Valentine's Day

Here's the story of what happened on our Valentine's Day....

I woke up around 8:30 am to contractions every 2 minutes. I am not sure exactly when they started, but since I was asleep we will start here. Ryan had left to go play church ball and wasn't going to be home for a while. I ignored them for a while because having contractions that regular was something that I did every day. After a few hours of this and recognizing that even when I changed positions or activities they weren't going away we began to talk about heading up to the hospital. Of course if you live by us you will remember that it was a crazy blizzard on this day and Ryan had to snow shovel about 6 inches off our driveway before we could go anywhere, and then of course shower. I was getting kind of impatient but he didn't seem to notice, I think that he thought that this was just another day of contractions and nothing to worry about.

We called Doug and Sheryl to see if they would watch our kids while we went to the hospital to be checked out, and they graciously accepted. (They rock by the way!) And then we were off around 3 pm.

When we got to the hospital I was at a 4 and contractions were still every 2 1/2-3 minutes apart. They called my doctor and admitted me. I told them to have her come in and break my water so that something would happen, or I could have been there all day and night.

Machel got there and around 5:15 pm broke my water, this immediately put me to a 6 cm, and I knew that I would be having a Valentine's baby for sure. Because Tessa was posterior, it took a few hours for her to be born. Thank goodness for the miracle of hypnobirthing because it was a comfortable 3 hours and not one that sent me screaming like those that you see in movies.

Tessa was born at 8:38 pm without any medical intervention besides my midwife breaking my water. No drugs were used and mom and baby were calm and relaxed throughout the whole process. I am so grateful that I found the hypnobirthing class because it has allowed the miracle of my children entering the world to be peaceful and amazing.

I am proud that I can say that I have done this four times, each one being a bit different, but none the less amazing in their own ways.

Tessa is a very calm and quiet baby, and I can tell when I look in her eyes, that heaven is behind them. We love having her in our family and feel blessed that Heavenly Father had his own plan in this one.

February 15, 2009
Tessa Marjorie Matheson decide she didn't want to miss out on valentine's day 2009, so she was born at 8:38 p.m. weighing 6 lb 4 oz and 19" long. Everything went great with the delivery and Talya did an amazing job with her natural birth. Both mom and child are healthy and expected to come home tomorrow night.

25 Things

Okay, I think that I have been tagged about four times for this post, so since I can't do much but sit around for the next few days, I guess I will get at it.

1. Even though I am about to have my fourth baby, I still have no idea when I am in labor. My doctor always has to tell me, and since she is gone until Friday, I guess I will be sitting around wishing the contractions would end.
2. I have my babies naturally and without any pain meds. This is something that I feel most women could do if they were willing to learn about other possibilities than an epidural.
3. I have a goal of one day riding LOTOJA all by myself, and getting to the finish line and feeling major accomplishment.
4. I love cheese, it is my comfort food.
5. I love having a clean house but utterly despise cleaning it. Most of the time I procrastinate cleaning until someone is coming over.
6. My biggest fear is that one day I will have to live without Ryan. This paralyzes me.
7. Someday I would love to have a small dance studio where kids could come and just be creative with movement. It would be a modern only studio.
8. Spring is my favorite season. I get so excited to see the first crocus stems pushing their way out of the ground, and I love the smell of spring. It is truly the finest time of year.
9. My favorite color is green, and I am pretty sure that I will not be able to have a house without at least one wall painted "Wild Grasses".
10. I hate it when people tell me that they will try. I feel like saying back to them, "Just tell me no." You either do or you don't. Period.
11. I don't believe that I will ever let my hair go gray.
12. I am scared for where this country is heading, and the leadership involved.
13. I love to chew ice, and I am aware that this is annoying to my husband. However, one day I want an ice maker that makes the little crushed ice like you get at the hospital.
14. My favorite food is seafood. Almost every time we go out to eat, I order fish, while Ryan orders steak.
15. I hate unpacking from anything, and sometimes have to force myself to do it after looking at a suitcase for a couple of weeks.
16. I would love to be a doula someday.
17. My ideal vacation would be an exotic beach with incredibly soft sand and exquisite underwater views.
18. My favorite church calling to this date has been YW camp director.
19. I don't like dogs or cats.
20. I have great in-laws, that personally I don't think we see enough.
21. I have no idea how much money that we make every year. I have left that totally up to Ryan to keep track of, and I just spend it. See how I would be lost without him.
22. Sometimes I get tired of being a mom, but then I tuck my kids in bed at night and remember how blessed I am to have them.
23. Christmas is my favorite holiday, and my decorations are up for almost 2 months.
24. I would love to learn how to scuba dive one day.
25. I wish I was 3 inches taller. 5 ft 3 inches is nothing to brag about.

Surprisingly, this wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. So I guess if you want to be tagged, then you have been. Otherwise hope you enjoyed reading these few things about me.

Babies

Well it it once again 2:30 in the morning and here I am wide awake. This is such a curse of being pregnant for me and I can't wait for it to end! So here I thought that I might take a few quiet moments and post about some really cute new babies that I am an auntie to.
I first need to post about Carly and Robbie's baby that was born back in Septemer. I know that he is not brand new, but I never did. They were so incredibly kind to allow me to be a part of the labor and delivery, and I can't thank them enough for that awesome opportunity. Carly asked me to be here unofficial "doula", and help her with her natural childbirth through hypnobirthing. Since I have had three children natural, this was awesome. She did incredible, and little Daxson was born about 12 hours after they had to induce her. I came home with a high and decided that one day I would love to get my doula licence and do this more. (This was the second birth that I have helped with, my other sister Erica granted me my first, which was equally amazing. Thanks a ton sissies for allowing me to be a part of your big day!)


Millie was born a little over a week ago to my little bro Clay and his beautiful wife Jen. Clay took this darling photo of his little girl and I am grateful because I haven't been able to see her yet. Our family has all been sick for the past week and couldn't go cuddle her. Luckily they are coming to my house today for dinner and we finally get to meet her. I heard that Jen was amazing and how her tiny little body was able to push out a 8 1/2 lb baby is beyond me. But I am sure glad that she did, because she is beautiful. Congrats guys, and I can't wait to hold her!

Jason and Ivy had their baby a few days after Millie, and I wish that I could post what her name is, but they still have not told me, so for now she is baby hairy monkey. I don't feel bad about calling her that because looking at her reminds me of my own Tyler who came out looking just about the same. Ivy also took my advice and did hypnobirthing classes to go natural, and Jason told me that she was incredible! Way to go Ivy! I wish that circumstances would have allowed me to be there. Since these guys live 3 hours away, and given my current situation, we have not gotten to see this one either, but are looking forward to holding her. Congrats you two!

All of these babies have gotten me excited to see my own little one soon, and to hold her. Hopefully she can hold off just a bit longer so that I can bring her home when I leave the hospital.

Babies are such a reminder that I our father in Heaven loves us and trusts us with something so precious. Sometimes I am not sure why I have been granted the opportunity to be a mother, because it is so overwhelming and lots of times I fall short. However, every night that I tuck my chili beans into bed and see their precious faces sleeping so soundly, I am so grateful for the chance for another day with them. My children are my most priceless gift.