Crosby's Birth Story

Crosby's birth story, with a little name story thrown in the mix, is long and filled with little details that I want to remember forever. Pardon the length and pictures of my hugeness. This is his story... 

I was due on March 13. However, from the beginning there was a question as to whether I was actually due then or the 20th or somewhere in between. Anyway, according to my original due date, I was 42 weeks and 1 day when I went in to get this show on the road. I wasn't thrilled with being induced and I was very leery of medical interventions. But, I agreed to show up bright and early at 6 a.m. and discuss my options for induction.

We showed up at ten minutes to six and they let us know they needed to clean the room and we'd be taken back to our room shortly. Over 30 minutes later, I was super antsy and frustrated that I wasn't even admitted yet! They brought us back shortly after that. We were in room 602.



They hooked me up because they wanted to do monitoring to make sure everything was looking good with the baby and see if I was in labor already. Around 7 a.m. the midwife who I had scheduled the induction with and really trusted did an exam. She explained to me that his head was dropping just a bit far forward on my pelvic bone rather than on my cervix. I was still considered a tight 2 and 50% effaced. So... no change all week. But, at least I knew why. She didn't want to break my water without him in the correct position, so she offered me the option of misoprostol, a medication that helps to soften the cervix and slightly dilate or a catheter with a bulb that is inserted and is supposed to help you dilate to about 4 cm. We were left with those options with some time to decide since they needed to continue monitoring.



I got on the birth ball and tried to move him into position on my own.

The midwife who would actually deliver me, Jennifer, came in around 8:10 to talk to me more about how I wanted to proceed. I was originally thinking I wanted to avoid all medications, therefore I'd go with the catheter method. However, Jennifer explained to me that they often send people home with the catheter in place and have them return 12-24 hours later to see how they had progressed. I couldn't fathom waiting any longer at that point. I was there, I was mentally committed, I needed to just have this baby today. So, I opted for the misoprostol. They would give it 4 hours to work its magic and then we'd see where to go from there. She inserted it around 8:45 a.m. and said that I was 2.5 cm and 75% effaced.


My birth team was, of course, Ritchie, but also Kim, one of my closest friends.

About 15 minutes after they put the medicine in, I began having regular contractions - 3-5 min apart that were totally manageable. I would breathe a bit, but could still talk and laugh and continue our name search. Through the 4 hours we mostly just looked for baby names.



We played around writing names on the board seeing how they looked. About a week prior, we had completely ruled out Finnley. I had started having concerns weeks prior about the name Finnley being too feminine and I kept coming across little girls named Finnley everywhere. Then Ritchie and I kept hearing "Ben" when we'd say "Finn" or vice versa and at one point Ritchie looked at me and said, "Are we seriously going to do this our whole lives?" The answer was no. No, we were not.

He was Samson for a few days after that, but Ritchie couldn't stop saying, "Sampson" the way they say it in the movie Half Baked and just couldn't get on board. We really tried to come up with something that we LOVED that followed our rules, but ultimately we loved the name Crosby (it was just randomly thrown out there along with Foster, Sawyer and Tucker) and therefore we decided to just get over the whole rule thing and pick a name we loved. It was pretty liberating actually. We continued to discuss names up until really active labor and the only other one we came up with was Tytus, but Ritchie just didn't love it... Dragon made the cut for awhile though. We'll call him Cros, so he'll have a nickname, but it definitely doesn't fit our rules, and I guess that's just fine!

At 1:45, Jennifer came back in to see what the medicine had done for me. I was 3 cm at 90% effaced and he had dropped beautifully into the right position! She asked me if she could just "massage" my cervix some to see if that might stimulate more of a steady labor pattern. She stretched me to 4 cm by doing that and then left me to labor for awhile.



By 2:10 the contractions were getting longer and stronger. I had to lean against Ritchie or Kim and have my butt and upper legs massaged through them. Some time before 3pm, Jennifer came back in to see how things were progressing. It was obvious at that point that I was in active labor and she felt like she could just let me keep going without breaking my water or doing anything else. I decided I wanted to get in the tub. The contractions were feeling much more intense.



At 3:30 I got out of the tub. I loved the water for the contractions, but my legs and feet kept cramping because of the position I had to be in. I got out and began leaning against Ritchie and bending forward in low, long moans. I got a lot of breaks in between contractions. I'd often have a weak one, then a 3 min break and then a really strong one. I was still talking in between contractions, but I had gone from making jokes and really holding conversations to asking my midwife (who hung out in there with us for awhile) questions about "how much longer" and "is this normal?" and the occasional, "this is bullshit!" I kept looking at the clock. I was SO pissed that it was taking longer than an hour. When you shoot your second kid out in an hour and a half, you get pretty pissed that you needed to be induced and now it's taking what feels like FOREVER to get to the pushing part for your 3rd.


