Carson's story

I really did not think I would be having a baby in March.  I was due April 8th and since both of my other kids were late, I figured Carson would be too.  Nope.

For the past two days before Carson was born I just didn't feel good.  Just restless and just not right.  I even joked with Casey and my Mom that maybe we would be having a March baby.  Then around 4:30 AM on the 29th, I woke up with bad cramping.  I didn't think it was labor but I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep so I got up and went to mess around on the computer.  Plus, I figured the cramps would be away if I got up and moved around a bit.  20 minutes on the computer and I still had cramps.  But they were so irregular and not horribly painful so I still didn't think it was labor.  But just in case, I decided to take a shower.  If I was in labor, at least I would be showered.  In the shower, the cramps got harder and a lot more painful.  Labor was definitely on the mind now.  I kinda didn't want to be in labor because my doctor was in Hawaii until Monday.  Still, I shaved my legs and took my time getting dressed in my fabulous and favorite pair of sweats and Buckeye zip up. 

I finally decided to wake up Casey and ask him what he thought.  He decided it was time to go the hospital.  He also laughed at me since I was showered and ready and it was just before 6 in the morning.  Casey decided to take a quick shower too while I called my parents to see if one of them would come over and stay with the kids.  I still wasn't convinced I was in labor but thought we should go to the hospital and check.  I have always doubted I was in labor with all three kids.  I think the biggest thing was that I didn't want to go up to the hospital and get my hopes up and then get sent back with no baby.  Every kid Casey has to talk me into going to the hospital and every time I really have been in labor.  Good thing he takes care of me so we didn't ever have to deliver a baby at home or in the car!

We got to the hospital and I told the nurse that I might be in labor.  She asked when I was due and I told her April 8th, and she said "Well, you are kinda early but we can check."  She seemed pretty skeptical.  She had me do a pH test to see if I was leaking amniotic fluid, which came back as a negative.  Then she seemed really skeptical.  Still, she hooked me up to all the machines to check baby's heart rate and for contractions.  No contractions were showing but I was sure feeling them.  I was starting to think I was a bit crazy and NOT in labor.  Then she checked me... and I was at a 7.  Definitely in labor.  The nurse just started laughing and said "Well, you are having a baby today."  She kept laughing the rest of the time and would tease me about not knowing I was in labor and being at a 7.

After talking with the nurse and the nurse anesthetist I decided to have a intrathecal instead of an epidural.  Contractions were pretty horrible at this point and I was having back labor.  Not fun.  Carson was posterior, which means he was facing out towards my stomach instead of my back.  It made it so his head pressed very painfully against my spinal cord.  The worst pain I have ever felt in my life.  I was really looking forward to getting the medication and not having this pain any more.

An intrathecal is given by a shot in your lower back.  It is suppose to work within minutes and then be out of your system in about 3 hours.  Sounded great to me, especially since it was about 8:45 and the nurse was certain I would be having my baby before lunch.  The nurse anesthetist started prepping and then gave me the shot and it hurt so bad!!  I don't know what she did but I had sharp pains shooting down my legs and my back was just aching.  She had to inset the needle a few times, which did not help.  I think I have a pretty good tolerance for pain but I was crying my eyes out as she was doing this.  And she wasn't very nice either. 

She was finally done and asked if I could feel anything.  I couldn't feel my legs and but I could still feel the contractions.  The contractions weren't as bad, still not good, but manageable.  That was for about 5 minutes.  Then, my water broke and back labor was back with a vengeance.  The pain was horrible and what made it worse was that since I was numb from the thighs down I couldn't move myself to help alleviate the pain.  Casey and the nurse tried to help but their is only so much somebody else can do and understand as you try to tell them how to move your body. Oh and that nice nurse anesthetist?  She was still there and was telling my that I wasn't feeling any pain, just some pressure.  If I could have walked I think I would have went over there and kicked her.  The contractions were horrible.  I always thought it was funny when I would hear other ladies scream during labor or see women screaming on TV because my other labors were so easy and I never had that need to scream.  But oh my, I was screaming with Carson.  I even told Casey the overdone movie line of "I can't do this!"  He looked at me and said, "I think you're going to have to."

My nurse went out to have a break so a different nurse came in and checked me.  I was between a 9 and 10.  She called my nurse back before she could leave and said we were going to start pushing because I was already in too much pain.  So the doctors and nurses came in and pushing started.  It actually helped and felt better to push to get him off my spine.  With my first push, my Mom finally made it to the hospital (she had been "on her way" for the past 2 hours).  I don't think she was expecting to see her daughter screaming and sobbing her eyes out and pushing already but I was glad she made it.  She was there for Olivia and Callen's birth so I really wanted her there for Carson's too.  After about 5 minutes of pushing, little Carson Duane was welcomed into the world by a blubbering mommy.  He was perfect and I was so happy to see him.  The one awesome thing about not having the medicine work is that I could really feel him be born.  I felt him come out, felt the huge relief of pain and the joy of accomplishment.  It is a feeling that will always be hard to explain but one I will never forget. 


And then the placenta.  Never gave much thought to the placenta before but of course, with this delivery, it would not detach.  The doctor had to press so hard on my stomach, and once again, I was a screamer.  The doctor pushed and prodded for about 30 minutes and thought he was going to have to actually go in an remove the placenta.  They gave me some sort of drug to prepare for that when it finally detached.  Thank goodness.  However, the drug they gave me made me pretty loopy and nauseous for the next 3 hours.  Joyful.  So not only could I not keep my eyes open (not from being tired but from being drugged) but I still couldn't move or feel my legs (I finally got my legs back around 2, so much for only working 3 hours) and I had to be given Zofran so I wasn't sick. 

