Tate Brandon Montgomery - 4.4.16

I look back at my last blog post, and little did I know less than 12 hours later we would meet our little guy. Last Sunday went on like any other day. I never once had an inkling that I would be going into labor that night. Kyle's parents were here most of the day helping us trim our grapes out in our mini vineyard and we spent most of the day outside. Around 8:45 that night just after I sat down to watch tv before bed, contractions began. I had been having contractions on and off for a few weeks, so I didnt chalk it up to much. I started timing them a little after 9:00, and they were every 9 minutes apart. I decided to take a shower and see if they were going to stick around or if it was just another fluke. Well, when I got out of the shower, they were about every 7-8 minutes apart. I woke Kyle and said he might want to pack his bag. He called the hospital and they said it was up to me at what point I wanted to come in. I laid down for a bit, but once they got to every 5 mintues apart (which was only about 10 minutes later) I decided it was time to go as they were getting very painful. We called Kyle's mom and told her we needed her to come up and spend the night with the kids. She lives about 35 minutes away, and I knew I wasn't going to make it that long. Thankfully my friend Jenna only lives about 7 minutes away, so I called her at 10:30 and asked her to rush over. By this point, they were every 2-3 minutes apart and super painful. She arrived and we took off. Once in the truck, I was getting them every minute and it was the longest 20 minute ride to the hospital in my life! I thought at one point baby would be joining us on the side of the road. Luckily, we made it to the hospital around 11:30, they got me in my room, and Tate was born less than an hour later. Since labor was SO fast and intense, I did not have the chance to get any pain meds. But believe me, I begged for them. At that point, they said all it would do would "drug" the baby and I would get no relief. I do have to say, an all natural birth was not my game plan. I was not prepared mentally for it and I think I made it harder on myself than I needed too. Let's just say I give MAJOR kuddos to those women who have done an all natural labor more than once, or who choose to do it. None the less, Tate (A BOY!) arrived at 12:28 am weighing in at 8 lbs 10 oz (one oz more than Reese making him my biggest baby) and 20 1/2" long. He looks like a mini Preston. Long fingers, long toes, and a pretty happy baby. Unfortunately, our first 4 days with him were spent in the hospital. His jaundice levels kept rising, so he was on a bili blanket 24 hours a day, with his blood being taken every 6 hours to check his level. His poor little heals were all poked and sore. Finally on Friday afternoon, we got news that we could go home! My parents and Kyle's mom were able to help out with Reese and Preston all week, with Kyle staying at the house at night, so with the shuffle, we made it work. But boy were we glad to get home!
This past weekend we spent relaxing and adjusting to being a family of 5. The kids are really good with Tate, and are interested in him when he is awake. We went back on Saturday morning for another blood draw to make sure he could sustain on his own without the bili blanket, and his levels were within normal range- whew!
Tate is a pretty content baby so far. He hates diaper changes and baths, but overall only cries when he is hungry. He is also giving me 3-4 hour stretches at night- which I hope he keeps up!  Here are some pics from our last week...

Kyle's first time holding Tate

Meeting Poppa

 and Nana

 The first meeting. Preston was in awe of how little he was - I just love his expression here.

 Checking him out

Meeting Grammie

 Pretty proud big sister

 And then there were three...

 Meeting cousin Mekenna

 A visit from big sister after gymnastics

 That silly bili blanket is interfering with our cuddles!

 Hanging with Dad- passing the hours in the hospital with lots of snuggles

Poor babe all wrapped up

Finally, off my blanket!!

 Time to go home!!

 First night at home- pajama party :)

 One week old

Kyle left today until Friday for work in Indianapolis. I am a bit nervous, but know we will be ok. With school drop off and pick ups, and gymnastics, I pray that Tate goes with the flow :) Keep us in your thoughts!

4:3:16

Due date. 4.3.16. A day I have been waiting for for the past 40 weeks. It's here, and baby is not :) Little babe is just comfy and cozy in there.I head in to the doctor again tomorrow and at that point we will discuss how much longer I'll go, or want to go. These past 3 days have been really uncomfortable. I'm at the point where it's no fun to walk, no fun to sit, and no fun to bend over :)
I had a few friends tell me about Raspberry Leaf tea and how when women were around their due date, drinking the tea helped put them into labor. Worth a shot, right? I got some on Friday, had 2 cups before bed, and 4 cups yesterday. Clearly, I was not one the tea was made to work for. :) The lady at the shop where it was bought had said she was 10 for 10 of women drinking it and putting them into labor...looks like I broke her record, haha. Luckily it tastes really good, so it wasn't an awful thing to try.

