MILO’S BIRTH STORY

I really wanted to write about this.

I had been feeling contractions for about a week before, and had 5cm dilation since the Sunday before. I knew he was coming soon but didn’t know when, because these kind of symptoms can begin way before labour actively starts. It was dinner time (around 6pm) on the 7th when my contractions started getting more intense, and I felt something was happening. I called the midwife to give her a heads up, then took a bath and went to lie down and try to get some rest.

When it was about 1am I was woken up by strong contractions much less far apart then the ones I had been having the whole past week, and I knew it was time. I started timing my contractions and preparing myself for the moment. Around 3am I called Lila (the midwife) and woke up Tobias. While I walked around ease the process, he inflated and filled the tub with warm water. Lila arrived about an hour later and we started the breathing exercises and when I felt ready I got into the tub.

Milo took his sweet time, for sure. Tobias was by my side at all times, we just talked and laughed and he soothed me while we were waiting for our littlest one. Tob and Lila took turns snapping some pictures so we could document the moment. As time passed the contractions got stronger and stronger, and then I actively started pushing. It was time.

Everything felt so light and natural. I knew what I had to do and when, I was so aware of my own body’s movements and all my senses felt heightened. What a rush! My midwife Lila’s guidance throughout the whole process helped make things so much easier.

Milo Kai Hansen came at around 7:15 am on the 8th of August, a chubby red haired little thing
weighing 9lb and measuring about 21 inches. Getting him out and holding him in my arms was so exhilarating, it’s the best feeling ever. Tobias cut the cord and went to clean him up and cuddle him while Lila helped me push out the placenta and get out of the tub.

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life (seriously, having a baby in your own living room? Amazing.) and for those of you considering a home birth, I’d highly recommend it. I felt relaxed, safe and comfortable. Truly incredible! And now I have my beautiful ginger boy to snuggle!

DEAR LITTLE ONE

Tomorrow is your date but we still don’t know if it’s going to be the day you chose to arrive. I am anxious and excited, and you’d thing that after your brother and sister I would be used to this, but it’s other same rush every time. We’re all very ready and eager to meet you. You can come out now, it’s a beautiful world out here.

39 WEEKS LOG

Aloha! 39 + 3 today. 4 days till due date! Hopefully this will be the last log, and by the next week I’ll have my sweet baby boo in my arms. Angus and Mercy didn’t go this far along, and I am definetely impatient about it.

We got a home water birth planned and everything is set to it, because he might decide to come around at any time. Our living room now features a birthing pool and we have the doula on call. All we need to do is wait now!

Bump? The bumpest. Husband has to tie my shoes – when I am bothered to wear them.

Total weight gain: 25lbs.

Sleep? Not much lately, but I have been tired of carrying this extra weight around. It has been taken a toll on my lower back. Because of that I’ve just been hanging around home and not doing much.

Best moment this week – We had a great backyard bonfire for Tobias’ parents, they’ve flown out to stay with us and wait the baby out.

Miss anything? – Not being so pregnant. I miss doing things, going around town, driving everywhere, working, carrying my kids everywhere, and surfing.

Food craving – We’ve been kicking the spices up trying to speed the baby’s arrival.

Symptoms – Mild contractions, tiredness, nesting, leg cramps.

Belly button in or out? – Out.

What I’m looking forward to – Baby!

Ring on or off? – Off.

Happy or moody most of the time – Happier lately.

Baby in veggie/fruit terms -Watermelon

36 WEEKS LOG

36 weeks + 1 day, woo! Mark not missed, I feel victorious.

Bump? I have my own personal gravitational field now.

Total weight gain: 23lbs.

Sleep? Okay, I think. Less than usual when I’m not pregnant, but it got better than the last weeks.

Best moment this week – This week has been a little tough since I haven’t been able to be as active as I’d like to.

Miss anything? – Doing all the things I would do when not pregnant.

Food craving – Sweets.

Symptoms – Braxton Hicks and swollen feet.

Belly button in or out? – Out.