Do you see my nurse and midwife laughing in the background there? I love this picture for that reason. This was maybe 1 hour before he was born? They were hanging and making jokes and encouraged Kim to take a pic of my belly. It's stretch marked and large and I certainly don't feel "beautiful" looking at it, but it IS beautiful. It's holding life. I'm so glad I have this picture. Kimberly took all of these pictures and I treasure them all.

My midwife was so amazing. She was so encouraging. I definitely questioned my ability to continue on with a natural delivery. I kept asking if I should just get the epidural. She kept insisting that I could do it, that I was doing wonderfully. Everyone insisted on that, in fact. My support that day was incredible. I highly suggest that anyone who wants a natural labor have a strong support system in place.

Things get fuzzy for me at this point. I know I eventually moved over to the bed to be checked - that was shortly after 5pm. I was 8 cm. I felt really, really defeated at that point. I hadn't even been through transition yet? I was REALLY not sure I was going to make it. My midwife suggested breaking my water at that point because she thought it would make it all faster for me, but I kept wavering. Mostly because I knew it would be more intense, but also because I wanted to try to keep things as natural as possible. She ended up having to run out of the room before I could say yes, so my water stayed in tact for the time being. Because I had just been checked, I was laying down in the bed and because I was in transition, I refused to move. So, I laid there and pretty much bitched and moaned through every. single. contraction. I BEGGED the nurse for an epidural at that point. Whiny, whimpering words while I looked deep into her eyes, begging her to save me from this pain. I didn't look at Ritchie or Kim, just the nurse. I knew she had the power. I also knew it was too late. I didn't have an IV, so they would have had to administer an IV, give me fluids and get the anesthesiologist into the room. The baby would be here by then. But, oh, I wanted it. Of course, I'm very glad I didn't get it, but I'm telling you all of this because I think it's assumed that if you choose to have a natural child birth that you are "strong" and whatever else. I think it's VERY common for women to "cave" and request an epidural even though they really don't want one.


This is what transition looked like. It sounded VERY loud. Think a tarzan like cry... that's what my noises reminded me of.

I had a few (5 maybe?) contractions in the bed like that before the midwife came back and I started yelling things like "PRESSURE!!!" and Kim snapped this picture of the clock when I started pushing:


5:27 pm

The midwife apparently said (according to Kim) "Let's just see what happens" with my pushing. And 2 very loud and very painful pushes later and he was out. He was born at 5:29 pm. Those two minutes were SO insanely intense. I can't describe it. With Ben, I felt him very slowly emerge. Crosby sort of catapulted out of me it felt like.


He was handed straight to me.





And I immediately fell in love. That's never happened with me. I've written before about how I fall in love with my babies over time. It was different this time. I was overcome with love and really couldn't stop looking at him. He was very blue and I really wanted him to pink up and cry because I couldn't stand the thought of them having to take him. They let him stay with me and he did get pink and start crying and was just... perfect.


My first time nursing him.


I eventually let Ritchie hold him :) What a proud dad he is. We have a picture with a smile similar to this with him holding each of the boys on the day they were born. I'm going to frame all 3 of them together one day. I'm in awe of this man and the dad and husband he is. I love him more and more with each child we have together.



After an hour they weighed and measured him and we got all ready to go to our recovery room and rest.

I felt so amazing afterwards. I was SO insanely happy that I had achieved a natural hospital birth with no drugs and minimal intervention. For an induction, I was really pleased. The nurses and midwife were all so supportive and I was able to birth the way that I believe is right for me and my babies. And THAT is what the experience should be.

And, Crosby? Our little surprise, in SO many ways. We're just all so in love with him. He's special, this one. I couldn't be happier that our family planning didn't work out the way we intended and that he's a part of our family. He belongs with us. Our littlest Lincoln.

Crosby Robert Lincoln 

March 28, 2014

5:29 PM

7 pounds 12 ounces 

20.5 inches long 

Pregnancy Brain Dump

This is the last pregnancy post I'll do. I never plan to be pregnant again (only this time measures are being taken to be MUCH more certain that this statement is accurate) and this baby is coming out for sure in the next few days.