4.3.16 40 weeks

 Raspberry leaf tea

We did add a new member to the family, but not a baby. A camper! Kyle has been talking with a guy who is selling his camper for a few weeks now, and it was a deal he couldn't pass up. Kyle can't stop talking about camping and how excited he is. Like a little kid. It is in GREAT shape. The kids are also excited to be able to go camping this summer.

Mid week check-in

39 weeks. 4 days. I am hanging in there! I went to the doctor on Tuesday morning and they stripped my membranes (technical term) to prepare and get ready for labor. I was 3-4 cm and the hope is that stripping the membranes naturally dilates you so you can go into labor on your own (my goal!) I went back this morning and I was 4-5 cm, so it worked. Now it's just a waiting game until regular contractions start. The doctor said since I am almost 5 cm, the labor should be pretty quick if everything goes as normal as can be. My due date is Sunday, and I scheduled an appointment for next Monday in case I don't go into labor over the weekend. They will let me go as long as I want (or up to the end of next week) before we have to discuss induction. The told me it was completely up to me, but I want to wait it out as long as I feel like I can in hopes to avoid a medication, induced labor.

Besides the rain today, we have had the best weather this week for spring break. Monday and Tuesday were AMAZING! Reese spent Monday with Kyle's mom and her two cousins, and the had a great day. Bowling and ice cream were checked off her list so she was a happy camper. Tuesday the kids, Kyle, Krista (sister in law) and the cousins went to Cave of the Mounds outside of Mt Horeb. I had my doctors appointment that morning, and was having irregular contractions, so I decided to hang at home and get some relaxing in for a bit.
Preston had an awesome Monday with us, and we spent the whole day outside. Sidewalk chalk, kite flying, bike riding, soccer playing, and running around.

Swimming was also on Reese's list, so with the crummy weather today, Kyle took the kids to the hotel here in town where you can pay for a day pass to swim. I think all we have left to do is go to a movie (she wants to see Zootopia) and roller skating (which might not happen.)

Kyle, who took this week off, has been busy outside with yard work and yesterday worked on getting our small vineyard ready and pruned for the grapes this summer. We have 3 rows of vines that produce concord grapes. We also know two people who make wine :) Works out nicely for us. Last year when we moved in, the grapes were ready to be picked, and we just didn't have time to get to it, so Kyle had a family friend come and pick them and he made 30 gallons of wine from them. This year, we hope to take care of them and be able to pick on our own, getting it made by friends who live near us. They are mostly all pruned up and ready for a good harvest this summer! I am SO excited to be able to enjoy a glass (or bottle) soon :)

Spring Break!

Spring break has arrived and the kids couldn't be more excited about it. A week off of school and the weather looks somewhat decent. Reese created a "spring break to-do" list with Kyle last week- so we will see what we get checked off the list.
We already did #6 and #7. She is keeping us quite busy this week :) Today she is spending the day with Kyle's mom, getting a Grammie day in while Preston spends the day with Kyle and I getting some alone time before baby comes. I think him and Kyle are going to do "man things" like clean the garage and get stuff done outside :) Due date is this coming Sunday! I have an appointment tomorrow morning to see if anything is changing. I have a feeling I am going to make it at least until next Sunday, if not longer... 

Easter Sunday- 39 weeks

Reese had a 1/2 day on Friday and in the afternoon we started Spring break with pedicures and manicures. She loved being pampered and it was a fun girls date :)

We celebrated Easter yesterday with a nice, low key day. Even though the weather didn't cooperate and it was crappy and rainy out, the kids still had a good day. The Easter bunny visited them at our house and they got some new soccer equipment to keep them busy outside this summer. We went to church and then headed to Kyle's brother's for lunch and an egg hunt- the kids even braved the rain for a bit to find some eggs and their Easter baskets from Grammie and Papa.

After church she got cake AND a chocolate covered strawberry- I think it made her day!

Cousins- Reese, Mekenna, Preston, Maddy

Aunt Krista makes the BEST cakes- this one didn't disappoint!

Hanging in there

I am 38 weeks and 5 days. I am hanging in there, but getting pretty darn uncomfortable. My ribs feel like they are broken and I have lots of pressure. I think this baby will be a decent size :) I had my regular weekly appointment on Tuesday. I am 3 cm and baby is all the way head down. Now it's just a waiting game until baby decides it's ready to make an appearance. Anytime would be nice. Reese and Preston are on Spring Break next week and are hoping for a baby so they can spend time with it.

