because of some very dangerous side effects.  It just doesn't seem good to mess around with what our bodies are made to do.  Plus, they mess with hormones and weight, blah, blah, blah.  So... we practice other safety measures.  Unbeknownst to my knowledge, these practices we use were on some sort of a sabbatical.  (Though, Ryan was surely in on this.)  After a few weeks, I felt different and couldn't shake that feeling of "maybe".  So, I took a test to rule out the possibility since I had a few on hand from Tay.  I fully expected it to say "Not Pregnant" and then I could blame my weirdness on that-time-of-the-month rearing its ugly head.  Instead, my little blue and white stick flashed a huge "Sucker!  You are soooo pregnant!".  I cried.  I denied.  I thought about how I wasn't ready just yet and that Tay is still a baby, herself.  I called Ryan and got mad.  He apologized. 

Now, I am okay with it.  Since we didn't plan this one, I won't ever think to myself "maybe we should have tried sooner so the kids would be closer in age" or "maybe we should have waited a bit longer".  This time it happened just as it was supposed to.  God said "Let her be pregnant!" and BOOM, so it was.  We weren't even sure if we were going to have more than two babies.  Decision decided!

I am now close to entering my 2nd trimester and am 11 weeks.  This little person's EDA is April 12. 

**Weird thing about that date... While at my dad's about 3 months ago, we were all discussing birthdays and how we had at least one in almost every month.  April was one of the 2 months that we were missing a birthday in our immediate family. 

Meanwhile, Taylor Rose is totally taking advantage of my vulnerability:

This is her getting in the candy drawer.  I had put the kitchen stool on top of the counter to keep her out.  She hauled the bathroom stool all the way to the kitchen on a serious mission.  I figured she deserved a piece of candy after that.  (P.S. She will not leave her panties on.  I do NOT know why.)

 She found Christian's markers and colored all over my white couch.  Twice.

 And the carpet.  Twice.

Happens once shame on you, happens twice shame on me - right?  Well, I did take all the markers away and hide them.  But she is smart and must have known what I was going to do before I even did.  I think she took a few markers and made a secret stash so she could color whenever I wasn't looking.  The second day was so bad that I wasn't even amused enough to take pictures.  The whole breakfast area was black with marker.  The walls had scribbles all over them.  The table behind the couch, the kids' desks, the back of the couch, the pillows, the back door, the sides of the couch... everywhere.  Christian and I were sitting on the couch watching a movie.  I thought she was playing quietly behind us.  Again, she was smart and knew to not come into my view.  Neither one of us saw her in the 3 minutes it took her to destroy everything. 

And now we're having another one.