*Sigh* According to my last period, I'm 42 weeks pregnant tomorrow. Somewhere early in pregnancy, we chose to use a "due date" of March 13 instead of March 20 (there were a few contradictory ultrasounds) and therefore I began the journey of becoming more and more pregnant and mentally ready for a 3rd baby to be here around the 20. I chose a week past my given due date because Ben was a week late, so I just figured it was safer to give this baby a full extra week.

And, here we sit on the eve of March 27. 7 full days later than the mental due date I had for myself. 2 full weeks after my given due date, but potentially only 1 full week late. It's SUCH a mental game, isn't it? I thought I was being GENEROUS to this child by mentally preparing myself for the 20th. I really wasn't mentally prepared to still be pregnant right now. And, being mentally prepared means SO much.  In any case, this little bugger is taking a super long time to find the exit sign in there and I'm tempted to stick a flashlight up there and give him a little guidance...

So, here I sit. 41 or 42 weeks or somewhere in between. Large, uncomfortable, in pain every day, unable to sleep well or bend over. I've become the third child that Ritchie has to put shoes on in the morning. I'm REALLY trying to be positive and it comes in waves. Sometimes, I'm all - YES! Pregnancy, let the baby be, he'll come when he's ready, enjoy these last few days, pay special attention to Max and Ben, etc etc... but I'd say, at this point, about 98% of my time is spent obsessing over is the baby coming, is that a contraction, ooh there's another one, FUCK they stopped, shit labor really hurts - is there any way out of this now? WHY HASN'T HE COME OUT YET?! None of these thoughts are pleasant or productive, please know that I know that.

So... my midwife group here (well, the ONE midwife that I actually like and managed to snag an appointment with on Monday - which, for journaling purposes, I was checked and was 2cm and 50-60% effaced and baby was low) was totally fine with me going all the way up to "42" weeks and was happy to even let me pick a middle ground since we're unsure of the actual due date. Friday morning isn't exactly a middle ground, but I chose it because it works for everyone's schedule (and, hey, if you're going to PLAN your damn birth you may as well make it convenient, right?) and because she would be there to help me figure out my induction plan based on my cervical readiness/baby's position that morning. I really trust her the most out of everyone I've met, so Friday it is.

So, here's the thing. We did a home birth with Bennett. I totally and completely believe that babies come when they're ready and that inductions that aren't medically necessary (and those that are, frankly) often lead to even more interventions and ultimately result in more c-sections. These are my own personal thoughts and I believe every woman has a right to think/feel the way she'd like to about birth and her own experiences. Want a c-section? Go for it! Want to pick every child's birthday and be induced so you can control when they come? By all means! Want to push your baby out with a midwife in a field of daisies under the moon? I hope that works out for you!! I seriously see the pros and cons of ALL of these scenarios and believe, if possible, that a woman should get to choose.

For me, I'm more the daisies under the moon route. We couldn't afford a home birth this time. It totally sucks. Hospitals give you that deadline. I'm up against that deadline now. I'm feeling super sad about that. I wish with all my might that he'll come on his own tonight or tomorrow or tomorrow night or even start up labor like 20 minutes before we're scheduled to go into the hospital. I'd give ANYTHING for that to happen. However, I'm really trying to prepare myself for that not happening. I'm trying to remember that every baby is different and every pregnancy is different and maybe this little turd needs a jump start. It happens, I know. I'm trying very hard not to feel like a failure in what is my final pregnancy and birth.

And, because this was ridiculously long winded and full of swears and basically me whining the whole time, I thought I'd share with you how jacked up my brain is right now by telling you two funny things.  Sort of like a bonus for reading all of this crap.

1. Max and Ben's preschool called on Monday morning at like 6:30am to let me know it was canceled for the day. The area code was a WA area code and I swear to you, in my sleepy haze, I got super excited and thought it was the hospital calling me to tell me that I was in labor. I was unbelievably excited.

2. There's a sign on the path to preschool (which I drive 8 times a week) that says something about contractors and EVERY time I think it says CONTRACTIONS and I think... contractions?! Am I having contractions?!

It's all pretty ridiculous.

The Last Nursery

Back when we began the adoption process, I started planning a space for a little girl. It was all pinks and whites and golds. Once we found out that this darling babe was indeed another BOY we began to wonder what to do with our extra space. Adoption is tricky in that we weren't (still aren't!) sure of timing. We weren't sure if she'd be home when this baby was still young enough to be in our room... did we even need a nursery?