What I’m looking forward to – Meeting our doula so we can get everything set for the birth.

Ring on or off? – Off.

Happy or moody most of the time – A mix of both.

Baby in veggie/fruit terms – Papaya

34 WEEKS LOG

I swear I’m the worst at this. 34 weeks + 1 day. So close, though! 6 weeks to go.

Bump? It arrives 10 minutes earlier than me everywhere I go.

Total weight gain: 21lbs. Been holding up pretty steadily there.

Sleep? Lots of it, I’ve been so tired. Even if it’s so uncomfortable because of position issues (thank goodness for body pillows), heartburn and everything, lately I’ve been getting exausted from doing minimal things, so… naps galore.

Best moment this week – Going with Angus and Mercy to their homeschooling/unschooling group. So much fun!

Miss anything? – Not being pregnant, to be honest. I’m really over it and ready for this boo to be born.

Food craving – Nothing really.

Symptoms – Fatigue, back pain, heartburn, peeing all the time, Braxton Hicks, pregnancy brain, blurry vision, swollen everything.

Belly button in or out? – Out.

What I’m looking forward to – Meeting our doula so we can get everything set for the birth.

Ring on or off? – Off. I have sausages for fingers now.

Happy or moody most of the time – Happy. Yay!

Baby in veggie/fruit terms – Savoy cabbage

22 WEEKS LOG

We’re back from Thailand! And late to the log, soz. Today I am 22 weeks + 3 days. There’s a couple extra pictures below the log part 🙂

Bump? Bigger and bigger. Baby is measuring around 11 inches now.

Total weight gain: 18lbs

Sleep? Okay-ish. 

Best moment this week – All the ones in Thailand.

Miss anything? – Spicy food

Food craving – Pineapple

Anything making you queasy or sick? – Nothing.

Symptoms – Heartburn, ugh. And back pain. Belly grew a lot too.

Belly button in or out? – Out!

What I’m looking forward to – Mercy’s birthday.

Ring on or off? – On

Happy or moody most of the time – Happy

Baby in veggie/fruit terms – Corn on the cob

TEA TALK

I’ve always been a major coffee person. It has been my main fuel for years – then I got pregnant, and my doctor recommended to slow down on the caffeine intake during those months. And so it began my quest searching for something that’d up my energy levels.

Tam (@mamabele) told me to try these packed teas and I just love them! My energy is back up like a dream. It’s a blend of oolong, goji berry, lemongrass, and some I just can’t remember right now. They claim it can also boost the immune system, help with digestion…Plus, it’s all natural and vegan friendly!

try it now!

20 WEEKS LOG (& SURPRISE TRIP!)

Woohoo, halfway through! Last week was pretty busy, so we’re skipping the 19 week log. And I have exciting news: Tobias surprised me with a quick trip to Thailand! We are going the first days of April, before Emerson’s 3rd birthday.

It’ll be our last big trip before the baby arrives, since we’re not really planning on leaving Hawaii after that. My dad is coming over to stay with Angus and Mercy.

Bump? I feel like I haven’t really gotten any bigger than the last two weeks, but I still feel pretty big considering how far along I am.

Total weight gain: 13lbs

Sleep? Good!

Best moment this week – The surprise, definetely!

Miss anything? – Sleeping on my stomach.

Food craving – P o k e b o w l s

Anything making you queasy or sick? – Nothing.

Symptoms – Swollen feet and hands, baby kicks, high energy, my hair is also really nice lately.

Belly button in or out? – In. I feel like it’s popping soon though.

What I’m looking forward to – The next scan.

Ring on or off? – On.

Happy or moody most of the time – Happy

Baby in veggie/fruit terms – Banana

03 . 07 . 2013

Since our wedding day was 5 years (plus one week!) ago, I figured this blog needed some throwback photos. Angus beared our rings! It was an almost warm spring night, and we had some fabric and lights to make a magical ceiling. We also got sunflowers, my favorites, as the main decoration. One of the happiest days of my life.

We’re lucky we had no rain!