After that, recovery was great.  The only issue is a bit of back pain but I guess that is pretty normal when you have back labor.  I am lucky that I have a sweet beautiful healthy new baby boy that I couldn't help but love instantly.  I always felt a little bad about Callen's labor because it went so smooth, I felt like I didn't have to work for him at all.  I was joking with Casey that since I thought that about Callen, Heavenly Father decided to humble me a bit and make me work for Carson.  I am lucky that I have never had to push more than 5 minutes with my babies and only tore enough for one stitch with Olivia.  All my babies have been born healthy and never spent time in the NICU or away from me at all.  I know not everyone is able to say that.  I truly am blessed. 

Easter morn

Om Easter morning the kids were so excited that the Easter Bunny had came.  That silly Bunny always hides the baskets and the eggs.  Olivia ran around and finally found hers behind the couch.  They quickly found the other eggs and then both started pounding the candy before we could stop them.  Definite sugar high for my kiddos. 

 

After our quick Easter hunt, it was time to get ready for church. It was the first time going to church with Carson and 9:00 church with 3 kids is pretty hard for us to do and sadly we missed the passing of the Sacrament.  The rest of Sacrament was great though.  The kids wouldn't go to nursery or Primary so after about 45 minutes, 2 crying kids (Carson slept the entire time), we decided to head home and go to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  They can always fix crying kids. 

Backyard Egg Hunt

  

On the Saturday morning before Easter I randomly decided it would be fun to have an egg hunt for my kids.  I took Olivia to an egg hunt last year and it was horrible.  It was one put on by Pocatello and there were so many kids there and the eggs were just thrown out on the grass.  Your kid was lucky if they got one egg.  I don't think Olivia got any during the actual hunt but a sweet little boy gave her one of his.  Anyways... it sucked.  But egg hunts are so fun so I decided to call a few friends and see if they and there kids wanted to come over and have lunch and a hunt.  Of course they did!!!

~

 

 

 

Olivia was so excited to have her two favorite friends over, Abby and Emery.  They both had their little sisters with them, McKinley and Sienna, and their Mommas, Mallory and Dana.  Abby's Dad, Casey, was able to come as well. 

Callen was just happy when he figured out their were sugary treats inside the eggs.  

 

Carson was just eating and snuggling Mommy so of course he was content and happy!

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Such helpful daddies!!!

Casey and Callen

Casey Humpherys and Abby

The kids had so much fun and I think the adults had a bit of fun too.  It might just have to be an annual Payne party!!

Sibling Love

Remember these cute kids???  

Well, they have had quite the life change with little Carson being added to the Payne mix.  

 

 

At first Olivia was much the same way with Carson as she was with Callen, didn't really even acknowledge he was there.  She was a bit jealous though and acted out by being very naughty.  She would argue and wine and fight about everything we asked her.  But after a few days, she has really stepped to the big sis role and the jealousy died down a bit.  She loves to watch everything Carson does (which isn't much) and even held him the other day.  She is such a little mother and it seems like she has taken it upon herself to take care of Callen since I am kinda busy with Carson.  She still has her jealousy moments so I have been really trying to give her one-on-one attention which is helping.  She is my first born and only girl... I love her.

Callen is a different story.  He was the one I was expecting to have the really bad jealousy issues but he hasn't been too bad.  He LOVES having a brother.  He loves to hold him and give him kisses and hold his hand.  Every time I change Carson, I have to make sure he is all the way at the end because Callen now has to scale the changing table and sit by Carson's head and "help" me change Carson.  He still needs snuggles from Mommy which is fine with me.  I love him.

Carson is great.  He is so sweet and, so far, a great baby.  Between me struggling to have a good milk supply and him not the most aggressive eater, nursing has been a bit of a challenge.  We decided to bottle feed him the milk I can pump and also supplement with formula.  He eats better from a bottle so I decided to stop fighting it and just use one.  It is bittersweet for me.  It is nice that I won't have to be constantly siting there with my shirt up and having him so dependent on me but now I actually have to start watching what I eat and, well, he won't be so dependent on me.  I really dislike pumping but at least he is getting some breast milk.  Bittersweet.  He is a pretty good sleeper too.  I can get him to bed around 10 then he wakes up around 1:30 AM and then again at 4:30 AM, then sleeps in until about 8.  I know this will all change but for a newborn it isn't too bad.  He likes to snuggle and burrow his little face into my neck.  He is so handsome and we are so happy to have him.  I love him. 

Big changes but our little family has adjusted pretty well.  My children love each other and I love each of them.  Timewise, I feel a bit stretched thin to meet the demands of each of my children.  My house is a wreck and I rarely get out of sweats but my heart is very full.  Before I had Callen I was nervous that I wouldn't have enough love to give multiple children.  Now I realize that for your children, your heart is like the Grinch's.  It doesn't just break into smaller pieces to give to each child, it grows.  And like the Grinch, mine has now grown three times.  I am a blessed mommy.

Coloring Eggs

The Monday before Easter we colored eggs for FHE.  The kids had so much fun.  We ended up getting the coloring stuff everywhere (thanks Callen) but that is okay.  

Callen ended up looking a bit like the Hulk when we were all done but after a few days he was back to normal.  

  

 I think Olivia could have colored eggs all night.  She loved to put them in the coloring stuff and then pull them out and say "Nope.  Not ready yet" and then put them back in.  She made some really pretty eggs!!

Carson got to hang out and snuggle Daddy while we colored eggs.