Anyway, long story... but basically when we moved to Washington we also found out that baby girl Lincoln probably wouldn't be home until closer to Finn's first birthday. And so we decided to give this little dude a nursery all his own. I think putting a space together for him helped me to bond a bit more. This is by far my favorite space I've created for the kids yet (and I really love the boys' room too, so that's saying a lot!) Here are a few pictures of the space!













So much of the room is "repurposed". The crib was actually picked up for our daughter a long time ago used and for a steal! The dresser is from Max's nursery over 4 years ago now. The rocking chair was the one thing I bought after finding out I was pregnant. I wanted a comfy place to nurse at night that still was charming and had character.

Many of the little elements, like the gumball machine, book (another one is on the way!), goat stuffed animal, star, toys, chair pillow etc were all things we had lying around that I had used in other spaces. Even the fox canvas that I painted for him was a canvas left over from another project. I just had to buy a few colors of paint.

The bedding and crib pillows are Land of Nod. Same with the changing pad cover and floor basket. The curtains are ikea and Ritchie built the shelf and I painted it.









And, while this little guy might have his own space, I'm sure he'll never be alone....





His brothers like to hang out in there, so he'll always have company :)

Hello, Due Date

Well, hello, due date. It's not surprising that you're here and that I shall remain pregnant past you. That's cool, I didn't want a baby born on the 13th anyway...



40 weeks have come and gone. We're all anxiously awaiting this little bundle's arrival. This pregnancy has felt so... different than the others. Nausea, acne, heartburn and acid reflux, etc. The works! I've tried really hard to enjoy this last pregnancy of mine.



Every wiggle, every hiccup. I'm savoring them. Especially the last few days (weeks??) of them. This pregnancy has been more challenging to enjoy with two littles running around, adoption paperwork to keep up on and a move across several states in the third trimester. Slowing down these past few weeks and trying to really enjoy being pregnant has been really good for me.



But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready. Ready for my last infant. Ready to snuggle and nurse and swaddle and swoon. Ready for my boys to meet their brother. Ready to get to know the littlest Lincoln.



So, we're ready for you, sweet boy. Ready when you are.

And, a few bonus pictures that Max took. Because they're really funny.

It's A...

Adoption and Pregnancy Questions Answered!

Okay, first up, the adoption. Here's where we're at: Home study is COMPLETED! We're officially awaiting our immigration approval (it takes 60-90 days) and then all of our initial paperwork is complete! Phew! That took forever! After that we're just waiting to be matched to our girl!

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about our adoption/daughter and the answers!

Q. When will you get her?
A. We're not exactly sure, but we're "scheduled" to be matched in February and then we travel 4-6 months later. So... next summer if everything goes according to schedule.

Q. How old will she be when you get her?
A. We requested to bring home a child that was somewhere between 1-2 1/2 years old.

Q. Do you know who she is?
A. Not yet! We should get to see some pictures and read all about our girl sometime early next year (February is our estimated time).

Q. Will you keep her Chinese name?
A. We will give her an American first name that we have chosen, and we will use her Chinese name as her middle name.

Q. How long is the process?
A. It differs for everyone! We're looking at about 18 months from our application to bringing her home.

Here are some of the top pregnancy questions I've gotten and their answers:

Q. How are you feeling?
A. Terrible! The whole spectrum of symptoms. Nausea, headaches, acne, exhaustion, boobs on fire, dizziness and by the end of the day I honestly feel like I might have the flu, my whole body just hurts. Plus I look (and feel) about 26 weeks pregnant when I'm only 11.

Q. Was this planned?
A. Um, no.

Q. Do you hope this one is a girl?
A. Yes! However, the pressure is definitely off as we're going to have a daughter through adoption no matter what. Although, the thought of three boys sort of makes me want to go cry in the corner. I LOVE my boys to pieces, wouldn't trade them for the world. If this little one is a boy,  I'll feel the same about him.

Q. Will you find out the gender?
A. YES! I already did some blood work that tells you the gender and I should have the results in the next few weeks. At that time, we're going to do a little reveal party. I'll be sure to post about it then!

Q. Are you done now?
A. We were done before this one came along, so, yes. I smell a vasectomy in someone's future.

Q. Will you do another home birth?
A. No, not this time. Our insurance covered it last time, and this time it doesn't. We have chosen a midwife/birthing center in a hospital that we feel really comfortable with.

That's all everyone has been wanting to know! Any other questions, feel free to ask! I love talking about adoption, pregnancy and myself :)

Here's some fun math for you on a Wednesday. When we return home from China (as long as it's according to the estimated schedule) I will have the following aged children: Max (4), Ben (3), adopted daughter (1-2 1/2?) and Littlest Lincoln (5 months). That's 4 children under the age of 5. Hold me. And send coffee.