We had a fun weekend this past weekend with lots of Easter activities. Saturday Reese's school held a lunch with the Easter bunny and had lots of activities too. Home Depot was there and did a workshop where the kids got to build their own toolboxes. A local daycare was also there and sponsored all sorts of crafts and things for the kids to do. Reese had a blast and was more than willing to sit by the Easter bunny for a picture.
Sunday afternoon our friends held an Easter egg hunt at their house. The kids also had fun making s'mores and playing with all the kids there. Sunday eve I took Preston down to my mom's to spend the night since Aubrey was spending this week at their house for her Spring Break. Reese was bummed not to get to go since her Spring Break isn't until next week. But, when my mom brought Preston home Monday afternoon, Reese got to play with Aubrey for a bit and she was excited about that!
Last night, I dreadfully decided to get our Easter eggs dyed. I'm not going to lie, I just really don't enjoy this tradition. The dye everywhere, messy kids, hands in and out of the dye cups, just gives me anxiety and is not something I enjoy. But, I took one for the team and the kids actually did really well with them this year. Now, they are stinking up the fridge waiting for the Easter bunny to hide them on Sunday morning.


 I got in one more Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project before baby arrives and I am too tired to even see straight. Ive been wanting to re-do the china cabinet Kyle's grandma gave us for our wedding and I finally got around to it two weeks ago. I really like it- I used Old White Annie Sloan chalk paint.

 

 Easter lunch at the school. Reese building her toolbox at the Home Depot workshop in the gym.

 Egg Hunt at a friend's house. The kids found 400 (!!!) eggs total!

 Reese and Malorie

 Beautiful day for a fire and S'mores

 Aubrey got to visit after school for a few hours on Monday.

 Coloring eggs yesterday

The final countdown....

37 weeks is here. Accompanied by Kyle taking a trip to Thailand for work this week :) At my appointment last week the doctor gave me a 10% chance of going in to labor this week, so with that, I told Kyle to go ahead and get this last work trip out of the way. He has no more travel planned until the end of May. I still have my back up plan in place in case anything should happen this week, but so far, feeling good.
This past weekend we celebrated Kyle's dads birthday on Saturday with a cookout and his parents house. It was kind of crummy weather, but not too bad for March. The cousins had fun playing and wore each other out. Kyle took off early Sunday morning, while the kids and I had a typical Sunday (church, groceries, naps) :)
I had Reese's conference last Thursday at school, and it went well as expected. She is one of the top 4 in her class of 68 for reading, and is excelling at math too. So crazy to me how much she has learned since last September. She is now reading books to us at night before bed instead of us reading to her! Her teacher said she is "one that wants to please the teacher" "knows right from wrong" and is always striving to make good choices at school and be a good friend. Sounds like Kyle and I have done at least one thing right :) lol.
I have my 37 week appointment on Thursday to see if much has changed. This weekend we are going to be busy with Easter activities. Saturday the school is putting on a lunch with the Easter bunny and crafts/games that the kids are excited to go to. Sunday afternoon one of our friends is putting on a kids egg hunt at their house. Hopefully the weather stays warmer for us!

 Hudson- 10 months, thinks it pretty cool when we pick Preston up from Preschool

The kids on a nature hunt on our 5 acres- Reese fully equipped with her bike helmet :)

3 kids. 3 bellies. Left to Right: Reese, Preston, baby #3 

Boy or girl?! 

All taken within 36-37 weeks

You can sure tell Reese was a summer baby, holy tan!

March!

March came in like a lion with a bit of snow and cold temps, but now we are evening out to be like a lamb, and I sure hope it stays. As I type this I have our deck door open getting some fresh air, and it feels amazing.
Kyle survived his trip to Istanbul last week and made it home this past Friday afternoon. We enjoyed a nice long weekend as Reese didn't have school yesterday. The teachers had an in service because we have conferences this week. I had Preston's conference last Thursday, and to no surprise, his teacher said the one thing he needs to work on is self control :) I just kind of laughed and said, yep! He has  a hard time managing his emotions. He gets really frustrated or angry easily if he is presented with a challenge, and has a hard time controlling his body when made to sit for long periods of time (like at circle time.) I know that will develop on it's own, so I'm not worried about it. Right now, he is a typical 3 year old rambunctious little boy. Other than that she said he is doing great and he is a fun kid to have in class. We will see on Thursday how Reese is doing, I expect no issues with her, other than she tries to be "too much of a leader" at times :)

This weekend we enjoyed the weather and played a lot outside. Saturday was a morning of running errands, and we bought a treadmill for our workout room. Time to get in shape after baby is born with summer right around the corner. Monday, with Reese off school, we decided to go to the zoo since it was 65 outside. Kyle's mom had the day off too, so she joined us. We had a great time and it was so nice to get out and enjoy the weather! Here are a few pics from our day.

I had my 36 week appointment yesterday. I'm 1-2 cm dilated, baby's head is down, and everything is looking good and right on track. Kyle travels to Thailand for work next week, and the doctor said he said there is a 10% chance I'd go into labor, so I told him to keep his travel plans since it's looking like I'm going to make it near my due date (April 3.) I'm feeling good but getting pretty uncomfortable at night. The end is near!