Notes from the Burrow

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

There was what, no one at the mutant hamster races, we only had one entry into the Madame Curie look-alike contest and he was disqualified later.

Emily had a science project that was due while I was in the hospital having Lizzie. She had to come up with a creative way to model the earth's layers. She and Anna chose to do it with food. She used a sucker, rice crispy treats, brownies and frosting. She did a great job and out of a possible 35 points, she got 37! Great job, Emily!!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Weekly Top Five 10/13/2008

Top Five Favorite Pizza Places

1. Giordano's in Chicago

2. East of Chicago in Toledo

3. Bilbo's RIP

4. Hungry Howies in Plymouth

5. California Pizza Kitchen

Friday, October 10, 2008

It's not a tumaaaa

We got some very good news today regarding Chris' dad. Recently, his doctor found a spot on his lung that looked suspicious. After many tests and sleepless nights, the tests came back negative for cancer. He will have to have the spot removed and that will involve surgery, but it is not cancer or malignant or the worst thing imaginable. We are so thankful for our blessings!!

I notice these things are back in fashion.

Last night, Lizzie wore the traditional Vos sleep sack to bed. Chris' mom saved them from Jeff and Chris and handed them down to me when Emily was born. They are nothing fancy; just a Carter's sleeping gown. But, they are so special to me. Daddy wore them and all the kids from Emily to Lizzie have worn them now. It's hard to believe that something 38 years old could hold up and still be soft but they are. Lizzie also slept in the cradle that my dad made for me when I was born. And, yes, she did sleep a little!

Two funny things:

Spencer was quite taken with Lizzie's method of eating and is convinced that I am now, in fact, a cow.

Why do men think that just because they didn't shave for three days in the hospital that they should now grow a beard? CHRIS, I DON'T LIKE THIS THING...AND HERE'S WHAT I'M DOING WITH IT!!!! If you want a kiss, it had better come off!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Thankful Thursday 10/9/2008

1. Inventor of Epidural...want to kiss him!

2. My own mattress.

3. Midwifes and great nurses.

4. Miracle blanket.

5. All my blessings.

Hey, can we get my kid the d*** spinal tap already?

So, I like to hear all the exciting birth details. If you aren't up for it, stop reading now 'cause I'm relating the birth of Lizzie highlight by highlight.

I was admitted to hospital at 8:15pm on Monday night. The midwife checked my cervix and it had NOT CHANGED SINCE MY APPOINTMENT TWO WEEKS AGO!! What a crazy cervix I have. They gave me some kind of gel on a string (Cervadyl?) to get things moving. I had the gel all night. I had to be on baby heart monitor and contraction monitor. Baby kept moving and hiding from monitor and so the nurse would come in every three minutes to reposition it. I got a great night's sleep. They wanted to take out the Cervadyl around 9AM and went to do so but it was gone. I guess it disappeared! So they were going to break my water. But there was no bag. I guess it already broke! I got hooked up to the Pitocin and they put an internal monitor on baby's head cutting out the every three minute reposition which was nice. However, contractions were much stronger at this point. I was breathing through them and doing ok. I got a shot of Morphine which did NOTHING!! I knew I had had it when the sound of Chris' voice made me want to puke and throw heavy objects at his head. I had the midwife check me and I was at an 8. At that point, I threw in the towel and got the epidural. It was the most wonderful thing I ever did. I am wondering why does it have to take so long to get it installed and going? I feels like hours! I told God I could make it through 4 more contractions at that pain level and then I was going to give up. He only made me endure 4 more before the meds kicked in. Baby was not happy with any position I would lay in and let us know it by slowing her heart rate way down. Midwife said time to push. I did 4 good pushes and on the 5th, she shot out like a rocket. I'm not kidding. I could tell I was so close and I just gave it everything I had. After she was born, they realized she had aspirated the meconium which they didn't know before because no water came out to check the color of. The peds team was slow in arriving to our room and when they finally got in, it was such a bustle of activity. She was a little white and blue and was not making any sounds. I was so worried but the midwife kept telling me she was okay. And she was. They just needed to work the meconium up out of her air passageway. Pretty soon she was in my arms, a sweet little bundle of joy. We spent a few hours snuggling and then the kids arrived. They were all very excited and very well behaved for the visit. Lizzie brought them all a Webkinz and they were excited to get that too. I don't know how she managed to fit all those in there with her but she did. We spent Wednesday holding Lizzie, ordering hospital room service and watching daytime TV. (UGH. There is nothing on!) On Wednesday night, I was released from hospital but Lizzie had to stay until Thursday morning, so they moved us to another room called "Nesting Room." This is code for really hot broom closet. Grammy came to meet her 8th grandchild on Wednesday night but had to endure the broom closet with us. On Thursday, the powers that be proclaimed us mother and father and daughter and we were sent home for better or worse never to part. We had a wonderful welcome from Anna and Lucy and Cameron and some very cute signs on the door. Anna stayed with the children for 4 days and 3 nights. She did a super job, even completed a science project with Emily. I really cannot say thank you enough to her for what she did for me.

I am so happy to be home. Happy to have Lizzie here. Feeling a little emotional, but ready to be mom to 6!

Dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth

Miss Elizabeth Gloria Vos made her arrival on October 7, 2008 at 6:16 PM. She weighed in at 7lb. 3oz. and is 20 inches long. She is perfect and beautiful and wonderful! She looks a little like Cameron and Emily and a lot like Christopher. We are having so much fun enjoying her. Enjoy the pictures!