Life is what happens when you're making plans...

This post could also be titled "Family Planning Gone Awry..."



Was that a clear enough announcement?

Yes, it's true!



While we were (not-so) patiently awaiting being matched with our precious daughter in China, we received some VERY unexpected news that we would be getting a baby MUCH sooner and in a much different way than we had ever thought.

The littlest Lincoln will be born mid March of 2014. We're still awaiting being matched and are loosely "scheduled" to go to China to bring her home in August of 2014. We'll add two new children to our family next year.

Life doesn't always go as planned. Sometimes, it's SO much better.

What 41 Weeks Pregnant Looks Like

It looks HUGE. It feels uncomfortable and slower than molasses. I'm trying very hard to hang in there, but each day I feel more and more like a ticking time bomb.

There are several things that I'm grateful for during this time, so let's start there. I'm SO happy that I'm able to still walk. I've been walking about 2 and 1/4 mile each morning to try to get some contractions going. It feels fantastic to still be able to be so active this late in the game. I was even passing people on the trail this morning! And, no - they weren't senior citizens, thank you very much. I am also savoring this time with just Ritchie and Max. Ritchie is officially home from work and I've never needed his help more. The three of us hang out all day and we try to make each afternoon something fun for Max just in case it's the last afternoon with our little family of three. And, lastly, as hard as it is being pregnant right now and feeling so very "when the HELL is he going to come out?!" I'm very relieved that I'm working with a midwife. Someone who knows that my baby is perfect in there and is just waiting for the right time for him to make his entrance into this world. I loved (and I mean LOVED) by OB from Max's pregnancy and leaving her to pursue a home birth was a difficult decision, but I would have surely been induced by now. I cannot wait for that "this is it!" moment of labor starting and knowing that my little boy chose his own birthday. There is something so sacred in that for me and that fact alone keeps me going every day.

So, other than feeling like I might split in two at any given moment, I guess I'm just finding some peace in life right now. Sure, I get anxious. Yes, I want him to come now and if labor started right as I hit "publish post" I'd feel like the happiest woman on Earth. But, overall, I've reached a pretty great place in this pregnancy. It really can't be too much longer and I'm SO excited to uncover his story. We can't wait to welcome you to the world, Bennett. To the world and to our family. We're ready for you, baby - whenever you're ready!

Bennett's Labor Blessing

Today I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful group of women come together to give me strength and words of support and wisdom as I embark on these last few weeks of pregnancy and the intention of a home birth and, therefore, drug free labor and delivery. It was so much more than I could have even expected as these women put true thought behind the words and beads (which I will wear on a bracelet from now until Bennett's labor and during it) that they presented to me today. I know I will draw strength and courage from seeing these beads and remembering the words spoken and written for me today. It was truly special. I think every woman giving birth should have a labor blessing. It's heartwarming.

Here are some of the details!



Food!! We munched on beef and chicken skewers, caprese salad and veggies with hummus. YUM! Of course there were cupcakes from Icing On The Cake. Holy moly, that place is good! Every occasion we need baked goods for (including our wedding cake!) we go to them. They're amazing.

There was a henna artist who came to do a belly tattoo on me and a little something for other guests, too!


I love it!




Rebecca, a dear friend for 11 years now and maid of honor in my wedding, getting her Henna done! She's also having a little boy in September. It's been so fun sharing this journey with her!




Gemma gets hers done!


Lisa's (teeny tiny adorable!!) foot tattoo!


Both Lisa and my feet done!


This was the henna artist. She was not only talented, but also super sweet. We really enjoyed having her!


Rebecca presenting her bead.


Rusti and her bead.


Gemma with hers.


Stephanie with hers!

My mom was so good about making sure to get pictures of everyone with me, but wasn't in many of the shots! Here are a few more from this special day.











Thank you to everyone who came and made it so special.

In other exciting news, my best friend, Kimberly had her second baby, a little girl (her son is 3 months older than Max) early this morning! I got the news right when I woke and I couldn't be more excited for her and her growing family. I will always remember Kira's birthday because I woke up learning about her arrival and had my labor blessing that day!

We also celebrated my dad's birthday (his was the 4th) this evening at our house. Cake, presents, Max as entertainment - it was great! Haha! So much to celebrate today! It was a day filled with love and support and good news all around. I love days like that!