Finally the Birth Story of Lucas Robert Hall

On Thursday August 6th I was feeling some cramping and light contractions all day and at about 5:00 I thought maybe I should go to the hospital and get it checked out. Darren met me there and the hospital was really busy and it took a long time for them to get me into triage. I was finally checked at a little after 6:00. Nothing had really changed from the day before, which was my Dr. appt. They decided to keep me for an hour and monitor me. My mom came and picked up the girls and then Darren left for a little while to go to a work dinner. I was checked an hour later and there had been a slight change so they wanted me to walk around for an hour and then they would decide if I would be sent home or they would admit me. I was almost ready to just go home at this point, I was tired and hungry. I walked and walked and didn't feel many contractions, so I was convinced I was going home. They checked me after 45 minutes of walking and I had dilated to a 5 and was fully effaced. I was staying!!!!
I got admitted at 9:00 that night and since the contractions weren't bad I refused the epidural. Darren and I just got comfortable in our room and watched TV and I rested and sat on a birthing ball. Around 3:00 in the morning the contractions were a little more uncomfortable and I knew my Dr. wanted me to have the baby drop and descend on his own. I decided I should get the epidural and rest for a little while. I was checked right before getting it and I was almost a 9. I hated getting the epidural it was painful and uncomfortable. I was able to rest for over an hour before I started feeling the urge to push and feeling really painful contractions. Around 5:45 they checked me and the baby's head was about 3 inches from crowning and in 3 pushes he was out.
Lucas Robert Hall was born on 8/7/09 at 5:52 AM, weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz., measuring 19 1/2 inches long.
Everything went really well. We were able to go home Sunday morning. He is a very mellow baby who enjoys sleeping and eating. The girls adore him and we already don't know what we would do without him.

Sad Day

This afternoon my dear Grandma Christensen passed away. She was taken by ambulance yesterday after being found in her condo. She had suffered a massive stroke and after cat scans last night it was determined there wasn't much the dr.'s could do. My dad flew out to Washington late last night and was up with her all night. She had slipped into a coma and he wasn't able to talk to her. He was able to be with her so that was so reassuring for me. This afternoon she died peacefully. I feel so helpless right now. I am having a baby any day now and so there isn't much I can do. The funeral will be here in Utah so she can be buried with my Grandpa. I am hoping I can atleast make it to that.
My Grandma was an amazing person and had accomplished much in her lifetime. I know she is in a happier place now and so that puts me at ease. She will be greatly missed.

Waiting Game

I am still hanging in there. I am 38 weeks tomorrow and I still can't believe I will be holding my little guy soon. I am being induced on August 10th, so there is definitely an end in sight. I do have to say this pregnancy has gone by so fast for me and has been relatively easy. I am trying my best to enjoy these last few days, because I know this is our last one. I have loved the kicks, hiccups and the amazing sound of his heartbeat. Now I just want to see what he looks like and how he will compare to my girls. Thank you to so many of you who have been such great supporters in this pregnancy. I have recieved so many well wishes, and gifts. I feel ready to introduce him to the world!!!

All Sorts of New Stuff

I have been so busy getting things ready for the baby, so I have lacked in my blogging. I am now 36 weeks along and can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Pregnancy in the heat of July is not easy and very miserable. I am glad it's almost over. My induction date is scheduled for August 10th. Here is my belly shot. Darren needs to fix the date on our camera, although I do feel like I have been pregnant since 1/1/07.

On July 15th my sister in laws threw me such a fun baby shower. I was lucky to have my family and extended family make it. My sister in laws had such yummy food and made everything so wonderful. I really feel ready to have baby Lucas now. Thank you so much for all who came and all the amazing gifts.

Madison just got her hair cut. I loved it long, but it was getting so hard to do. She has so much natural curl it hurt her to brush her hair. We cut off a good 8 inches, and it is amazing how much it has done for her hair. She looks so cute and she loves to have her hair done now. She loves to pose so that explains this picture.

Baby Stuff

I have been asked by many what we still want or need for the baby. I am having a baby shower in 2 weeks so I figured this is a good place to list items for those who need help. I don't need anyone to feel they have to get us anything, this is just a list for those who have asked.

• 0-3 months summer clothes


• 3-6 months winter clothes


• 3-6 months onesies


• 3-6 months sleepers


• crib sheets (white, blue or brown)


• baby toys (rattles, rings etc.)


• infant Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Gas Drops


• front carrier for baby to sit in while I get stuff done


• burp cloths


• bibs


• hooded bath towel


• bath stuff (lotion, soap, shampoo etc.)


• baby blankets


• diapers (any size)


• diaper/wipe holder

I was also told to put a few bigger items for those who want to go in on a gift.

• baby monitor


• sit n' stand stroller

Some of This Some of That

I will briefly go over what we have been doing the past couple of weeks.

- The Rain. Well unlike most people I have loved the rain. It made June fly by for me and one month of Summer is now gone. I was dreading being in my third trimester during the hottest months and now I find it more bearable. I am not loving the fast switch between the cold and rain to HOT though. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

- Yard Sale. Our community holds a yard sale once a year and we try to participate every year. Darren thinks this day is as great as Christmas. He spends a good two weeks going through the house and getting rid of anything we haven't used in one month. I have to put the reins on him!!! We did take advantage of this years sale to sell all our baby girl things. We had so many girl clothes and we sold maybe 1/3 of them. I am really sick of looking at them.

- Park City, Darren's Birthday, Father's Day. Well this past weekend after the yard sale Darren and I dropped off the kids and went up to Park City for the weekend. Our friends Jared and Tina also came which made it all the more fun. We wanted to celebrate Darren's birthday and have fun shopping. Well it rained all weekend and so we just went to different restaurants and told funny stories and hung out. It really was so much fun!!! Sunday, Darren's birthday and Father's Day, we went to breakfast and spent about an hour at the outlet stores. We then got the kids and I cooked a nice dinner and made a birthday cake. It was nice to combine both holidays for me!!! Darren got a new big flat screen t.v. and PlayStation 3 for himself and then my mom and sister got him Psych on DVD. So he really had a nice weekend.

-Lagoon. We took the kids to Lagoon yesterday. We got some tickets from my father in law and so it made it possible for us to go this year. The kids absolutely loved it. Darren had fun going on all the rides with them. I, on the other hand, sat in the shade at any chance I could. It was a very hot day and being 7 1/2 months pregnant didn't help. We did have a fun time and I want to thank my in laws for the chance to go!!!

-Pregnancy. I am getting bigger and bigger and getting uncomfortable. I am glad that 6 weeks from now I should be holding my little guy. We have decided on his name. It will be Lucas. So thanks to all those who voted. I am glad I can start calling him by his name rather than "this kid".

Well that's it!

Madison Graduates Pre-School

Madison graduated preschool yesterday. I, of course, was in tears most of the program. I couldn't believe she is done. I just dropped her off on her first day. She has come so far since then. Her self esteem has improved, and she is such a good friend to others. She has learned so much and for that I am grateful to her teacher. The students started the program off by singing the songs they have learned all year, including one in sign language. They had a really cute slide show of the kids throughout the year and then finished the program off with a mini-graduation walk. Like I said I was a mess, I blame the pregnancy hormones. Darren was there and said he can't imagine how I will be on the first day of Kindergarten. I know she will do well and this preschool experience was a great educational foundation for her. We love you Madison Jo!!!!